Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts
CA4-W03-23
Placement/Internship
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
This programme is an opportunity to develop an advanced understanding of the performing arts industry, its structures and practices. In the first year, learners will develop a fundamental understanding of the performance, design, technical, and management aspects of the industry. Training in these areas will enable learners to contextualise past and present practices in the performing arts. They will also engage with well-being practices for a holistic preparation to more advanced learning and work in a complex industry. Following the successful progression from their first year, students have the opportunity to advance their training in four specific areas within the performance, design, technical and management domains. Learners will also develop entrepreneurial skills, and be given a work-based learning opportunity within a related private or public entity. They will also learn basic skills for performing in front of a camera. Ultimately, learners will be able to apply all their skills in the production and presentation of a performance. At the end of this course, learners will be geared to pursue a variety of work opportunities in the industry, or to further their studies in undergraduate performing arts programmes.
Malti
Dan il-programm huwa opportunità biex jiġu żviluppati ħiliet avvanzati fl-industrija tal-arti performattiva, l-istrutturi u l-prattiċi tagħha. Fl-ewwel sena, l-istudenti jiżviluppaw ħiliet fundamentali għall-performer fid-disinn u aspetti tekniċi u maniġerjali tal-industrija. It-taħriġ f’dawn l-oqsma u t-tagħlim, jippermetti lill-istudenti jikkontestwalizzaw il-prattika tal-passat u tal-preżent fl-arti performattiva. Se jimpennjaw ruħhom ukoll bi prattika tal-benessri għal tħejjija ħolistika għal tagħlim aktar avvanzat u jaħdmu f’industrija kumplessa. Wara li jispiċċaw l-ewwel sena tagħhom, l-istudenti għandhom l-opportunità li javvanzaw it-taħriġ tagħhom f’erba’ oqsma speċifiċi – l-arti performattiva, id-disinn, teknika u fil-qasam tal-maniġment. L-istudenti jiżviluppaw ukoll ħiliet intraprenditorjali, u jingħataw opportunità ta’ tagħlim ibbażat fuq ix-xogħol fi ħdan entità privata jew pubblika relatata. Huma jitgħallmu wkoll ħiliet meħtieġa għal quddiem kamera. Fl-aħħar mill-aħħar, l-istudenti jkunu jistgħu japplikaw il-ħiliet kollha tagħhom fil-produzzjoniet. L-istudenti jkunu mħeġġa li isegwu varjetà ta’ opportunitajiet ta’ xogħol fl-industrija, jew biex ikomplu bl-istudji tagħhom fi programmi tal-arti performattiva.
Assistant performing arts/events/stage/logistics manager, Assistant designer (props, costumes), Technical assistant (light/sound design), Performer (acting, dance, music)
Any MCAST Level 3 Diploma
OR
4 SEC/O-Level/SSC&P (Level 3) passes
Other Entry Requirements
Applicants may be asked to sit for an Interview and/or an Audition.
As from 2025-2026, applicants will be required to sit for an interview and/or audition, which can determine eligibility for the course
At the end of the programme the learner will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of Performing Arts structures and practices in context.
2. Operate within the Performing Arts industry with professional and well-being practice awareness.
3. Operate within the performance, design, technical or management domains under minimal supervision.
4. Apply knowledge, skills and competences in the production of a performing arts event.
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’sMQF/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