under the auspices of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences

L.N. 173 of 2022

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2022 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 for the

Degree of Master of Arts in Digital Marketing Communication - M.A. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences

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 Media and Knowledge

Sciences 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 2022 in terms of

the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 for the degree of

Master of Arts in Digital Marketing Communication - M.A. - under the auspices of

the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge

Sciences;

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

of Arts in Digital Marketing Communication - M.A.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in Digital Marketing

Communication - M.A.;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Digital

Marketing Communication - P.G. Cert.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Digital

Marketing Communication - P.G. Dip.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2021.

Applicability

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

2022 or later.

Requirements for Admission

(1) The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a first

cycle degree in Communication Studies or Management or in another area of study

which the Board considers as appropriate, awarded by this University or any other

higher education institution recognized by Senate. Applicants in possession of a

degree classified with Third Class Honours or Category III may also be admitted

provided they satisfy the Board that they are in possession of other qualifications, or

relevant work experience, obtained following their first cycle degree.

(2) All applicants shall have two years of relevant full-time work

experience in marketing, marketing communication and/or digital marketing which

the Board considers as appropriate.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study and a

summer period.

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 assigned to a dissertation study-unit.

Students who successfully complete a prescribed set of taught study-

units totalling 30 ECTS credits 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 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 a 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 20 ECTS credits shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed

assessment 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 deemed to have failed the course.

Dissertation

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

of approximately 20,000 words, or an equivalent project, in accordance with the

guidelines issued by the Board.

(2) Work on the dissertation or project shall be undertaken during the

final semester 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 or project and a research

proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval not later than six weeks before

the end of the second semester. The title of the dissertation or project and the research

proposal shall be approved by the Board not later than two months before the start of

the third semester.

(1)

Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(2) 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 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.

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 course programme, all credits being weighted equally.

Repeal

The Bye-Laws of 2018 in terms of the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the Degree of Master of Arts in Marketing

Communication - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge

Sciences, published as Legal Notice 293 of 2013, shall be deemed to cease to be in

force as from the 1 October 2022, provided that students registered for this course

before the 1 October 2022 shall continue to be governed by the bye-laws that were in

force at the time of their joining the course.

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