BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (HONOURS) - B.ED. (HONS) - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.301

BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR

OF EDUCATION (HONOURS) - B.ED. (HONS) -

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF

EDUCATION

3rd February, 2006

LEGAL NOTICE 24 of 2006, as amended by Legal Notices 80 of 2007,

222 of 2008, 119 and 211 of 2009, 287 and 387 of 2011, 388 of 2012, 94,

341 and 450 of 2014, and 71 and 393 of 2016.

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

Degree of Bachelor of Education (Honours) - B.Ed. (Hons) - 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 course" means the programme of studies leading to the

degree of Bachelor of Education (Honours) - B.Ed. (Hons);

"the Degree" means the degree of Bachelor of E ducation

(Honours) - B.Ed. (Hons);

"the Faculty" means the Faculty of Education; and

"the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for

University Undergraduate Awards.

These bye-laws shall be applicable as from 1st October,

2016 onwards.

(1) The Degree may be awarded under the auspices of the

Faculty in Early Childhood Education and Care, Primary

Education, or Secondary Education as an area of specialisation.

(2)

(a) For the Primary and the Early Childhood Education

and Care areas of specialisation, the Board shall

recommend to Senate the number of applicants that

may be allowed to register in these areas of

specialisation, depending on the number of school

placements available. The number of available places

shall be announced when this information is made

available to the University by the relevant authorities.

(b) If there are more eligible applicants than the number of

places available, applicants shall be selected after an

interview by an interviewing board appointed by the

Board for the purpose and which shall be composed of

at least three members. Applicants shall be rank

ordered in accordance with criteria approved by

Senate.

(1) Applicants who choose Secondary Education as their

area of specialisation shall also be required to choose one or two

teaching areas.

(2) The teaching areas for the Secondary Education area of

specialisation shall be chosen as follows: two teaching areas from

Group A, or one teaching area from Group B, or one teaching area

from Group C, or any teaching area or combination of teaching

areas as approved by the Senate on the recommendation of the

Board. In any year, teaching areas shall be offered depending on

the availability of resources and the number of applicants who

choose them.

(1) The teaching areas in Group A shall be the following

Art, English, French, Geography, German, History, Italian,

Maltese, Music Studies, Religious Education, Spanish.

(2) The following combinations of teaching areas from Group

A are not normally offered

•

Art and French

•

English and Music Studies

•

Geography and either Maltese or Religious Education

•

German and History

•

Maltese and Religious Education

•

Spanish and English

•

Spanish and Music Studies.

The teaching area in Group B shall be Science, with

specialisation in either Biology, or Chemistry, or Physics.

The teaching areas in Group C shall be the following

Computing, Nutrition, Family and Consumer Studies, Mathematics,

Personal and Social Development, Physical Education, and

Technical Design and Technology.

(1) The Board shall announce the teaching areas offered

within the Secondary Education area of specialisation as approved

by Senate, before the beginning of each course.

(2) In teaching areas where the number of school placements is

limited, the Board shall recommend to Senate the number of

applicants that may be allowed to register in these teaching areas,

depending on the number of school placements available. The

number of available places shall be announced at the time of the

call for applications.

(2) In teaching areas where the number of school placements is

limited, the Board shall recommend to Senate the number of

applicants that may be allowed to register in these teaching areas,

depending on the number of school placements available. The

number of available places shall be announced when this

information is made available to the University by the relevant

authorities.

(3) If there are more eligible applicants than the number of

places available, applicants shall be rank ordered in accordance

with criteria approved by Senate. The University Admissions

Boa rd, after seeking the advi ce of t he F acu lt y Ad m issi on s

Committee, shall first consider eligible applicants whose

qualifications were obtained in the Matriculation Certificate

Examination or from another examining board, if the Faculty

Admissions Committee is satisfied that the qualifications presented

are comparable in content and equivalent in standard to the

Matriculation Certificate Examination in the same subject/s. For

the purpose of selection, applicants whose qualifications and the

special course requirements as stipulated in bye-law 9, were

obtained by 31 August preceding the commencement of the course

shall be considered first. if vacant places are still available,

applicants who obtain all necessary qualifications and fulfil all

special course requirements as stipulated in bye-law 9 after the 31

August and before the 30 September shall be considered to take up

the remaining places.

