under the auspices of the Mediterranean Institute

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L.N. 12 of 2018

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2018 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

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

under the auspices of the Mediterranean Institute

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 Mediterranean Institute in virtue of

the powers conferred upon it by article 7 (b) (v) of the Statute for the Institute, which

bye-laws 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 2018 in terms of

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

Master of Arts - M.A. - under the auspices of the Mediterranean Institute.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Mediterranean Institute;

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

of Arts - M.A.;

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

2017 or later.

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Areas of Study

Subject to the availability of resources, the Course shall be offered in

any area of study related to Mediterranean Studies in which the Institute can offer

expert guidance and supervision. The areas of study shall be approved by the Board

before the commencement of the Course.

Requirements for Admission

(1) The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a first

cycle degree obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) or Category II in an area

of study which the Board deems to be relevant to the proposed area of study,

provided that applicants in possession of a degree with Third Class (Honours) shall

satisfy the Board that they are in possession of other qualifications, including relevant

experience obtained following the first cycle degree.

(2) The admission of applicants may be made conditional on the

result of an interview conducted by an interviewing board composed of at least three

members, appointed by the Board for the purpose.

Course Duration

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

equivalent in 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 10 ECTS credits are assigned to

taught study-units and 80 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

(2) In cases where applicants lack essential knowledge in the area

of research methodology, the Board may require students admitted to the Course to

follow and pass supplementary study-unit/s in the said area to which a maximum

of 12 ECTS credits are assigned in addition to the programme of study specified in

paragraph (1) of this bye-law.

(3) 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.

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(2) Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not

more than 10 ECTS credits for taught study units, whether the students are following

the Course on a full-time or a part-time basis, 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 required to withdraw from the Course.

Dissertation

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

approximately 35,000 words 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 research proposal. 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 the call for

application.

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

normally composed of three members as follows: the Director of the Institute, or

his delegate as chairman, and two other members, one of whom being the principal

supervisor, provided that when the Director is the supervisor, he shall not chair the

panel.

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

of students throughout the Course, 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 supervisors deem necessary.

(4) At the end of each academic year of study, 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.

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

in writing, on the general performance of each student. 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 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 Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the Course.

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