Maturity Clause - MCAST

Applications (Full-Time and Part-Time) which can be considered under Maturity Clause

Applicants (both Full Time and Part Time and similar categories), who satisfy the following conditions will have their application considered under the Maturity Clause ONLY if…

  • It transpires that they do not have the necessary entry requirement/s for the programme of study they would like to be considered for;
  • They will be in possession of a School Leaving Certificate and any other certificates they might have achieved at various levels, including any short courses, CPD, certified in-service training, etc – depending on the course level one is aspiring to follow… Maturity Clause is not only defined by the age of the applicant;
  • By the end of the same calendar year in which application is being submitted, they would have attained (at least) the age of:
    • 27 years, if they would be showing interest in entry to programmes at MQF Level 7
    • 23 years, if they would be showing interest in entry to programmes at MQF Levels 5/6
    • 21 years, if they would be showing interest in entry to programmes at MQF Level 4
    • 19 years, if they would be showing interest in entry to programmes at MQF Level 3
  • They demonstrate that they stand to benefit and show that they can follow the chosen programme of study whilst enjoying and making the best out of the learning and educational experience, without unnecessary hurdles and difficulties which would otherwise seriously hamper such a positive experience. This is done through an interview held for the purpose and any other possible actions that gauge the applicant's standing and sound preparation for the chosen programme of studies (Full-Time or Part-Time delivery). This includes a proficiency instrument in English and/or Mathematics (depending on the selected programme of study one would be applying for). Only those applicants who sit for and achieve a score commensurate to the Level of Study of the MCAST course being chosen, in one or both (as applicable) of these Proficiency Instruments, will be shortlisted to proceed with the Maturity Clause Interview. ARD will be communicating with applicants via the email address which would be made available by same applicant via his/her CMIS Application Profile. A communication will be sent out a few days before the Proficiency Instrument is administered.

Where and as will be required, following the administration of the Maturity Clause Proficiency Instrument, the applicant who would have sat for the Instrument, may be called in for an Interview. The interview is intended to assess the applicant's suitability for the selected programme of study, particularly in terms of sharing one's own experiential background (in terms of evidenced work experience and related matters).

Age is not the only criterion for eligibility.

The Maturity Clause Selection Board may require candidates to undertake additional studies as part of their acceptance. The Board may recommend an alternative programme where this is considered appropriate. The Board reserves the right to evaluate the applicant's competences through various modes of assessment – in addition to the Proficiency Instruments which would have been administered in the run up to the Interview.

Only for Full-Time Admissions applications submitted during the Main Call [13 July (0800h) till 14 August 2026 (1400h)] - Unless otherwise communicated, the English Proficiency Instrument is being administered on Wednesday 02nd September 2026 starting at 0900h at the MCAST Main Campus, Paola – Room will be indicated in the communication sent to all those who will be asked to sit for this English Proficiency Instrument. Candidates are to bring with them writing instruments as well as their National ID Document. Such Proficiency Instruments are held on campus (in person).
Applications submitted for Part-Time courses - this Maturity Clause Proficiency Instrument is administered along the year depending on when the application time window for the specific Part-Time programme applied for, would end. The particular Part-Time course applicant requiring to sit for this Proficiency Instrument, will be informed via email, about the date and time of same. Candidates are to bring with them writing instruments as well as their National ID Document. Such Proficiency Instruments are held on campus (in person).

Only for Full-Time Admissions applications submitted during the Main Call [13 July (0800h) till 14 August 2026 (1400h)] - Unless otherwise communicated, the Mathematics Proficiency Instrument is being administered on Friday 04th September 2026 starting at 0900h at the MCAST Main Campus, Paola – Room will be indicated in the communication sent to all those who will be asked to sit for this Mathematics Proficiency Instrument. Candidates are to bring with them writing instruments as well as their National ID Document. Such Proficiency Instruments are held on campus (in person).
Applications submitted for Part-Time courses - this Maturity Clause Proficiency Instrument is administered along the year depending on when the application time window for the specific Part-Time programme applied for, would end. The particular Part-Time course applicant requiring to sit for this Proficiency Instrument, will be informed via email, about the date and time of same. Candidates are to bring with them writing instruments as well as their National ID Document. Such Proficiency Instruments are held on campus (in person).

Information intended to help applicants under Maturity Clause, to prepare themselves for the respective Proficiency Instrument for which they will be called in - as per above information

Further information about English Proficiency Instrument for Maturity Clause applicants

English Proficiency Instrument for Maturity Clause applicants

Being an essential channel of communication, it is highly beneficial for the applicant to show that s/he is able to reach the required level of written communication in view of the programme of studies s/he is showing interest in (and passing through the Maturity Clause entry route).

This graded instrument, with increasing complexity of question type per section, is designed to assess various aspects of English proficiency, including writing, reading comprehension, analysis of visual information, and language skills.

