Master of Science in Patient Safety and Clinical Risk Management [Taught and Research (Mainly Taught)]

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

6 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Evening

The Institute of Medicine defines patient safety as the prevention of harm to patients implying a broad focus on a system of care delivery aiming at:

preventing errors;
learning from existing errors; and
building on a culture of safety that involves health care professionals at various levels, organizations and patients. The effective implementation of patient safety and clinical risk management policies require you to be committed to education and training to practice harm prevention safely.

The course focuses on:

Basic principles of patient safety and clinical risk management
Systems analysis and quality improvement scientific techniques
Leadership, teamwork, human factors and communication
Systematic approaches to evidence-based patient safety and clinical risk management

Application of tools and practices to enhance patient safety and to manage clinical risk in context.
Research methods course
Integrated safety across the healthcare ecosystem
Patient safety in older adults
Corporate social responsibility in healthcare

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Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) from the Faculty of Health Sciences in an area of study which should be directly related to the area in which the research is to be carried out, or
a Bachelor鈥檚 degree obtained with at least a Second Class (Honours) in a discipline deemed by the Board as being closely related to the area of study in which the research is to be carried out, or
a qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, to be equivalent to the qualifications listed in (a) and (b) above,

provided that applicants in possession of a first degree obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) in a discipline deemed by the Board as being related to the area of study in which the research is to be carried out shall be considered as eligible.

During the first year of the Course, students may be required to undergo an occupational health assessment so as to ascertain that they are fit for work which may bring them in contact with the clinical environment. Students who do not fulfil this requirement may be barred from progressing with their studies. Failure to disclose information about a physical or mental health problem that could affect patient safety is considered to be a serious breach of the University Suitability to Practise Regulations.

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the .

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

HSM5115	Basic Principles of Patient Safety	5 ECTS
HSM5116	Basic Principles of Clinical Risk Management	5 ECTS
HSM5117	Systems Analysis and Quality Improvement Scientific Techniques	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

HSM5118	Leadership, Teamwork, Human Factors and Communication	5 ECTS
HSM5119	Systematic Approaches to Evidence-based Patient Safety and Clinical Risk Management	5 ECTS
HSM5120	Application of Tools and Practices to Enhance Patient Safety and to Manage Clinical Risk in Context	5 ECTS


Semester 1
HSL5003	Patient Safety in Older Patients	5 ECTS
HSL5100*	Dissertation	30 ECTS

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

HSM5107	Research Methods, Epidemiology and Statistics in Health Studies	10 ECTS
* Work on the dissertation is expected to start in Semester 1 of academic year 2028/29 and continue up to the end of Semester 2 of academic year 2029/30.

Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

HSL5001	Corporate Social Responsibility in Healthcare	5 ECTS
HSL5004	Implementation of Integrated Safety Across the Levels of the Healthcare Ecosystem	10 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Master of Science - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the Faculty Health Sciences.

As a successful holder of this Master of Science (taught) you will be able to:

gain a knowledgeable opinion of the concepts of 'adverse events', 'patient safety' and 'clinical risk management' in healthcare organizations;
evaluate the roles and responsibilities of healthcare leaders/managers and their teams in patient safety and clinical risk management;
analyse through systems thinking approach whether corporate strategies of health care organisations are in line with learning oragnisations vis-脿-vis learning from near misses, patient errors and adverse events, while understanding corporate social responsibility and the 鈥榲ictims鈥� phenomena;
understand how to apply patient safety and clinical risk-management principles by identifying, assessing and reporting hazards, and potential risks in complex and multi/inter-disciplinary healthcare settings;
learn how to

identify the risk;
assess the frequency and severity of the risk;
reduce or eliminate the risk; and
assess the costs saved by reducing the risk or the costs if the risk eventuates;

engage into specific areas of interest within patient safety and clinical risk management using a scientific-based approach
adopt strong critical thought about patient safety and clinical risk management
develop advanced and innovative research skills
defend one鈥檚 research position in a viva voce examination and subsequently in healthcare settings
gain knowledge and skills on research methodologies and evidence-based approaches to be able to undertake research on patient safety and clinical risk management.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 13,400
Yr 1: Eur 6,700 - Yr 2: Eur 6,700 - Yr 3: NIL

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

Training in patient safety and clinical risk management is highly valued in health systems and services. These skills demonstrate a commitment to reducing adverse events, medical errors, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing overall healthcare quality. Possessing expertise in these areas can significantly enhance your employability and career advancement opportunities. Employers often seek candidates who are proficient in these domains and as a result, postgraduate education and training qualifications in patient safety and clinical risk management are considered favourably for recruitment or promotion within the health and social care sectors.

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