Jurisprudence under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology

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L.N. 204 of 2010

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2010 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Arts in Matrimonial Canon Law and

Jurisprudence under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology

IN exercise of the powers conferred upon him by articles 74 (5) and 75

(6) of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the University of

Malta has promulgated the following bye-laws made by the Board of the

Faculty of Theology in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 81

(1) of the said Act and which have been approved by the Senate of the

University of Malta as required by article 81 (2) of the said Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2010 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the degree of

Master of Arts in Matrimonial Canon Law and Jurisprudence, under the auspices of

the Faculty of Theology.

(2) In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires –

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Theology;

“the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master

of Arts in Matrimonial Canon Law and Jurisprudence;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in Matrimonial Canon

Law and Jurisprudence;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in

Matrimonial Canon Law and Jurisprudence; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in October

2009 or later.

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Requirements for Admission

(1) The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of

(a) a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Second Class Honours or

Category II in a discipline related to Theology, Laws, Social Work, or Psychology,

and any other area as deemed relevant by the Board; or

(b) a qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, to

be equivalent to the qualifications listed in sub-paragraph (a) of this bye-law.

(2) Applicants in possession of a degree classified with Third Class

Honours or Category III in a discipline related to Theology, Laws, Social Work or

Psychology and any other area as deemed relevant by the Board may also be

admitted, provided that they have obtained other qualifications, including relevant

experience, following their first cycle degree.

(3) (a) The Board shall, after approval by Senate, determine the number of

applicants that may be allowed to register depending on the availability of resources.

The Board shall, however, announce the number of available places at the time of

the call for applications.

(b) If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of available

places, the Board shall select applicants according to the following criteria

(i) degree type and classification;

(ii) work experience in the area or a related field;

(iii) performance during an interview held for the purpose; and

(iv) professional aptitude and disposition.

(4) The interviewing board appointed by the Board shall be composed of at

least three members.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study or the

equivalent in part-time study.

Programme of Study

The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of 90

credits are assigned, of which 60 credits are assigned to taught study-units and 30

credits assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

Students who obtain the 60 credits assigned to the taught study-units with

an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course, or having

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proceeded do not successfully complete the dissertation, shall be eligible for the

award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate,

normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course.

Assessment and Progress

(1) The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be completed by the

end of the semester in which the teaching of the study-unit is held.

(2) Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not more

than 20 credits for taught study-units, if following the full-time Course, or not more

than 10 credits if following the part-time Course, shall be given the opportunity to

re-sit the failed assessments during the September supplementary examination

session.

(3) Students who fail in more than the number of credits permitted under

paragraph (2) of this bye-law, or students who after re-assessment fail to obtain

credit for any study-unit, shall be deemed to have failed the Course.

Dissertation

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of

approximately 25,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the third

semester of the Course. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall

provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

(3) A provisional title for the dissertation and a detailed research

proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval by the end of the second

semester.

(1) Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for each

student under their supervision at the end of each semester of studies, whether the

student is following the Course on a full-time or a part-time basis. Such reports may

include a recommendation to either (a) extend the period of study in order to enable

the student to complete the dissertation; or (b) terminate studies prematurely if the

supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances, provided that

(i) the extension of the study period referred to in (a) shall be in accordance

with the provisions of the Principal Regulations; and

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(ii) the Board may not terminate studies prematurely according to (b) until it

has first given the student a chance to be heard.

Classification of the Awards

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification

of the Postgraduate Diploma and of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained

in all components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

Special Provisions for Part-Time Courses

The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply mutatis mutandis to

courses followed on a part-time basis, and subject to such changes as may

reasonably be deemed by the Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the

Course.

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