Professional Doctorate Degree Course Regulations, 2014

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Professional Doctorate Degree Course Regulations, 2014

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by sections 74 (5) and 75

(6) of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the University of Malta has

promulgated the following regulations made by the Senate of the University of Malta

by virtue of the powers conferred upon it by sections 75 and 79 of the said Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Professional Doctorate Degree

Course Regulations, 2014.

(2) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms

used shall be taken to mean as indicated in the Glossary of Terms listed hereunder

Glossary of Terms

Explanation

the board of the University faculty, institute, centre or school where the

Programme will be carried out

the Board of Studies appointed by Senate on the recommendation of the

Board

the programme of study leading to a professional doctorate degree

the University faculty, institute, centre or school offering the Degree

the committee entrusted to oversee each student’s doctoral studies as

specified in the Ph.D. Degree Regulations, 2008

the professional doctorate degree termed ‘Doctorate in (area of study)’ is

designed for students pursuing professional or industry-based careers and

who are interested in the opportunity to reflect on best practice, rather than in

pursuing academic careers for which the degree is not designed

the degree of Master in a named area of study that shall be awarded in the

cases specified in regulations 37 and 38

the Postgraduate Diploma in a named area of study that shall be awarded in

the cases specified in regulation 35

the taught and research programme of study in the area of study chosen

the University Ph.D. Committee appointed by Senate in terms of the Ph.D.

Degree Regulations, 2008

Applicability

These regulations shall be applicable as from October 2014 and brought

into force as bye-laws of these regulations.

Eligibility to offer the Degree

Applicants shall be accepted to register for the Degree after it is ascertained by

Senate that the Faculty where the teaching and research will be carried out can provide

suitable facilities for the proposed Programme, as well as dissertation supervisors

who can provide regular supervision for the dissertation and professional practice

supervisors who can provide mentoring for the professional practice component,

taking account of their academic record and expertise and other commitments.

Eligibility for the Award of the Degree

(1) The Degree shall be awarded upon the successful completion of a

programme of study, comprising taught study-units, a professional practice component,

where this is required, and the writing and defence of a dissertation which shall

provide an original contribution to both theory and practice in the area of study with

the aim of developing critical thinking skills and reflecting on professional practice.

(2) Students shall comply with the provisions of these regulations and

of the Faculty Professional Doctorate Degree Bye-Laws and shall also satisfy any

other requirements prescribed in any other relevant statutes, regulations and bye-laws

of the University, including applicable ethical, and health and safety procedures or

guidelines.

(3) In accordance with the provisions of Statute 3, where the University,

with the approval of Senate, enters into an agreement with other universities for the

granting of a joint or double degree, then the Professional Doctorate Degree may be

awarded

(a) in the case of a joint degree, jointly on one certificate by all the partner

universities and shall be conferred at one of the partner universities as agreed among

them; or

(b) in the case of a double degree, separately by each partner university.

Requirements for Admission to the Degree

(1) The Sub-Committee shall consider applications for the Degree from

applicants who shall possess a Master’s degree of this or another university, in an area

of study relevant to the Programme. For the purpose of this regulation, a Master’s

degree shall have been obtained following the award of a first cycle qualification. In

certain cases, the Sub-Committee may also consider other qualifications if deemed to

be appropriate.

(2) Applicants are required to be in possession of appropriate qualifications

to demonstrate that their standard of English is satisfactory. The offer of a place to

read for the Degree may be made subject to the applicants obtaining such proficiency

qualifications prior to the commencement of their studies.

(3) In addition to the qualifications specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of

this regulation, applicants shall also possess such qualifications and satisfy such other

conditions as the Board may from time to time establish for the purpose and which

shall be approved by Senate in the form of bye-laws.

Applications for the Degree

Applications may be submitted on the prescribed form at any time of

the year but students shall be registered with effect from October.

The Faculty Doctoral Committee shall consider applications for the

Degree and shall make its recommendations to Senate, through the Board and the

Sub-Committee.

