UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE AWARDS GENERAL REGULATIONS *

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.328

UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE AWARDS

GENERAL REGULATIONS *

11th April, 2008

LEGAL NOTICE 120 of 2008, as amended by Legal Notices 276 and 277

of 2009, 398 and 517 of 2010, 180 and 368 of 2011, 33 and 238 of 2012,

53, 136, 332 and 417 of 2013, 43, 128, 237, 317, 345 and 460 of 2014, 163,

254, 273 and 353 of 2015, 39, 396 of 2016 and 13 of 2017, 88 of 2017, 257

of 2017,64 of 2018, 57 of 2019, 204 of 2019 and 357 of 2020.

I. GENERAL

(1) The title of these regulations is the University

Postgraduate Awards General Regulations.

(2) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires,

the terms used shall be taken to mean as indicated in the Glossary

of Terms listed hereunder

Glossary of Terms

Term

Explanation

Academic Year An academic year consisting of two semesters,

for

each incorporating fourteen weeks of teaching,

P o s t g r a d u a t e two weeks of recess, and examination periods of

Awards

two weeks and of four weeks at the end of the first

and the second semester respectively. 60 credits

are assigned to the study-units that students are

expected to complete over one full-time academic

year. An academic year may be extended by a

summer semester to which 30 credits are

assigned.

Area/s

o f A subject or a group of related subjects taken

Study

together in an approved Programme of Study.

Aw a r d

The Award Classification Board appointed for

Classification each Postgraduate Course.

Board

Board

The Board of the University faculty or institute or

centre or school responsible for a particular

Postgraduate Course.

Board

o f The Board appointed to administer a Programme

Studies

of Study in terms of these Regulations.

Bye-Laws

The Bye-Laws approved by Senate for each

Postgraduate Course.

Department

The department of a faculty or division of an

institute or centre or school responsible for the

Postgraduate Course.

*These regulations have been repealed by Legal Notice 185 of 2022.

Glossary of Terms

Term

Explanation

Dissertation

A written treatment of a subject, normally based

on a research activity that is carried out under

supervision in full or partial fulfilment of a degree

programme. A dissertation may be replaced by a

documented activity (portfolio) related to

professional practice, or a project report, or a

combination of such related activities, which

students will need to undertake as required by the

nature of the study.

ECTS Credit/s The number of credits awarded for successful

completion of each study-unit. The allocation of

credit to study-units forming part of a

Postgraduate Course follows closely the European

C r e d i t Tr a n s f e r a n d A c c u m u l a t i o n S y s t e m

(ECTS) proposed by the European Commission, a

relevant extract from which is attached as

Schedule 2 - ECTS Credi ts - to the General

Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards

(L.S. 327.236).

Faculty

The University faculty/ies or institute/s or centre/

s or school under whose auspices the Postgraduate

Course is being offered.

Method

o f Assessment of taught study-units may be through

Assessment

coursework, assignments, written or oral

examinations, or combinations of these, to each of

which a percentage of the final marks shall be

assigned. The method of assessment shall be

indicated in the description of each study-unit.

Portfolio

A student portfolio is a compilation of academic

work and other forms of educational evidence

assembled for the purpose of (1) evaluating

c o u r s e w o r k q u a l i t y, l e a r n i n g p r o g r e s s , a n d

academic achievement; (2) determining whether

students have met learning standards or other

academic requirements for courses; (3) helping

students reflect on their academic goals and

progress as learners; and (4) creating a lasting

archive of academic work products,

accomplishments, and other documentation.

P o s t g r a d u a t e A course of studies leading to a Postgraduate

Course

Award, which may be a Postgraduate Certificate

or a Postgraduate Diploma or a Master’s degree.

P r o f e s s i o n a l A degree awarded after successful completion of

Degree

a course of studies that imparts specific

professional competencies and leads to an award

that gives access to a regulated profession.

Glossary of Terms

Term

Explanation

Programme of A Programme of Study shall list all the study-

Study

units offered in each year of a Postgraduate

Course. It shall indicate which study-units are

compulsory or elective. Programmes of Study

shall be published by the Board prior to the

commencement of each Postgraduate Course,

following the approval of Senate.

S t u d y - U n i t / A part of a Programme of Study carried out upon

Unit

a syllabus approved by Senate, on the

recommendation of the Board, to which a

specified number of credits at an indicated level is

assigned, and which is capable of separate

assessment. Its description shall also include the

methods of teaching and assessment and the

lecturer/s giving the unit.

A taught study-unit may take the form of a series

of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical or

clinical sessions, field placements, projects,

private study or a combination of such work, or

any other method of teaching.

C o m p u l s o r y A study-unit which must be followed and passed

study-unit

for the purpose of progression or successful

completion of the Postgraduate Course.

Elective study- A s t u d y - u n i t w h i c h m u s t b e c h o s e n f r o m a

unit

designated list of study-units indicated in the

Programme of Study.

U n i v e r s i t y A Postgraduate Certificate, a Postgraduate

P o s t g r a d u a t e Diploma, or a Master’s degree awarded in terms

Award/s

of these regulations.

These regulations shall be applicable from 29th July, 2020

onwards.

The second cycle Postgraduate Awards governed by these

regulations are the following

(a) the Postgraduate Certificate;

(b) the Postgraduate Diploma; and

(c) the Master's degree.

(1) Postgraduate Courses shall be proposed by the Board

duly authorised to offer Postgraduate Courses in that particular area

of study and approved by Senate through bye-laws for the purpose.

(2) Postgraduate Courses may be offered jointly by more than

one Board, in which case the Board of Studies appointed by Senate

shall include representation from each Faculty.

Students shall be accepted to register for Masters’ degrees

by research after it is ascertained that the Faculty concerned can

make available suitable facilities for the proposed research as well

as supervisors who can provide regular supervision taking account

of their (a) area of academic expertise as evident from the peer-

reviewed record of publications, and (b) other commitments.

