Description
The ocean is under threat from human activities, arising in part from the lack of proper governance of the waters within and beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. There is an urgent need to examine and reconsider the current regime to seek a secure, stable, safe and sustainable ocean governance for the 21st century.
The innovative new MPhil programme has been designed in partnership by IMO’s two sister institutions, IMLI and WMU, to play a part in ensuring the future sustainability of the world’s oceans in accordance with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The two-year programme is designed to train maritime law experts who can advocate for the policies and legislation to transform the world’s oceans and support their sustainable development.
Students spend the first academic year in Malta to follow IMLI’s well-established LL.M. programme in International Maritime Law. The full programme details can be found on our website (www.imli.org).
Students then have a non-teaching period from August to October to gather dissertation material. The dissertation is a project supervised jointly by IMLI and WMU reflecting the needs of students’ home countries or regions for adequate ocean governance. From October to May, the students move to Malmö to follow studies at WMU with particular focus on Ocean Sustainability, Governance and Management.
As part of the programme, students will take part in field study visits that link theoretical knowledge to practical experience. Typical destinations include Sweden, Denmark, the UK, IMO (London) and the Netherlands. Students also receive complimentary attendance at the international conferences organized annually at IMLI and WMU.
The teaching in the programme as well as the preparation of assignments and dissertation is in the English language.
Academic Requirements
The Institute will consider the applications of candidates who meet its academic requirements, which are:
a) a degree with a high standing from a recognized university in law or in a discipline related to maritime law;
b) proficiency in the English language (see the full proficiency of English language requirements below); and
c) computer competence (at least the ability to use Microsoft Office). Computer competence is essential as students are required to use computers to carry out research and to complete their assignments and academic projects. In addition, computer competence is important in the event the Institute holds examinations online.
Proficiency of English language
All students must be fully proficient in the English language by the time they begin their studies. This means that they should be fully acquainted with the fundamentals of the English language, i.e. in reading, writing, listening, comprehension and speaking skills. Students who have not studied or made active use of the English language in recent years are STRONGLY advised to refresh their English knowledge PRIOR to their arrival in Malta. They should bear in mind that the study of international maritime law in the English language demands a sophisticated knowledge of the language. Production of evidence of English language proficiency is required. Therefore, as a pre-requisite for the admission, the Institute may require candidates to undertake one of the following tests:
INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING SYSTEM (IELTS)
Administered on demand at local British Council offices / British Embassies.
Further information on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) can be found at http://www.ielts.org. A pass above band 6 means the student can participate fully in the programme.
CAMBRIDGE CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY
Further information on the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency may be obtained by contacting British Embassies/Consulates or the British Council, the Institute, or by visiting the following website: http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/proficiency. A pass level means that the student can participate fully in the programme.
TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL)
Further information on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) may be obtained through American Embassies / Consulates or the U.S. Information Agency, or by visiting the following website http://www.toefl.org. A pass above 600 or above 227 CBT or above 87 IBT means that the student can participate fully in the programme.
If the test taken is not one of the above, the score, together with reference material on the system used, may be sent to the Institute for evaluation and advice. A certified copy of the test results should be sent to the Institute along with the application. Further, the Institute reserves the right to conduct online interviews with candidates applying to the programme to assess their level of English in order to ensure that they have the command necessary to undertake and successfully complete the programme.
COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE FOR LANGUAGES (CEFR)
Further information on the CEFR may be obtained by visiting the following website: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions. A B2 level means that the student can participate fully in the programme.
Programme Fee and Financial Support
The fee for the M.Phil. programme is of Euro 37,000. This fee covers tuition for both years of studies and selected textbooks. Candidates are required to have financing for their enrolment in the programme.
Whatever the source of funding for the programme fee, candidates are reminded that the programme fee does not cover travel expenses. Travel arrangements will have to be arranged and settled by the participants and/or their nominating authorities.
Whatever the source of funding for the programme fee, candidates are reminded that the programme fee does not cover health insurance. Candidates admitted to the programme are required to have a health insurance for the whole duration of their stay in Malta with cover for hospital care. Evidence of this insurance may be required by the relevant Embassy when the student applies for an entry visa. However, health insurance is mandatory when candidates admitted to the programme apply in Malta for a study residence permit. Should admitted candidates find difficulty in obtaining insurance which cover extends for the whole duration of their stay in Malta, the Institute can assist in obtaining locally the required health insurance when the admitted candidate arrives in Malta.
For further details, please contact:
Ms. Anusha Fernando
Admissions Officer
IMO International Maritime Law Institute
University of Malta Campus
Triq Roberto Ranieri Costaguti
Msida MSD 2080
Malta
Tel.: +356 21 319343, 310816 Ext.: 107
Fax: +356 21 343092
E-mail: admissions@imli.org
How to apply
All candidates must complete the Application Form. This form must be accompanied by:
(a) copies of the University degrees held by the candidate officially authenticated by the University concerned;
(b) a copy of the certificate of proficiency in English;
(c) the Medical Report Form duly completed by a registered Government Medical Practitioner;
(d) a letter of intent written by the candidate stating the candidate’s reasons for applying to the programme and his/her career objective. Candidates may use the Motivation Form included in the Application Package;
(e) two letters of reference covering the candidate’s ability to undertake the programme. Referees should be persons who are not related to the candidate and who are familiar with the candidate’s character and qualifications. Referees should use, where possible, the Reference Form provided in the Application Package;
(d) a non-refundable application and processing fee of €150.
When all the criteria for admission, including clearance and confirmation of financing, have been met, the candidate shall be notified in writing that the candidate has been selected for admission to the programme.
For further details, please contact:
Ms. Anusha Fernando
Admissions Officer
IMO International Maritime Law Institute
University of Malta campus
Msida MSD 2080
Malta
Tel.: +356 21 319343, 310816
Fax: +356 21 343092
E-mail: admissions@imli.org
All applications should be type-written and sent to:
The Director
IMO International Maritime Law Institute
University of Malta campus
Msida MSD 2080
Malta
