The Panic Every Maltese Student Knows

Imagine this: It’s your first week back at university. You open your VLE, download the assignment brief… and within two minutes, you feel lost.

“What exactly does ‘critically evaluate’ mean?”
 “Do I write a report or an essay?”
 “What are these learning outcomes even talking about?”

If you’ve ever stared at your assignment brief in confusion — heart racing, group chat buzzing with similar panic — you are not alone. Every week, I hear the same thing from students at UOM, MCAST, and even private colleges across Malta.

As a former professor and now a full-time academic expert, I’ve reviewed hundreds of these briefs. I’ve seen the struggles, and I’ve helped students turn confusion into confidence. So let’s break it down together.

Why Are Assignment Briefs So Confusing?

Assignment briefs are supposed to guide you. But more often than not, they leave students feeling overwhelmed. Why? Let’s look at the main reasons:

1. Too Much Academic Jargon

Words like synthesise, evaluate, discuss critically, or draw upon theoretical frameworks sound intimidating. These terms aren’t always explained clearly, yet they carry a lot of weight in how your work is marked.

2. Unclear Marking Criteria

Many briefs give you a marking rubric — but what does “coherent argument” or “depth of analysis” actually mean in practice? Students often don’t know what lecturers are really looking for.

3. Lack of Structure

Some briefs just throw in bullet points or long paragraphs with no clear order. There’s no direct answer to:

  • What should the introduction include?
  • How many words per section?
  • What academic sources are expected?

No wonder it feels like trying to solve a puzzle without a picture.

The Malta-Specific Struggles

Having worked closely with students in Malta for years now, I can confidently say: this isn’t just your problem — it’s a national one.

  • At UOM, many students tell me that course units are overloaded, and lectures don’t always explain assignments in detail.
  • MCAST students, especially in business or health courses, often face vague briefs with little guidance on referencing and formatting.
  • Private colleges offering UK-based degrees locally use UK standards — but don’t give the same level of academic support as UK campuses.

Also, with strict plagiarism policies and continuous assessments, there’s no room for guesswork.

How to Decode Your Assignment Brief: Simple Tips That Work

Over the years, I’ve developed a method to help students understand any brief — no matter how vague. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Break Down the Question

Start by identifying:

  • The action: What are you being asked to do? (e.g. explain, compare, evaluate)
  • The topic: What is the subject or issue?
  • The scope: Are there specific theories, periods, or cases to focus on?

2. Read the Learning Outcomes

These are not just formalities — they’re hints to what your lecturer will mark you on. Match each part of your assignment to these outcomes.

3. Decode the Rubric

If your brief includes a marking rubric, use it to build your outline. For example, if 30% is for “analysis”, make sure a third of your word count actually involves analysing, not just describing.

4. Ask Smart Questions Early

Email your lecturer with specific questions:

  • “Would you prefer this to be in essay or report format?”
  • “Can we include case studies from outside Malta?”

This shows initiative — and gives you clarity.

5. Use Help the Right Way

Sometimes, even after all this, things still feel unclear. That’s when academic support can save your grade.

Case Study: From Confusion to Clarity

Student: Maria, second-year MCAST Health & Social Care
 Brief: “Critically evaluate the impact of social policies on vulnerable populations in Malta.”
 Problem: She didn’t know where to start — or even what counted as a “social policy.”

My Step-by-Step Help:

  1. We listed 3 major social policies (like housing, healthcare, and education).
  2. Then matched each one with how it affects a specific vulnerable group (e.g. elderly, migrants).
  3. Broke the brief into 4 sections:
    • Intro (200 words)
    • Policy 1 (400 words)
    • Policy 2 (400 words)
    • Policy 3 + Conclusion (500 words)
  4. Helped her structure academic sources using Harvard referencing.

Result?
 She submitted with confidence — and scored a high Merit.

Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Figure It All Out Alone

You know, maybe you are fed up with doubting every two-syllable… lost what the lecturer actually wants… or maybe you just need another pair of eyes to make life a little easier… we’re available.

As someone who’s worked in universities and marked these very assignments, I know how to translate “academic language” into student language. No fluff, no guesswork — just real, expert help.

✅ Need Your Brief Simplified?

Let our Maltese academic experts read your brief and break it down for you — section by section.
 Whether it’s a report, essay, case study or dissertation — we help you make sense of it all.

📩 Contact us now for personalised Malta assignment help that’s trusted by hundreds of students across Malta.