under the auspices of the Faculty of Education

L.N. 375 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 in Access to Education

under the auspices of the Faculty of Education

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 Education

in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by articles 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 in Access to Education under the auspices of the Faculty of Education.

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

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

the Course, on the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of Education;

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

in Access to Education;

“the Degree” means the Degree of Master in Access to Education;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Access to

Education; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall apply to courses commencing in October 2013 or

Areas of Specialization

(1) The Course shall be offered in the following areas of specialization

Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD), Culturally Responsive Education, and Inclusive

Schools and Communities.

(2) The areas of specialization offered in any particular year shall

be published by the Board of Studies before the commencement of each Course,

following approval of Senate.

Requirements for Admission

(1) Applicants may be registered as students in the Course if they are in

possession of the following qualifications obtained from this University, or from any

other university approved by Senate for this purpose

for the SpLD area of specialization

(a)

either

(i) a first cycle degree classified with at least Second Class (Honours)

in Education or Communication Therapy, together with a minimum of five years’

work experience in education or communication therapy;

or

(ii) a first cycle degree classified with at least Second Class (Honours)

in any other area together with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in any area

and a minimum of five years’ work experience in education;

(b) for the Culturally Responsive Education, and the Inclusive Schools

and Communities areas of specialization

either

(i) a first cycle degree classified with at least Second Class (Honours)

in one of the following areas: Psychology, Education, Communication Therapy,

Social Work, Youth and Community Studies, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy,

Nursing, or any other area deemed relevant by the Board, together with a minimum

of one year’s work experience related to their first degree;

or

(ii) a first cycle degree classified with at least Second Class (Honours)

in any other area together with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in any area

and a minimum of one year’s work experience in education.

(2) The Board of Studies shall recommend to Senate the number of

applicants that may be allowed to register in each area of specialization, depending

on the availability of resources. The number of available places shall be announced at

the time of the call for applications.

(3) If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places,

applicants shall be selected using the following criteria, weighted as follows

(a) degree type and classification - 20%;

(b) professional aptitude and disposition - 40%;

(c) work experience in the area or a related field - 20%; and

(d) performance during the interview - 20%.

(4) The interviewing board appointed by the Board of Studies shall be

composed of at least three members.

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

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

considered first.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over six semesters of part-time study.

Board of Studies

(1) The academic administration of the Course shall be entrusted to a

Board of Studies appointed for the purpose.

(2) The Board of Studies, which shall be appointed for a period of two

years, shall be composed as follows

(a) the Dean of the Faculty of Education and the Dean of the Faculty for Social

Wellbeing, one of whom shall be appointed as Chairman on the joint recommendation

of the two Faculties;

(b) one member representing each of the areas of specialization in the

programme, namely SpLD, Culturally Responsive Education, and Inclusive Schools

and Communities;

(c) the course coordinator appointed by Senate after consultation with the

Board of the Faculty of Education; and

(d) two student representatives elected from amongst the students registered

on the Course.

Programme of Study

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 a dissertation study-unit.

Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the 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.

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 10 ECTS credits shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessment/s

once 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 required to withdraw from the Course.

Dissertation

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

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

of Studies.

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

sixth 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) A provisional title for the dissertation and a detailed research

proposal shall be submitted to the Board of Studies for approval not later than the

beginning of the fourth semester of the Course.

(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. 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 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.

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