under the auspices of the Faculty for the Built Environment

B

L.N. 11 of 2017

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2017 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

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

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 2017 in terms

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

of Master of Fine Arts - M.F.A. - 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 Fine Arts - M.F.A.;

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

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

Applicability

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

2016 or later.

Areas of Study

The Course shall be offered in any area of study which benefits from a

project-based approach, including disciplines from fine arts, visual arts, conservation,

or architecture that falls within the academic responsibility of the Board, after approval

by Senate.

B

Requirements for Admission

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

following qualifications

(a) a first cycle degree with at least Second Class (Honours), in a

discipline related to fine arts, visual arts, architecture or conservation or any other

area as deemed relevant by the Board, with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, obtained

in the 10 years previous to registration for the Course; or

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

Board, to be equivalent to the qualifications listed in sub-paragraph (a),

provided that applicants may be asked to demonstrate competence in those skills

required by the nature of the proposed research, via an extended interview and the

submission of appropriate documentation.

(2) Applicants whose first degree was obtained more than 10 years

previous to registration for the Course may also be admitted provided that they provide

sufficient proof of their competence to follow the Course with profit. The Board

may, at its discretion, require such applicants to follow a preparatory programme as

specified in bye-law 5.

Preparatory Programme

Applicants may be required to complete a preparatory programme

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

Board, particularly when they wish to focus on an area of research different from that

followed in the first cycle degree but do not possess the skills or the knowledge to

take up postgraduate studies in that area. Applicants shall be required to obtain an

overall average mark of 65% or better in the preparatory programme 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

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

90 ECTS credits shall be assigned.

The programme of study will be undertaken primarily by studio-based

or practice-based research. The detailed programme will vary depending on the

theme of research, but shall normally include a portfolio of original studio-based or

practice-based or project-based work, as exhibited in a portfolio, or publication, and

a written dissertation.

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The programme of study shall comprise a seminar to which 5 ECTS

credits are assigned and a dissertation/portfolio study-unit to which 85 ECTS credits

are assigned, as approved by the Board, provided that not less than 20% of these

credits are assigned to the dissertation.

Programmes 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.

Dissertation

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

of not less than 15,000 words, exclusive of notes, bibliography and appendices, 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 proposal 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.

(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.

(4)

Students shall also sit for a viva voce examination focusing on the

dissertation.

Portfolio

(1) The portfolio shall comprise studio-based or practise-based or

project-based work related to the theme of research as approved by the Board.

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

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

(3) Not less than three months before the intended date of submission

of the portfolio, students shall apply to the Board for permission to present the

portfolio. Before giving permission, the Board shall consult the students’ supervisor

and shall ascertain that the period of study conforms with that stipulated in the

Principal Regulations.

(4) When submitting a portfolio of work, students shall include a

signed declaration that the entire portfolio is their own personal work and that it has

been done after their registration for the Degree.

(5) The work must on no account have already been submitted for

any qualification or elsewhere, or published independently by the student, entirely or

substantially.

(6) Students shall also sit for a viva voce examination focusing on the

portfolio project.

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(7) The Board of Examiners assessing the portfolio shall regulate its

procedures in accordance with the Procedures for Boards of Examiners of Master

Dissertations approved by Senate as applicable.

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

normally composed of three members as follows: Head of Department as Chairman,

or his or her delegate, and two other members, one of whom being the research

supervisor, provided that when the Head of Department is the supervisor, he or she

shall not chair the Panel.

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

of students in their work for the dissertation and portfolio, 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 supervisor deems necessary.

(4) At the end of each semester of studies 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 or portfolio. The dissertation or the portfolio may

not normally be submitted for examination without the approval of the supervisor.

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

writing, on the general performance of each student for the dissertation and portfolio.

Such advice may include recommendations to either (a) extend the period of study in

order to enable the student to complete the dissertation or portfolio; 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 relevant Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the

Course.

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