under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing

L.N. 383 of 2013

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2013 in terms of the

Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2008

for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

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

Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2008 for the Degree of Doctor of

Philosophy 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 Faculty” means the Faculty for Social Wellbeing;

“the Degree” means the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree

Regulations, 2008.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable from 1 October 2013 onwards.

Requirements for Admission

Applicants for the Degree offered by the Faculty shall be in possession

of a Master’s degree normally in the same area of studies applied for. Applicants

in possession of a Bachelor’s degree obtained with First Class Honours or Second

Class Honours (Upper Division) with outstanding academic potential and very strong

background in the area of study related to the proposed area of research may also be

considered.

(1) Applicants may submit their application form, together with a

comprehensive research proposal of not less than 3000 words outlining the proposed

project, including research sources and materials, at any time of the year.

(2) Applicants may also be asked to demonstrate competence in those

skills required by the nature of the proposed research.

Faculty Doctoral Committee

The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of a Faculty

Doctoral Committee composed as follows

The Dean of the Faculty or delegate (chairman)

3 – 4 Heads of Department

Supervision and Students’ Progress

Principal Supervisors shall be required to submit a written report to the

Board, through the Faculty Doctoral Committee, every year for all students under

their supervision.

Students shall only be allowed to progress with their studies subject to

satisfactory progress reports from their Principal Supervisor. If the report is negative,

the Board shall make recommendations to Senate on the student’s continuing

registration for the Degree.

(1) After at least 12 months and not later than 24 months of full-time

study, students are required to submit some chapters / report on their research work

for consideration by an ad hoc board appointed by the Board. The ad hoc board shall

be composed of a chairman, who shall be the head of the department / unit concerned

or his delegate, and two examiners, one of whom shall be the Principal Supervisor

and the other a delegate of the Faculty Doctoral Committee.

(2) The ad hoc board shall examine the student orally and shall submit

a written report for consideration by the Faculty Doctoral Committee in the first

instance. The report shall contain recommendations according to the provisions of

the Principal Regulations.

Students registered at the Faculty may be required to participate in the

Faculty’s research and teaching programmes.

Thesis Presentation and Format

Six months before the submission deadline students shall be informed

that they are required to inform the Faculty that they will be submitting their thesis

for examination not less than three months before the submission deadline.

The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of the Board of

Examiners in accordance with the Principal Regulations.

The Board shall approve and publish guidelines on the format and

presentation of the thesis for the Degree.

(1) Students shall be required to submit a loose bound copy of their thesis

for each member of the Board of Examiners, in line with the format indicated in the

published guidelines, together with a copy in digital format. The officer in charge of

the Faculty shall issue a dated receipt.

(2) On successful completion of their studies, students shall be required

to submit to the Faculty three hard bound copies of the thesis and one copy in digital

format within six weeks from the publication of their result. One copy of the thesis

shall be kept in the Library of the department and another at the University Library.

Students who do not comply with this bye-law shall not be awarded the Degree.

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