under the auspices of the Faculty of Education

L.N. 15 of 2026

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2026 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 for the

Degree of Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care - M.A. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Education

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 Education in virtue of

the powers conferred upon it by articles 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 2026 in terms of

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

Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care - M.A. - under the auspices of

the Faculty of Education.

(2)

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

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

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

the Course, on the recommendation of the Board;

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

of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care - M.A.;

“the Degree” means the Degree of Master of Arts in Early Childhood

Education and Care - M.A.;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Early

Childhood Education and Care - P.G. Cert.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Early

Childhood Education and Care - P.G. Dip.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2021.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall apply to courses commencing in October 2025 or

later.

Requirements for Admission

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

Bachelor’s degree, pegged at Level 6 on the Malta Qualifications Framework and

obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) or Category II classification, in an

area of study related to Education (with a specialisation in early childhood or primary

education), or any other area deemed relevant by the Board. Applicants in possession

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) The Faculty Admissions Committee may, after thorough

examination of documents submitted in support of the qualifications presented,

and following an interview, recommend the admission of applicants applying for

admission in terms of the University’s Policy for the Recognition and Accreditation

of Prior Learning (RPL) who are in possession of other academic or professional

qualifications and documented experience if these are deemed to be comparable to

the qualifications referred to in paragraph (1) of this bye-law. The admission of such

applicants may be made subject to those conditions that may be imposed to address

any lacunae in the applicants’ academic preparation. Conditions imposed may include

the satisfactory completion of a preparatory programme, or the requirement to follow

and pass supplementary study-units, up to a maximum of 12 ECTS credits, in addition

to the programme of study specified in bye-law 5 of these bye-laws.

(3) The admission of applicants may be made conditional on the

result of an interview conducted by an interviewing board composed of at least three

members, appointed by the Board for the purpose.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over a period of six semesters of part-time

study or the equivalent on a full-time basis.

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 the 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 for 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 Course, 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.

Dissertation

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

approximately 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 part-time Course or the final semester of the full-time 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 not later than the

beginning of the fourth semester of the part-time Course and not later than the second

semester of the full-time 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 year 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 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 the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in

all components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

Special Provisions for Part-Time Courses

The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply mutatis mutandis to

courses followed on a part-time basis, and subject to such changes as may reasonably

be deemed by the relevant Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the

Course.

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