Queen Mary University in Malta

• Age of students: from 18 years
• Location: Gozo and Victoria, Malta
• Founded: 1887 year
• Type of institution: university
• Language of instruction: English
• Type: collaborative.

The modern medical school is located in Victoria on the grounds of the Gozo General Hospital. The Medical School in Malta is a modern architectural masterpiece, distinguished by the latest technological infrastructure and unlike any other in Europe.

At the Queen Mary Malta campus, staff strive to achieve the highest standards in research and make a real impact on health-related issues for the benefit of both local and global populations. Undergraduate research ranges from basic science on a lab table to identifying new goals, drugs, or other treatments, as well as applied health research involving patients and public health interventions.

At the Queen Mary Campus in Malta, students are taught by experts in their field who are passionate about their subject. The emphasis is on helping children develop experience in a range of practical areas, including clinical, communication, observational, team and management skills.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) ensures that future physicians are trained in thinking strategies, expanding knowledge of the subject through early clinical placement. Lectures play a relatively small role – the focus is on practical training, training in communication skills and working in the local community.

Teachers support and encourage their students to develop an independent attitude to learning, for example, to make decisions about how to engage in key subjects, explore and discuss them with classmates.

The educational process includes the following blocks:

• Practical exercises

At the beginning of the program, sessions take place in existing clinical rooms equipped with computers and cable TELEVISION.

• Communication skills

Students receive hands-on training in interview techniques and special classes dedicated to communication between doctors and their patients.

• Design work

Work on the project will establish contact with the local community through work with general practitioners and community mentors.

• Problem-Based Learning

A central element of the medical curriculum is problem-based learning. The PBL includes groups of 8-10 students working together to understand and explain the main issues of the problem under the guidance of a mentor.

Effective teamwork is necessary for PBL: conducting independent research and presenting their results to the group will help to preserve information, which, in turn, improves communication skills. Early use of clinical scenarios will help children apply their knowledge.

• Medical electives

Each year, students are required to complete three SSCs based on clinical scenarios, patient surveys, history taking, and related questions related to the selected patient.

• Evaluation

The assessment scheme is a combination of continuous assessment and regular exams throughout the program with final exams each year. The Rewards and Distinctions System rewards excellent or outstanding work in each section of the curriculum. There is also a comprehensive system of prizes for the recognition of special abilities in both basic examinations and special subjects.

• Exams at the end of the year

Year-end exams measure progress in the core curriculum and use a range of innovative assessment methods. Written works test knowledge and its application to problem solving, with extended correspondence questions, short answers, and modified essay questions that are often used in conjunction with clinical scenarios. In addition, the first two phases of the program use computer-based exams in anatomy, histology, and data interpretation.

• Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)

They are used from the first year of the program to assess competence in clinical, communication and practical skills. Students go through a series of stations where they have five or ten minutes to complete a specified task with a real or simulated patient/dummy.

• Formative Evaluation Workshops

Formative assessment workshops (where scores are not taken into account) and informal feedback in small group training sessions will help develop your knowledge, personal and group skills throughout the program.

Gozo is divided into 14 villages. The medical school is located in Victoria, the capital of Gozo. Some areas are more expensive than others, and many of today's students choose to live in Victoria as they are closer to Medical School.

Students are assisted with finding accommodation. Searching online or reaching out to current students through Unibuddy for advice on specific areas of Gozo is a good way to decide where a student would like to live.

The Medical School in Malta provides its pupils with all the necessary resources for an interesting, rich student life. One of the most popular destinations is the election of student ambassadors. QMUL Malta Student Ambassadors are a dynamic team of students from diverse backgrounds. Acting as positive role models, student ambassadors are vital to the decision-making and aspirations of young people at the university.

With this position, students can:

• Share personal experiences with applicants and the general public during university events: Open Days, Conferences and School Days,
• Assist in conducting campus tours for prospective students and their families,
• Communicate with applicants in digital format at virtual open days,
• Assist in activities offered under participation programmes.

