Advanced Diploma in IT (Computer Systems and Networks)
IT4-A01-23
Apprenticeship
Level 4
Qualification
Accredited via MCAST’s Self Accreditation Process (MCAST holds Self-Accrediting Status as per 1st schedule of Legal Notice 296/2012)
Face to Face
2 Years
120 ECTS
3000 hours
Ages 16 – 65
€8,500.00 (Applicable for Non-EU and Non-EEA Countries) – the fee mentioned here is indicative. Please refer to www.mcast.edu.mt, as well as to MCAST’s MG2I International Section for any updated fees as well as terms of payments.
2024-10-01
The official language of instruction at MCAST is English. All notes and textbooks are in English (except for language courses, which will be in the respective language being instructed). International candidates will be requested to meet English language certification requirements for access to the course.
Applications to full-time courses are received online via the College Management Information System. Applicants can log-in using Maltese Electronic ID (eID) in order to access the MCAST Admissions Portal directly and create one’s own student account with the identity being verified electronically via this secure service.
Non-EID applicants need to request account creation though an online form after that they confirm that their local Identification Document does not come with an EID entitlement. . Once the identity is verified and the account is created on behalf of the applicant, one may proceed with the online application according to the same instructions applicable to all other applicants.
For more information about how to apply online for a course at MCAST, please visit: https://mcast.edu.mt/how-to-apply-online-2/
Non-EU candidates require a study visa in order to travel to Malta and join the course applied for. For further information re study-visa please access https://www.identitymalta.com/unit/central-visa-unit/.
MCAST has four campuses as follows:
MCAST Main Campus
Triq Kordin,
Paola, Malta
All courses except for courses delivered by the Institute for the Creative Arts, the Centre of Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences and the Gozo Campus are offered at the Main Campus address (above).
Courses delivered by the Institute for the Creative Arts, the Centre of Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences, or the Gozo Campus, are offered in one of the following addresses as applicable:
Institute for the Creative Arts
Mosta Campus
Misraħ Għonoq Tarġa Gap,
Mosta
Institute of Applied Sciences
Centre of Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences,
Luqa Road, Qormi
Gozo Campus
J.F. De Chambray Street
MCAST, Għajnsielem
Gozo
In the case of courses delivered via Online Learning, students will be following the programme from their preferred location/address.
Programmes delivered via Blended Learning, and which therefore contain both an online and a face to face component shall be delivered as follows:
Face to Face components – as per above address instructions
Online components – from the student’s preferred address.
English
The Advanced Diploma in Computer Systems and Networks offers a diversity of units with innovative learning material and labs. The course provides ample hands-on experience to engage learners in acquiring practical skills and knowledge to assist them with establishing a career within the IT field. The duration of this programme is spread over two years the first entailing units are common to all IT streams. The intent is to ensure that learners broaden their knowledge beyond the central area of study. Lastly, the second focuses on the core aspects of routing, switching, infrastructure design principles and virtualisation techniques to implement and manage a small to a medium-sized enterprise network environment. Finally, work-based learning is also delivered utilising apprenticeship schemes to ensure that learners are adequately prepared and competent for the industry. This essentially empowers them and allows them to apply their skills in real-life environments and obtain knowledge to aid them in their studies.
Malti
Id-Diploma Avvanzata f’Sistemi u Netwerks tal-Kompjuter toffri diversità ta’ unitajiet b’materjal ta’ tagħlim u laboratorji innovattivi. Il-kors jipprovdi esperjenza prattika biżżejjed biex jinvolvi lill-istudenti biex jiksbu ħiliet u għarfien fil-prattika biex jgħinuhom jistabbilixxu karriera fil-qasam tal-IT. Il-programm huwa mifrux fuq sentejn l-ewwel unitajiet huma komuni għall-istudenti kollha tal-IT. L-intenzjoni hija li jiġi żgurat li l-istudenti jwessgħu l-għarfien tagħhom lil hinn mill-qasam ċentrali ta’ studju. Flaħħar nett, it-tieni jiffoka fuq l-aspetti ewlenin tar-rotot, il-bdil, il-prinċipji tad-disinn tal-infrastruttura u t-teknika tal-virtwalizzazzjoni biex jiġu implimentati u mmaniġġjati ambjent ta’ netwerk ta’ intrapriżi żgħar u ta’ daqs medju. Fl-aħħar nett, it-tagħlim ibbażat fuq ix-xogħol jingħata wkoll bl-użu ta’ skemi ta’ apprendistat biex jiġi żgurat li l-istudenti jkunu ppreparati u kompetenti b’mod adegwat għall-industrija. Dan essenzjalment jagħtihom is-setgħa u jippermettilhom japplikaw il-ħiliet tagħhom f’ambjenti tal-ħajja reali u jiksbu għarfien biex jgħinhom fl-istudji tagħhom.