(3) If there are more eligible applicants than the number of

places available, applicants shall be selected by means of an

interview.

(1) To be registered as regular students in the course,

applicants shall, apart from satisfying the general requirements for

admission as specified in the Admission Regulations, be in

possession of the special course requirements listed in this bye-law.

For courses commencing in October 2012 and October 2013

(2) If Early Childhood Education and Care or Primary

Education is chosen as the area of specialisation, applicants shall

have

(a) one pass at advanced Matriculation Level at Grade C

or better in one of the following subjects: art, Biology,

Chemistry, Computing, English, Geography, History,

Home Economics and Human Ecology, Information

Technology, Maltese, Mathematics (Applied or Pure),

Music, Philosophy, Physics, Religious Knowledge,

and Sociology; and

(b) passes at Intermediate Matriculation Level at Grade C

or better in two of the following subjects (excluding

the subject presented at Advanced Level): Art,

Biology,

Chemistry,

Computing,

English,

Environmental Science, Geography, History, Home

Economics and Human Ecology, Information

Technology, Maltese, Mathematics (Applied or Pure),

Music, Philosophy, Physics, Religious Knowledge,

and Sociology; and

(c) passes in proficiency tests in English and Maltese,

approved by the Faculty. Applicants shall be exempted

from sitting for the proficiency test in English if they

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (HONOURS) - B.ED.

(HONS) - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION

are in possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or

higher, or an Intermediate Matriculation Level pass at

Grade C or higher, or an advanced Matriculation Level

pass at Grade C or higher in English. Applicants shall

be exempted from sitting for the proficiency test in

Maltese if they are in possession of a pass at SEC level

at Grade 3 or higher, or an Intermediate Matriculation

Level pass at Grade C or higher, or an Advanced

Matriculation Level pass at Grade C or higher in

Maltese; and

(d) a certificate showing a pass in all seven European

Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) modules.

For courses commencing in October 2014 or later

(2) If Early Childhood Education and Care or Primary

Education is chosen as the area of specialisation, applicants shall

(a) Advanced Matriculation Level passes at Grade C or

better in any TWO of the following subjects: Art,

Biology, Chemistry, Computing, English, French,

Geography, German, History, Home Economics and

Human Ecology, Information Technology, Italian,

Maltese, Mathematics (Applied or Pure), Music,

Philosophy, Physics, Religious Knowledge, Sociology

and Spanish; and

(b) Intermediate Matriculation Level passes at Grade C or

better in English and Maltese, if applicants have not

already offered these subjects at Advanced

Matriculation Level; and

(c) a certificate showing a pass in the European Computer

Driving Licence (ECDL) Standard Certificate.

For courses commencing in October 2012 and October 2013

(3) Applications for the Early Childhood Education and Care

area of specialisation shall also be accepted from persons who are

not in possession of the general requirements for admission as

specified in the Admission Regulations but have obtained the

following

(a) passes at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in English

Language, Mathematics and Maltese; and

(b) the MCAST-BTEC National Diploma in Children’s

Care, Learning and Development or the Certificate in

Pre-School Education (Education Division - Further

Studies and Adult Education Department) or the

Certificate in Childcare (Education Division - Further

Studies and Adult Education Department); and

(c) one pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in one

of the following subjects: Art, Biology, Chemistry,

Computing, English, Geography, History, Home

Economics and Human Ecology, Information

Technology, Maltese, Mathematics (Applied or Pure),

Music, Philosophy, Physics, Religious Knowledge,

and Sociology; and

(d) passes in proficiency tests in English and Maltese

approved by the Faculty (unless exempted from them

in terms of bye-law 9(2)(c)); and

(e) a certificate showing a pass in all seven European

Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) modules.