(1)

To qualify for any Postgraduate Award, students must

(a) be registered as regular students in a Postgraduate

Course;

(b) complete the Postgraduate Course and satisfy any

other requirements prescribed in these regulations and

in the bye-laws for the Postgraduate Course;

(c) satisfy any other requirements prescribed in any other

relevant statutes, regulations and bye-laws of the

University, including applicable ethical, and health

and safety procedures; and

(d) obtain not less than the number of credits at not below

the level as indicated hereunder, including all credits

for compulsory and elective study-units as specified in

the Programme of Study and/or in the course bye-laws

Postgraduate Award

Requirements

Postgraduate Certificate 30 credits, of which not less

than 25 credits at Level 5

Postgraduate Diploma 60 credits, of which not less

than 50 credits at Level 5

Master’s degree

90 or 120 credits, of which not

less than 80 credits at Level 5,

and including a dissertation to

which not less than 30 credits

are assigned.

(2) Exceptionally, Senate may also approve Master’s

programmes to which 60 credits are assigned if such programmes

are offered in partnership with prestigious higher education

institutions and/or in the framework of international collaborative

ventures.

(3) In accordance with the provisions of Statute 3, where the

University, with the approval of Senate, enters into an agreement

with other universities for the granting of a joint or double

Postgraduate Award, then the Postgraduate Award may be given

(a) in the case of a joint Postgraduate Award, jointly on

one certificate by all the partner universities and shall

be conferred at one of the partner universities as

agreed among them; or

(b) in the case of a double Postgraduate Award, separately

by each partner university.

(4) Senate may also approve interfaculty awards which may be

offered by two or more entities of the University.

(1) A Master’s course may lead to three types of

comparable awards as follows

(a) a Master’s degree obtained on successful completion

of a Programme of Study that builds upon a first cycle

degree in the same or related area of study, normally

designated as Master of Arts or Master of Science or,

where appropriate, Master of Philosophy;

(b) a Professional Master’s degree, usually designated as

Master of (subject), obtained on successful completion

of a Programme of Study that either

(i) builds upon a first cycle degree in the same area

of study and intended to develop further

profession-related skills and knowledge,

normally in an area of specialisation; or

(ii) only partially builds on knowledge obtained in a

first cycle degree but imparts specific

professional competencies and leads to an award

that gives access to a regulated profession; and

(c) a Conversion Master’s degree obtained on successful

completion of a Programme of Study that, whilst

necessitating the broad academic preparation of a

suitable first cycle degree, does not build upon a

specific body of knowledge obtained in any particular

first cycle degree course, designated as Master of

(subject).

(2) A Master’s course may be either mainly taught or mainly

by research.

(3) (a) All mainly taught Masters’ courses shall provide that

students be awarded a P ostgraduate Diploma on successful

completion of taught study-units to which 60 credits are assigned if

the students either opt not to proceed with the Course, or having

proceeded, do not successfully complete the Course.

(b) Bye-Laws may further provide for the award of a

Postgraduate Certificate on successful completion of a

prescribed set of study-units totalling 30 credits, provided

that the learning outcomes achieved through the

completion of such study-units warrant the granting of

such a qualification.

(1) To be considered for admission to Postgraduate

Courses in terms of these regulations, applicants must be in

possession of a first cycle degree obtained from this University, or

from any other university approved by Senate for this purpose, as

indicated in these regulations and must satisfy any special course

requirements indicated in the bye-laws for the Postgraduate

Course.

(2) Admission to Master’s courses is through possession of a

first cycle Honours degree classified at least at Second Class in an

area of study relevant to the studies to be pursued in the Master’s

course. Bye-laws may provide for the admission of applicants with

a Third Class Honours degree if they are also in possession of other

qualifications, including relevant experience, obtained following

the first cycle degree.

(3)

(i) Admission to Professional Master's courses is through

possession of a first cycle Honours degree classified at

least at Second Class in an area of study relevant to the

studies to be pursued in the Professional Master's

course. Bye-laws may provide for the admission of

applicants with a Third Class Honours degree if they

present a portfolio or other documentary evidence

recording the applicant’s relevant experience.

(ii) In the case of Professional Master’s courses offered in

terms of regulation 7(1)(b)(ii), applicants must be in

possession of a first cycle degree obtained with at least

Second Class Honours or Category II.

(4) Admission to Conversion Master’s courses is through

possession of a first cycle degree classified at least at Second Class

Honours or Category II.

(5) Applicants shall be accepted to register on courses with a

major research component if their dissertation proposal falls within

the research interests of the department and the department has the

necessary resources to provide adequate supervision.

(1) Bye-laws for Master’s and Professional Master’s

courses may provide that applicants in possession of an Ordinary

Degree classified with at least Category II be admitted into a

Preparatory Programme and they shall become eligible to join the

appropriate Master ’s course on completion of the Preparatory

Programme at the standard of at least Second Class Honours.

(2) Bye-Laws for Conversion Master’s courses may provide

that applicants in possession of an Honours degree classified at

least at Third Class or of an Ordinary Degree with at least Category

III be admitted if they have obtained other qualifications, including

relevant experience, following their first cycle degree.

(1) Admission to a Postgraduate Diploma course, when

the course does not give automatic access to a Master’s course,

may be through possession of a first cycle degree obtained at least

at either Third Class Honours or with Category III.

(2) Admission to a Postgraduate Certificate course, when the

course does not give automatic access to a Master’s course, may be

through possession of any first cycle degree.

Bye-laws may provide that the Board may grant students

full or partial exemption from the requirement of the Preparatory

Programme if it is satisfied that the students possess post-first

cycle qualification work experience that is relevant to the area of

study of the Master’s course.

Senate may approve bye-laws in terms of these regulations

to provide for the admission of experienced professionals not in

possession of formal academic qualifications into professional

courses, consisting of not less than 60 credits for taught study-

units.

