under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing

L.N. 373 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 Arts in Criminology – M.A. (Crim.) -

under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing

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 for Social

Wellbeing in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 81 (1) (c) 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 2013 in terms of

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

Master of Arts in Criminology – M.A. (Crim.) - under the auspices of the Faculty for

Social Wellbeing.

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing;

“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 Arts in Criminology – M.A. (Crim.);

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in Criminology – M.A.

(Crim.); 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

2013 or later.

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 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 shall be made conditional on the result

of an interview conducted by an interviewing board appointed for the purpose.

(3)

The interviewing board appointed by the Board shall be composed

of at least three members.

Preparatory Programme

Applicants not in possession of an Honours degree admitted under sub-

paragraphs (b) and (c) (if applicable) of paragraph (1) of bye-law 3 shall be required

to complete a preparatory programme, comprising not less than 30 ECTS and not

more than 60 ECTS credits as directed by the Board, depending on the number of

credits already obtained in an area of study related to Criminology, with an overall

average mark of 55% or better, prior to their registration as regular students on 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 10 ECTS credits are assigned to taught

study-units and 80 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

(2) 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 fail the assessment for the taught study-units shall

be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments during the September

supplementary examination session.

(3) Students who after re-assessment fail to obtain credit for any study-

unit shall be required to withdraw from the Course.

Dissertation

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

approximately 40,000 to 50,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by

the Board of Studies.

(2) Work on the dissertation may be undertaken at any time during

the Course after approval of the research 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 detailed research

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

be submitted to the Board of Studies for approval at the time of application.

(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 Award

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification 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 of Studies as necessary due to the part-time nature of the

Course.

€0.36