taħt il-patroċinju tal-Fakultà tal-Edukazzjoni

B

Suppliment tal-Gazzetta tal-Gvern ta’ Malta Nru. 20,099, 4 ta’ Dicembru, 2018

Taqsima B

A.L. 407 tal-2018

ATT DWAR L-EDUKAZZJONI

(KAP. 327)

L-Ordinamenti tal-2018 skont ir-Regolamenti

Ġenerali għar-Rikonoxximenti Universitarji ta’ wara l-Ewwel Grad, 2008

għall-Grad ta’ Master of Arts in Vocational Education – M.A. –

taħt il-patroċinju tal-Fakultà tal-Edukazzjoni

BIS-SAĦĦA tas-setgħat mogħtija lilu skont l-artikoli 74(5) u 75(6) tal-Att dwar

l-Edukazzjoni (Kap. 327), il-Kanċillier tal-Università ta’ Malta ppromulga dawn

l-ordinamenti magħmulin mill-Bord tal-Fakultà tal-Edukazzjoni bis-saħħa tas-setgħat

mogħtija lilu skont l-artikolu 81(1)(ċ) ta’ dak l-Att u li ġew approvati mis-Senat tal-

Università ta’ Malta kif jirrikjedi l-artikolu 81(2) ta’ dak l-Att

It-Titlu u l-Interpretazzjoni

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Arts in Vocational Education - M.A. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Education

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 of Education 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. (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 in Vocational Education - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty of

Education.

(2) In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires –

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Education;

“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 Arts in Vocational Education - M.A.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in Vocational Education -

M.A. - in the relevant area;

“the Faculty” means the Faculty of Education;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Vocational

Education - P.G.Cert.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Vocational

Education - P.G. Dip.; 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

2018 or later.

Areas of Specialisation

The Degree may be awarded in the following areas of specialisation

(i) Agribusiness;

(ii) Health and Social Care;

(iii) Hospitality;

(iv) Media Literacy;

(v) Textiles and Fashion;

(vi) Hair Dressing and Beauty;

(vii) Engineering Technology;

(viii) Information Technology; and

(ix) Retail.

The Board shall announce the areas of specialisation as approved by

Senate, at the time of the call for applications.

Requirements for Admission

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

following qualifications

(a) the degree of Bachelor of Education with at least Second Class

Honours from this University; or

(b) a first cycle degree together with a Postgraduate Certificate in

Education from this University; or

(c) a degree from another higher education institution recognised as

equivalent to the qualifications mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this bye-law.

(2) (i) Applicants in possession of an MQF Level 5 qualification

comprising not less than 120 ECTS credits may be considered for admission,

provided that such applicants provide evidence of a minimum of eight years’ teaching

experience and provided further that they shall demonstrate the learning achieved

by means of prior experience and certification through the evaluation procedures

established by the University Policy for the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior

(ii) Applicants who do meet the requirements for admission as

B

specified in paragraph (1) of this bye-law or those specified in sub-paragraph (i) of

this paragraph may also be considered for admission, provided that such applicants

can provide evidence of a minimum of twelve years’ teaching experience and

provided further that they shall demonstrate the learning achieved by means of prior

experience through the evaluation procedures established by the University Policy

for the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning.

(3) The Board may also require applicants to sit for an interview during

which their ability to successfully complete the Course shall be assessed.

Selection of Applicants

(1) The Board shall recommend to Senate the number of students that

may be allowed to register for each area of specialisation depending on the availability

of resources. The Board shall announce the number of available places in each area of

specialisation at the time of the call for applications.

(2) If there are more eligible applicants than the number of places

available, applicants shall be selected according to the following criteria

1 st Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant subject area

indicated in bye-law 3, together with a Master degree in the

same or a closely related subject area

2 Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant subject area

nd

indicated in bye-law 3 together with a Postgraduate Diploma

in the same or a closely related subject area

3 rd Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant subject area

indicated in bye-law 3 obtained with First Class Honours or

Category I

4 th Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant subject area

indicated in bye-law 3 obtained with Second Class Honours

(Upper Division) or Category IIA

5 Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the subject area indicated

th

in bye-law 3 obtained with Second Class Honours (Lower

Division) or with Category IIB,

provided that for the purpose of selection, applicants who fully satisfy the requirements

for admission by 31st August preceding the commencement of the Course shall be

considered first.

(3) If, after the rank order is established as indicated above, there is a

tie for any one or more places: (a) the final average mark obtained by the student in

the Master or Bachelor degree shall be considered, and (b) if there is a further tie, the

applicants shall be interviewed.

B

(4) The Interviewing Board shall be composed of at least three members.

Course Duration

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

Programme of Study

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

90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 45 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-

units, 15 ECTS credits are assigned to an industry field placement and 30 ECTS

credits assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

(1) Students who obtain 30 ECTS credits assigned to 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.

(2) Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the taught

and placements 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 dissertation,

shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

(3) Students shall be eligible for the award of the Degree if they

obtain the 90 ECTS credits as outlined in the programme of study for the Course with

an average mark of at least 50%.

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 in any academic year 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.

w(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.

B

Industry Field Placement

(1) There shall be an industry field placement, done under supervision,

as determined by the Board in each of the two years of the Course.

(2)

Industry field placements shall be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.

(3)

The Board shall appoint an industry field placement Board of

Examiners.

(4) Each student shall be assessed by at least two examiners as

provided for by the University Assessment Regulations. Examiners may conduct

assessment visits to particular students as they deem fit.

(5) Industry field placement Boards of Examiners shall follow

the University Assessment Regulations and any other procedures that the Board

may determine for the purpose of the industry field placement, provided that such

procedures are in conformity with the University Assessment Regulations.

(6) (a) Students who, for health reasons, fail to attend for up to 20%

of the industry field placement should present a medical report within 24 hours to the

Faculty Office. The medical report, drawn up by a Medical Doctor, should clearly

state the ailment which is preventing the student from attending the field placement

and should include the name, signature and the Medical Registration Number of the

Medical Doctor.

(b) Where students are away from the industry field placement for

up to 20% of the industry field placement for health reasons or for any other reason

which the Board considers valid, as well as in special circumstances for which prior

approval would have been given by the industry field placement Board of Examiners,

they may be required to make up for any missed duties as directed by the Board.

(c) Students who fail to attend 20% or more of the industry field

placement shall either be required to repeat the whole industry field placement under

those conditions established by the Board, or may be required to carry out additional

days of supervised field placement during the same academic year as directed by the

Board.

(7) Students who fail an industry field placement shall be allowed to

repeat the industry field placement once only under those conditions established by

the Board. Only one of the field placements may be repeated.

(8) Student shall only be declared to have passed the industry field

placement by the industry field placement Board of Examiners. The academic and

B

professional judgement of the industry field placement Board of Examiners or of any

auxiliary examiner/s is not reviewable.

Dissertation

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

approximately 20,000 words, provided that, in specific areas approved by the Board

where the nature of the study requires this, students may submit a combination of an

activity or project and a project report of approximately 10,000 words, in accordance

with the relevant Principal Regulations and any further guidelines that may be issued

by the Board.

(2) A provisional title of the dissertation and a detailed research

proposal shall be submitted for the approval of a Dissertation Committee appointed

by Board by not later than the end of the second semester of the Course.

(3) Each student shall be assigned a supervisor, who shall provide

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

(4)

Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(5) Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for each

student under their supervision at the end of each semester of studies. 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

(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 Postgraduate Diploma and 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 Certificate

shall be published in a list in alphabetical order.

€0.54