Course Overview

The Foundation Degree – Information Technology and Study Skills is a one-year (full-time) or eighteen-month (part-time) programme delivering a comprehensive academic and practical grounding in IT fundamentals. It covers digital society, internet technologies and the World Wide Web, and core hardware and software concepts. Alongside technical insights, it emphasizes academic writing, communication, digital literacy, effective study habits, and career planning. Students are encouraged and supported in creating and following a personalised career plan.

?MFHEA Approval and Accreditation

This programme is approved, assessed, and accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). It is aligned with the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), ensuring recognition and quality.

?

Get Qualified Scheme

As part of Malta's government-backed Get Qualified Scheme, students may reclaim up to 70% of their tuition fees as tax credits after graduation—provided they stay in Malta and work there for at least two years post-completion. This scheme boosts affordability and return on education.

??

Programme Structure and Assessment

The programme is structured around six compulsory modules, each worth 10 ECTS (totaling 60 ECTS / 120 UK credits). The modules include:

• Developing Academic Skills

• The Digital Society

• Communication and Digital Literacy Skills

• Internet Technology and the WWW

• Effective Study and Career Planning

• (Plus, in some descriptions) Introduction to Computer Hardware and Software

Assessment follows standard grading levels of Distinction, Merit, Pass, Marginal Fail, Fail, reflecting performance against academic expectations.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this foundation degree will be able to:

• Articulate concepts of the digital society and its societal impact

• Understand the fundamentals of internet technologies and how the WWW functions

• Describe modern computer systems, their components, software architecture, and operating systems

• Demonstrate academic writing, research, referencing, and presentation skills appropriate for higher-level study

• Identify effective study practices, cultivate self-awareness, and plan their academic progression

• Develop digital communication skills suitable for educational and professional environments

• Formulate a career plan to guide future academic and professional steps

Career Opportunities and Progression

This foundation degree serves as both a launching pad for further study and a foundation for entry-level IT careers. Graduates may progress into undergraduate programmes at MQF/EQF Levels 5 and 6, such as BSc (Hons) degrees in Computing or IT. On a career track, they could pursue roles like IT support, digital literacy facilitator, or administrative and technical functions within digital environments.

Summary

The Foundation Degree – Information Technology and Study Skills at GBS Malta is a well-accredited pathway that blends technical IT foundations with essential academic and personal development. It’s MFHEA-approved and leverages the Get Qualified Scheme to make education more accessible. Graduates emerge with tangible skills, a strong academic basis, and a roadmap—both educationally and professionally—to confidently move forward.