a.Com. (Hons) - Degree Coune Regulations, 1998

L.N.179 of 1998

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bachelor of Commerce - B.Com.· and Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) -

a.Com. (Hons) - Degree Coune Regulations, 1998

IN exercise of the powers conferred upon him by sections

30(5) and 31 (6) of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of

the University of Malta has promulgat.ed the following regulations

made by the Senate of the University of Malta by virtue of the powers

conferred upon it by sections 31 and 35 of the said Ace

Citation and interpretation

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Bachelor of Commerce·

B.eom. - and Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) • B.Com. (Hons) . Degree

Course Regulations, 1998.

(2) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires-

"the Board" means the Board of. the Faculty of Economics,

Management and Accountancy;

"the Course means the course of studies leading to the degree of

Bachelor of Commerce - B.Com. - or the course of studies leading to the

degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) - B.Com. (Hons) - as the case

may be; and

"the Degree" means the Degree of Bachelor of Commerce· B.Com. -

or the Degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) - B.Com. (Hans) - as

the case may be.

AppUcability

These regulations shall apply to courses starting in October 1996

or later.

Etigibility for Degree

To be eligible for the"award afthe Degree students must

(a) be registered as regular students for the appropriate course in

terms of lhe Admission Regulations of the University,

(b) complete the course of studies, qualify in the examinations and

comply with the other requirements prescribed in these regulations; and

(e) comply with any other requirements prescribed in any other

relevant statutes, regulations and bye-la~ of the University.

Registration

Applicants must register on the prescribed form within lhe time

specified by the Office of the Registrar.

Admission and Special Course Requirements

Applicants may be allowed to register for !.he Bachelor of

Commerce - B.Com. - course if

(a) they satisfy the General Entry Requirements as specified in the

Admission Regulatio~s of the University, and, for courses starting in October

2000 or later, if they also possess a pass at not below Intermediate Level in

Pure Mathematics; or

(b) as from October 1999, they are in possession of the Certificate in

Banking of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, a pass in S}'5tems of

Knowledge and a pass in Pure Mathematics at not below Intermediate Level

of the Matriculation Certificate Examination, provided that such applicants

may only be allowed to register for the Course with 'Banking and Finance',

and either 'Economics' or 'Management' or 'Public Policy' as the two main

areas of study; or

(c) as from October 2000, they are in possession of the Certificate in

Banking of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (comprising six subjects) and

a pass in Pure Mathematics at not below Intermediate Level of the

Matriculation Certificate Examination, provided that such applicants may

only be allowed to register for the Course with 'Banking and Finance', and

either 'Economics' or 'Management' or 'Public Policy' as the two main areas

ofsludy.

Students admitted to Part II of the Course may study Accountancy

as a main area of study if they have obtained

(a) a pass in Accounting at Advanced Level With Grade C or better in

Lhe Matriculation Certificate Examination, or equivalent. prior to admission

to the Course; and

(b) passes at Grade C or better in Mathematics and in Accounting

Theory and Prnctice in the Part I Examination.

Coune Duration

(1) The course of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of

Commerce shall extend over a minimum period of three years. Students

may 110l lake Lhe Part II Examination earlier than three years or later than

fOUf years from first admission to the Course except with the permission of

the Senate.

(2) The course of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of

Commerce (Honours) shall extend over a minimum period of four years.

Students may not lake the Part III Final Examination earlier than four years

or later than five years from first admission to the Course except with the

permission of ule Senate.

Course of Studies

(1) The course of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of

Commerce (Honours) shall be divided into three parts and shall consist of

study-units to which not less than ninety-six credits are assigned, including

eight credits for optional study-units, three credits of which may be extra-

curricular.

(2) The course of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of

Commerce shall comprise the first two parts of the Course leading to the

degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), and shall consist of study-units

to which not less than seventy-two credits are assigned, including eight

credits for optional sLUdy-units. three credits of which may be eXlra·

curricular.

(3) A catalogue of the study-units offered throughout the Course,

wilh the credits assigned to each and the order in which they are to be taken,

shall be approved by the Board and shall be published before the start of

each academic year.

(4) The catalogue shall also specify the core study-units and any

prerequisites in each main area of study of Part II of the Course mentioned

in paragraph (2) of regulation 10 an~ in each area of specialisation of Part

HI of the Course mentioned in paragraph (I) of regulation 12. (Some study-

units are sequential and registration for them may require the previous

successful completion of other specified study-units and/or other

qualifications indicated in the catalogue of study-units.)