Ethical Approval of Research Programmes

Any research undertaken by students which involves direct contact

with patients or healthy participants, whether clinical, biomedical or social research,

or the secondary use of existing human materials or specimens, or involving animals

must be subject to ethical review. Such review must be undertaken by the Research

Ethics Committee appointed by Senate for the purpose. These research proposals

shall first be considered by the Board who shall submit the proposal to the Research

Ethics Committee for approval.

Place of Study

Where applicable, applicants shall be required to be resident in Malta

for specified parts of the taught component of the Programme as indicated by the

Board of Studies. The Board of Studies may approve that studies be carried out away

from the University, provided that

(a) the facilities at the place in which applicants will be carrying out their

studies shall be equivalent to, or better than, those of the department or complementary

to those of the department and are essentially required for the work, and the department

concerned shall provide written evidence of this to the Board;

(b) during the research component applicants shall normally spend a

reasonable period on the Malta campus during which period they shall hold meetings

with the Dissertation Supervisor; and

(c) an on-site adviser is appointed to follow the student regularly at the

off-campus place of study.

Duration of Studies

(1) Studies for the Degree shall extend over a period of not less than

three years of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study. If the research

component so demands, the Sub-Committee may recommend to Senate a longer

period to complete this component.

(2) On the recommendation of the Board and the Sub-Committee,

Senate may grant students an extension of studies of up to two years in order to

enable them to complete their studies, irrespective of whether they are registered on

a full-time or a part-time basis.

Full-time students may not engage in employment which is likely to

interfere with the progress of their studies and must inform the University about the

extent of any employment commitments.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend for all lectures, seminars, practical and

other teaching sessions. Lecturers may bar students whose attendance in a study-unit

is not satisfactory from being assessed in that study-unit.

Suspension of Studies

On the recommendation of the Board and of the Sub-Committee, the

Senate may allow students, for a good and sufficient reason, to suspend their studies

for a maximum period of 12 months, irrespective of whether they are registered

on a full-time or a part-time basis, provided that the continuation of their studies

shall depend on the availability of the Programme in the following years. In such

cases, the period of suspension of studies shall not be taken into consideration

for calculating the period of registration for the Degree in terms of the duration

requirement.

Change of Mode of Study

Senate may allow students to change their mode of study from full-time

to part-time or from part-time to full-time, as feasible. The period of registration

shall be recalculated on the basis of the proportion of time during which the students

were studying in each mode.

Annual Enrolment

(1) Students are required to enrol at the beginning of each academic year

throughout their period of study.

(2) Such enrolment shall be allowed only if the students are making

satisfactory progress in their studies.

Programme of Study

(1) The Programme for the Degree shall comprise (a) a taught

component, comprising study-units to which between 60 and 120 ECTS credits are

assigned; and (b) a research component, comprising a dissertation study-unit.

(2) A supervised professional practice component, which shall span over

a significant period of the Programme, may also be included as specified in the bye-

laws for the Course.

(3) Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, shall approve the

programme of study which shall include the taught, research and professional

practice components, as applicable.

Board of Studies

The Board of Studies shall: (a) implement the Professional Doctorate

Degree Course Regulations; (b) monitor and evaluate the programme of study; (c)

propose to the Board the programme of study, the bye-laws and any revisions as

necessary and (d) monitor the procedures used in the assessment of the students`

performance.

The Board of Studies shall consider annual reports from students

regarding the progress of their studies, which shall include any problems that they

may be encountering.

Faculty Doctoral Committee

(1) The Faculty Doctoral Committee shall follow, as it deems fit, the

progress of students during the entire duration of the Programme, provided that it

shall meet at least once a year to review the progress of each student. The Faculty

Doctoral Committee shall consult with the Board of Studies when conducting such

a review.

(2) Dissertation Supervisors and Professional Practice Supervisors

shall be required to submit regular written progress reports on their students, with

regard to the progress of the dissertation and the professional practice component

respectively. These reports are to be submitted to the Faculty Doctoral Committee,

in consultation with the Board of Studies. Students shall have a right to view the

reports and to make their own comments.

(3) The Faculty Doctoral Committee, through the Board of Studies, shall

periodically inform the Board, in writing, on the general performance of students.

