the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy

B

L.N. 119 of 2025

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2025 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 for the

Degree of Master of Arts in Ombudsman Law and Governance - M.A. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Laws 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 of Laws and the Faculty

of Economics, Management and Accountancy 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 2025 in terms of the

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

Master of Arts in Ombudsman Law and Governance - M.A. - under the auspices of

the Faculty of Laws 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 of Laws and the Faculty of

Economics, Management and Accountancy;

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

the Course, on the recommendation of the Boards;

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

of Arts in Ombudsman Law and Governance - M.A.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in Ombudsman Law and

Governance - M.A.;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in

Ombudsman Law and Governance - P.G. Cert.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Ombudsman

Law and Governance - 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

2025 or later.

Requirements for Admission

(1)

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of

(a) a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Second Class Honours or

with at least Category II, in any other area of study deemed relevant by the Board of

(b) a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Third Class Honours

or with at least Category III, provided that they have obtained other qualifications,

including relevant experience, following the first cycle degree; or

(c) any other qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation

of the Board of Studies, to be comparable to the qualifications listed in paragraphs (a)

and (b) of this bye-law.

(2) The admission of applicants under sub-paragraph (b), and if

necessary, (c) of paragraph (1) of this bye-law shall be made conditional on the result

of an interview conducted by an interviewing board appointed for the purpose.

(3) The interviewing board appointed by the Boards shall be composed

of at least three members.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study or the

equivalent in 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 Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy

and the Dean of the Faculty of Laws 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;

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

B

Programme of Study

The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate,

normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course. It 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

the dissertation study-unit.

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.

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%.

Dissertation

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

not less than 15,000 and not more than 20,000 words in accordance with the guidelines

issued by the Board of Studies.

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

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

the second semester of the first year.

(3) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken after approval of

the proposal, normally during the second year 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.

(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, whether

the student is following the Course on a full-time or a part-time basis. 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

B

(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

(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 Postgraduate

Certificate shall be published in a list in alphabetical order.

€036