New diploma lets wrongly classified PGCE graduates upgrade qualification

The University has launched a new postgraduate diploma allowing hundreds of teachers affected by an administrative error to upgrade their qualifications,

The new Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Professional Practice (MQF Level 7) follows an Ombudsman investigation that found around 400 PGCE graduates had been wrongly classified after their qualification was mistakenly recorded as a postgraduate award between 2010 and 2013.

An investigation by the Commissioner for Education within the Ombudsman’s Office last year found that the graduates had been handed an incorrect transcript and were never informed of the error after their PGCE qualification was “mistakenly recorded as a second cycle qualification”.

On Tuesday, the University of Malta announced the launch of a new Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Professional Practice (MQF Level 7), providing eligible PGCE graduates with the opportunity to upgrade their qualification through a flexible programme.

The university referred to the Commissioner’s Final Opinion, noting the diploma was being introduced following the recommendation that top-up course should be offered to all holders of the PGCE affected by the incorrect classification of their qualification.

The programme will start in October 2026 and has been designed to accommodate teachers who are already working. Participants will be able to complete the required 60 ECTS credits over a maximum period of six academic years while continuing their work.

The University has also confirmed that the programme is eligible under the Government's Get Qualified scheme.

The Office of the Ombudsman welcomed this development as a “positive outcome” for the teachers concerned and as an example of how Ombudsman investigations can contribute to “practical solutions that address administrative shortcomings while safeguarding fairness and academic standards”.