(4) The Faculty Doctoral Committee, in consultation with the Board of

Studies, may either

(a) recommend to Senate, through the Sub-Committee, that a student be

granted an extension of the study period in order to enable the student to complete

the dissertation, provided that the period of extension of studies shall be according to

regulation 10; or

(b) recommend that studies be terminated prematurely if this is deemed

to be proper in the circumstances, provided that the student can appeal his/her case

before Senate within 15 days from the notice of termination of studies.

Supervision of Dissertations

(1) Senate, on the recommendation of the Board and the Sub-Committee,

shall appoint a Dissertation Supervisor from among the members of the academic staff

of the University in accordance with the provisions of regulation 3. Such a member

of staff shall have appropriate qualifications, including extensive knowledge and

research experience in the broad subject area of the student and current involvement

in research groups.

(2) Senate may also appoint a co-supervisor or adviser to provide

the link if the research is of an interdisciplinary nature or if the research is being

undertaken in collaboration with another organisation or in the student’s place of

work or if the research will benefit from the input of a particular expertise.

Supervision of Professional Practice

Senate, on the recommendation of the Board and the Sub-Committee,

shall appoint a Professional Practice Supervisor in accordance with the provisions

of regulation 3. Bye-laws for the Course shall define who shall act as a Professional

Practice Supervisor for the professional practice component.

Change of Dissertation Supervisor or Professional Practice Supervisor

If a Dissertation Supervisor or a Professional Practice Supervisor

leaves the University or is otherwise unable to supervise, the Faculty Doctoral

Committee, in consultation with the Board of Studies, shall arrange for appropriate

alternative advice and take steps to ensure that the student’s research or professional

practice component is not hindered or impeded. If the absence is of a permanent

nature, the Faculty Doctoral Committee shall propose a new Supervisor to the Sub-

Committee and Senate, through the Board.

Students who wish to change their Dissertation Supervisor or their

Professional Practice Supervisor should discuss this matter with the Chairperson of

the Board of Studies who shall recommend to the Faculty Doctoral Committee that

adequate provisions are made to rectify the situation if reasonable grounds are shown

to exist and, where applicable, funding arrangements permit.

Roles of Professional Practice Supervisors, Dissertation Supervisors, Co-

Supervisors, Advisers

(1) Professional Practice Supervisors shall provide guidance to students

during their professional practice in order to enable students to integrate theory with

practice, demonstrate professional and interpersonal skills and build confidence in

their practice skills.

(2) Dissertation Supervisors shall be responsible for providing guidance

to students under their care by offering ideas and providing help and encouragement

on the planning and progress of research, submission of the dissertation and

publication of the research results.

(3) Dissertation Supervisors shall also ensure that the students are aware

of the manner in which research results are to be reported and that they understand

the implications of plagiarism and other unbecoming academic practices.

(4) Dissertation Supervisors and Professional Practice Supervisors shall

meet students regularly to review their progress. These meetings shall occur at least

six times a year for full-time students. Meetings may be substituted by other means

of communication.

(5) The supervisory role of Dissertation Supervisors, co-supervisors and

advisers in the research component shall cease when the dissertation is submitted

for examination. The role may be re-assumed, on the advice of the Board of

Examiners, in order to provide guidance to students whose dissertation is referred

back for significant correction pending final acceptance.

(6) Dissertation Supervisors, co-supervisors and advisers are not

responsible for proof-reading dissertations. Neither is it their responsibility to

ensure that dissertations do not contain plagiarised parts.

(7) A Dissertation Supervisor, Co-supervisor, Adviser or Professional

Practice Supervisor shall not be related to a student by consanguinity or by affinity

to the third degree inclusive or have a dual relationship with the student.

(8) If plagiarism is detected by a supervisor in drafts or in the final

version of a dissertation prior to formal submission for examination, the Dissertation

Supervisor shall use discretion as to whether to reprimand the student and demand

corrective action or report the matter to the University Assessment Disciplinary

Board, depending on the gravity of the offence.

(9) The total number of doctoral and professional doctorate students

accepted for supervision at any time by any single full-time academic shall be

limited to five, provided that if the academic can demonstrate to the Sub-Committee that

(a) he/she disposes of a research management structure which facilitates

communication and interaction between supervisor and individual researchers; or

(b) he/she has less teaching commitments than normal, then the Sub-

Committee may authorise the supervision of a larger number of students.

