under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing

B

L.N. 397 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 Science in Psychological Studies - M.Sc. -

under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing

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 Social Wellbeing 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 2018 in terms of

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

of Master of Science in Psychological Studies - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the

Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing;

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

the Course, on the recommendation of the Board;

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

of Science in Psychological Studies - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Psychological

Studies - M.Sc.;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Research

Methods in Psychology - P.G. Cert.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

Applicability

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

2019 or later.

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Requirements for Admission

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

following qualifications

(a) a Bachelor degree in Psychology, obtained with at least a Second Class

Honours (Upper Division); or

(b) a Bachelor degree in Psychology or a Bachelor degree with Psychology

as a main area of study, in both cases obtained with at least Category IIA, or another

degree in a related area deemed relevant by the Board of Studies obtained with at

least Second Class (Honours) (Upper Division),provided that all applicants applying

in terms of this paragraph would either have obtained 60 ECTS credits in Psychology,

as approved by the Board, following the award of their degree, or have obtained the

Higher Diploma in Psychology with at least Pass with Merit, which together with

their degree are deemed to be comparable to the qualification indicated in paragraph

(a) of this bye-law.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over six semesters of part-time study. Students

who successfully complete the taught component may be given the opportunity to

change their mode of attendance to full-time study before proceeding to the research

component.

Programme of Study

The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of 90

ECTS credits are assigned, of which 30 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-

units and 60 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

Students who obtain the 30 ECTS credits assigned to the taught study-

units with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course, or

having proceeded do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the

award of the Postgraduate Certificate.

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.

(2) Students who fail in the assessment of not more than 10 ECTS

credits for taught study-units shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed

assessments during the September supplementary examination session.

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(3) Students who fail in 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 deemed to have failed the Course.

Students shall be allowed to proceed to the dissertation study-unit subject

to obtaining the 30 ECTS credits assigned to the taught study-units with a minimum

average mark of 60%.

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.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall 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 call for

applications. 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 second semester.

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

normally composed of three members as follows: the Dean of the Faculty, or his/her

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

supervisor, provided that when the Dean of the Faculty is the supervisor, s/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 supervisor 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 the Panel of Suupervisors 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 Awards

(1) 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.

(2) The names of students who qualify for the award of the Postgraduate

Certificate shall be published in a list in alphabetical order.

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