Junior/assistant systems administrator, Junior/assistant network administrator, Junior/assistant database administrator, End user support
MCAST Diploma in IT
or
MCAST Diploma in iGaming
or
Any MCAST Level 3 Diploma, whilst being in possession of the compulsory subjects as indicated hereunder
or
4 SEC/O-Level/SSC&P (Level 3) passes
Compulsory: Mathematics
and
Compulsory: Computer Studies or Physics or Information Technology*
* Information Technology refers to SEC at Grade 5 or higher, or SSCP IT-VET at MQF 3 or equivalent.
(where applicable) MCAST also gives due recognition to ICT C3 as will be presented by the applicant
Applicants with a good working knowledge of English Language will benefit from a more positive learning experience throughout the course.
At the end of the programme the learner will be able to:
1.Identify the ideal infrastructure components for a given requirement.
2.Diagnose and solve problems in an existing computer network.
3.Deploy and manage virtual infrastructure services.
4.Monitor and document network infrastructures.
The programmes offered are vocational in nature and entail both theoretical lectures delivered in classes as well as practical elements that are delivered in laboratories, workshops, salons, simulators as the module requirements dictate.
Each module or unit entails a number of in person and/or online contact learning hours that are delivered by the lecturer or tutor directly (See also section ‘Total Learning Hours).
Access to all resources is provided to all registered students. These include study resources in paper or electronic format through the Library and Resource Centre as well as tools, software, equipment and machinery that are provided by the respective institutes depending on the requirements of the course or module.
Students may however be required to provide consumable material for use during practical sessions and projects unless these are explicitly provided by the College.
All Units of study are assessed throughout the academic year through continuous assessment using a variety of assessment tools. Coursework tasks are exclusively based on the Learning Outcomes and Grading Criteria as prescribed in the course specification. The Learning Outcomes and Grading Criteria are communicated to the Student via the coursework documentation.
The method of assessment shall reflect the Level, credit points (ECTS) and the schedule of time-tabled/non-timetabled hours of learning of each study unit. A variety of assessment instruments, not solely Time Constrained Assignments/Exams, are used to gather and interpret evidence of Student competence toward pre-established grading criteria that are aligned to the learning outcomes of each unit of the programme of study.
Grading criteria are assessed through a number of tasks, each task being assigned a number of marks. The number of grading criteria is included in the respective Programme Specification.
The distribution of marks and assessment mode depends on the nature and objectives of the unit in question.
Coursework shall normally be completed during the semester in which the Unit is delivered.
Time-constrained assignments may be held between 8 am and 8 pm during the delivery period of a Unit, or at the end of the semester in which the Unit is completed. The dates are notified and published on the Institute notice boards or through other means of communication.
Certain circumstances (such as but not limited to the Covid-19 pandemic) may lead Institutes and Centres to hold teaching and assessment remotely (online) as per MCAST QA Policy and Standard for Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment (Doc 020) available via link https://www.mcast.edu.mt/college-documents/
The Programme Regulations pertaining to this Programme’s MQF/EQF level available at: link https://www.mcast.edu.mt/college-documents/, apply.
All MCAST programmes adopt a Learner-centred approach through the focus on Learning Outcomes. The assessment of MCAST programmes is criterion-referenced and thus assessors are required to assess learners’ evidence against a pre-determined set of Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria.
For a student to be deemed to have successfully passed a unit, a minimum of 50% (grade D) must be achieved.
All full time units are individually graded as follows:
A* (90-100)
A (80-89)
B (70-79)
C (60-69)
D (50-59)
Unsatisfactory work is graded as ‘U’.
Work-based learning units are graded on a Pass/Fail basis only.
Detailed information regarding the grading system may be found in the Programme Regulations pertaining to this programme’s MQF/EQF Level available at: link https://www.mcast.edu.mt/college-documents/
MCAST Career Guidance
Tel: 2398 7135/6
Email: career.guidance@mcast.edu.mt
Download PIT (Public Information Template) pdf here
Download Abridged Course Spec pdf here
Last updated: 2024-08-01
MCAST Main Campus 
+356 2398 7100
information@mcast.edu.mt