under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts

B

L.N. 263 of 2024

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2024 in terms of the

Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2023

for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts

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 Arts 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 2024 in terms of the

Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, 2023 for the Degree of Doctor of

Philosophy - Ph.D. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts.

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

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

“the Degree/s” means the Degree/s of Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D.;

“the Faculty” means the Faculty of Arts; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree

Regulations, 2023.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable from 1 October 2024 onwards.

Types of Degrees Offered

The Faculty offers the following Degrees

(a) Doctor of Philosophy degree; and

(b) Doctor of Philosophy degree by Practice as Research.

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The Board shall approve the research areas in which the Degrees may be

offered. The specific requirements for the practice component of each research area

for the Degree by Practice as Research shall be indicated in guidelines approved by

the Board.

Requirements for Admission

(1) Applicants for the Degrees offered by the Faculty shall be in possession

of one of the following degrees

(a) a Pass with Merit (or equivalent) classification in a Master’s degree

in the same area of study or in a related area. In the case of applicants who hold a

Master’s degree from this or another university, where it is not possible to determine

the equivalence of a Pass with Merit, the Board may determine ad hoc procedures in

order to establish such equivalence. The advice of the department responsible for the

area of study shall be obtained in all cases; or

(b) a Bachelor’s degree obtained with First Class Honours in the same area

of study or in a related area.

(2) The Board may also consider applications from applicants in possession

of a Master’s degree with a Pass classification in the same area of study or in a related

area or with qualifications at Master’s level or higher in any discipline if they also

possess experience or knowledge which, in the opinion of the Board, will enable

them to pursue doctoral studies successfully.

Applicants may also be asked to demonstrate competence in those skills

required by the nature of the proposed research. The advice of the department

responsible for the area of study shall be obtained in all cases.

Taug ht Study-Units

When the Board deems it necessary, it may require students to successfully

complete a number of study-units duri ng the course of their studies, and/or to

satisfactorily undertake tasks recommended by the Board, under those conditions

that it may impose, after approval by Senate.

Theses Presentation and Format

(1) The Board shall approve and publish guidelines on the format and

presentation of the theses for the Degrees.

(2) For the Degree by Practice as Research, students shall be required

to submit a presentation of formally examinable practice (creative practice, where

applicable) supported by a written thesis. The thesis shall consist of between 40,000

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and 50,000 words excluding notes and references. The submission as a whole shall

demonstrate noteworthy execution in the practice component, as well as an original

and significant contribution to practice and knowledge in the field, and shall show

doctoral-level ability of analysis and mastery of relevant critique, all in a way that is

accessible to and auditable by peers.

( 3) For the Degree by Practice as Research, students shall also be required

to provide a permanent documentary record of the presentation and development of

the practice component in an appropriate format. This record shall be included in the

copies presented to the Faculty and the University Library. The required form and

medium of the record shall be specified and endorsed by the relevant department at

least one calendar year in advance of submission, and shall be subject to review by

the Faculty Doctoral Committee.

(4 ) For the Degree by Practice as Research, the presentation of formally

examinable practice shall not normally take place more than one calendar year in

advance of the final submission. The practice component may also, where preferred

and applicable, be presented alongside the thesis in the final submission.

Repeal

The Bye-Laws of 2009 in terms of the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. -

Degree Regulations, 2008, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - under

the auspices of the Faculty of Arts, published as Legal Notice 309 of 2009, shall be

deemed to cease to be in force as from 1 October 2024.

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