(5) Each completed study-unit shall be assessed and graded from

A to D, A being the highest grade and D the lowest grade. Study-units that

have not been successfully completed shall be indicated by a mark F (Fail).

(6) In each year of the Course, students must register for a

number of study-units for which not less than founeen and not more than

twenty~ight credits are assigned, provided that a student who has been

required to repeat a year of studies may be allowed by the Board to register

for that number of study-units as the Board deems fit.

(7) The Board may exempt students from the requirement of

obtaining a credit certificate for a particular study-unit and/or the Pan t

Examination if they have obtained from the University, or an instimtion

recognised by the Senate for the purpose, a qualification the study for which

is. in the opinion of the Board, equivalent in content and standard to that

required for the credit certificate concerned or for the Part I Examination,

provided that students who are exempted from the requirement of passing

the Pan 1 Examination may be required to obtain credits in those study-units

which the Board may indicate to ensure that they are able to follow the

Course with profiL

(8) If in order to be eligible to take the Part II Examination,

students lack credit for one study-unit, the Rector, on the advice of the Dean

or of another competent academic officer of the University, may authorise

the raking of that Examination with such provisions as are deemed necessary

to ensure adequate compensation for the aforesaid missing study-uniL

Part I: Course and Examination

(1) Part I shall extend over the first year of !.he Course and shall

consist of study-units to which not less than twenty-four credits are assigned.

Students may also register for up to three optional study-units during this

Part of the Course.

(2) Students shall be required to sit for the Part I Examination

after having pursued a number of study-units for which a total of (\o,·enty.f'our

credits are assigned.

(3) Study-units followed during the second semester of Part I of the

Course may be examined through the Part I Examination.

(4) The Part I Examination consists of a paper in each of the six

areas of study covered in this Part of the Course.

(5) The credits obtained during the first semester of Part I of the

Course shall account for 30% of the weighting and the Part I Examination

shall account for the other 70% of the weighting for the PUTJXl5C of the

award of an overall grade for Part I.

(6) The overall grades for Part I of the Course shall be indicated by

Grades A, B, C, and 0, A being the highest grade and 0 the lowest grade. A

failure shall be indicated by a mark F.

(7) Students shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of

Part I of the Course if they obtain a pass grade in each of the papers of the

Part I Examination and a Part I overall grade that is not less than Grade D.

(8) The names of students who fulfil the requirements for

proceeding to Part II of the Course shall be published in a list indicating the

overall grade obtained for Part I.

(9) Students who do not successfully complete Part I of the

Course may be allowed to repeat the course of studies in the following year

under those conditions as the Board may impose.

Part II: Course and Examination

(1) Students shall be eligible to register for Part II of the Course if

they have successfully completed Part J of the Course in terms of paragraph

(7) of regulation 9 or have been exempted therefrom in terms of paragraph

(7) ofregulation 8.

(2) Part II shall extend over the second and third years of the

Course and shall consist of study-units in any of the following main areas of

study: Accountancy, Banking and Finance. Economics, Management, Public

Policy, and Tourism and any other areas approved by the Senate on the

recommendation of the Board. Students may register for up to six optional

study-units during this Part of the Course.

(3) Each area of study shall consist of study-units to each of which

not less than 20 credits are assigned.

(4) On registration for Part II of the Course students shall be

required to choose two main areas of study from those listed in paragraph

(2) of this regulation.

(5) Students shall be required to sit for the Part II Examination if

they have obtained a minimum of sixty-four credits and if they have, during

this Part of the Course, obtained not less than eighteen credits in each of the

two main areas of study.

(6) The Part II Examination shall consist of four papers in each of

the two main areas of study chosen.

(7) Students shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of

Part II of the Course if mey obtain a pass grade in each of lhe papers of the

Pan II Examination in terms of paragraph (]) or (2) of regulation J 5.

(8) Students who successfully complete Pan II of the Course shall

qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Commerce· B.Com. - unless they opt to

proceed [0 Pan III of the Course in terms of paragraph (I) of regulation II.

