under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences

L.N. 354 of 2014

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2014 to amend the Bye-Laws of 2012 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the

Degree of Master of Science – M.Sc. –

under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences

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 Health

Sciences 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

These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2014 to amend the

Bye-Laws of 2012 in terms of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate

Awards, 2008 for the Degree of Master of Science – M.Sc. – and shall be read and

construed as one with the Bye-Laws of 2012 in terms of the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the Degree of Master of Science – M.Sc. –

under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences, published as Legal Notice 486

of 2012, hereinafter referred to as “the principal bye-laws”.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in October

2014 or later.

Amendment to bye-law 1 of the principal bye-laws

For paragraph (2) of bye-law 1 of the principal bye-laws there shall be

substituted the following

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences;

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

of Science - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science - M.Sc.;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in the

relevant area of study; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.”

Amendment to bye-law 4 of the principal bye-laws

For bye-law 4 of the principal bye-laws there shall be substituted the

following

“Requirements for Admission

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

following qualifications

(a) the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) obtained with at least Second

Class (Honours) from the Faculty of Health Sciences in an area of study which should

be directly related to the area in which the research is to be carried out; or

(b) a Bachelor’s degree obtained with at least a Second Class (Honours) in a

discipline deemed by the Board as being closely related to the area of study in which

the research is to be carried out; or

(c) a qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board,

to be equivalent to the qualifications listed in (a) and (b) above,

provided that for the Clinical Biomechanics and Health Services Management areas

of study, applicants in possession of a first degree obtained with at least Second Class

(Honours) in a discipline deemed by the Board as being related to the area of study in

which the research is to be carried out shall be considered as eligible.”

Amendment to bye-law 6 of the principal bye-laws

For bye-law 6 of the principal bye-laws there shall be substituted the

following

“Programme of Study

(1) The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a

total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which not more than 30 ECTS credits are

assigned to taught study-units and not less than 60 ECTS credits are assigned to the

dissertation study-unit.

(2) Students who obtain a total of 30 ECTS credits for 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 Course, shall be eligible for the award of

a Postgraduate Certificate.

(3) The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate,

normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course.”

Amendment to bye-law 7 of the principal bye-laws

6. For bye-law 7 of the principal bye-laws there shall be substituted the

following

“Masters by Research Committee

(1) The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of a Faculty

Masters by Research Committee normally composed as follows

The Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences or delegate (Chairperson)

2 - 5 members of the Faculty of Health Sciences possessing academic doctoral

qualifications

Head of Department in which the research will be carried out

The research student’s academic supervisor.

(2) The Board may recommend to Senate a Committee having a different

composition from that described in paragraph (1) of this bye-law, if the programme

of studies requires input from academics from other faculties.”

Amendment to bye-law 8 of the principal bye-laws

7. For paragraph (2) of bye-law 8 of the principal bye-laws there shall be

substituted the following

“(2) Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not more than

two taught study-units, if following the full-time Course, or not more than one taught

study-unit if following the part-time Course, shall be given the opportunity to re-

sit the failed assessments during the September supplementary examination session,

provided that, if applicable, students who fail in a study-unit involving a clinical

placement that requires assessment over a period of time shall not have the right to a

supplementary assessment and shall be required to withdraw from the Course.”

Amendment to bye-law 9 of the principal bye-laws

For bye-law 9 of the principal bye-laws there shall be substituted the

following

“9. (1) Students following a programme which includes the writing of a

dissertation to which 70 or 80 ECTS credits are assigned shall be required to submit

an individual dissertation of between 40,000 and 45,000 words in accordance with

the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2) The provisional title of the dissertation and a detailed research proposal

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

(3) Students following a programme which includes the writing of a

dissertation to which 60 ECTS credits are assigned shall be required to submit an

individual dissertation of not less than 35,000 words in accordance with the guidelines

issued by the Board.

(4) In such instances, a detailed research the proposal shall be submitted to

the Board for approval by the beginning of the second semester.

(5) In all cases, 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.”

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