MFSA and University of Malta launch new MSc targeting financial regulation skills gap
The Malta Financial Services Authority partnered with the University of Malta to launch a Master of Science in Financial Regulation and Compliance, starting October 2026.
The Malta Financial Services Authority has placed a direct bet on closing the local skills gap in finance regulation. Through its Financial Supervisors Academy, the MFSA partnered with the University of Malta to launch a new Master of Science in Financial Regulation and Compliance.
The course begins in October 2026 and builds on a Postgraduate Diploma introduced in 2024. The MSc goes deeper, covering compliance, governance, risk management, financial crime prevention, sustainable finance and emerging regulatory developments.
MFSA CEO Kenneth Farrugia made clear the rationale behind the investment. He said the sector is evolving rapidly, driven by regulatory change, technological innovation and rising expectations around governance and compliance.
Malta's financial services industry has faced intense scrutiny in recent years. The introduction of a specialist master's programme signals a long-term strategy to build homegrown expertise rather than rely entirely on imported talent.
The programme targets professionals already working in financial services, compliance, risk, governance, legal and regulatory functions. It also aims at graduates who want to specialise in financial regulation.
Delivered through a mix of academic study and practical industry insight, the MSc is designed to give participants a working understanding of regulatory frameworks and how they apply inside regulated entities. Applications are now open.
For Malta's business community, the question is whether this pipeline will produce enough qualified professionals fast enough to meet demand. The MFSA is betting that investing in formal education now will pay off in sector resilience and reputation down the line.