A Co-supervisor may be appointed in order to provide guidance and

supervision when the nature of the research work makes it necessary or expedient

to do so; the Co-supervisor is to act on a regular basis as consultant to the research

project.

One or more advisers may be appointed when it is anticipated that particular

aspects of the research work will necessitate occasional significant consultation with

one or more experts. An adviser is an expert who is appointed to provide advice on a

particular aspect of the research work.

When Co-supervisors and/or Advisers are appointed, the Dissertation

Supervisor shall retain the ultimate responsibility of leadership in supervision.

Assessment of Taught Study-Units - Marking and Grading

Taught study-units shall be assessed at the end of the semester in which

they are taught.

Examiners shall express the students’ performance in the assessment of all

taught study-units as a percentage mark and grade as indicated in the table below. Both

the percentage mark and the letter grade shall be recorded in the students’ academic

record. The percentage mark only is used for the purpose of calculating the students’

progress.

Descriptor

Mark Range

Work of excellent quality

80% - 100%

Superior performance showing a comprehensive understanding

and application of the subject matter. Evidence of considerable

additional reading/research/work.

Work of very good quality

70% - 79%

Performance is typified by a very good working knowledge of the

subject matter. Evidence of a considerable amount of reading/

research/work.

Work of good quality

60% - 69%

Average performance, with a sound working knowledge of the

subject matter. Evidence of sufficient reading/research/work.

Work of fair but below average quality

Considerable but incomplete understanding of the subject matter.

55%-59%

Evidence of a fair amount of reading/research/work.

Descriptor

Mark Range

Pass – when assessment is based on a pass/fail basis, as may be

Not

applicable to placement, practical work or similar work.

applicable

Unsatisfactory, failing work in any study-unit.

0% - 54%

Unjustified absence for an assessment, or failure to hand in

0%

assigned work in time, or ineligibility to take assessment due to

unapproved absence from lectures. Shall be considered as F with 0

marks in the calculation of the average mark.

Temporary grade for Incomplete work due to justifiable reasons

(illness, approved absence, etc.) for which the assessment date has

been postponed or the deadline for submission of work has been

extended.

Assessment of Dissertation and Professional Practice

The dissertation and the professional practice study-units shall be assessed

on a Pass/Fail basis.

Re-assessment of Study-Units

(1) A failed taught study-unit may be re-assessed once only, under those

conditions as provided for in the bye-laws for the Degree. If successful, the maximum

mark/grade that can be awarded shall be 55% / Grade D.

(2) Students shall not be allowed to be re-assessed for a study-unit if

they have already been awarded credit for it.

(3) Students who, after reassessment, fail to obtain credit for any study-

unit shall be required to withdraw from the Programme.

Progression

In order to remain registered on the Programme, students must

(a) maintain an average mark of 60% in the taught study-units, which average

mark shall be computed at the end of the academic year; and

(b) where applicable, obtain a pass in the professional practice component in

a yearly assessment, irrespective of whether their studies are being carried out on a

full-time or part-time basis.

In order to progress to the dissertation study-unit, students are required to

obtain an overall average mark in the taught study-units as specified in the bye-laws

for the Course.

Bye-laws may specify that progression to the dissertation study-unit is

conditional to an average mark that is higher than the one specified in regulation 32.

Students who obtain at least 60 ECTS credits for taught study-units and

either opt not to proceed with the Course, or having proceeded, do not complete the

full programme of study, shall be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma.

Students shall not be allowed to submit their dissertation for examination

before all the assessments of the taught study-units and, where applicable, of the

professional practice study-unit/s are successfully completed, as specified in regulation

32.

Bye-laws may provide that students who wish to discontinue the Course

may be eligible for the award of a Master’s degree provided that certain conditions,

as specified in the Faculty’s bye-laws, are met.

Bye-laws may also provide for the award of a Master’s degree to

students who having successfully completed all the requirements of the professional

doctorate fail to produce a dissertation of a doctoral quality, under those conditions

as may be stipulated by the Board of Examiners and the Board.

In the event that the dissertation also does not reach the standard required

in a Master’s degree, students shall be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma.