All applicants shall be required to demonstrate that their

standard of English is satisfactory, unless teaching, research and

assessment are done in another language. The Admissions Board

may, f rom tim e t o tim e, p ubl ish th e qu ali fi catio ns that are

acceptable for each level of University awards, including the level

and grades required in the English proficiency qualification. The

offer of a place on a Postgraduate Course may be made subject to

the applicants obtaining such proficiency qualifications prior to the

commencement of their studies.

Applications for taught Postgraduate Courses shall be

made on the prescribed form and within the time specified by the

Office of the Registrar.

For the Master’s degree mainly by research, applications

may be submitted at any time of the year but enrolment shall be

w i t h e ff e c t f r o m o n e o f t h e f o l l o w i n g d a t e s : 1 O c t o b e r, 1

December, 1 February, 1 April and 1 June.

Applications for the Master’s degreeS mainly by research

shall be approved by the Board and shall include the following

details

(a) provisional title for the dissertation;

(b) a research proposal, of at least 300 words, to be

submitted at the time of application or by a deadline

established by the Board of Studies for the course; and

(c) a statement on whether the studies will be undertaken

on a full-time or a part-time basis, and, in the latter

case, the number of hours that shall be dedicated to

this research work.

In the case of applicants from outside Malta, funding and

visa requirements shall be taken into consideration when the

application and research proposal are being considered.

In cases where applicants lack essential knowledge in

particular areas not covered in their first degree, bye-laws may

require students to follow and pass supplementary study-units at

level 4 or lower to which not more than 12 ECTS credits are

assigned.

(1) Preparatory Programmes, when prescribed, shall be

approved by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, and must

include study-units to which not less than 30 credits are assigned

for higher level undergraduate work in areas which are directly

relevant to the area of study of the Master’s course.

(2) Students who fail in the first sit of study-units in a

preparatory programme shall be allowed a supplementary

assessment in terms of the General Regulations for University

Undergraduate Award. Students who fail the supplementary

assessment of these study-units shall be allowed to refer the failed

study-units to an additional year or to repeat the preparatory

programme in its entirety, if eligible in terms of the General

Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards.

(3) Students who successfully complete a preparatory

programme but do not obtain the required overall average mark as

specified in the course bye-laws shall be granted an additional year

of study, during which, after academic counselling, they shall

follow any study-units in order to seek to improve their overall

average mark. Attendance for lectures is not compulsory if

following study-units already passed.

(1) The duration of Postgraduate Courses shall be

specified in the bye-laws for each course but shall extend over the

following periods of full-time study

(a) one semester for courses leading to a Postgraduate

Certificate;

(b) two semesters for courses leading to a Postgraduate

Diploma; and

(c) between three and four semesters for courses leading

to a Master’s degree.

(2) Applicants engaged in full-time employment shall not

normally be permitted to register as full-time students, except in

circumstances where applicants provide evidence to show that their

employer is willing to grant sufficient time off from work to allow

them to engage in full-time study. Students engaged in part-time

employment must inform the University about the extent of their

employment commitment and require permission from the Faculty

Admissions Committee to register as full-time students.

(1) The Board may grant students registered on

Postgraduate Courses an extension of up to six months in order to

enable them to complete their studies, irrespective of whether they

are registered on a full-time or a part-time basis.

(2) In special circumstances and on the recommendation of the

Board, Senate may grant students a further extension of up to two

years in order to enable them to complete their studies, irrespective

of whether they are registered on a full-time or a part-time basis.

(1) The Board may allow students, for a good and

sufficient reason, to suspend their studies for a maximum period of

twelve months, irrespective of whether they are registered on a

fu ll-time or a part-time basis. I n suc h cases, the pe riod of

suspension of studies shall not be taken into consideration for

calculating the period of registration in the Postgraduate Course in

terms of the duration requirement.

(2) A student who is on suspension of studies shall not follow

any study-unit, sit for any assessment, or work on the dissertation.

(1) The academic calendar for Postgraduate Courses is

given in the Glossary of Terms. The summer recess may however

be shortened to two weeks in August in order to allow students to

participate in a summer semester.

(2) Supplementary examinations shall be held either in

September or, in exceptional circumstances, at the next scheduled

session of examinations.

(1) Unless otherwise specified in the bye-laws of a

Postgraduate Course, or expressly stated in the description of a

study-unit as published in the catalogue of study-units, attendance

for lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical or clinical sessions or

work placements, fieldwork and any other teaching session in

whatever mode is obligatory. On the basis of documented evidence,

a lecturer may bar a student whose attendance in a study-unit is not

satisfactory from being assessed in that study-unit. In such cases, a

0 mark and an F grade shall be assigned and recorded.

(2) The University will not excuse students from missing

lectures or other teaching activities, and neither will it tolerate late

submission of assignments or any defaults in coursework due to

work or unauthorised commitments. No rescheduling of lecturing-

related activities, examinations or vivas will be approved to

accommodate such commitments.

(1) All Master’s programmes shall include the writing of a

dissertation, to which not less than 30 credits shall be assigned.

(2) The supervision of students for the dissertation shall be

regulated by the provisions of regulation 51.

(3) In the case of dissertations assigned more than 30 credits,

the provisions of regulations 51 and 52 shall apply.

(4) Dissertations shall be assessed according to the provisions

of regulations 53 and 54.

(5) Before graduating, and where applicable, students shall

present two hard bound copies of the dissertation to the department,

and one electronic version for the University Library, which shall

include a signed declaration of authenticity. The electronic version

must conform to the standards set by the University of Malta

Library.

Any research undertaken by students which involves direct

contact with patients or healthy participants, whether clinical,

biomedical or social research, or the secondary use of existing

human materials or specimens, or involving animals must be

subject to ethical review. Such review must be undertaken by the

Research Ethics Committee appointed by Senate for the purpose.

These research proposals shall first be considered by the Board

who shall submit the proposal to the Research Ethics Committee.

The Board shall only accept such applications if the Research

Ethics Committee has given its approval.

(1) Dissertations for all Postgraduate Awards shall be

written in English, except that dissertations in areas of study

involving a language may be written in that language.