For courses commencing in October 2014 or later

(3) Applications for the Early Childhood Education and Care

area of specialisation shall also be accepted from persons who are

not in possession of the general requirements for admission as

specified in the Admission Regulations but have obtained the

following

(a) a pass at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in

Mathematics; and

(b) the MCAST-BTEC National Diploma in Early Years or

MCAST-BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care

Learning and Development or MCAST-BTEC National

Diploma in Child’s Play Learning and Development or

the Certificate in Pre-School Education (Education

Division - Further Studies and Adult Education

Department) or the Certificate in Childcare (Education

Division - Further Studies and Adult Education

Department); and

(c) Advanced Matriculation Level passes at Grade C or

better in any two of the following subjects: Art,

Biology, Chemistry, Computing, English, French,

Geography, German, History, Home Economics and

Human Ecology, Information Technology, Italian,

Maltese, Mathematics (Applied or Pure), Music,

Philosophy, Physics, Religious Knowledge, Sociology

and Spanish; and

(d) Intermediate Matriculation Level passes at Grade C or

better in English and Maltese, if applicants have not

already offered these subjects at Advanced

Matriculation Level; and

(e) a certificate showing a pass in the European Computer

Driving Licence (ECDL) Standard Certificate.

(4) In accordance with the provisions of regulation 15(1) of

the Admission Regulations of the University, the Admissions

Board, acting on the advice of the relevant Board of Studies, may

admit applicants for the Early Childhood Education and Care area

of specialisation, into any year of the course if in possession of the

following

(a) MCAST–BTEC Higher National

Diploma

in

Advanced Studies in Early Years; and

(b) passes at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in English

Language, Maltese and Mathematics; and

(c) passes in proficiency tests in English and Maltese,

approved by the Faculty. Applicants shall be exempted

from sitting for the proficiency test in English if they

are in possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or

higher, or an Intermediate Level pass at Grade C or

higher, or an Advanced Level pass at Grade C or

higher in English. Applicants shall be exempted from

sitting for the proficiency test in Maltese if they are in

possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or higher,

or an Intermediate Level pass at Grade C or higher, or

an Advanced Level pass at Grade C or higher in

Maltese; and

(d) a certificate showing a pass in the European Computer

Driving Licence (ECDL) Standard Certificate,

provided that such applicants shall be required to f ollow a

programme of study as directed by the Board, over two years of

full-time study.

(5) If Secondary Education is chosen as the area of

specialisation, applicants shall have

(a) for two teaching areas from Group A: passes at

Advanced Level at Grade C or better in each of the two

subjects chosen as teaching areas;

(b) for a teaching area from Group B

(i)

for Science with specialisation in Biology: two

passes at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in

Biology and in any other subject, together with a

pass at Grade C or better at Intermediate Level

in Chemistry;

(ii) for Science with specialisation in Chemistry

two passes at Advanced Level at Grade C or

better in Chemistry and in any other subject,

together with a pass at Grade C or better at

Intermediate Level in Physics; and

(iii) for Science with specialisation in Physics: two

passes at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in

Physics and in any other subject, together with a

pass at Grade C or better at Intermediate Level

in Applied Mathematics or Pure Mathematics;

(c)

for a teaching area from Group C

(i)

for Nutrition, Family and Consumer Studies: two

passes at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in

Home Economics and Human Ecology and in

any other subject;

(ii) for Mathematics: two passes at Advanced Level

at Grade C or better in Pure Mathematics and in

any other subject;

(iii) for Computing: two passes at Advanced Level at

Grade C or better in Computing and in any other

subject, together with a pass at Intermediate

Level at Grade C or better in Pure Mathematics

(a pass at Advanced Level in Information

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (HONOURS) - B.ED.

(HONS) - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION

Technology or in Pure Mathematics may not be

offered instead of Computing);

(iv) for Personal and Social Development: a pass at

Advanced Level at Grade C or better in either

Philosophy or Sociology and a pass at Advanced

Level at Grade C or better in any other subject;

(v) for Physical Education

(1) a pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or

better in any two subjects, a pass in a

physical

education

proficiency

test

obtained in the same year when submitting

the application, a medical fitness

certificate, as per prescribed form provided

by the Institute of Physical Education and

Sport, produced in the same year when

submitting the application, and a portfolio

demonstrating interest in and commitment

to Physical Education and Sport;

(2)

