under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology

L.N. 21 of 2016

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2016 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Arts in Christian Faith Formation – M.A. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology

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 Theology 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 2016 in terms of

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

of Master of Arts in Christian Faith Formation – M.A. – under the auspices of the

Faculty of Theology.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Theology;

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

of Arts in Christian Faith Formation – M.A.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in Christian Faith Formation

- M.A.;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Christian

Faith Formation – P.G. Cert.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Christian

Faith Formation – P.G. Dip.; 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

2015 or later.

Requirements for Admission

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of

(a) a degree in education with at least Second Class Honours from this

University or a degree from another university recognised as equivalent for the

purpose together with a minimum of one year’s teaching experience; or

(b) any other degree with at least Second Class Honours, together with a

recognised teaching or education qualification and a minimum of one year’s teaching

experience; or

(c) a degree in education or a Teacher’s Certificate, together with at least two

years’ teaching experience and other suitable qualifications obtained following the

degree or after the Teacher’s Certificate; or

(d) any first cycle degree together with either a recognised teaching

qualification or the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, together with five years’

experience in an education setting; or

(e) any first cycle degree, together with at least two years’ teaching experience

in any Christian faith formation institute; or

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

to be equivalent to the qualifications listed in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) of this bye-

law, together with the required years of experience.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over six semesters of part-time study.

Programme of Study

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 are assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

Students who obtain 30 ECTS credits assigned to 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

the Postgraduate Certificate.

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 complete the dissertation, shall be eligible for

the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

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 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 deemed to have failed the Course.

Dissertation

(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) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the last two

semesters of the Course. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall

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

(3) A provisional title for the dissertation and a research proposal shall

be submitted to the Board for approval not later than six weeks before the end of the

fourth 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. Such reports

may include recommendations 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 Awards

(1) The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the

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.

(2)

The Postgraduate Certificate shall be awarded unclassified.

€0.27