(2) However, following approval by Senate, a Board may allow

particular students, for just and sufficient reasons, to write their

dissertation in any other language, provided that the Board has

ascertained, to the satisfaction of Senate, that the University has the

necessary expertise to supervise and examine the work. In such cases,

students shall be required to include an Executive Summary of the work

in English.

Examiners shall express the students’ performance in the

assessment of all study-units, including the dissertation, as a

percentage mark and grade as indicated in the table below. Both the

percentage mark and the letter grade shall be recorded in the

students’ academic record. The percentage mark only is used for

the purpose of the students’ academic record. The percentage mark

only is used calculating the students’ progress and for the award

UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE AWARDS

classification.

Descriptor

Mark Range

Grade

Work of excellent quality.

80% - 100%

A

Superior performance showing a

comprehensive understanding and

a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e s u b j e c t m a t t e r.

Evidence of considerable additional

reading/research/work.

Work of very good quality

70% - 79%

B

Performance is typified by a very good

working knowledge of the subject

m a t t e r. E v i de n c e o f a co n s i de r a b l e

amount of reading/ research/work.

55% ** - 69%

Work of good quality

C

Above average performance, with a

good working knowledge of the subject

matter. Evidence of sufficient reading/

research/work.

Work of fair but below average quality 50% * - 54%

D

Considerable but incomplete

understanding of the subject matter.

Evidence of a fair amount of reading/

research/work.

Work of marginal quality

45% - 49%

E

Minimal understanding of the subject

matter, with no evidence of additional

reading/research/work, which must be

compensated by higher marks in other

units in order to be eligible for the

Postgraduate Award.

Pass - when assessment is based on a

Not

P

pass/fail basis.

applicable

Unsatisfactory, failing work in any 0% - 44%

F

study-unit except in the dissertation

study-unit.

U n s a t i s f a c to r y, f a i l i ng w o r k i n t h e 0% - 49% *

F

dissertation study-unit.

U n s a t i s f a c t o r y, f a i l i n g w o r k i n a 0% - 54% **

F

practicum study-unit, where such is

indicated in the course bye-laws.

Unjustified absence for an assessment,

0%

F

or failure to hand in assigned work in

time, or ineligibility to take assessment

due to unapproved absence from

lectures. Shall be considered as F with 0

marks in the calculation of the average

mark.

Descriptor

Mark Range

Grade

Temporary grade for Incomplete work

I

due to justifiable reasons (illness,

approved absence, etc.) for which the

assessment date has been postponed or

the deadline for submission of work has

been extended.

Approved withdrawal of the registration

W

for a study-unit after the official add/

drop period has elapsed, given in

consideration of exceptional

circumstances, such as absence from

lectures due to prolonged illness during

the semester. The unit shall not be taken

into consideration in the calculation of

the average mark.

* The minimum pass mark for dissertations is 50%.

** The m in im um pass mark f or p ract ic um s, wh ere su ch is

indicated in the course bye-laws, is 55%.

(1) A failed taught study-unit may be re-assessed once

only, under those conditions as provided for in the bye-laws for the

Postgraduate Course. If successful, the maximum mark/grade that

can be awarded shall be 45% / Grade E.

(2) In the case of taught elective study-units failed after re-

assessment only, the Board, after consultation with the head of

department and/or the Board of Studies, may allow students to

register for alternative elective study-units from the list of elective

units in the students’ Programme of Study, to which a total of up to

12 ECTS credits are assigned. If successful in such units, the

maximum mark/grade that may be awarded is 45%/grade E.

(3) Students who fail the assessment of a study-unit involving

a work placement, clinical practice or any other unit that requires

assessment over a period of time, when it is not practicable or

possible to be re-assessed during the current year, shall not have the

right to a supplementary assessment and shall be required to

either (i) refer the study-unit to the following year;

or

(ii) re-do the unit during an additional year, which shall

not be taken into account for the purpose of course duration.

The conditions for the re-assessment of such study-units shall be

indicated in the bye-laws for the Course and in the particular study-unit

description.

(4) If a student fails in a dissertation, the maximum grade/

mark that can be awarded after reassessment shall be 50%/Grade D.

(5) If a student fails in a practicum whose minimum pass mark

is indicated in the course bye-laws as 55%, the maximum grade/

mark that can be awarded after reassessment, shall be 55%/Grade

C.

(6) Students shall not be allowed to be re-assessed for a study-

unit if they have already been awarded credit for it.

(7) Students who, after reassessment, fail to obtain credit for

any study-unit shall be required to withdraw from the Postgraduate

course.

Students may only be allowed to re-join a Course as stipulated

in the Admissions Regulations, 2016. On re-joining the Course,

students shall be required to follow the Programme of Study that is

applicable for that year and they shall be required to follow all study-

units, including those they may have successfully completed during the

failed Course.

(1) Students registered on taught programmes extending

over more than one academic year shall only be allowed to enrol

for the following year if they pass all the taught study-units for the

year, or are allowed to r efer study-units as pr ovided for in

regulation 29 (3), and provided that progression to the research

component shall require successful completion of the taught

component with a minimum average mark of at least 50%. Students

registered on programmes mainly by research shall be allowed to

enrol for the following year subject to a satisfactory progress report

from their Principal Supervisor.

(2) If a student is prevented for a reason considered valid by Senate

from being assessed in a taught study-unit, the student shall be required

to complete the previous year’s requirements in an additional year of

study. Under no circumstances shall a student be allowed to progress

from the current year to a subsequent year if the student does not pass all

the taught study-units of the year previous to the current.

(3) Students are required to enrol at the commencement of the

Postgraduate Course and at the beginning of each academic year

throughout their period of study, whether they are following a

mainly taught programme or a mainly research programme.

Bye-laws for a Postgraduate Course may provide that

progression from one year to the next or progression from the taught

component to the research component be subject to a minimum average

mark to be indicated in the bye-laws if it is higher than the average

indicated in regulation 31 (1).

There shall be an Award Classification Board for each

Postgraduate Course.

