Description
The Advanced Diploma in International Maritime Law is designed to benefit professionals involved in maritime practice both in the private and in the public sector (including at the most senior levels) who, because of their careers, are unable to be away from their jobs for any length of time in excess of a few months per year.
Also bearing in mind the differences between the public and private dimensions of international maritime law the Programme is split into three distinct strands as follows:
- Advanced Diploma in International Maritime Law (Public);
- Advanced Diploma in International Maritime Law (Private); and
- Advanced Diploma in International Maritime Law (General).
Candidates are required to select one of these strands upon admission.
The Programme requirements for the award of the Advanced Diploma in International Maritime Law must be fulfilled within a minimum period of one (1) academic year and a maximum period of five (5) academic years. Within this period candidates are expected to complete the Programme successfully by earning the number of credits required for the award of the Advanced Diploma.
The Institute's resident faculty is responsible for the teaching of all subjects with the Institute’s academic syllabi. The teaching of the resident faculty is complemented by the Distinguished Visiting Fellows Programme which aims to introduce students to the latest developments and offers networking opportunities which should serve students well when they return to their home countries. Distinguished visiting fellows come from leading universities, while others came from international institutions such as the IMO, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC), the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Law Commission (ILC), the Comité Maritime International (CMI), and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). Other visiting fellows include eminent practitioners, diplomats and leading personalities in the maritime industry.
As part of the programme, students also take part in field study visits that link theoretical knowledge to practical experience. Typical destinations include shipyards, port terminals, training simulator centres and commercial and war ships. Students also receive complimentary attendance at the international conferences organized annually at IMLI. At the end of programme, the Institute organizes a field trip to London where the newly graduated participants visit important maritime institutions, including IMO where they have the opportunity to meet again the IMO Secretary-General, senior IMO officials and geographical point representatives.
Earning Credits
The Programme is structured on a credit system. Candidates must therefore earn a sufficient number of credits after successfully following and completing courses on distinct subject areas within either the Public International Maritime Law strand or the Private International Maritime Law strand (please click here for the credit subjects). The credits offered broadly follow the subjects offered within the Institute’s Master’s programmes. All candidates are expected to take two introductory subjects as a sine qua non condition in fulfilling the Programme requirements. The said subjects are accordingly designated as compulsory credits. Other subjects are designated as optional credits. Accordingly, each of the Public International Maritime Law strand and the Private International Maritime Law strand has two compulsory credits. The first compulsory credit (referred to as the primary compulsory credit) carries a significantly higher weighting in credit value compared to the other compulsory credit (referred to as the secondary compulsory credit).
A candidate who chooses to pursue the General International Maritime Law strand must first elect the primary compulsory credit he/she intends to pursue. If the primary compulsory credit chosen is within the Public International Maritime Law strand he/she is compelled to take the secondary compulsory credit of the Private International Maritime Law strand. Conversely, if the primary compulsory credit chosen is within the Private International Maritime Law strand he/she is compelled to take the secondary compulsory credit of the Public International Maritime Law strand. Such candidate may then choose any number of optional credits sufficient to satisfy the requirements for the award of the Advanced Diploma in International Maritime Law (see below) from the Public International Maritime Law and the Private International Maritime Law strands.
More generally, credits (including optional credits) are given different weighting depending amongst other things on the nature of the subject thereof, its relative importance and the number or intensity of lectures/tutorials offered by the Institute in relation thereto. Candidates must earn a total of 25 credits in order to satisfy the requirements for the award of the Advanced Diploma in International Maritime Law.
Candidates are expected to attend lectures/tutorials set in respect of the credit subjects elected. This is a sine qua non condition for further assessment. The form and method of assessment may vary from one credit subject to another but will in all cases be determined and communicated to the candidate(s) concerned upon admission and election of credits. The methods of assessment may include inter alia the following: short written paper or essay; oral examination (viva voce); written examination. The Advanced Diploma is awarded to a successful candidate during the first Graduation Ceremony held by the Institute immediately after the successful completion by the said candidate of the requirements for the award of the Advanced Diploma.
