under the auspices of the Institute of Criminology

L.N. 362 of 2011

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2011 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master in Probation Services

under the auspices of the Institute of Criminology

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 Institute of

Criminology in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 5 (b) (v) of the

Statute for the Institute, 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 2011 in terms of the

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

Master in Probation Services under the auspices of the Institute of Criminology.

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Institute of Criminology;

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies appointed by Senate for

the Course, on the recommendation of the Board of the Institute of Criminology;

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

in Probation Services;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master in Probation Services;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Probation

Services; 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

2011 or later.

Requirements for Admission

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

(a) a Bachelor degree with at least Second Class Honours from this

University in an area of study deemed relevant by the Board; or

(b) a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Category II from this University

in an area of study deemed relevant by the Board; or

(c) a Bachelor degree from another university recognized by Senate

comparable to the qualifications indicated in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this bye-law.

(2) The admission of applicants under paragraph (1) of this bye-law shall

be made conditional on the result of an interview conducted by an interviewing

board appointed for the purpose.

(3) Applicants in possession of the Diploma in Probation Services or the

Postgraduate Diploma in Probation Services may be allowed to join Part Two of the

Course, if they have completed successfully the Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma

programmes with a minimum average mark of 50%,

provided that such applicants shall satisfy the Board of Studies that they have

reached the academic standard required to follow the Course with profit. The

eligibility of such applicants shall be decided by the Board of Studies following an

interview conducted by an interviewing board appointed for the purpose.

(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

(1) The programme of study shall consist of two parts, namely

(a) Part One which shall comprise a number of taught study-units to which

60 credits are assigned; and

(b) Part Two consisting of research work and the writing of a dissertation to

which 30 credits are assigned.

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

covered in Part One of the Course, with an average mark of at least 50% 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 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

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

Dissertation

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of not

more than 25,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board of

Studies.

(2) Work on the dissertation may be undertaken after approval of the

proposal. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance

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

(3) The provisional title of the dissertation and a research proposal

outlining the proposed project and the main questions to be addressed shall be

submitted to the Board of Studies for approval.

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

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board of Studies 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 Principal Regulations; and

(ii) the Board of Studies 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 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.

Repeal

The Bye-Laws of 2008 in terms of the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the Postgraduate Diploma in Probation

Services under the auspices of the Institute of Forensic Studies, published as Legal

Notice 324 of 2008, shall be deemed to cease to be in force as from 1 st October

2011, provided that students registered for this course before 1 st October 2011 shall

continue to be governed by the bye-laws that were in force at the time of their

joining the course.

€0.36