under the auspices of the Centre for English Language Proficiency

L.N. 378 of 2016

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2016 in terms of the

Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D. – Degree Regulations, 2008

for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D. -

under the auspices of the Centre for English Language Proficiency

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 Centre for English Language

Proficiency in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 7 (b) (v) of the Statute

for the Centre and which have been approved by the Senate of the University of

Malta

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2016 in terms of the

Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2008 for the Degree of Doctor of

Philosophy under the auspices of the Centre for English Language Proficiency.

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Centre for English Language Proficiency;

“the Centre” means the Centre for English Language Proficiency;

“the Degree” means the degree of Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D.– Degree

Regulations, 2008.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable from October 2016 onwards.

Requirements for Admission

(1) Applicants for the Degree offered by the Centre shall be in possession

of one of the following degrees

(a) a Master’s degree in the same area of study or in a related area; or

(b) a First Class Bachelor Honours degree in the same area of study or in a

related area.

B

(2) The Board may also consider applications from applicants with

qualifications at Master’s level or higher in another discipline and possessing

experience or knowledge which, in the opinion of the Board, will enable them to

pursue doctoral studies successfully.

When the Board deems it necessary, it may require students to successfully

complete a number of study-units during the course of their studies, and/or to

satisfactorily undertake tasks recommended by the Board, under those conditions

that it may impose, after approval by Senate.

(1) Applicants may submit their application form, together with a

comprehensive research proposal outlining the proposed project, including research

sources and materials, at any time of the year.

(2) Applicants may also be asked to demonstrate competence in those skills

required by the nature of the proposed research.

Centre’s Doctoral Committee

The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of a Centre Doctoral

Committee, composed as follows

The Director of the Centre, or delegate, and

3 members of the Academic Staff.

The Centre Doctoral Committee may co-opt other members from other Faculties/

Institutes/Centres, possessing academic doctoral qualifications, if deemed necessary.

Supervision and Students’ Progress

Principal Supervisors shall be required to submit a written report to the

Board, through the Centre’s Doctoral Committee, every June for all students under

their supervision.

Students shall only be allowed to proceed with their studies subject to

satisfactory progress reports from their Principal Supervisor. If the report is negative,

the Board shall make recommendations to Senate on the student’s continuing

registration for the Degree.

(1) After 12 months and not later than 24 months of full-time study or the

equivalent in part-time study have elapsed, students are required to submit a report

on their research work for consideration by an ad hoc board appointed by the Board.

The ad hoc board shall be composed of a chairperson, who shall be the Director

of the Centre (or delegate), and two members, one of whom shall be the Principal

Supervisor.

B

(2) The ad hoc board shall examine the student orally on the basis of the

work submitted and shall submit a written report for consideration by the Centre

Doctoral Committee. The report shall contain recommendations according to the

provisions of the Principal Regulations.

Students registered at the Centre may be required to participate in the

Centre’s research and teaching programmes.

Thesis Presentation and Format

Six months before the submission deadline students shall be informed that

they are required to inform the Centre that they will be submitting their thesis for

examination not less than three months before the submission deadline.

The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of the Board of

Examiners in accordance with the Principal Regulations.

The Board shall approve and publish guidelines on the format and

presentation of the thesis for the Degree.

(1) Students shall be required to submit a loose bound copy of their thesis

for each member of the Board of Examiners in line with the format indicated in the

published guidelines, together with a copy in digital format. The officer in charge of

the Centre shall issue a dated receipt.

(2) Students may publish the whole or part of their thesis before submitting

it for examination. Such published work may later be included in the thesis submitted

for examination, provided that a statement to this effect is included.

(3) On successful completion of their studies, students shall be required to

submit to the Centre two hard bound copies of the thesis and one copy in digital format

for the University Library within six weeks from the publication of their result. The

electronic version must conform to the standards set up by the University Library.

Students who do not comply with this bye-law shall not be awarded the Degree.

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