under the auspices of the School of Performing Arts

L.N. 304 of 2017

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Doctor of Music – D.Mus. – Degree Course Regulations, 2017

under the auspices of the School of Performing Arts

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 regulations made by the Senate of the University of

Malta by virtue of the powers conferred upon it by articles 75 (3) and 79 (b) of the

said Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Doctor of Music – D.Mus. -

Degree Course Regulations, 2017, under the auspices of the School of Performing

(2) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires –

“the Board” means the Board of the School of Performing Arts;

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies appointed for the Degree;

“the Degree” means the Degree of Doctor of Music – D.Mus.;

“the Ph.D. Committee” means the Ph.D. Committee appointed by Senate in

terms of the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2008; and

“the School ” means the School of Performing Arts.

Applicability

These regulations shall be applicable from 1st October, 2017 onwards.

Award of the Degree

The Degree shall be awarded to students who satisfy all the criteria in any

one of the following areas of specialization

Composition: successfully present a portfolio of compositions and

(a)

give two public lectures/presentations based on ongoing work included in the

B

portfolio of compositions, and submit a dissertation followed by a viva voce

examination, as follows

(i) the two public lectures/presentations based on the portfolio of

compositions shall be held one in each of the first and second years of

the programme of full-time study or, in the case of part-time study, in

the second and fourth years of the programme. The

lectures/presentations shall be examined by an internal board of

examiners. Students are required to obtain a pass both presentations

in order to be able to proceed to the submission of the portfolio and

the dissertation;

(ii) the portfolio shall consist of new and original compositions in

different genres which may include vocal, ensemble, and orchestral

works;

(iii) the writing of a dissertation that shall refer mainly to the portfolio of

compositions; and

(iv) the viva voce examination.

(b) Performance: successfully present three public performances, and a

dissertation, followed by a viva voce examination, as follows

(i) the three public performances shall consist of one solo recital, one

concert of chamber music (or one concert with ensemble

accompaniment for instruments with no chamber repertoire), and one

performance of a concerto (or equivalent major work/s) with

orchestra. Students shall perform the above in any order, provided

that the final performance consists of either the solo recital or the

concerto (or equivalent major work/s) with orchestra. Two of these

public performances shall be held in the first and second year of the

programme of study respectively (one in each year). Students are

required to obtain a pass in both performances in order to be able to

proceed to the final performance and the submission of the

dissertation;

(ii) the dissertation shall refer mainly to the final performance and its

programme; and

(iii) the viva voce examination, which shall be held after the final

performance and the dissertation.

B

Ph.D. Committee

The Ph.D. Committee appointed by Senate in terms of the Doctor of

Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2008 shall also be entrusted with the

responsibility for the Degree, following advice from the Board.

School Doctoral Committee

(1) The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of a School

Doctoral Committee, in terms of the Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D. – Degree

Regulations, 2008, composed of 3 - 5 members, including the Director or his

delegate, who shall chair the Committee, the other members being normally heads of

department. The School Doctoral Committee may co-opt other members if deemed

necessary.

(2) The School Doctoral Committee shall consider applications for the

Degree as well as the progress of students in their research work, provided that it

shall meet at least once a year to review the progress of each student.

(3) Principal Supervisors and Co-supervisors shall be required to submit a

written report to the Board, through the School Doctoral Committee, every June for

every student under their supervision.

(4) Students shall only be allowed to proceed with their studies subject to

satisfactory progress reports from their Principal Supervisor and Co-Supervisor. If

the report is negative, the Board shall make recommendations to Senate on the

student’s continuing registration for the Degree.

Registration for the Degree

Applications for registration for the Degree shall be accepted by Senate,

on the recommendations of the Board and of the Ph.D. Committee.

(1) The Ph.D. Committee shall consider applications for the Degree from

applicants who possess a Master of Music or a Master of Arts degree in music

awarded by this or another university, or qualifications of comparable standard

recognised for this purpose by the Senate, or exceptionally extensive professional

experience. Applicants may be asked to sit for an audition and an interview held by

the School Doctoral Committee in the presence of the applicants’ designated

Principal Supervisor.

(2) Applications for the Degree shall include the following

(a) the proposed title of the dissertation;

(b) a detailed research proposal, normally of approximately 1000

words, that specifies the compositional genres, tools and techniques in the case of

B

the Degree in Composition, and the repertoire and performance practices in the case

of the Degree in Performance;

(c) for the Degree in Composition, a statement on whether the studies

will be undertaken on a full-time or a part-time basis. Applicants engaged in full-

time employment shall not normally be permitted to register as full-time students,

except in circumstances where applicants provide evidence to show that their

employers are willing to grant sufficient time off from work to allow them to engage

in full-time study, and, in the latter case, the number of hours that will be dedicated

to this research work. Applicants registering on a part-time basis shall also specify

in their statement the number of hours that will be dedicated to the research work;

(d) a statement by a member of staff of the University who has agreed

to act as the Principal Supervisor; and

(e) a recommendation from the proposed Principal Supervisor that the

topic of research is acceptable.