(1) For mainly taught programmes, the Award

Classification Board shall be composed of at least three members,

including the Dean/Director, or delegate, as chairman, the course

co-ordinator, and at least one other member appointed by the

Board.

(2) In the case of programmes mainly by research, the Board of

Examiners appointed as in regulation 55 shall act as the Award

Classification Board.

(1) Postgraduate

Certificates

shall

be

awarded

unclassified.

(2) Postgraduate Diplomas and Master’s degrees may be

awarded in any of the following classifications

Pass with Distinction (Summa Cum Laude)

Pass with Merit (Magna Cum Laude)

Pass (Bene Probatus).

The classification of Postgraduate Awards shall be

determined by the Award Classification Board on the basis of a

Final Weighted Average Mark obtained by taking into account the

individual marks obtained in each study-unit as well as the credit

value of the study-units, provided that bye-laws may allow for the

credits assigned to the dissertation to be weighted by a factor of not

more than 1.5.

(1) The Award Classification Board shall consult the

following guidelines when deciding upon the final classification of

Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters’ degrees

Final Weighted Average Mark

Classification

80 - 100%

Pass with Distinction

70 - 79%

Pass with Merit

50 - 69%

Pass.

(2) Students whose Final Average Weighted Mark is between 0

and 49% shall be considered to have failed to qualify for a

Postgraduate Award.

(3) The Award Classification Board, at its own discretion, may

award the Postgraduate Award with a higher classification than that

indicated in paragraph (1) of this regulation to students whose Final

Weighted Average Mark is up to five marks less than the minimum

for the classification, provided that all students who obtain the

same or a higher Final Weighted Average Mark within that

category/class shall be awarded the higher classification. In such

cases, the Award Classification Board is required to minute the

decision and the justification for it.

(4) The Award Classification Board, at its own discretion, may

also award a Postgraduate Award with a lower classification than

that indicated in sub-regulation (1), provided that all students who

obtain the same or a lower Final Weighted Average Mark within

that category/class shall be awarded the lower classification. In

such cases, the Award Classification Board is required to obtain the

authorisation of the Board that shall minute the decision and the

justification for it. The students concerned may appeal to Senate

against the decision within fifteen days of the publication of the

classification.

II. TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE AWARDS

(1) Programmes of Study shall be proposed by one or

more than one Department jointly, and shall be approved by Senate,

on the recommendation of the Board.

(2) Programmes of Study shall be co-ordinated by the head of

department or another member of staff appointed for the purpose by

the Board.

Programmes of Study shall be published before the

commencement of each Postgraduate Course, normally not less

than three months before its commencement. Programmes of Study

shall include all the study-units, indicating which study-units are

compulsory or elective, and the order in which the units shall be

followed.

Study-units shall be proposed by the Department or a

number of departments responsible for the teaching of the area/

areas of study in the Postgraduate Course and approved by Senate,

on the recommendation of the Board.

Study-units shall be assigned a code by the Office of the

Registrar in accordance with the principles listed in Schedule 1 -

System of Assigning Codes for Study-Units – attached to the

General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards.

Study-units in all Postgraduate Courses shall normally be

offered at level five. Each taught study-unit shall normally be

assigned not less than five credits and not more than 30 credits,

preferably in multiples of five credits.

All study-units shall be assigned a credit value in terms of

the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System and credits

shall be awarded to students who pass the assessment for the unit.

The method of assessment for each study-unit shall be

indicated in the study-unit description and published in the

catalogue of study-units. If the method of assessment comprises

more than one assessment component, the % weighting of each

component shall be given. Students shall be awarded the credits for

a unit if they obtain an overall pass mark for the unit as a whole,

provided that Senate may, in the case of study-units comprising a

practical component, approve that a particular mark must be

obtained in that component for students to be awarded a pass mark

in the study-unit.

The same study-units cannot be counted towards two

s e p a r a t e P o s t g r a d u a t e Aw a r d s u n l e s s o n e q u a l i f i c a t i o n i s

considered by Senate to be an interim qualification in the normal

progression to the other, higher level, qualification, provided that a

Board of Studies may exempt a student from the attendance

requirement of a compulsory study-unit credit for which was

obtained towards another award, although such a student shall still

be required to be assessed in the unit.

Credits awarded for study-units may not normally be used

t o w a r d s an aw a r d af t er se v e n y e a r s h av e e l a p s ed f r o m t h e

successful completion of the unit.

Students shall register for the study-units prescribed in

their Programme of Study within the time specified by the Office of

the Registrar. They shall not be considered as students on a study-

unit unless they have so registered.

Taught study-units shall be examined by a Board of

Examiners composed of not less than 3 persons, including a

chairman who shall not be teaching the unit, and the lecturer/s

teaching the unit.

III. POSTGRADUATE AWARDS BY RESEARCH

The Master’s degree obtained mainly by research shall

require students to register for at least two study-units, one of

which a study-unit consisting of supervised research work leading

to the writing of a dissertation, to which not less than 60 credits are

assigned.

Students registered for Masters’ degrees mainly by

research may be allowed to participate in joint research projects

where data generated jointly by a group of researchers is used for

the writing of a dissertation, provided that each student writes a

separate dissertation.

(1) In Masters’ degrees mainly by research, the Board

shall appoint a Principal Supervisor for each student.

(2) If the nature/topic of research requires the input of another

specialist, the Board may appoint a co-supervisor, in which case the

two supervisors shall meet the student together to decide how they

will divide their responsibility for advice and how future meetings

are to be arranged.

(3) When a co-supervisor is appointed, the Principal Supervisor

shall retain the ultimate responsibility of leadership in supervision.

(4) A Principal Supervisor or co-supervisor shall not be related

to a student by consanguinity or by affinity to the third degree

inclusive or have a dual relationship with the student.

