under the auspices of the Islands and Small States Institute

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L.N. 205 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 (Research on Islands and Small States) - M.A.

under the auspices of the Islands and Small States 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 Institute for Islands and Small

States in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 5 (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 (Research on Islands and Small States) - M.A. - under the auspices of

the Islands and Small States Institute.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Islands and Small States Institute;

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies appointed by Senate on

the recommendation of the Board, which shall be responsible for the academic

administration of the programme;

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

Arts (Research on Islands and Small States) - M.A.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts (Research on Islands and

Small States) – M.A.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

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Applicability

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

2018 or later.

Areas of Study

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

area of study related to Island and Small States 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 of Studies deems to be relevant to the proposed area of

study for the dissertation

provided that applicants in possession of a degree with Third Class

(Honours) shall satisfy the Board of Studies 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 not more than 20 ECTS credits are

assigned to taught study-units and not less than 70 ECTS credits are assigned to the

dissertation study-unit.

(2) 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 30,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board

of Studies.

(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) A provisional title for the dissertation and a provisional research

proposal of approximately 300 words shall be submitted at the time of application.

The title for the dissertation and a detailed research proposal outlining the proposed

project and the main questions to be addressed shall be submitted to the Board of

Studies for approval by not later than the end of the first semester.

(1) 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.

(2) At the end of each semester of study, supervisors shall be required

to submit to the Board of Studies reports for the students under their supervision.

Students shall seek approval from the Board of Studies for any substantial modification

in the title or content of the dissertation.

(3) The Board of Studies shall periodically inform the Board, in

writing, on the general performance of each student. 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.

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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 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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