B.Sc. (Hons) Built Environment Studies

About the course

A three-year honours degree (180 ECTS) from UM’s Faculty for the Built Environment, covering architecture, civil engineering, spatial planning, materials and construction technology, and environmental design. UM describes it as entry level to a number of professional or second-tier master’s degrees. In Malta, becoming a registered architect or engineer (Perit) needs further study after this degree. UM states that its language of instruction is English.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• For international applicants, the course page requires UM’s Diploma in Design Foundation Studies as well as the subject passes below. You cannot enter straight from the Leaving Certificate: you would first need to complete the foundation diploma. Confirm the route, its length and its entry rules with UM.
• Special Course Requirements: Advanced Level passes at grade C or better in Physics and in either Applied Mathematics (Mechanics) or Pure Mathematics, plus an Intermediate Level pass in one listed subject (for example Art, Chemistry, English, History or Computing). UM treats H2 as equal to an Advanced grade C and H6 as equal to an Intermediate grade C, so in practice you need at least H2 in Higher Level Physics and H2 in Higher Level Maths or Applied Maths.
• General rule and English: UM’s Ireland page asks for 6 Higher Level passes, ‘including: 2 passes at H2; and 2 passes at H3; and 2 passes at H6’, with passes in a language, a science and a humanistic subject. It accepts O4 or better in Leaving Cert English for the English requirement.

How to apply

1. Check the routeAsk UM International Admissions how Irish applicants reach this degree through the Diploma in Design Foundation Studies, and how long that diploma takes.
2. Check requirementsMake sure you are on track for H2 in Physics and H2 in Maths or Applied Maths at Higher Level, and that you meet UM’s general Ireland rule.
3. Apply onlineApply through UM’s online application system before the deadline on UM’s Dates and Deadlines page.
4. Plan the full routeCheck which master’s degree and professional registration you would need afterwards, both in Malta and to practise as an architect in Ireland (RIAI).

Costs

• UM’s course page lists a fee of EUR 10,800 a year for non-EU students only. It does not show the EU/EEA fee, so the EU fee for 2027/28 is not confirmed. The same applies to the Diploma in Design Foundation Studies that international applicants need first. Check both with UM International Admissions (intadmissions@um.edu.mt). Studio materials are likely to cost extra.

At a glance