(5) Principal Supervisors shall be responsible for providing

guidance to students under their care in the following areas

(a) assisting students to select and elaborate a research

problem and to formulate a written proposal for their

dissertation;

(b) offering ideas and providing guidance and

encouragement on the planning and progress of

research, submission of the dissertation, and

publication of results;

(c) providing or

arranging instruction

in research

methodology,

including

use

of

information

technology;

(d) guiding students in acquiring and improving

appropriate generic skills, including written and oral

communication, numeracy, decision-taking and

organisational and management skills;

(e) the students are aware of the manner in which research

results are reported and that they understand the

implications of plagiarism and other unbecoming

academic practices; and

(f)

any other matters which require the attention of the

Board or Senate.

(6) Principal Supervisors shall meet students regularly to

review progress. Meetings may be substituted by other means of

communication.

(7) Principal Supervisors and co-supervisors are not

responsible for proof-reading dissertations. Neither is it their

responsibility to ensure that dissertations do not contain plagiarised

parts.

(8) If plagiarism is detected by a supervisor in drafts or in the

final version of a dissertation prior to formal submission, the

Principal Supervisor shall use discretion as to whether to reprimand

the student and demand corrective action or to report the matter to

the Assessment Disciplinary Board, depending on the gravity of the

offence.

Bye-laws shall establish methods and stipulate procedures

for the effective monitoring of students’ progress throughout their

studies. These shall include measures to ensure that

(a) written progress reports are submitted regularly by

Principal Supervisors to an appropriate faculty/

departmental committee or panels of supervision for

individual students or groups of students; such reports

may include a recommendation either to (a) grant an

extension of the study period in order to enable the

students to complete the dissertation; or (b) to

terminate the studies prematurely if the relevant

faculty/departmental committee deems this to be

proper in the circumstances; provided that for (a), the

period of extension of studies shall be according to

regulation 21(1); and for (b), the student may appeal

his case before Senate within 15 days from the notice

of termination;

(b) substantial modification of title or content of

dissertation, requests for extension of studies or

suspension of studies are considered and decided upon

expeditiously;

(c) students’ research is not hindered in unforeseeable

circumstances, such as when a supervisor is absent for

a long period; and

(d) requests by students about matters relating to their

studies (including a request to change their Principal

Supervisor if there are serious reasons) are adequately

considered.

(1) Dissertations presented for a Master’s Degree shall

(a) be work of an advanced or original nature in the area

of study;

(b) satisfy the Board of Examiners as regards content and

presentation; and

(c) fulfil the requirements as provided by relevant bye-

laws and guidelines as regards format and length.

(2)

(a) For dissertations assigned 60 ECTS credits or more

(i) an oral examination shall be held; a second oral

examination may be held at the discretion of the

Board of Examiners in cases of resubmission of

dissertations following major corrections or

resubmission of failed dissertations;

(ii) an oral examination shall not be held if the

Board of Examiners agrees that the dissertation

is of low quality, in which case a failing mark

and grade shall be published. The Board of

Examiners shall hold an oral examination shall

then be held in the re-assessment.

(b) For dissertations assigned less than 60 ECTS credits

(i) an oral examination shall be held if it is

indicated in the method of assessment of the

dissertation

study-unit.

A

second

oral

examination may be held at the discretion of the

Board of Examiners in cases of resubmission of

dissertations following major corrections or

resubmission of failed dissertations;

(ii) if an oral examination is not indicated in the

method of assessment of the dissertation study-

unit it may be held in cases of borderline

dissertations verging on a fail, in cases of

resubmission of failed dissertations, or in cases

where there is lack of consensus among the

Board of Examiners.

(3) For any other work submitted or carried out, other than the

writing of a dissertation, students shall be guided by the guidelines

issued by the Board or as detailed in the course bye-laws.

(4) Principal Supervisors shall signify in writing, on the

appropriate form, that they are aware that the student is submitting

his/her dissertation for examination by the Board of Examiners.

(5) The supervisory role of Principal Supervisors and co-

supervisors shall cease when the dissertation is submitted for

examination. The role may be re-assumed, on the advice of the

Board of Examiners, in order to provide guidance to students

whose dissertation is referred back for significant correction

pending final acceptance.

(6) No dissertation shall be accepted which is identical in

substance to a document already submitted for a degree in this or

any other university or to any other published material. Students

shall not, however, be precluded from incorporating such previous

work as may be necessary to the presentation and fuller

understanding of their exposition, provided that the nature and

extent of such incorporation are clearly indicated in the dissertation

itself.

(1) For dissertations assigned 60 ECTS credits or more,

where an oral examination shall be held in terms of regulation

53(2)(a), after reading and marking the dissertation, the Board of

Examiners shall call the student for the oral examination and shall

either

(a) award an overall pass to the dissertation

unconditionally or subject to minor corrections which

shall be submitted within a time established by the

Board of Examiners and to the satisfaction of the

chairman of the Board of Examiners in consultation

with the supervisor. If the changes are not effected

properly, the Board of Examiners shall award a mark

and grade for the original version; or

(b) approve the oral performance and advise major

corrections to the dissertation, which although not of a

failing standard nevertheless needs significant

improvement. The resubmitted dissertation, which

shall be presented within a time established by the

Board of Examiners, shall be reviewed by the

chairman in consultation with the supervisor to ensure

that the changes were effected as directed. If the

chairman and the supervisor are satisfied that the

changes have been performed properly, the Board of

Examiners shall agree a final mark that shall not be

greater than 10 percentage points of the preliminary

mark for the original submission; or

(c) in the case of a borderline quality dissertation verging on a

fail, advise major corrections to the dissertation in order to

qualify for the minimum pass mark and grade (i.e. 50%/

Grade D), which shall be submitted within a time

established by the Board of Examiners, and subject to a

positive confirmation by the chairman in consultation with

the supervisor that the changes have been effected

properly, failing which the dissertation shall be declared as

failed with the possibility of a reassessment if eligible in

terms of these regulations; or

(d) in cases of low quality dissertations, declare the

student to have failed with the possibility of a re-

assessment if eligible in terms of these regulations.