Submission of Dissertation Proposals and Dissertations

Bye-laws shall specify when students are required to submit their

dissertation proposal. Senate, on the recommendation of the Sub-Committee, shall

consider dissertation proposals following advice from the Board.

Dissertation proposals shall, in the first instance, be considered by the

Faculty Doctoral Committee, following advice from the Board of Studies.

Not less than three months before the intended date of submission of the

dissertation, students shall signify their intention to the Faculty Doctoral Committee

and the Board of Studies to present their dissertation stating its exact title. The

Faculty Doctoral Committee, after ascertaining that the period of study conforms

with that stipulated in these regulations, and that the Dissertation Supervisor has

given his opinion to the student regarding the submission of his/her dissertation for

examination, shall advise the Board to recommend to Senate the appointment of a

Board of Examiners.

(1) When presenting a dissertation for examination, students shall

submit

(a) a signed declaration that the dissertation is their own personal work,

and that the greater portion of the work has been done after their registration for the

Degree; and

(b) a form signed by the Dissertation Supervisor signifying that he/she is

aware that the student is submitting his/her dissertation for examination by the Board

of Examiners.

(2) Students shall not discuss their work with the examiners during the

period between their appointment as examiners and the oral examination.

The dissertation shall be written in the prescribed format and shall

have a word count as specified in the Faculty bye-laws, and shall conform with

established scholarly standards of the appropriate discipline.

Boards of Examiners for Taught Study-Units and the Dissertation

(1) Boards of Examiners shall be appointed by Senate on the recommendation

of the Board composed as follows

(a) for taught study-units: a chairperson, who shall normally be the Head

of the Department academically responsible for the study-unit, and not less than two

other examiners, including the lecturer of the study-unit; and

(b) for the dissertation study-unit: not less than three examiners, one of

whom shall act as chairperson and including an external examiner. The members of

the Board of Examiners shall be academics experienced in research in the general

area of the student’s dissertation and, where practicable, shall have experience as

specialists in the topic to be examined, provided that two of the examiners, including

the external examiner, shall be academics who command authority within the area of

research concerned.

(2) The oral examination of the dissertation shall be conducted by at least

three examiners including the external examiner.

(3) Dissertation supervisors, co-supervisors and advisers shall be precluded

from being examiners for the dissertation but the dissertation supervisor shall be

invited to attend as an observer during the oral examination. He may contribute if

invited to do so by the members of the Board of Examiners but must withdraw prior

to the final deliberations of the Board of Examiners.

Examination of Dissertations

(1) The examination of dissertations shall take place in two stages

(a) submission by the student and preliminary assessment by the Board of

Examiners; and

(b) oral defence of the dissertation.

(2) In assessing a dissertation, the Board of Examiners shall require

(a) evidence that it represents a significant contribution to knowledge in

a particular field of study or in the relationship between theory and professional

practice;

(b) evidence of originality;

(c) evidence of the ability of the student to relate the subject matter of the

dissertation to the existing body of knowledge and to current professional practice;

(d) evidence of the ability of the student to apply research methods appropriate

to the subject; and

(e) a satisfactory level of literary presentation.

(3) Each examiner shall submit an independent preliminary report to the

Chairperson of the Board of Examiners. In the report, each examiner shall consider

whether the dissertation provisionally satisfies the requirements for the award of

the Degree and, where possible, make an appropriate provisional recommendation

subject to the outcome of the oral examination.

(4) The Board of Examiners shall admit the student to an oral

examination after either approving the dissertation unconditionally or subject to the

correction of minor errors to the satisfaction of the Dissertation Supervisor.

(5) If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the quality of the

dissertation, it shall not admit the student to the oral examination and shall either

(a) refer the dissertation back to the student for major revision and resubmission

within six months in revised form to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners; or

(b) not permit the student to resubmit in a revised form but award the student

a Master’s degree instead; or

(c) not grant permission to resubmit and state that the student has failed the

dissertation study-unit.

(1) Students shall be required to defend their dissertation orally before

the Board of Examiners, including the external examiner. The oral examination shall

cover the subject of the dissertation and matters relevant thereto.

(2) The oral examination shall take place at the University of Malta for

all students.