Part III: Course and Examination

SlUdents shall be eligible to register for Part III of lhe Course if

EITHER (I)

(a) have successfully completed Part II of the Course in terms of

paragraph (7) of regu!ation 10;

OR obtained the Bachelor of

Commerce degree in or prior to 1996; and

(b) have been placed at least in Category II; and

(e) have obtained a minimum of one Grade B and three Grade C (a

second Grade B or one Grade A will compensate for not more than

one Grade D) in the papers of the Part· II Examination related to the

main area of study chosen for Pan III of the Course,

provided that

(i) the main area of study applirable for students wishing to

proceed to the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) course III

Tourism shall be either Tourism or Management; and

(ii) as from October 1997, the main area of study applicable for

students wishing to proceed to the Bachelor of Commerce

(Honours) course in Public and Private Sector Management shall be

either Public Policy or Management.;

OR (2) are in possession of a Bachelor of Commerce degree, a Postgraduate

Certificate in Education, and two years' experience of teaching a

related subject.;

OR (3) ,\;th Management as the area of specialisation ifthey.

(a) are tn possession of the Bachelor of Science degree (Business

and Computing);

(b) have been placed at least in Category II; and

(e) have obtained a minimum of one Grade B and three Grade C (a

second Grade B or one Grade A will compensate for not more than

one Grade D) in the four papers relating to me Business area of

study;

OR (4) with Tourism as the area of specialisation if !.hey are in possession of

the Diploma in Hotel Administration awarded by the local Institute

of Tourism Studies, provided that they obtain a pass in the following

(a) the Part I Examination. of the Bachelor of Commerce Course in

the following areas of srudy

Economics

Behavioural Studies I (Sociology section)

Statistics and Computing; and

(b) the following study-unilS of the Bachelor of Commerce Course

Anthropology and Sociology of Tourism or

Social and Cultural Perspectives of Tourism, as advised

by the Board

Tourism Management; and

(c) an Intermediate Examination consisting of the four papers of

the Part II Examination in Management and obtain a minimum of

one Grade B and three Grade C (a second Grade B or one Grade A

will compensate for not more than one Grade D) before being

allowed to sit for the Part III Final Examination;

OR (5) are in possession of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Associateship

qualification (ACIB),

provided that students accepted for the Bachelor of Commerce

(Honours) course under this paragraph must pass an Intermediate

Examination consisting of the four papers of the Part II Examination

in Banking and Finance of the Bachelor of Commerce degree and

obtain a minimum of one Grade B and three Grade C (a second

Grade B or one Grade A will compensate for not more than onc

Grade D) before being allowed to sit for the Part III Final

Examination.

(1) On registration for Part III of the Course, students shall be

required to choose one area of specialisation from the following areas of

study: Banking and Finance, Economics, Management, Public Policy, and

Tourism; and for courses starting in October 1997 or later: Public and

Private Sector Management.

(2) Pan III shall extend over the fourth year of the Course and

shall consist of study-units to wh!ch not less than twenty-four credits are

assigned, not less than 75% of which are to be from the area of

specialisation. The credits shall include not more than six credits assigned to

the writing of a research paper of approximately 10.000 words. provided that

this requirement may. on the recommendation of the Head of the

Deparunent of the area of specialisation concerned. be substituted by a long

essay of not less than 5,000 words (three credits) and additional study-units

to which not less than three credits are assigned.

(3) Students shall be required to sit for the Part III Final

Examination if they have obtained ... minimum vf eighty-eight credits and if

they have, during this Part of the Course. obtained not Jess than twenty-four

credits in the area of specialisation.

(4) The Part III Final Examination shall consist of four papers in

the area of specialisation chosen. A w'~ voce examination may also be held.

(5) Students shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of

Part III of the Course if they obtain a pass grade in each of the papers of the

Part III Final Examination.

(6) Students who successfully complete Part III of the Course shall

be deemed to have completed the Course and shall qualify for the award of

the degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) - B.Com. (Hons).

(7) Students admitted under paragraph (1) of regulation II who do

not successfully complete Part III of the Course within lhe time specified by

the regulations shall be eligible for the award of the degree of Bachelor of

Commerce - B.Com. - to which they were entitled on successful completion

of Part II of the Course.

Examinations

(1) There shall be examinations held at the end of Part I and

Part II of the Course and a Final Examination held at the end of Part III.

(2) There shall be twO sessions of examinations in each year: one

session is normally held in May/June and a supplementary session is

normally held in September.

