Licence Updates (for already licenced providers)

If an already licensed provider is interested to apply for a change in category, the provider is to:

1. Fill in the update licence application which can be downloaded from the following link: https://mfhea.mt/provider-licenses/. If any documentation requested in the application form is unchanged from previous application, this is to be indicated. MFHEA may request additional documentation as may be required.
2. Have at least one programme with the Level of the Category being applied for. There are two kinds of programmes which can be provided: home-grown programmes that are accredited through MFHEA or foreign accredited qualifications. If you are interested in creating home-grown courses, you can download the programme application from the following link: https://mfhea.mt/programme-accreditation/.  In the case of foreign accredited qualifications which are not found on the OFQUAL register of regulated qualification/s, please attach a recognition statement which can be obtained from the following link: https://mfhea.mt/academic-qualifications/. Please note that in order to issue a licence, an applicant must obtain accreditation for at least one home-grown programme or have permission to provide at least one foreign accredited programme from the programme’s awarding body.

A copy of the application form/s, together with the required documentation requested in the application form and those listed below, needs to be sent to accreditation@mfhea.mt. The current fee structure can be downloaded from the following link: Administrative Fee Structure for Accreditation and Licensing of Providers and Programmes – Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (mfhea.mt).

A copy of the application form/s, together with the required documentation, is to be sent to accreditation@mfhea.mt.

The provider is to inform the Accreditation Unit of a change in Head of Institution.

For a change in Head, the following documentation are to be provided:

• copy of ID Card/ Passport,
• an updated CV,
• true copies of the qualifications certified by a notary or lawyer. If qualification/s are foreign, a recognition statement must be submitted.

 The required documentation is to be sent to accreditation@mfhea.mt.

For a change in the Legal Representative, the following is to be provided:

The person appointed shall be based in Malta and authorised to enter into legally binding agreements on behalf of the institution. Thus, a copy of ID card/Passport is to be provided. If the appointed legal person resides abroad, the applicant is re-quested to appoint a resident agent. A resident agent is a person who will be representing the legal person here in Malta.

 The required documentation is to be sent to accreditation@mfhea.mt.

The provider is to inform the Accreditation Unit of a change/ ddition of a Training Venue and provide the necessary documentation as indicated in communication on premises.

 The required documentation, is to be sent to accreditation@mfhea.mt.

If an licensed provider would like to introduce online/blended learning, they would need to provide MFHEA  with the following:

The programmes must satisfy the following criteria for the provision to be classified as “100% online or blended”:

1. The learning process is directed and supervised by at least one suitably qualified and competent tutor; and
2. Students have the freedom and flexibility to access the course at a time which is most convenient to them (student control) in addition to the engagement required with the tutor as stipulated by the course description;
3. An integral part of the programme or the whole programme should utilise pedagogical methods which deliver new skills, knowledge, and competences to students through a virtual learning environment.

Furthermore, all providers that are intending to deliver an online/blended course should kindly note the need to provide the following:

• A completed update license application which can be downloaded from the following link: https://mfhea.mt/provider-licenses/.
• Access to online platform and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) both as a student and as a lecturer.
• Any contractual agreement you may have with the hosts/owners of the online platform (if applicable).
• At least one programme which is going to be delivered online/blended. If you are going to apply such amendments to an already accredited programme, please do so with track changes. Kindly refer to the current fee structure for the programme accreditation: Administrative Fee Structure for Accreditation and Licensing of Providers and Programmes – Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (mfhea.mt).

A copy of the application form/s, together with the required documentation, needs to be sent to accreditation@mfhea.mt.

Kindly refer to the below links for further information – Definitions of the Terms Used in Online Learning and GUIDELINES FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE – FOR ONLINE LEARNING PROVIDERS IN MALTA.

A licensed provider may wish to revise a programme which has already been accredited by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) for a variety of reasons. In this case, the licensee must inform the MFHEA of any changes which deviate from the approved final course description. Any proposed changes  by a licensed provider whether ‘Major’ or ‘Minor’ must be considered and approved by MFHEA prior to  them being implemented. [1] It is the Reaccreditation Committee that will consider all requests. The Reaccreditation Committee consists of three members: – CEO of MFHEA, Head of Accreditation, Quality Assurance and Validation, and Manager Accreditation. It is up to the Reaccreditation Committee to confirm if the proposed changes can be considered as ‘Minor’ or ‘Major’ on the bases of the following criteria:

• Justification for proposed changes.
• Impact on objective/rationale.
• Impact on the learning outcomes.
• Impact on entry requirements.
• Impact on the mode of assessment.
• Impact on the distribution of hours in terms of contact/self-study/assessment and supervised/placements hours.
• Impact on the mode of delivery.
• Impact on the criteria with which tutors delivering the programme are chosen.
• Impact on other salient aspects of the programme.