This structure ensures its reliability as a linguistic diagnostic tool for entry at Levels 3, 4, and 5/6.

Section 1: Email Writing (20 marks)
In this section, the candidate is provided with a prompt to write a formal work-related email between 100 and 150 words based on a given scenario. The scoring criteria would look for:

  • Clarity and idiomatic use of language
  • Coherence and organisation
  • Proper use of grammar and punctuation
  • Appropriateness of tone

Section 2: Reading Comprehension (30 marks)
In this section, the candidate is presented with a text of approximately 500 words with a readability level of B1/B2 (CEFR levels). Following the reading of the text, the candidate needs to answer a set of 10 questions (amongst which Multiple Choice, Direct, Inferential, and Key Information Selection) from the answers of which one will gauge:

  • Demonstrating accuracy of answers
  • Demonstrating understanding of the passage
  • Demonstrating ability to infer meaning
  • Demonstrating ability to select and summarise information

Section 3: Infographic Analysis (20 marks)
The candidate is presented with an infographic on a relevant topic in this section. Questions are asked about the main message conveyed by the infographic, key statistics, and how visual elements contribute to the overall understanding of the information. Focus is also placed on the candidate's ability to correlate information and describe it. The following criteria will be scored in this section:

  • Analysis of visual elements
  • Ability to extract relevant information
  • Ability to interpret, correlate, and describe information based on infographic data

Section 4: Grammar and Vocabulary (30 marks)
In this section, the candidate is presented with three tasks:

  • Task 1 – candidate needs to identify and correct grammatical errors.
  • Task 2 – a vocabulary task related to the appropriate use of synonyms.
  • Task 3 – candidate is to complete a number of sentences in a way that reflects the source sentence preceding it.

The final score brackets, from this English Proficiency Instrument:

  • 85% – 100% – candidate may proceed in being considered for an MQF Level 5/6 programme.
  • 70% – 84% – candidate may proceed in being considered for an MQF Level 4 programme.
  • 50% – 69% – candidate may proceed in being considered for an MQF Level 3 programme.

Further information about Mathematics Proficiency Instrument for Maturity Clause applicants

Mathematics Proficiency Instrument for Maturity Clause applicants

Proper proficiency placement of students within MQF Level 3, 4 and 5/6 courses, is pivotal for their academic journey. To ensure this, it is essential to have a graded Mathematics assessment that accurately evaluates the mathematical proficiency of the applicant candidate.

Core Competencies and Content Coverage:
Each MQF level requires specific core competencies and content coverage.

  • Level 3 – Focuses on foundational Arithmetic, Algebra and basic Geometry.
  • Level 4 – Builds upon Level 3 with more advanced Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry.
  • Level 6 – Requires proficiency in Calculus, advanced Algebra and Trigonometry.

The Instrument, is made up of a diverse range of questions, amongst which (but not limited to) Multiple Choice and Problem Solving. The difficulty level is structured in a way to be commensurate to the comprehensive coverage of the foundational material necessary for a build up from one level to another.

Level 3 questions will focus on foundational concepts and straightforward applications. Assessment tasks may include (but not necessarily limited to):

  • Numerical calculations involving Fractions, Decimals, Percentages and Units of Measure.
  • Algebraic Manipulations – Factorizing, Expanding and Simplifying algebraic expressions, changing subject of the formula and solving linear equations with one or two unknowns.
  • Straight Line Graphs.
  • Shapes and Angles
  • Perimeter, Area and Volume of regular compound shapes.
  • Pythagoras Theorem and Trigonometry
  • Data Handling

Level 4 questions will require more advanced problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of mathematical principles. Assessment tasks may include (but not necessarily limited to):

  • Expanding further algebraic expressions including the product of two brackets.
  • Manipulate Quadratic expressions and equations.
  • Applying Laws of Indices.
  • Graphical Representations – Quadratic, Cubic and Exponential.
  • Applying Sine and Cosine Rules
  • Further Data Handling – Mean, Mode and Median of grouped data. Histograms and Cumulative frequency curve.

Level 5/6 questions will be significantly more challenging, involving abstract reasoning, advanced Algebra (Logarithms), Calculus (Differentiation & Integration) and intricate problem-solving strategies. Assessment tasks may include (but not necessarily limited to):

  • Simplifying expressions and solving equations by applying laws of Logarithms.
  • Differentiation of standard functions. Product Rule, Quotient Rule and Chain Rule.
  • Integration of standard functions. Applications involving definite integration.

The final score brackets, from this English Proficiency Instrument:

  • 805% – 100% – candidate may proceed in being considered for an MQF Level 5/6 programme.
  • 40% – 79% – candidate may proceed in being considered for an MQF Level 4 programme.
  • Less than 40% – candidate may proceed in being considered for an MQF Level 3 programme.
Duration is of 100 to 120 minutes.

(Last updated 11th January 2026)