The teaching in the programme as well as the preparation of assignments and the examination of candidates is in the English language.
H.E. Mr. Kitack Lim (IMO Secretary-General and Chairman of the IMLI Governing Board), awarding the Advanced Diploma in International Maritime Law
to Captain Julian Tonna (Malta) Officer, Armed Forces of Malta
Academic Requirements
The Institute will consider the applications of candidates who meet its academic requirements, which are:
a) a degree from a recognized university or other academic institution, or qualifications of comparable standard including relevant professional and/or practical experience recognized for this purpose by the Institute.;
b) proficiency in the English language (see the full proficiency of English language requirements below); and
c) computer competence (at least the ability to use Microsoft Office). Computer competence is essential as students are required to use computers to carry out research and to complete their assignments and academic projects. In addition, computer competence is important in the event the Institute holds examinations online.
Proficiency of English language
All students must be fully proficient in the English language by the time they begin their studies. This means that they should be fully acquainted with the fundamentals of the English language, i.e. in reading, writing, listening, comprehension and speaking skills. Students who have not studied or made active use of the English language in recent years are STRONGLY advised to refresh their English knowledge PRIOR to their arrival in Malta. They should bear in mind that the study of international maritime law in the English language demands a sophisticated knowledge of the language.
Further, the Institute reserves the right to conduct online interviews with candidates applying to the programme to assess their level of English in order to ensure that they have the command necessary to undertake and successfully complete the programme.
Programme fee
Information on the programme fee can be found in the application package. Candidates are required to have financing for their enrolment in the programme.
Whatever the source of funding for the programme fee, candidates are reminded that the programme fee does not cover travel expenses. Travel arrangements will have to be arranged and settled by the participants and/or their nominating authorities.
Payments should be remitted to the Institute's bank account (transfer charges are to be borne by the applicant). Details are as follows:
Account Name: IMO International Maritime Law Institute
Address: University of Malta Campus, Triq Roberto Ranieri Costaguti, Msida MSD 2080, Malta
Telephone #: (356) 2131 9343
Account #: 4001 3713 797
Bank Name: Bank of Valletta
Bank Branch Name: L-Ibrag Branch
Bank Address: Triq Tal-Ibrag, Tal-Ibrag, Is-Swieqi. SWQ 2030
IBAN: MT58 VALL 2201 3000 0000 4001 3713 797
SWIFT Code: VALLMTMT
Currency: EURO
For further details, please contact:
Ms. Anusha Fernando
Admissions Officer
IMO International Maritime Law Institute
University of Malta campus
Triq Roberto Ranieri Costaguti
Msida MSD 2080
Malta
Tel.: +356 21 319343, 21 310816
Fax: +356 21 343092
E-mail: admissions@imli.org
How to apply
All candidates must complete the Application Form. This form must be accompanied by:
(a) copies the qualifications held by the candidate officially authenticated by the educational institution concerned;
(b) proof of proficiency in English;
(c) the Medical Report Form duly completed by a registered Government Medical Practitioner;
(d) a letter of intent written by the candidate stating the candidate’s reasons for applying to the programme and his/her career objective. Candidates may use the Motivation Form included in the Application Package;
(e) two letters of reference covering the candidate’s ability to undertake the programme. Referees should be persons who are not related to the candidate and who are familiar with the candidate’s character and qualifications. Referees should use, where possible, the Reference Form provided in the Application Package;
(d) a non-refundable application and processing fee of €100.
For further details, please contact:
Ms. Anusha Fernando
Admissions Officer
IMO International Maritime Law Institute
University of Malta Campus
Triq Roberto Ranieri Costaguti
Msida MSD 2080
Malta
Tel.: +356 21 319343, 310816
Fax: +356 21 343092
E-mail: admissions@imli.org
All applications should be type-written and sent to:
The Director
IMO International Maritime Law Institute
University of Malta Campus
Triq Roberto Ranieri Costaguti
Msida MSD 2080
Malta
