S.L. 607.3 Art. 47University status.

(1) Only accredited higher education institutions which comply with the following shall be eligible to apply for university status in order to be eligible to obtain a licence of a university as defined in the Second Schedule:

(a) higher education, teaching, research and dissemination of knowledge are the primary activities of the higher education institution;

(b) the higher education institution has -

(i) academic staff; and

(ii) an academic library; and

(iii) stable research training or stable research and development activities of a high standard;

(c) the higher education institution has representative bodies of staff and students;

(d) the higher education institution has an organisation and infrastructure for providing higher education and undertaking research;

(e) the higher education institution provides programmes which lead to national qualifications classified at a combination of either Malta Qualifications Framework levels 5, 6, or 7, or foreign qualifications at a comparable level, in at least four fields, and also has independent competence in setting up the components of such programmes and an independent right to award degrees with respect to such programmes;

(f) the higher education institution provides programmes which lead to national qualifications classified at Malta Qualifications Framework level 8, or a foreign qualification at a comparable level, and also has independent competence in setting up the components of such programmes and an independent right to award degrees with respect to such programmes; and

(g) the higher education institution is affiliated with international networks in connection with higher education and, or research and participates in national and international cooperation in teaching and, or research: Provided that an accredited Higher Educational Institute shall be eligible to apply for University status if the Authority considers that such application is in the national interest and in fulfilment of national policies, on the basis of a different combination of higher education qualifications other than those indicated in paragraphs (e) and (f).

(2) An application for university status shall be subject to an evaluation by a panel of external experts and such evaluation shall comply with the following:

(a) it shall include consideration of any offshore activities of the applicant higher education institution which are required to meet relevant regulatory and reporting requirements in Malta; and

(b) where the evaluation by the expert panel makes a proposal to the Authority for or against the granting of university status, the report of the evaluation shall clearly state the reasons for this.