(2) For dissertations assigned less than 60 ECTS credits, when

an oral examination is indicated in the method of assessment in

terms of regulation 53(2)(b)(i), after reading and marking the

dissertation, the Board of Examiners shall call the student for the

oral examination and shall either

(a) award an overall pass to the dissertation

unconditionally or subject to minor corrections which

UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE AWARDS

shall be submitted within a time established by the

Board of Examiners and to the satisfaction of the

chairman of the Board of Examiners in consultation

with the supervisor. If the changes are not effected

properly the Board of Examiners shall award a mark

and grade for the original version; or

(b) in the case of borderline dissertation verging on a fail,

advise major corrections to the dissertation which shall be

submitted within a time established by the Board of

Examiners and to the satisfaction of the chairman of the

Board of Examiners in consultation with the supervisor, in

order to qualify for the minimum pass mark and grade (ie

50%, grade D). If the changes are not effected properly,

the dissertation shall be declared as failed with the

possibility of a re-assessment if eligible in terms of these

regulations; or

(c) in cases of low quality dissertations, declare the

student to have failed with the possibility of a re-

assessment if eligible in terms of these regulations.

(3) For dissertations assigned less than 60 ECTS credits, when

an oral examination is not indicated in the method of assessment in

terms of regulation 53(2)(b)(ii), after reading and marking the

dissertation, the Board of Examiners shall either

(a) award a pass to the dissertation unconditionally or

subject to minor corrections which shall be submitted

within a time established by the Board of Examiners

and to the satisfaction of the chairman of the Board of

Examiners in consultation with the supervisor. If the

changes are not effected properly, the Board of

Examiners shall award a mark and grade for the

original version; or

(b) in the case of borderline dissertations verging on a fail,

the Board of Examiners may either

(i)

refer the dissertation back to the student for

major corrections which shall be submitted

within a time established by the Board of

Examiners and to the satisfaction of the

chairman of the Board of Examiners in

consultation with the supervisor, in order to

qualify for a minimum pass mark and grade (ie

50%, grade D). If the changes are not effected

properly, the dissertation shall be declared as

failed with the possibility of a re-assessment if

eligible in terms of these regulations; or

(ii) call the student for an oral examination before

deciding if the dissertation should be referred

back to the student for major corrections or if the

dissertation shall be declared as fail with the

possibility of a re-assessment if eligible in terms

of these regulations; or

(c) in cases of low quality dissertations, declare the

student to have failed with the possibility of a

re-assessment if eligible in terms of these

regulations.

(4) When a Board of Examiners fails to reach consensus about

the final mark/grade they shall proceed according to regulation 24

of University Assessment Regulations.

(5) A Board of Examiners shall not allow a period longer than

three months for major corrections, in cases of borderline

dissertations verging on a fail, and not longer than six months for

resubmission of failed dissertations, unless there are valid reasons

which shall be recorded in the report of the Board of Examiners.

(6) Major corrections to borderline dissertations verging on a

fail, as required by the Board of Examiners, may be re-submitted

once only.

(7) In case of a Fail, students may submit a dissertation for re-

assessment once only.

(1) Dissertations submitted for the award of a Master’s

Degree shall be assessed by a Board of Examiners appointed by

Senate for the purpose, on the recommendation of the Board.

(2)

(i)

For dissertations assigned 30 credits, the Board

of Examiners shall be composed of at least three members one of whom

may be an external examiner from an overseas institution normally

appointed on a non-visiting basis;

(ii)

For dissertations assigned more than 30 credits,

the Board of Examiners shall be composed of at least three members and

shall normally include an external examiner from an overseas

institution;

provided that, where viva voce examinations shall be held and external

examiners are appointed on a non-visiting basis, the Board of

Examiners shall be composed of at least four members. External

Examiners shall be appointed as stipulated in regulation 21 of the

University Assessment Regulations.

(3) For dissertations assigned 60 ECTS credits or more the

Board of Examiners shall require students to defend their

dissertation orally before it. For dissertations assigned less than 60

ECTS credits, the Board of Examiners may require students to

defend their dissertation orally before it. For dissertations of 30

ECTS credits or more, not less than three members of the Board of

Examiners shall conduct the oral examination.

(4) Principal Supervisors and co-supervisors shall not be

members of the Board of Examiners but the Principal Supervisor

shall be invited to attend as an observer during the oral

examination. The Principal Supervisor may contribute if invited to

do s o by t he m e m b e rs of t he Boar d of E x a m ine r s b ut m us t

withdraw prior to the final deliberations of the Board of Examiners.

However, a Board may request special permission from Senate to

allow a Principal Supervisor to form part of a Board of Examiners

for justified reasons.

(5) The Board of Examiners shall follow the procedures for the

assessment of dissertations for Masters’ degrees, as approved by

Senate.

(1) Students registered for a Master’s degree mainly by

research may be required to assist lecturing staff in the Faculty’s

teaching activities for up to a maximum of one hundred hours a

year, provided that these duties do not conflict with their research

work and that students may be exempted from this requirement for

a good and valid reason.

(2) The criteria used in assigning such duties to students shall

be equitable and transparent.

(3) Students involved in teaching shall be assigned an

academic mentor to whom they may turn for advice. They shall

also be provided with advice and facilities to ensure that they may

teach effectively. Students involved in such teaching activities shall

be provided with instruction and guidance, including relevant

health and safety training.

(4) For such work, students shall be remunerated at standard

rates as approved by the University.

Students must abide by the University of Malta Intellectual

Property Policy.

In line with the University of Malta’s Institutional

Repository Policy, the University Library shall provide in open

access the electronic copies of Master’s dissertations which are

awarded a grade A and shall make them publicly available on the

University of Malta’s Institutional Repository.

(1) Confidential information includes, but is not limited

to, training know-how, information, methodologies and manuals;

workbooks; statements of operating practice; specifications;

drawings; designs; formulae; discoveries; inventions; technical

information; know-how generally; lab notebooks; manuscript

papers; software; information about the methods, concepts and

techniques on which software is based; samples; finances; financial

models; pricing and other commercial information; business plans;

marketing plans; and any information considered to be sensitive by

the University Research Ethics Committee.

