under the auspices of the European Centre for Gerontology

L.N. 547 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 Gerontology and Geriatrics – M.Ger. -

under the auspices of the European Centre for Gerontology

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

European Centre for Gerontology in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by

article 5 (b) (v) of the Statute for the Centre which bye-laws have been

approved by the Senate of the University of Malta

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 Gerontology and Geriatrics – M.Ger. - under the auspices of the European

Centre for Gerontology.

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

"the Board" means the Board of the European Centre for Gerontology;

"the Course" means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master

of Gerontology and Geriatrics – M.Ger.;

"the Degree" means the degree of Master of Gerontology and Geriatrics –

M.Ger.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontology

and Geriatrics; 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

2010 or later.

Requirements for Admission

Applicants seeking admission to the Course shall be in possession of

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

Category II, or a professional qualification considered by the Board to be

comparable to a degree, in a discipline pertaining to one of the caring professions; or

(b) a Bachelor degree as above or a professional qualification considered by

the Board to be comparable to a degree deemed by the Board as relevant and

adequate for the applicant to follow the Course with profit; or

(c) a Bachelor degree obtained with Third Class Honours or Category III if

applicants are also in possession of other qualifications, including relevant

experience, following their first cycle degree; or

(d) in exceptional cases, a professional qualification in one of the caring

professions, together with at least five years’ experience which together are deemed

by the Admissions Board on the advice of the Centre Admissions Committee, to be

comparable to the level of a first degree.

Course Duration

The duration of the Course shall extend over four semesters. The taught

study-units shall be offered on a full-time basis over the first two semesters of the

Course. The research component may be followed on a full-time basis over a further

period of two semesters or on a part-time basis over a period of four semesters.

Programme of Study

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

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

60 credits assigned to the research dissertation.

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

an average mark of at least 70% and do not proceed with the Course, or having

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, if following the Course full-time, or not more than 10 credits if

following the Course part-time, shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed

assessment during the September supplementary examination session.

(3) Students who fail 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 50,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

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

fourth semesters 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) In the case of students not residing in Malta, the Board shall allow

them to perform their research-based dissertation in their respective country, and the

Board shall nominate two supervisors, one from the University of Malta and a co-

supervisor from the student’s own country. The names of the proposed supervisors

shall be submitted for the approval of Senate on the recommendation of the Board.

(4) A provisional title of the dissertation and a detailed research proposal

shall be submitted to the Board for approval not later than six weeks before 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 recommendations 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

(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 the 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.

Repeal

The Postgraduate Diploma and Degree of Master of Gerontology and

Geriatrics – P.G.Dip.Ger. and M.Ger. - Course Regulations, 2006, published as

Legal Notice 300 of 2006, shall be deemed to cease to be in force as from 30 th

September 2010, provided that students registered for this course before 1 st October

2010 shall continue to be governed by the regulations that were in force at the time

of their joining the course.

€0.37