Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy

L.N. 358 of 2020

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2020 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the

Degree of Master of Arts in Management of Social Care Services - M.A. -

under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing and the

Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy

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 for Social Wellbeing and

the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy in virtue of the powers

conferred upon them by section 81 (1) (c) of the said Act and which have been

approved by the Senate of the University of Malta as required by section 81 (2) of

the said Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2020 in terms

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

degree of Master of Arts in Management of Social Care Services - M.A.- under

the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing and the Faculty of Economics,

Management and Accountancy.

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

“the Boards” means the Board of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing and the

Board of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy;

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

Course, on the recommendations of the Boards of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing

and the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy;

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

of Arts in Management of Social Care Services - M.A.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in Management of Social

Care Services - M.A.;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in

Management of Social Care Services - P.G. Cert.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Management

of Social Care Services - 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

2020 or later.

Requirements for Admission

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

qualifications

(a) a Bachelor degree with at least Second Class Honours in Social Policy,

Social Work, Youth and Community Studies, Psychology, Criminology, Social

Wellbeing Studies, Management, Public Administration, Public Policy, Marketing,

Banking and Finance or in any other area of study which the Board of Studies deems

to be relevant; and

(b) a minimum of two years of practice in an area deemed relevant by the

Board of Studies.

The Boards 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 announced at the time of the call

for applications.

If there are more eligible applicants than the number of places

available, applicants shall be selected after an interview by a board appointed for

the purpose by the Boards, composed of at least three members. The Interviewing

Board shall select applicants using the following criteria

(a)

degree type and class - 30%;

(b)

experience in the area of the proposed study - 35%; and

(c)

performance during an interview - 35%.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over five semesters of part-time study

which shall include a summer period.

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 Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing and the Dean

of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy or their

respective delegate, one of whom shall be appointed as Chairman on the joint

recommendation of the two faculties;

(b)

at least two academic members of staff from each of the two

faculties;

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

Course; and

(d) up to two stakeholders in the areas of expertise covered in the

programme.

Programme of Study

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 research professional portfolio.

Students who successfully complete a prescribed set of study-units

totalling 30 ECTS credits for taught and practical 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.

Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the taught and

practical 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 research professional

portfolio, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

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 the credits for any study-unit, shall be deemed to have failed the Course.

Research Professional Portfolio

(1) Students shall be required to submit a research professional

portfolio of approximately 15,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued

by the Board of Studies.

(2) Work on the portfolio shall commence during the second year

of the Course and be completed by the summer period which follows the fourth

semester of studies. 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 portfolio and a detailed proposal shall

be submitted to the Board of Studies for approval by the beginning of the second

year of the Course.

(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 a recommendation to either (a) extend the period

of study in order to enable the student to complete the portfolio; 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 of Studies 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 components of the programme of study, all credits

being weighted equally.

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