(2) Students are bound not to disclose any confidential

information which may come into their possession and/or which

they are exposed to and/or which they have access to. Furthermore,

students may be asked by the University to sign specific

confidentiality agreements should it be deemed necessary.

(3) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this regulation,

information shall not be considered as confidential information if

(a) it was already known to the student and it was not

subject to any obligation of confidentiality by the

student to the University;

(b) it is or becomes publicly known without an act or

omission of the student;

(c) it is obtained by the student from a third party with a

valid right to disclose such confidential information,

provided that said third party is not under a

confidentiality obligation to the University;

(d) it is approved for release in writing by an authorised

representative of the University; or

(e) the student is specifically required to disclose pursuant

to a law or order of any Court of competent

jurisdiction.

(1) Where the student considers that assessable student

work should remain confidential during or after completion of the

programme of study or research, a request for it to be embargoed

must be made to the Library Committee. The Library Committee

shall consult with the Faculty concerned before taking a decision.

The period of confidentiality approved shall not normally exceed

two years from final submission of such work to the University.

However, in cases where publication of the assessable student work

would prove detrimental to the student or the University or the

sponsor or the funding body or the persons referred to in such

work, a further period may be approved.

(2) In any case and without prejudice to sub-regulation (1), the

University retains the right to request the embargo of assessable

student work. In the event that assessable student work is

embargoed, the student shall be bound to treat the contents of such

work as confidential. Prior to any publication, the provisions about

publication and exploitation, as detailed in the University of Malta

Intellectual Property Policy shall apply in every case.

(1) In the case of students following courses which

involve work with vulnerable persons, the University may at any

time suspend or preclude from further studies any student who,

following appropriate investigatory procedures that Senate may

establish for such cases, is deemed to have acted or be acting in a

manner which jeopardises the welfare of the subject (whether

patient, pupil, or client) or which contravenes the relevant

professional codes of conduct (i.e. professional misconduct), or

whose behaviour is deemed to be incompatible with that required

by the profession (i.e. professional unsuitability).

(2) The University may request a Police Good Conduct

Certificate of its students. Students shall inform the University if

the declaration on their certificate changes during their registration

on a University course, in which case this declaration shall be

considered by a sub-committee of the Admissions Board appointed

by Senate for the purpose.

(1) A Board may, from time to time, offer students the

opportunity to follow a Postgraduate Course on a part-time basis in

areas of study which shall be indicated before the commencement

of each course.

(2) The provisions of the foregoing regulations 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.

(3) Students may be allowed to follow a course on a part-time

basis, in which case the time spent in part-time study shall, unless

otherwise stated in the bye-laws for the course or unless in special

circumstances specific arrangements are agreed in writing by the

Board with the student, count as half that required in the case of

full-time study.

(4) Full-time or part-time students who successfully complete the

taught component of a programme, may be given the opportunity to

change their mode of attendance before continuing with the research

component.

Boards of Studies for all Courses shall be appointed by Senate

by September for a period of one academic year.

Each Faculty shall recommend to Senate the appointment

of Boards of Studies for courses run under the auspices of that

Faculty. In doing so, the Board shall aim to achieve an optimal

arrangement for the appointment of a Board of Studies for one or

more courses run under its auspices.

Senate may approve the appointment of any of the

following

(a) a Board of Studies for one Area of Study for a course,

where such a course consists only of one Area of

Study;

(b) a Board of Studies for a course consisting of more than

one Area of Study offered together in that course;

(c) a single Board of Studies for such number of courses

offered under the auspices of a Faculty, where such an

arrangement is the most appropriate;

(d) the designation of a Board to carry out the functions of

a Board of Studies; and

(e) any combination of the above which Senate may

approve from time to time for courses offered under

the auspices of a Faculty.

(1) Boards of Studies shall be composed as follows

(a) in the case of regulation 65(a), the Board of Studies

shall be composed of: (i) the head of the department

responsible for the Area of Study or his delegate as

chairman; (ii) at least two other academic members;

and (iii) two students elected from amongst the

students registered on the course;

(b) in the case of regulation 65(b), the Board of Studies

shall be composed of: (i) the heads of the department

responsible for the Areas of Study concerned, or their

delegates, one of whom shall be appointed chairman;

(ii) at least one other academic member from each of

the departments concerned; and (iii) two students

elected from amongst the students registered on the

course;

(c) in the case of regulation 65(c), the Board of Studies

shall be composed of: (i) the course coordinators for a

number of courses offered under the auspices of a

Faculty, or their delegates; one course coordinator

shall be appointed chairman; (ii) at least one other

academic member teaching on each of the courses

concerned; and (iii) two students elected from amongst

the students registered on the courses; and

(d) in the case of regulation 65(d), the Board shall be

designated by Senate to perform the functions of a

Board of Studies.

(2) In the case of a course offered by two or more Faculties,

Senate may appoint, on the joint recommendation of the Boards of

the Faculties concerned, an inter-Faculty Board of Studies. Such a

Board of Studies shall consist of: (i) the Dean or his delegate of

each Faculty concerned; (ii) at least two other academic members

from each Faculty; and (iii) two students elected from amongst the

students registered on the course. One of the Deans shall be

appointed chairman. The terms of reference of such a Board of

Studies is to ensure better coordination of programmes of study

where study-units are offered by different Faculties.

(3) Faculties may include as members on all Boards of Studies up

to two stakeholders in the areas of expertise covered by the relevant

programme.

(4) Administrators from the Faculties concerned shall attend

meetings of the Board of Studies.

The functions of Boards of Studies shall include the

following

(a) implementing the regulations and bye-laws governing

the Programme of Study, subject to the general

directions given by the Board or Boards concerned;

(b) monitoring and evaluating the Programme/s of Study;

(c) making proposals to the Board or Boards for the

revision of the Programme/s of Study; and

(d) monitoring the assessments and the procedures used in

the assessment of the performance of the students.