(3) The Ph.D. Committee shall submit to Senate all applications which

satisfy the requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this regulation. Senate may

accept such applications and may impose such conditions as it deems fit.

Duration of Studies

(1) (a) Studies for the Degree in Composition shall extend over three

years of full-time study or six years of part-time study; and

(b) Studies for the Degree in Performance shall extend over three

years of full-time study. Applicants who are engaged in full-time employment as

professional performer-musicians may be allowed to register on a full-time basis by

Senate on the recommendation of the Board.

(2) If the nature of the proposed research so demands, the Ph.D.

Committee may recommend to Senate a longer period.

(3) The presentation of the work accomplished by the student outlined in

regulation 3 shall not be considered if submitted later than the period allowed in

paragraph (1) of this regulation, unless in special circumstances, on the

recommendation of the Board and the Ph.D. Committee, Senate grants students an

extension of studies of up to two years in order to enable them to complete their

studies, irrespective of whether they are registered on a full-time or a part-time basis.

Annual Registration

(1) Students are required to enrol at the beginning of each academic year

throughout their period of study.

B

(2) Such enrolment shall be allowed only on the submission of a

satisfactory progress report from the students’ supervisor.

Submission of Portfolio of Composition/s and Dissertation for the Degree in

Composition

(1) For the Degree in Composition, the work on the dissertation shall

normally start in the first year of study, and shall be of not less than 30,000 and not

more than 35,000 words in length, exclusive of notes, bibliography and appendices,

and shall

(i) contain original and significant contributions to knowledge;

(ii) consist of the students’ account of their research;

(iii) offer evidence of originality and independent reflexive analytical

capability; and

(iv) show a good level of competencies in compositional and vocal

techniques, orchestration, and other technical considerations.

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

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

composition/s and the dissertation.

(3) When submitting a portfolio of compositions students shall include

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

been done after their registration for the Degree.

(4) The dissertation or parts thereof should be of peer-reviewed

publishable quality and must on no account have already been submitted for any

qualification, nor have been published independently by the student, entirely or

substantially.

Submission of Dissertation for the Degree in Performance

(1) For the Degree in Performance, the work on the dissertation shall

normally start in the first year of study, and shall be of not less than 30,000 and not

more than 35,000 words in length, exclusive of notes, bibliography and appendices,

and shall

(i) contain original and significant contributions to knowledge;

(ii) consist of the students’ account of their research; and

(iii) offer evidence of originality and independent reflexive analytical

capability.

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

students shall apply to the Board for permission to present the dissertation.

(3) The dissertation or parts thereof should be of peer-reviewed

publishable quality and must on no account have already been submitted for any

B

qualification, nor have been published independently by the student, entirely or

substantially.

Examination for the Degree in Composition

The compositions and dissertation presented for the Degree in

Composition shall be examined by a Board of Examiners appointed for the purpose

by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board.

(1) The Boards of Examiners for the two public lectures/presentations

shall be composed of a chairman and at least two internal examiners.

(2) The Board of Examiners for the portfolio of compositions,

dissertation and viva voce examination shall be composed of a Chairman, two

internal examiners and one visiting external examiner, provided that the viva voce

examination shall be conducted by at least three members including the external

examiner. The dissertation shall be examined under normal examination conditions.

(3) The Principal Supervisor and any Co-supervisor are precluded from

being examiners. However, the Principal Supervisor shall be invited to attend as an

observer during the viva voce examination.

The student shall defend the portfolio of compositions and dissertation

orally before the Board of Examiners. The Board of Examiners shall submit a final

report to Senate stating whether the student should be awarded the Degree.

(1) After examining the portfolio of compositions and dissertation, the

Board of Examiners may either refer the portfolio and/or dissertation back to the

student for revision prior to the viva voce examination or allow the student to

proceed to defend the portfolio and dissertation orally.

(2) When the student has completed the required revisions, he shall

resubmit the revised portfolio and/or dissertation for examination. The Board shall

be guided in its decision by the recommendations of the Board of Examiners but in

all cases the revised portfolio and/or dissertation shall be submitted for examination

within six months from the date of referral. Such permission shall be granted once

only.

(3) If after re-submission of the portfolio and/or dissertation the student

fails to satisfy the Board of Examiners, he shall not be admitted for the viva voce

examination and the Board of Examiners shall recommend to Senate that the Degree

be not awarded, and instead may recommend the award of a Master of Music

degree.

