and Surgery and the Faculty for Social Wellbeing

L.N. 295 of 2019

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2019 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the

Degree of Master of Science in Mental Health Studies - M.Sc. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine

and Surgery and 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 Boards of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the

Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty for Social Wellbeing in virtue of

the powers conferred upon them 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 2019 in terms

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

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

Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty for

Social Wellbeing.

(2)

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

“the Boards” means the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Board

of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and 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 recommendations of the Boards of the Faculty of Health Sciences,

the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty for Social Wellbeing;

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

of Science in Mental Health Studies - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Mental Health Studies

- M.Sc.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Mental

Health Studies - 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

2019 or later.

Requirements for Admission

(1) The Course shall be open to warranted professionals in possession

of a first cycle qualification or higher, awarded by this University or any other higher

education institution recognized by Senate, obtained with at least Second Class

(Honours) or equivalent, in any one of the following areas

(a) Communication Therapy, Counselling, Education, Medicine, Midwifery,

Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, Psychotherapy,

Social Work and Youth Work; or

(b)

any other area deemed suitable by the Board of Studies.

(2) The Board of Studies may, at its own discretion, recommend to

the University Admissions Board that applicants in possession of a qualification

indicated in paragraph (1) of this bye-law who are not yet warranted to practise, may

still be accepted to join the course.

(3) All applicants shall submit with their application a Police Good

Conduct Certificate issued by the Commissioner of Police in terms of the Conduct

Certificates Ordinance.

(4) The Board of Studies shall recommend to Senate the number of

applicants that may be allowed to register for the Course, depending on the availability

of resources. The number of available places shall be published at the time of the call

for applications.

(5) When the number of places is so limited and the number of eligible

applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants shall be selected using

the following criteria, the weighting of which shall be published at the time of the call

for applications

(a)

degree class;

(b)

experience in the area of the proposed study; and

(c)

performance during an interview, if deemed necessary.

(6) Interviews, if necessary, shall be conducted by a board composed

of at least three members appointed for the purpose by the Boards.

(7) For the purpose of selection, applicants who fully satisfy the entry

requirements by 31st August preceding the commencement of the Course shall be

considered first.

(8) During the first year of the Course, accepted applicants may be

required to undergo an occupational health assessment so as to ascertain that they

are fit for the duties related to their proposed studies. Students who do not fulfil this

requirement may be barred from progressing with their studies. Failure to disclose

information about a physical or mental health problem that could affect patient

safety is considered to be a serious breach of the University Suitability to Practise

Regulations.

Course Duration

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

Board of Studies

(1) The academic administration of the Course shall be entrusted to a

Board of Studies appointed for the purpose.

(2) The Board of Studies, which shall be appointed for a period of one

academic year, shall be composed as follows

(a) the Deans of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine

and Surgery and the Faculty of Social Wellbeing, or their respective delegate, one

of whom shall be appointed Chairman on the joint recommendation of the three

Faculties;

(b) at least two academic members of staff from each of the three Faculties;

and

(c) two students elected from amongst the students registered on the Course.

Programme of Study

(1) The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a

total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 60 ECTS credits are assigned to

taught study-units and 30 ECTS credits are assigned to a dissertation study-unit.

(2) During the first year of the Course students shall be required to

indicate their chosen stream of study for the second year of the Course.

Students who obtain the 60 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 dissertation, shall be eligible for

the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

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 shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed

assessments during the September supplementary examination session.

(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 required to withdraw from the Course.

Dissertation

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

approximately 15,000 to 20,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by

the Board of Studies.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the final

two semesters of the Course. 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 detailed research

proposal shall be submitted to the Board of Studies for approval by the end of the

third semester.

(1)

Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board of Studies progress reports

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

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.

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