under the auspices of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy

L.N. 367 of 2014

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2014 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Arts - M.A. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy

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 Economics,

Management and Accountancy 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 Arts - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Economics, Management

and Accountancy.

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Economics, Management and

Accountancy;

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

of Arts - M.A.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts - M.A.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

Applicability

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

2014 or later.

Areas of Study

The Course shall be offered in any area of study that falls within the

academic responsibility of the Board, after approval by Senate. A list of the areas of

study on offer each year shall be published at the time of the call for applications.

Requirements for Admission

(1) The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of one of the

following qualifications

(a) the degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in the same or in a

closely related area of study as the area of study applied for, provided that applicants

in possession of this degree with Third Class Honours shall satisfy the Board that

they are in possession of other qualifications, including relevant experience, obtained

following the first cycle degree; or

(b) a degree with at least Second Class Honours or Category II, in any other

area deemed relevant by the Board; or

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

be comparable to the qualifications listed in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph

(1) of this bye-law,

provided that, in appropriate cases, where applicants lack essential knowledge in the

area of research methodology, the Board may require students admitted to the Course

to follow and pass supplementary study-unit/s in the said area to which a maximum

of 12 ECTS credits are assigned, in addition to the programme of study specified in

bye-law 7 of these bye-laws.

(2) The admission of applicants under sub-paragraph (b) and if necessary

sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (1) of this bye-law may be made conditional on the

results of an interview conducted for the purpose.

(3) Interviews, if necessary, shall be conducted by a board composed

of at least three members appointed by the Board for the purpose.

Preparatory Programme

Applicants in possession of an Ordinary Degree classified with at least

Category II shall be required to complete a preparatory programme, comprising not

less than 30 ECTS credits and not more than 60 ECTS credits as directed by the

Board, with an overall average mark of 55% or better, prior to their registration as

regular students on the Course.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study or the

equivalent in part-time study.

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 20 ECTS credits are

assigned to taught study-units and not less than 70 ECTS credits are assigned to the

dissertation study-unit.

(2) 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 for taught study units, whether the students are following

the Course on a full-time or a part-time basis, shall be given the opportunity to re-sit

the failed assessment 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.

Dissertation

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

approximately 40,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2) 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.

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

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

(1) The Board shall appoint a Panel of Supervision for each student,

normally composed of three members as follows: the Dean of the Faculty, or his

delegate as Chairman, and two other members, one of whom being the principal

supervisor, provided that when the Dean of the Faculty is the supervisor, he shall not

chair the panel.

(2) The Panel of Supervision shall follow, as it deems fit, the progress

of students throughout the Course, provided that it meets at least twice a year to

review such progress.

(3) Students shall be required to report to their supervisors at least once

every two months, and, in addition, as often as the supervisors deem necessary.

(4) At the end of each semester of study, supervisors shall be required

to submit to the Panel of Supervision reports for the students under their supervision.

Students shall seek approval from said Panel for any substantial modification in the

title or content of the dissertation.

(5) The Panels of Supervision shall periodically inform the Board, in

writing, on the general performance of each student. Such reports may include a

recommendation 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 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.

Special Provisions for Part-Time Courses

The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply mutatis mutandis to

courses followed on a part-time basis, and subject to such changes as may reasonably

be deemed by the Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the Course.

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