under the auspices of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences

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L.N. 369 of 2015

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2015 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards 2008

for the Degree of Master of Arts in Documentary Heritage and

Melitensia Studies - M.Doc.Mel. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by articles 74 (5) and 75 (6) of the

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

the following bye-laws made by the Board of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge

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 and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2015 in terms of

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

of Master of Arts in Documentary Heritage and Melitensia Studies - (M.Doc.Mel.)

-under the auspices of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences.

(2)

In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires -

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge

Sciences;

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

of Arts in Documentary Heritage and Melitensia Studies - M.Doc.Mel.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in Documentary Heritage

and Melitensia Studies - M. Doc. Mel.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Documentary

Heritage and Melitensia Studies – P.G.Dip.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

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Applicability

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

2015 or later.

Requirements for Admission

(1)

The Course is open to applicants in possession of either

(a) the degree of Bachelor of Library Information and Archive Studies from

this University obtained with at least Second Class Honours or Category II; or

(b) a first cycle degree in any area of study deemed relevant by the Board

obtained with at least Second Class Honours or Category II from this University, or

an equivalent qualification obtained from any other recognised university; or

(c) the Diploma in Library and Information Studies, or the Diploma in

Archives and Records Management, obtained from this University, or an equivalent

qualification obtained from any other recognised university,

provided that such applicants submit a portfolio documenting and describing a

minimum of four years of proven professional experience in the library, archive

or information management sector, which experience was obtained following the

completion of their Diploma in Library and Information Studies, or the Diploma in

Archives and Records Management course.

(2) Applicants in terms of sub-paragraph (b) and (c) of paragraph (1) of

this bye-laws shall be interviewed by a board appointed for the purpose, to assess their

suitability to follow the Course with profit. The Board shall announce the assessment

criteria for admission into the Course at the time of the call for applications.

(3) The interviewing board appointed by the Board shall be composed

of at least three members.

Course Duration

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

semesters of 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 60 ECTS credits are assigned to taught

study-units and 30 ECTS credits assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

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(2) Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the taught

study-units with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course,

or having proceeded do not successfully compete the dissertation, shall be eligible for

the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

(3) The programme of study shall be published by the Board 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 20 ECTS credits for taught study-units, if following the full-time Course,

or not more than 10 ECTS credits if following the part-time Course, shall be given

the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments during the September supplementary

examination session.

(3) Students who fail in more than the number of credits permitted

under paragraph (2) of this bye-law, or students who, after re-assessment fail to obtain

the ECTS credits for any study-unit, shall be deemed to have failed the Course.

Dissertations

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

approximately 25,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2) Each dissertation shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide

guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

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

proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval not later than six weeks before

the end of the second semester.

(1)

Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for each

student under their supervision at the end of each semester of studies, whether the

student is following the Course on a full-time or a part-time basis. 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

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(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 Awards

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of classification of the

Postgraduate Diploma and 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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