under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology

B

L.N. 214 of 2010

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2010 in terms of the

Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2008

for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

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

Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2008 for the Degree of Doctor

of Philosophy 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 Degree” means the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D.;

“the Faculty” means the Faculty of Theology; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. Degree

Regulations, 2008.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable from October 2009 onwards.

Requirements for Admission

(1) Applicants for the Degree offered by the Faculty shall be in

possession of one of the following degrees

B

(a) a Licentiate classified with at least Magna cum Laude or a Master’s

degree obtained with at least Pass with Merit, in an area of study offered by the

Faculty; or

(b) degrees comparable to those indicated in sub-paragraph (a) awarded by

another recognised university.

(2) The Board may also consider applications from applicants with

qualifications at Master’s level or higher in another discipline and possessing

experience or knowledge which in the opinion of the Board enables them to pursue

research in the Faculty.

Applicants are normally required to have a thorough reading knowledge

of languages of primary and secondary sources.

(1) Applicants may submit their application form, together with a

comprehensive research proposal outlining the proposed project, including research

sources and materials, at any time of the year.

(2) Applicants may also be asked to demonstrate competence in those

skills required by the nature of the proposed research.

Faculty Doctoral Committee

The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of a Faculty

Doctoral Committee composed of 3 to 5 members, including the Dean or his

delegate, who shall chair the Committee, the other members being normally heads of

department. The Faculty Doctoral Committee may co-opt other members if deemed

necessary.

Areas of Study

The main area of study shall be in an area of Theology, Religious Studies,

or Ethics.

The research proposal should include a brief outline of approximately

1000 words regarding the project and should mention the sources on which the

research will be based.

Supervision and Students’ Progress

Principal Supervisors shall be required to submit a written report to the

Board, through the Faculty Doctoral Committee, every June for all students under

their supervision.

B

Students shall only be allowed to proceed with their studies subject to

satisfactory progress reports from their Principal Supervisor. If the report is

negative, the Board shall make recommendations to Senate on the student’s

continuing registration for the Degree.

(1) Before being allowed to transfer registration to the Ph.D. status,

students shall be required to submit a substantial sample of their research work for

consideration by an ad hoc board appointed by the Board. The ad hoc board shall

be composed of a chairman, who shall be the head of the department concerned or

his delegate, and two examiners, one of whom shall be the Principal Supervisor.

(2) The ad hoc board shall examine the student orally and shall submit a

written report for consideration by the Faculty Doctoral Committee in the first

instance. The report shall contain recommendations according to the provisions of

the Principal Regulations.

Students registered at the Faculty may be required to participate in the

Faculty’s research and teaching programmes.

Thesis Presentation and Format

Students shall be required to inform the Faculty that they will be

submitting their thesis for examination not less than three months before the

submission deadline.

The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of a Board of

Examiners in accordance with the Principal Regulations.

The Board shall approve and publish guidelines on the format and

presentation of the thesis for the Degree.

(1) Students shall be required to submit a loose bound copy of their

thesis for each member of the Board of Examiners, together with a copy in digital

format. The officer in charge of the Faculty shall issue a dated receipt.

(2) On successful completion of their studies, students shall be required

to submit to the Faculty three hard bound copies of the thesis and one copy in digital

format within six weeks from the publication of their result. One copy of the thesis

shall be kept in the Library of the department and another at the University Library.

Students who do not comply with this bye-law shall not be awarded the Degree.

Repeal

The Bye Laws of 1998 for the degree of Master of Philosophy – M.Phil.

– under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology, published as Legal Notice 46 of

1998 and the Bye-Laws of 1998 for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology, published as Legal Notice 68 of

B

1998, shall be deemed to cease to be in force as from 1 st October 2009, provided that

students registered for these degrees before 1 st October 2009 shall continue to be

governed by the regulations that were in force at the time of their registering for the

degree.

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