(3) Students shall be d~emed to have passed an examination if

they have obtained one of the following grades: A, B, C, or 0 in each of the

papers.

Supplementary El8minations and Repetition of Course

(I) Students who fail in nOl more ilian ,three papers of the Parts I

and 11 Examinations may be allowed to sit for the Supplementary

Examination in the following session in the papers failed. The maximum

grade that can be awarded in a supplementary session is Grade D.

(2) Students who fail in more than three papers of the Part I or

of the Part II Examinations or fail any paper in the Supplementary

Examination may be allowed to repeat the relevant Part of the Course in the

following year, provided that the provisions of paragraph (I) of regulation 7

are adhered to and under those conditions as the Board may impose.

(3) Students who fail in not more than two papers of the Part III

Final Examination may be allowed to sit for the Supplementary Examination

in the following session in the papers failed. The maximum grade that may

be obtained is Grade D.

(4) Students may be allowed to repeat the Part lor Part II or Part

III (Final) Examination once only, except in extraordinary circumstances

and with the special permission of the Senate.

Evaluation of Students and Award of Degrees

(I) Students who are successful in the Part II Examination and

who have obtained not less than sixty-four credits in Parts I and II of the

COUl"se shall qualify for the Bachelor of Commerce pcgree at the general

level, provided that they have not opted to proceed to Part III of the Course

in accordance with paragraph (J) of regulation 11.

(2) Students who are successful in the Part II Examination but are

llot permitted to proceed to Part III of the Course in accordance with

paragraph (1) of regulation 11 shall qualify for the Bachelor of Commerce

degree at the general level.

Final Grading

(l) The overall evaluation of students of the degree of Bachelor

of Commerce (Honours) / Bachelor of Commerce shall take into account

their performance in the examinations which shall account for 70% of the

weighting, as well as the credit grades obtained during their course of studies

which shall account for the other 30%.

(2) The names of students who qualify for the "l.ward of the degree

of Bachelor of Commerce - B.Com. - shall be published in a list in

alphabetical order divided in the following categories

Category I

Category IIA

Category liB

Category III.

(3) The names of students who qualify for the award of the

degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) - B.Corn. (Hans) - shall be

published in a list in alphabetical order divided according to the following

classification

First Class (Honours)

Second Class (Honours) Upper Division

Second Class (Honours) Lower Division

Third Class (Honours).

Special Provisions (or Part-Time Courses

The part-time Course leading to the degree of Bachelor of

Commerce - B.Com. - shall be governed by the provisions of the regulations

for the full-time Course, except as provided for in regulations 17 to 22.

Admission to the Part-Time Course

An applicant who qualifies for admission to the full·time Course

under regulations 5 and 6 may register as a regular student for the parHime

Course when such a Course is being offered.

Duration of Part-Time Course

(1) A student registered for the part-time Course shall normally

be required to complete Part One in two years and Pan Two in three years.

(2) A student may not complete Lhe pan-time Course in less than

ten semesters or more than twelve semesters after first joining the Course

except in special circumstances, with the permission of Senate, and under

such conditions as Senate may in each case determine,

provided that a student who is allowed to complete the Course in more than

ten semesters may be required to follow study·units induding study-units

offered in the full-time day Course, as directed by the Board.

Catalogue or Study-Units for the Part-Time Course

(1) A catalogue of study-units for each area of study and of the

credits assigned to each study-unit in the pan-time Course shall be published

by the Board before the beginning of each academic year.

(2) The study-units for the part-time Course shall be similar to

those for lhe full-time Course as indicated in paragraph (2) of regulation 8

and shall be arranged so that lhe Course can be completed in five years.

(3) The areas of study offered in the part-time Course may be fewer

than those indicated in paragraph (2) of regulation 10 and shall be

announced at the time of the call for applications. The venues of the

lecluring/tUlorial sessions shall be determined by the Board.

Progress

In each year of the part-time Course a student shall be required to

register for a number of study-units to which not less than 10 and not more

than 16 credits are assigned.

Part I and Part II Examinations

The Part I and Part II Examinations of !.he parHime Course shall

be the same as the Part I and Part II Examinations of the full-time Course,

according to paragraphs (4) and {5) of regulation 9 and paragraphs (6) and

(7) of regulation 10.