PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE DEGREE COURSE REGULATIONS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.493

PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE DEGREE

COURSE REGULATIONS

9th July, 2014

LEGAL NOTICE 242 of 2014, as amended by Legal Notices 165 of 2015

, 14 of 2017 and 379 of 2018.

(1) The title of these regulations is the Professional

Doctorate Degree Course 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

Award

the Award Classification Board appointed for the

Classification

award of Postgraduate Diplomas and Master ’s

Board

degrees

Board

the board of the University faculty, institute,

centre or school where the Programme will be

carried out

Board of

the Board of Studies appointed by Senate on the

Studies

recommendation of the Board

Course

the programme of study leading to a professional

doctorate degree

Faculty

the University faculty, institute, centre or school

offering the Degree

Faculty

the committee entrusted to oversee each student’s

Doctoral

doctoral studies as specified in the Ph.D. Degree

Committee

Regulations, 2008

Degree

the professional doctorate degree termed

'Doctorate in (area of study)' is designed for

students pursuing professional or industry-based

careers and who are interested in the opportunity

to reflect on best practice, rather than in pursuing

academic careers for which the degree is not

designed

Master’s

the degree of Master in a named area of study that

degree

shall be awarded in the cases specified in

regulations 37 and 38

Postgraduate

the Postgraduate Diploma in a named area of study

Diploma

that shall be awarded in the cases specified in

regulation 35

Programme

the taught and research programme of study in the

area of study chosen

Sub-

the University Ph.D. Committee appointed by

Committee

Senate in terms of the Ph.D. Degree Regulations,

These regulations shall be applicable from 1st October,

2018 onwards.

Applicants shall be accepted to register for the Degree after

it is ascertained by Senate that the Faculty where the teaching and

research will be carried out can provide suitable facilities for the

proposed Programme, as well as dissertation supervisors who can

provide regular supervision for the dissertation and professional

practice supervisors who can provide mentoring for the

professional practice component, taking account of their academic

record and expertise and other commitments.

(1) The Degree shall be awarded upon the successful

completion of a programme of study, comprising taught study-

units, a professional practice component, where this is required,

and the writing and defence of a dissertation which shall provide an

original contribution to both theory and practice in the area of study

with the aim of developing critical thinking skills and reflecting on

professional practice.

(2) Students shall comply with the provisions of these

regulations and of the Faculty Professional Doctorate Degree Bye-

Laws and shall also 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 or guidelines.

(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 degree,

then the Professional Doctorate Degree may be awarded

(a) in the case of a joint degree, 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 degree, separately by each

partner university.

(1) The Sub-Committee shall consider applications for the

Degree from applicants who shall possess a Master’s degree of the

University of Malta or another university, in an area of study

relevant to the Programme. For the purpose of this regulation, a

Master’s degree shall have been obtained following the award of a

first cycle qualification. In certain cases, the Sub-Committee may

also consider other qualifications if deemed to be appropriate.

(2) Applicants are required to be in possession of appropriate

qualifications to demonstrate that their standard of English is

satisfactory. The offer of a place to read for the Degree may be

made subject to the applicants obtaining such proficiency

qualifications prior to the commencement of their studies.

(3) In addition to the qualifications specified in sub-

r e g u l a t i o n s ( 1 ) a n d ( 2 ) , a p p l ic a n t s s h a l l a l s o p o s s e s s s u c h

qualifications and satisfy such other conditions as the Board may

from time to time establish for the purpose and which shall be

approved by Senate in the form of bye-laws.

Applications may be submitted on the prescribed form at

any time of the year but students shall be registered with effect

from October.

The Faculty Doctoral Committee shall consider

applications for the Degree and shall make its recommendations to

Senate, through the Board and the Sub-Committee.

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

for approval.

Where applicable, applicants shall be required to be

resident in Malta for specified parts of the taught component of the

Programme as indicated by the Board of Studies. The Board of

Studies may approve that studies be carried out away from the

University, provided that

(a) the facilities at the place in which applicants will be

carrying out their studies shall be equivalent to, or

better than, those of the department or complementary

to those of the department and are essentially required

for the work, and the department concerned shall

provide written evidence of this to the Board;

(b) during the research component applicants shall

normally spend a reasonable period on the Malta

campus during which period they shall hold meetings

with the Dissertation Supervisor; and

(c) an on-site adviser is appointed to follow the student

regularly at the off-campus place of study.

(1) Studies for the Degree shall extend over a period of

not less than three years of full-time study or the equivalent in part-

time study. If the research component so demands, the Sub-

Committee may recommend to Senate a longer period to complete

this component.