Students shall be informed of the date of the oral examination at least

three weeks before the scheduled date.

(1) Following the oral examination, the Board of Examiners shall either

(a) submit to the Faculty Doctoral Committee and Senate a joint final report

regarding the dissertation study-unit; or

(b) refer the dissertation back to the student for major revision and re-

submission within six months in revised form to the satisfaction of the Board of

Examiners, and to admit the student to a second oral examination, if the Board of

Examiners so decides.

(2) The joint final report shall provide sufficiently detailed comments on

the scope and quality of the work as apparent from the written dissertation and the

oral defence. In addition to general remarks about the strengths and any weaknesses

of the dissertation, the report should include, as an annex, an itemised list of remarks

about any specific improvements or minor mistakes requiring correction. This list

shall be relayed to the student for guidance in improving the document. It shall be

the responsibility of the Chairperson to ensure that any required corrections and

amendments to the dissertation have been properly executed.

(3) The Board of Examiners shall advise the Board of Studies about the

outcome of the examination of the dissertation as follows

(a) the student has completed the work successfully; or

(b) the student is required to amend the dissertation to the satisfaction of

the Chairperson of the Board of Examiners, which work has to be completed within

three months of the official notification to the student by the Board of Examiners; or

(c) the student has failed to satisfy the examiners on the dissertation

study-unit.

(4) Where examiners are not in agreement, they shall follow the

relevant procedures as described in the University Assessment Regulations. In

any event, the separate reports of each examiner shall be submitted to the Sub-

Committee and Senate.

(5) When the disagreement cannot be resolved, and the decision is

taken by a majority vote, the Chairperson shall so record it in the joint final report,

provided that any disagreeing member may submit a minority report giving reasons

for the disagreement. In such circumstances, Senate shall either agree to accept the

majority report or take any other measures it seems appropriate.

Examination of Professional Practice Component

Bye-laws for the Course shall specify the process, procedures, conditions

and the method of examination of the Professional Practice Component.

The Board of Examiners shall be composed of not less than three

members including the Professional Practice Supervisor.

Award of Degree

The Board, on the recommendation of the Board of Studies and the

Faculty Doctoral Committee, and after taking into consideration the student’s

performance in the taught component, the professional practice, if applicable, and

the dissertation, shall recommend to Senate the award of the Degree.

Publication

Students shall acknowledge the contribution of their supervisor/s and

adviser/s, and of any other members of staff or students in any published material or

presentation in accordance with internationally recognised guidelines on authorship.

Supervisors shall acknowledge the contribution of the student in any

published material or presentation which involves the work performed by the

student.

Copyright and Intellectual Property

Copyright of the dissertation remains with the student. All other

intellectual property rights embodied in the dissertation are owned by the University.

The physical copies of the dissertation submitted for examination become the

property of the University

Students must abide by the University’s Policy on Intellectual Property

insofar as it pertains to the allocation of income from intellectual property rights.

Confidentiality Agreements

(1) Confidentiality agreements with sponsoring or funding bodies

should be identified by students and agreed by the Dissertation Supervisor and

notified to the Board through the Faculty Doctoral Committee.

(2) Where a student or the University wishes the dissertation to remain

confidential after completion of the programme of research, application for approval

must be made to the Sub-Committee at the time the application is being approved.

The period approved shall not normally exceed two years from the publication of

the result. However, in cases where publication of the dissertation would prove

detrimental to the student or the University or the sponsor or the funding body, a

further period may be approved.

Final Version of Dissertation

(1) Following successful defence of the dissertation and prior to the

conferment of the Degree, students are required to present at least three hard bound

copies of their dissertation and one copy in digital form as an electronic file.

(2) Dissertations shall each be assigned a dissertation identifier by the

Registrar, consisting of a set of digits and letters, in order to act as unique identifiers

for the works.

Bye-Laws

The Senate may, on the recommendation of each Board, approve bye-laws

governing the Degree to regulate matters not covered by these regulations.

General Provision

In matters not provided for by these regulations, the Board and Senate

shall be guided by the provisions of the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree

Regulations, 2008, published as Legal Notice 293 of 2008, as applicable.

€1.35