Applications for the Physical Education

area of specialisation shall also be accepted

from persons who are not in possession of

the general requirements for admission as

specified in the Admission Regulations but

have obtained the following

(a) the MCAST-BTEC Extended Diploma

(Development, Coaching & Fitness)

with DDD (where D signifies

Distinction) or DDM (where M

signifies Merit); and

(b) an Advanced Level pass at Grade C or

better in any subject except Physical

Education; and

(c) passes at SEC level at Grade 5 or

better in English Language, Maltese

and Mathematics; and

(d) a certificate showing a pass in the

European Computer Driving Licence

(ECDL) Standard Certificate; and

(e) a pass in a physical education

proficiency test taken in the same year

when submitting the application; and

(f)

a medical fitness certificate, as per

prescribed form provided by the

Institute of Physical Education and

Sport, taken in the same year when

submitting the application and present

a portfolio demonstrating interest in

and

commitment

to

Physical

Education and Sport; and

(g) a pass in the English proficiency test,

approved by the Faculty. Applicants

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (HONOURS) - B.ED.

(HONS) - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION

shall be exempted from sitting for the

proficiency test in English if they are

in possession of a pass at SEC level at

Grade 3 or higher, or an Intermediate

Level pass at Grade C or higher, or an

Advanced Level pass at Grade C or

higher in English.

(2) Applications for the Physical Education

area of specialisation shall also be

accepted from persons who are not in

possession of the general requirements for

admission as specified in the Admission

Regulations but have obtained the

following

(a) the

MCAST-BTEC

Extended

Diploma (Development, Coaching &

Fitness) with DDD (where D signifies

Distinction) or DDM (where M

signifies Merit); and

(b) an Advanced Level pass at Grade C

or better in any subject except

Physical Education; and

(c) passes at SEC level at Grade 5 or

higher in English Language, Maltese

and Mathematics; and

(d) a certificate showing a pass in the

European Computer Driving Licence

(ECDL) Standard Certificate; and

(e) a pass in the physical education

proficiency test; and

(f)

a pass in a medical fitness test as per

prescribed form provided by the

Institute of Physical Education and

Sport and present a portfolio

demonstrating

interest

in

and

commitment to Physical Education

and Sport; and

(g) a pass in the English proficiency test,

approved by the Faculty. Applicants

shall be exempted from sitting for the

proficiency test in English if they are

in possession of a pass at SEC level at

Grade 3 or higher, or an Intermediate

Level pass at Grade C or higher, or an

Advanced Level pass at Grade C or

higher in English.

(vi)

for Technical Design and Technology

(1) a pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or

better in Engineering Drawing or in

Graphical Communication, a pass at

Intermediate Level at Grade C or better in

Physics, and a pass at Advanced Level at

Grade C or better in any other subject; or

(2) a pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or

better in Physics, a pass at Intermediate

Level at Grade C or better in Engineering

Drawing and Graphical Communication,

and a pass at Advanced Level at Grade C

or better in any other subject; or

(3) five passes at Grade 5 or better in the

Secondary

Education

Certificate

Examination, including English Language

and Maltese, together with a pass in

Systems

of

Knowledge

in

the

Matriculation Certificate Examination at

Intermediate Level, and

the Advanced Technicians Diploma of the

City and Guilds of London Institute,

or the MCAST-BTEC Higher National

Diploma in Electrical Engineering Level 5,

or the MCAST-BTEC Higher National

Diploma in Electronic Engineering Level

5,

or the MCAST-BTEC Higher National

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Level

5,

or a qualification considered equivalent by

the University Admissions Board on the

recommendation of the Board.

(d) a pass in the proficiency test in English approved by

the Faculty. Applicants shall be exempted from sitting

for the proficiency test in English if they are in

possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or higher,

or an Intermediate Level pass at Grade C or higher, or

an Advanced Level pass at Grade C or higher in

English; and

(e) a certificate showing a pass in the European Computer

Driving Licence (ECDL) Standard Certificate.

(6) Applicants admitted under regulation 6(ċ) of the

Admission Regulations must be in possession of those

qualifications and/or experience that would satisfy the Faculty

Admissions Committee that they have reached the academic

standard required to follow the course with profit. The eligibility of

such applicants shall be decided by the Faculty Admissions

Committee, following an interview conducted by an interviewing

board appointed for the purpose. The interviewing board appointed

by the Board shall be composed of at least three persons.

(7) Applicants who do not pass the English and Maltese

proficiency tests (as applicable) and are not exempted from them in

terms of the provisions of these bye-laws, and/or are not in

possession of the ECDL by the 30 September shall not be admitted

to the Course.

