under the auspices of the Faculty for the Built Environment

L.N. 365 of 2014

EDUCATION ACT

Bye-Laws of 2014 in terms of the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the

Degree of Master of Architecture – M.Arch. -

under the auspices of the Faculty for the Built Environment

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 the Built

Environment 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 2014 in terms of

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

Master of Architecture – M.Arch. - under the auspices of the Faculty for the Built

Environment.

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty for the Built Environment;

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

of Architecture – M.Arch.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Architecture – M.Arch.;

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008; and

“the Schedule” means the list of thematic study-units and the credit value

assigned to each, which applicants are expected to have covered as part of their first

cycle degree programme.

Applicability

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

2014 or later.

Requirements for Admission

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of

(1) (a) a first cycle degree in Built Environment Studies from this University,

with at least at Second Class (Honours); or

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

Board, to be comparable to the qualification listed in paragraph (a) of this bye-law.

The admission of applicants under this bye-law may be made conditional on the

results of an assessment as the Board may deem appropriate.

(2) In addition to the qualification indicated in paragraph (1) of this bye-law,

applicants shall be required to submit a transcript of studies showing that during the

first cycle degree they successfully completed the minimum number of credits in the

relative thematic study-units, as indicated in the Schedule approved by the Board,

provided that applicants who commenced the first cycle degree leading to the

qualification specified in paragraph (1) of this bye-law in October 2011 or October

2012 who lack not more than 4 ECTS credits in study-units from the relevant thematic

area may be allowed to follow and successfully complete supplementary study-units

to make up for this shortfall, in addition to the programme of study specified in bye-

law 5.

(3) Study-units which were awarded a Compensated Pass shall not be

considered sufficient for this purpose,

provided that, at the discretion of the Board, applicants who present Compensated

Passes in up to 4 ECTS credits may be allowed to join the Course subject to any

conditions which the Board may impose.

(4) Study-units which were successfully completed during exchange periods

of study at other universities may be offered in lieu of study-units indicated in the

Schedule, subject to confirmation by the Board that such study-units have a thematic

content which is compatible with the relative Schedule, and that study-units so

presented are at least at the same level as the study-units they are replacing.

Course duration

The Course shall extend over four semesters of full-time study.

Programmes of Study

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

of 120 ECTS credits are assigned, of which not less than 40 ECTS credits are assigned

to the Final Project Workshop and Dissertation study-unit. It shall include study-

units grouped by themes (two main themes each assigned 25 ECTS credits and one

secondary theme assigned 10 ECTS credits), 15 ECTS credits assigned to synoptic

project-based workshops, and 5 ECTS credits assigned to common compulsory topics

focused on research methodologies and tools.

(2) The programme of study shall particularly address the topics of

architectural design, history and theory of architecture, fine arts, urban design and

planning, environmental performances, the construction process and costs, and

structural behaviour.

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

on the recommendation of the Board, normally not less than eight months prior to the

commencement of the Course.

(4)

Programmes shall be offered as follows

M.Arch. (Architectural Design), comprising main thematic study-units

in Architectural Design, and in Architectural Science and Technology, and secondary

thematic study-units in Management Studies;

M.Arch. (Architecture and Urban Design), comprising main thematic

study-units in Architectural Design, and in Urban Design, and secondary thematic

study-units in Management Studies; and

M.Arch. (Architecture and Conservation Studies), comprising main

thematic study-units in Architectural Design, and in Conservation Studies, and

secondary thematic study-units in Management Studies.

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 20 ECTS credits shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments

during the September supplementary examination session.

(3) Students who fail 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.

Final Project Workshop and Dissertation

Students shall be required to complete the Final Project Workshop and

write a dissertation in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(1) Work on the Final Project Workshop shall be undertaken during

the third and fourth semesters of the Course. Students shall be assigned a number

of supervisors who shall provide guidance and advice, in conformity with the main

themes of the Final Project Workshop.

(2) The Final Project Workshop shall comprise a synoptic design

project, presented by each student via drawings, written documents, audio-visual

material and an oral presentation.

(3) The theme for the Final Project Workshop shall be submitted to the

Board for approval by the deadline indicated by the Board. Students may undertake

similar themes for the Final Project Workshop, provided that they shall be required to

submit for assessment individual project proposals.

(1) The dissertation shall be of approximately 20,000 words in

accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board. Each student shall be assigned a

supervisor who shall provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period

of study.

(2) A provisional title for the dissertation and a detailed research

proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval by the deadline indicated by

the Board.

(1) Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisors, not less than once a month.

(2) Students shall be required to make an interim presentation to the

relative Board of Examiners, mid-way through the programme of both the Dissertation

and Final Project Workshop, so that it may be ascertained that each student is making

satisfactory progress. Following such interim presentations, a progress report shall

be drawn up, which may include recommendations to either (a) extend the period of

study in order to enable the student to complete the work properly; or (b) terminate

studies prematurely if the Board 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 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 the components of the

programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

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