Throughout the year, the Society holds a number of events and activities: game evenings, movie nights, anti-stress events before exams. Two flagship events are held each year – a Christmas Dinner and a Year-End Party – both organized by the Gozo Society. In addition, the society operates a growing number of sports clubs, including, among others, football, netball, basketball, cricket and badminton.

• The Queen Mary Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry programme – the same programme that pupils study in Malta – ranked second in London in the Guardian University Guide 2020, Complete University Guide 2020 and The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.
• The school is included in the World Directory of Medical Schools, developed through a partnership between the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and the Foundation for the Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER).
• The Queen Mary Campus program in Malta has contingency arrangements with the Queen Mary Home University program in London, so that students enrolled in the program and successfully pass all exams will be able to complete their studies and pursue higher education.
• MBBS Malta already has international recognition: the National Commission for Continuing and Higher Education (NCFHE) (Malta), the Medical Council of India, the Caribbean Accreditation Body for Medical Education and Other Medical Professions (CAAM-HP), the Medical Council of China, the General Medical Council (GMC) (UK), the French Medical Council - National Order of Physicians (CNOM), the Medical Council of Canada and other organizations.
• The core curriculum of MBBS Malta is identical to the existing QMUL MBBS London (A100) programme. It includes early in-depth clinical experience, problem-based learning (PBL) and hands-on lab classes, as well as the opportunity to earn an intercalated Bachelor of Science degree at QMUL's London campus.
• Upon successful completion of the five-year programme, a Bachelor of Medicine degree is guaranteed from Queen Mary University of London (Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry).
• More than 80 experienced scientists seeking new knowledge.
• State-of-the-art campus and anatomy center.

The four-storey building, located next to the Gozo Hospital, includes:

• Auditorium for 152 seats,
• Two small lecture halls, which can be combined into a hall for 120 seats,
• Two computer classes for 70 seats each,
• Classrooms and clinical skills classrooms,
• A 1,000-square-meter catering area with a café offering stunning 360-degree views of the historic Citadel.

The building also has a library, student support facilities, social facilities and offices. The lecture halls are equipped with the latest audiovisual technologies, including projectors, screens and a PA audio system with video capture setting.

In addition to the central part of the Auditorium with 152 seats, there are two small lecture halls that can be combined into a hall for 125 seats with a total area of 250 m2. The space can be used as a single space for social events, networking and small exhibitions – or divided to create separate meeting rooms.

All classrooms are equipped with induction loops, adapted for wheelchairs (as well as separate toilets).

There are also several rooms ideal for relaxing or holding events. They are all equipped with audiovisual equipment.

Each room has an automated system that monitors and adjusts ventilation and lighting.

The XXI Century Anatomy Center was officially opened in 2018 and is located on the territory of the Gozo General Hospital, next to the Medical School. The center has a special area for the study of anatomy by autopsy and equipment for displaying clinical images, videos of surgical procedures and specialized computer images. Children will be able to conduct practical exercises, participate in demonstrations under the guidance of a mentor using anatomical samples and models.

• Pass UCAT – UCAT is a mandatory aspect of the application process.
• Apply – Submit an application form along with any relevant documents: academic certificates or certificates, proof of English proficiency and UCAT scorecard.
• Go through the evaluation phase of the admissions committee: the admissions committee will evaluate the application based on actual/estimated estimates, UCAT, recommendations, and a personal statement.
• Take interviews – they are conducted via Zoom. The 20-minute interview will include comments and questions on the pre-read article.

MBBS Malta's Medicine programme has been designed to provide students with the medical knowledge, clinical skills and competencies needed to become a competent doctor in Foundation Year 1 (FY1).

To enter the medical school, the following documents will be required:

• Diploma scan (high school or bachelor's degree)
• Transcript of previous years of study – assessment certificate
• Passport
• Autobiography
• Results of the entrance test
• Letters of recommendation (from 2 to 3)
• Portfolio and essays.

The university has a partial scholarship, which is awarded on a competitive basis and is open to candidates from all over the world. To receive funding, it is necessary to meet the average academic requirements for admission to the degree (medicine MBBS Maita), which are available on the official website.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision