BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS - M. GER - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY

DEGREE OF MASTER OF GERONTOLOGY AND

GERIATRICS - M. GER. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF

THE FACULTY FOR SOCIAL WELLBEING

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.28

BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF

GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS - M. GER -

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY

FOR SOCIAL WELLBEING

21st December, 2010

LEGAL NOTICE 547 of 2010, as amended by Legal Notices 471 of 2011,

157 of 2016, 132 of 2023 and 143 of 2024.

(1) The title of these bye-laws is the Bye-Laws of 2010 for

the Degree of Master of Gerontology and Geriatrics - M.Ger. -

under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

(2)

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

"the Board" means the Board of the Faculty for Social

Wellbeing;

"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 Gerontology and Geriatrics - M.Ger.;

"the Degree" means the degree of Master of Gerontology and

Geriatrics - M.Ger.;

"the Postgraduate Diploma" means the Postgraduate Diploma in

Gerontology and Geriatrics; and

"the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards.

These bye-laws shall be

applicable

for

courses

commencing in October 2016 or later.

Applicants seeking admission to the course shall be in

possession of

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

Honours or Category II, or a professional qualification

considered by the Board to be comparable to a degree,

in a discipline pertaining to one of the caring

professions; or

(b) a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Second Class

Honours or Category II, or a professional qualification

considered by the Board to be comparable to a degree

deemed by the Board as relevant and adequate for the

applicant to follow the course with profit; or

(c) a Bachelor degree obtained with Third Class Honours

or Category III if applicants are also in possession of

other qualifications, including relevant experience,

DEGREE OF MASTER OF GERONTOLOGY AND

GERIATRICS - M. GER. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF

THE FACULTY FOR SOCIAL WELLBEING

following their first cycle degree; or

(d) in exceptional cases, a professional qualification in

one of the caring professions, together with at least

five years’ experience, which together are deemed by

the Admissions Board, on the advice of the Faculty

Admissions Committee, to be comparable to the level

of a first degree;

(e) Applicants in possession of the Postgraduate Diploma in

Gerontology and Geriatrics may be allowed to join the

research component of the Course, if they have

successfully completed the postgraduate Diploma

programme with a minimum average mark of 55%.

The duration of the course shall extend over three

semesters. The taught study-units shall be offered on a full-time

basis over the first two semesters of the course. The research

component may be followed on a full-time basis over a further

period of one semester or on a part-time basis over a period of two

semesters.

The programme of study shall comprise study-units to

which a total of 90 credits are assigned, of which 60 credits are

assigned to taught study-units and 30 credits assigned to the

research dissertation.

Students who obtain the 60 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.

The programme of study shall be published after approval

by Senate, normally not less than eight months prior to the

commencement of the course.

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual

dissertation of approximately 20,000 words in accordance with the

guidelines issued by the Board.

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

third 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) In the case of students not residing in Malta, the Board of

St u d i e s s h a l l a l l o w t h e m t o p e r f o r m t h e i r r e s e a r c h - b a s e d

dissertation in their respective country.

(4) A provisional title of the dissertation and a detailed

research proposal shall be submitted to the Board of Studies for

approval at the end of the second semester.

(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

DEGREE OF MASTER OF GERONTOLOGY AND

GERIATRICS - M. GER. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF

THE FACULTY FOR SOCIAL WELLBEING

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.

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.

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 Board

of Studies as necessary due to the part-time nature of the course.