(8) In the case of English, passes at the same standard in

comparable qualifications will also be accepted.

Applicants with other qualifications considered to be

sufficient may be exempted by the University Admissions Board,

on the advice of the Faculty Admissions Committee, from the

whole or part of these special course requirements.

(1) For the Early Childhood Education and Care, Primary

and Secondary Education areas of specialisation, the course shall

extend over a period of four years of full-time study.

(2) For courses which commenced prior to October 2013, for

the Early Childhood Education and Care area of specialisation, the

course shall extend over a period of three years full-time or its

equivalent in part-time study.

Students are required to obtain 60 credits per year, as

detailed in the programme of studies (including field placements

and a dissertation) approved by Senate, on the recommendation of

the Board, and according to the provisions of the Principal

Regulations.

(1) There shall be a Field Placement, comprising a period

of observation and/or teaching in schools, under supervision, as

determined by the Board as follows

(a) in each of the four years, in the case of the Early

Childhood Education and Care, Primary and

Secondary Education areas of specialisation; and

(b) in each of the three years (or spread throughout the

part-time Course for courses which commenced prior

to October 2013), in the case of the Early Childhood

Education and Care area of specialisation.

(2) Field Placements shall be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis in

the case of the B.Ed.(Hons) Primary and Secondary Education

areas of specialisation. Field placements shall be assessed by

grades/marks in the B.Ed.(Hons) Early Childhood Education and

Care area of specialisation.

(3) Students shall be required to pass all the field placements.

Students can only do one field placement in any year of the course

and shall be allowed to repeat only one failed field placement

during the following year, so that the final field placement is held

during an additional year of studies, if allowed in terms of the

Principal Regulations.

(4) Students whose field placement includes the teaching of

two teaching areas and who fail to satisfy the examiners in the

teaching of one of the teaching areas shall be considered to have

failed the field placement. Such students shall be required to repeat

the field placement in terms of paragraph (3) and as provided for in

the Principal Regulations. Students may be allowed to repeat the

field placement in the teaching of the failed teaching area only

under those conditions established by the Board.

(5) Students shall be required to abide by the field placement

Code of Ethics as published by the Board. Any breach of this Code

of Ethics shall be referred to an ad hoc Disciplinary Board

appointed by the Board and may result in a recommendation to

Senate for dismissal from the course.

(6)

(a) Students who, for health reasons, fail to attend for up

to four days should present a medical certificate within

t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s t o t h e O ff i c e o f P r o f e s s i o n al

Practice. The medical certificate, drawn up by a

Medical Doctor, should clearly state the ailment which

is preventing the student from attending school and

should include the name and the Medical Registration

Number of the Medical Doctor.

(b) Where students are away from school for up to four

days for any valid reason, including health reasons, as

well as in special circumstances for which prior

approval would have been given, they shall be

requested to make up for any missed teaching duties in

accordance with instructions issued by the Office of

Professional Practice and the Head of Department

concerned.

(c) Students who fail to attend five days or more shall

have to undergo a full Field Placement during an

additional year of studies.

(7) The Board shall assign at least two additional examiners to

each student. The main additional examiner is requested to present

the assessment reports for the consideration of the field placement

Board of Examiners. The Board of Examiners shall, in terms of the

University Examinations Regulations, determine the procedure to

be adopted for the conduct of the field placement assessment and

may themselves conduct assessment visits to particular students as

they deem fit.

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the classification of

the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in each year of the

course, each of which shall receive equal weighting.

In the case of assigning the classification of First Class

Honours, the Degree Classification Board shall take into

consideration the students’ record of performance during the field

placements.

In cases where students fail a Primary Field Placement of

the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year or a Secondary Field Placement of the 3rd

or 4th year of the course assessed on a Pass/Fail basis, the Board on

the recommendation of the Degree Classification Board may award

a lower classification.

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (HONOURS) - B.ED.

(HONS) - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION

The shall be published according to the provisions of the

Degree

classification.

Principal Regulations for Honours degrees.

Amended by

L.N. 119 of 2009.

Re-numbered by

L.N. 94 of 2014;

L.N. 393 of 2016.