(4) The student shall only be admitted to the viva voce examination once

both the portfolio and dissertation have been examined and approved by the Board

of Examiners.

B

(5) Admittance, or otherwise, to the viva voce examination shall be

communicated to the student in writing.

(6) Students who fail to satisfy the Board of Examiners in the viva voce

examination may, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners and with the

permission of the Board, be re-examined orally within a period of six months. Such

permission shall be granted once only.

(7) If a student does not satisfy the Board of Examiners that his work

has reached the standard required for the award of the Degree, the Board of

Examiners shall recommend to Senate that the Degree be not awarded, and instead

may recommend the award of a Master of Music degree.

Examination for the Degree in Performance

The performance and dissertation presented for the Degree in

Performance shall be examined by a Board of Examiners appointed for the purpose

by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board.

(1) The Board of Examiners for the first two public performances shall

be composed of a chairman and at least two internal examiners.

(2) The Board of Examiners for the final performance, dissertation and

viva voce examination shall include a chairman, at least two internal examiners and

a visiting external examiner, while the viva voce examination shall be conducted by

at least three examiners including the external examiner. The dissertation shall be

examined under normal examination conditions.

(3) The Principal Supervisor or Co-supervisor are precluded from being

examiners. However, the Principal Supervisor shall be invited to attend as observer

during the viva voce examination.

Students shall only be allowed to proceed to the final performance and

the submission of the dissertation once they have successfully passed the first two

public performances, with the possibility of one reassessment for only one of the

first two performances.

High quality audio-visual recordings of the first two performances,

authenticated by the examiners, and of the final performance, must be available to

the Board of Examiners. Students shall be required to provide original programme

notes for all public performances.

The dissertation may be examined before or after the final performance.

In examining the dissertation, each examiner shall submit an independent

preliminary report to the chairman of the Board of Examiners, either approving the

dissertation unconditionally or subject to the correction of minor errors to the

satisfaction of the chairman of the Board, or as indicated in regulation 21.

B

If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the quality of the

dissertation, it shall refer the dissertation back to the student for major revisions and

resubmission within six months.

(1) If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the quality of the final

performance, it shall recommend that the student be allowed to repeat the final

performance.

(2) In this case, all members of the Board of Examiners shall submit an

individual independent report to the Chairman of the Board of Examiners who shall

draw up a report, disapproving the final performance, and concurrently

recommending that the student be permitted to repeat the final performance by a

specified date

(3) If after the second attempt the student fails the final performance, he

shall not be admitted for the viva voce examination, and the Board of Examiners

shall recommend to Senate that the Degree be not awarded, and instead may

recommend the award of a Master of Music degree.

(1) The student shall only be admitted to the viva voce examination once

both the final performance and dissertation have been examined and approved by the

Board of Examiners.

(2) Admittance, or otherwise, to the viva voce examination shall be

communicated to the student in writing.

(3) Students who fail to satisfy the Board of Examiners in the viva voce

examination may, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners and with the

permission of the Board, be re-examined orally within a period of six months. Such

permission shall be granted once only.

(4) If a student does not satisfy the Board of Examiners that his work

has reached the standard required for the award of the Degree, the Board of

Examiners shall recommend to Senate that the Degree be not awarded, and instead

may recommend to Senate the award of a Master of Music degree.

Dissertation Format and Presentation

(1) For the Degree in Composition, students shall be required to submit

copies of the original portfolio of works that shall be presented on regular music

sheets with each work separately soft-bound and a dissertation that shall be in the

standard document format.

(2) For the Degree in Performance, students shall be required to submit

the programme notes and a dissertation that shall be in the standard document

format.

B

Students shall submit a copy of the portfolio (in the case of composition

students) and dissertation (for both composition and performance) to all members of

the Board of Examiners.

(1) After the portfolio, programme notes and dissertation are approved,

the student shall submit them in hard-bound form, and in an electronic version

which will be kept at the Univeristy Library, within not more than six weeks from

the viva voce examination.

(2) In line with the University of Malta’s Institutional Repository Policy,

the University Library shall provide in open access the electronic copies of the

dissertation and the other documents presented towards the Degree and shall make

them publicly available on the University of Malta’s Institutional Repository.

Any expenses related to the performances, recordings,

lectures/presentations and the portfolio of compositions shall be borne by the

student.

General Provision

In matters not provided for by these regulations, the Board shall be

guided by the provisions of the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations,

2008, published as Legal Notice 293 of 2008, as applicable.

Repeal

The Doctor of Music – D.Mus. - Degree Course Regulations, 2014,

published as Legal Notice 95 of 2014, shall be deemed to cease to be in force as

from 1st October, 2017, provided that students registered for this degree before 1st

October, 2017 shall continue to be governed by the regulations that were in force at

the time of their joining the course.

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