The processes by which ‘Major’ and ‘Minor’ changes are considered and approved, may vary given that what might constitute a ‘Minor’ change in one instance, may have a wider impact and implications in another instance and will in  such a case, be considered as ‘Major’.

‘Minor’ changes are alterations to any existing, already accredited programme that do not materially change the programme and / or do not significantly alter the design of the programme and the participation / engagement of students. For instance, if a request for a change in the name of a programme is made, the institution must provide a rationale why this is being requested. It would also need to be made sure that such a change will not impinge on the purpose and rationale of the programme, on admission requirements, and on the learning outcomes.

Instances of what typically can be considered as ‘Minor’ changes:

• duration of the programme (duration of programme here is referring to the period required for the completion of the programme)
• addition of exit award/qualification from already accredited modules.

When a revision is considered as a ‘Major’ change, the programme/ modules which are altered would need to go through reaccreditation. Thus, while a minor change will not incur an additional fee,  a fee will be charged for the programme reaccreditation when reviewing a ‘Major’ change.The latest fee structure for programme accreditation can be found  on the following link: Administrative Fee Structure for Accreditation and Licensing of Providers and Programmes – Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (mfhea.mt).

Instances of what can typically be considered as ‘Major’ changes:

• Changes in the number of ECTS,
• Change in the use of different terminology as regards the Learning Outcomes, describing an observable behaviour, or knowledge concept, that the learner will acquire.
• Change from face-face to online/blended provision[2].

The licensed provider is to submit an updated final course description in track changes to indicate the proposed revisions. It is to be noted that the Reaccreditation Committee will not consider any requests for changes to the content of the originally approved programme if these are done prior to the conclusion of the first cohort of students. For this reason, the applicant is to submit proof confirming that the first cohort has concluded their studies (e.g. by providing results sheets). A justification for what led to the request for change/es is also to be given. For instance, if the proposed changes are being requested following students’ feedback, evidence of this should be provided. The Reaccreditation Committee reserve the right to request additional documentation if deemed necessary.

Once the requesting documentation is submitted, the Reaccreditation Committee will determine if the programme needs to go through reaccreditation or else be approved internally if the changes done are considered ‘Minor’. If the changes made are not clearly marked, the Reaccreditation Committee will not take into consideration such changes. If the programme requires reaccreditation, the provider will be informed accordingly and may be requested to update the application to the latest version, if necessary.  Information on the process of accreditation can be found on the following link: Programme Accreditation – Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (mfhea.mt).

A copy of the application form/s, together with the required documentation, would need to be sent to accreditation@mfhea.mt.

Should you have any queries, please contact us on accreditation@mfhea.mt.

[1] Provider is subject to administrative penalties if changes are done to an accredited programme without MFHEA approval (MFHEA O7/2021).

[2] If the programme will be updated due to changes in the mode of provision and will not impact other aspect of the application, a fee will incur as specified in Administrative Fee Structure for Accreditation and Licensing of Providers and Programmes – Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (mfhea.mt)

In the case the provider would like to change the register company or sell the license to third parties’ company, the following information is required:

– Good Standing Certificate of the Maltese company which is not older than one month in original

– Company Organigram (signed and certified as a true copy by a director or company secretary of the Maltese company) that provides the name of every shareholder company, company registration number and country of incorporation, and the name of every individual shareholder including the ultimate beneficial owner, passport number and country of issue (or Maltese Identity Card, if applicable) as well as the percentage shareholding by every shareholder

– A certified copy of the licence of any company within the structure, if any and for each corporate shareholder:

– Good Standing Certificate of the company which is not older than one month in original  and for each individual shareholder including the ultimate beneficial owner:

– certified copy of passport

When certified documents are obtained, these should include a written statement to the effect that:

– the document certified is a true copy of the original document;

– the original document has been seen and verified by the certifier; and

– the photo visible on the document (where applicable) is a true likeness of the person appearing in front of me.

The certified copy must be signed and dated by the certifier and is to include the certifier’s name and surname, address, contact details; and profession, designation or capacity.

The required documentation, is to be sent to accreditation@mfhea.mt.