under the auspices of the Institute of Digital Games

L.N. 222 of 2013

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2013 in terms of the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Science in Digital Games – M.Sc. -

under the auspices of the Institute of Digital Games

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 Digital

Games in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 7 (b) (v) of the Statute for

the Institute, which 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 2013 in terms of

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

of Master of Science in Digital Games – M.Sc. - offered under the auspices of the

Institute of Digital Games.

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Institute of Digital Games;

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

the Course, on the recommendation of the Board;

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

of Science in Digital Games – M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Digital Games –

M.Sc.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Digital

Games; 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

2012 or later.

Requirements for Admission

(1)

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of one of the

following

(a) a Bachelor’s degree from this University with at least Second Class

(Honours) in the areas of Information Technology, Engineering, Communications,

and the Humanities, or in any other area which the Board deems as appropriate; or

(b) a Bachelor’s degree from this University with at least Category II in the

areas of Information Technology, Engineering, Communications, and the Humanities

or in any other area which the Board deems as appropriate; or

(c) a professional qualification/qualifications and/or experience as evidenced

by a substantial portfolio of recent works, deemed by Senate, on the recommendation

of the Board, to satisfy in full or in part the admission requirements of the Course,

provided that such applicants may be required to complete a preparatory theoretical

programme as specified in bye-law 4.

(2) The admission of applicants under sub-paragraphs (b) and, if

necessary, (c) of this bye-law may be made conditional on the results of an interview

conducted for the purpose.

(3) The Board shall recommend to Senate the number of applicants that

may be allowed to register for the Course, depending on the availability of resources.

The Board shall announce the number of available places at the time of the call for

applications.

(4) When the number of places is so limited and the number of eligible

applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be selected using

the following criteria, the weighting of which shall be published at the time of the call

for applications

(a) degree type and classification;

(b) experience in the area of the proposed study; and

(c) performance during an interview.

(5) Interviews, when necessary, shall be conducted by a board composed

of at least three members appointed for the purpose.

(6) For the purpose of selection, applicants who fully satisfy the entry

requirements by 31st August preceding the commencement of the Course shall be

considered first.

Preparatory Programme

(1) Applicants admitted under sub-paragraphs (b) and, if necessary, (c)

of paragraph (1) of bye-law 3 shall be required to complete a preparatory programme,

comprising not less than 30 ECTS credits and not more than 60 ECTS credits, and to

obtain an overall average mark of 55% or better, prior to their registration as regular

students on the Course.

(2) The Board may grant students full or partial exemption from the

requirement of the Preparatory Programme if it is satisfied that the students possess

post-first cycle qualification work experience that is relevant to the Course.

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 comprise study-units to which a total

of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 60 ECTS credits are assigned to taught

study-units and 30 ECTS credits assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

(2) Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to taught study-

units 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.

(3) The programme of study shall be published by the Board 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 ECTS credits for taught study-units, if following the full-time Course, or

not more than 10 ECTS 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 up

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

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

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 date indicated by the

Board of Studies.

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

supervisor.

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

under their supervision at the end of each semester of study. 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 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.

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