(2) On the recommendation of the Board and the Sub-

Committee, Senate may grant students an extension of studies 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.

Full-time students may not engage in employment which is

likely to interfere with the progress of their studies and must inform

the University about the extent of any employment commitments.

Students are expected to attend for all lectures, seminars,

practical and other teaching sessions. Lecturers may bar students

whose attendance in a study-unit is not satisfactory from being

assessed in that study-unit.

On the recommendation of the Board and of the Sub-

Co mm it tee, th e Sen ate m ay allo w stu dent s, for a g ood and

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

12 months, irrespective of whether they are registered on a full-

time or a part-time basis, provided that the continuation of their

studies shall depend on the availability of the Programme in the

following years. In such cases, the period of suspension of studies

shall not be taken into consideration for calculating the period of

registration for the Degree in terms of the duration requirement.

Senate may allow students to change their mode of study

from full-time to part-time or from part-time to full-time, as

feasible. The period of registration shall be recalculated on the

basis of the proportion of time during which the students were

studying in each mode.

(1) Students are required to enrol at the beginning of each

academic year throughout their period of study.

(2) Such enrolment shall be allowed only if the students are

making satisfactory progress in their studies.

(1) The Programme for the Degree shall comprise (a) a

taught component, comprising study-units to which between 60 and

120 ECTS credits are assigned; and (b) a research component,

comprising a dissertation study-unit to which 60 ECTS credits are

assigned.

(2) A supervised professional practice component, to which 60

ECTS credits are assigned, and which shall span over a significant

period of the Programme, may also be included as specified in the bye-

laws for the Course.

The Board of Studies shall

(a) implement the Professional Doctorate Degree Course

Regulations;

(b) monitor and evaluate the programme of study;

(c) propose to the Board the programme of study, the bye-

laws and any revisions as necessary; and

(d) monitor the procedures used in the assessment of the

students’ performance.

The Board of Studies shall consider annual reports from

students regarding the progress of their studies, which shall include

any problems that they may be encountering.

(1) The Faculty Doctoral Committee shall follow, as it

deems fit, the progress of students during the entire duration of the

Programme, provided that it shall meet at least once a year to

review t he p rogress of eac h student. The F aculty Doc toral

Committee shall consult with the Board of Studies when

conducting such a review.

(2) Dissertation Supervisors and Professional Practice

Supervisors shall be required to submit regular written progress

reports on their students, with regard to the progress of the

dissertation and the professional practice component respectively.

These reports are to be submitted to the Faculty Doctoral

Committee, in consultation with the Board of Studies. Students

shall have a right to view the reports and to make their own

comments.

(3) The Faculty Doctoral Committee, through the Board of

Studies, shall periodically inform the Board, in writing, on the

general performance of students.

(4) The Faculty Doctoral Committee, in consultation with the

Board of Studies, may either

(a) recommend to Senate, through the Sub-Committee,

that a student be granted an extension of the study

period in order to enable the student to complete the

dissertation, provided that the period of extension of

studies shall be according to regulation 10; or

(b) recommend that studies be terminated prematurely if

this is deemed to be proper in the circumstances,

provided that the student can appeal his/her case

before Senate within 15 days from the notice of

termination of studies.

(1) Senate, on the recommendation of the Board and the

Sub-Committee, shall appoint a Dissertation Supervisor from

among the members of the academic staff of the University in

accordance with the provisions of regulation 3. Such a member of

staff shall have appropriate qualifications, including extensive

knowledge and research experience in the broad subject area of the

student and current involvement in research groups.

(2) Senate may also appoint a co-supervisor or adviser to

provide the link if the research is of an interdisciplinary nature or if

the research is being undertaken in collaboration with another

organisation or in the student's place of work or if the research will

benefit from the input of a particular expertise.

Senate, on the recommendation of the Board and the Sub-

Committee, shall appoint a Professional Practice Supervisor in

accordance with the provisions of regulation 3. Bye-laws for the

Course shall define who shall act as a Professional Practice

Supervisor for the professional practice component.

If a Dissertation Supervisor or a Professional Practice

Su p e r vi s or le a ve s t he U ni ve rs i t y or is ot h e r w i s e un a bl e to

supervise, the Faculty Doctoral Committee, in consultation with the

Board of Studies, shall arrange for appropriate alternative advice

and take steps to ensure that the student’s research or professional

practice component is not hindered or impeded. If the absence is of

a permanent nature, the Faculty Doctoral Committee shall propose

a new Supervisor to the Sub-Committee and Senate, through the

Board.

Students who wish to change their Dissertation Supervisor

or their Professional Practice Supervisor should discuss this matter

with the Chairperson of the Board of Studies who shall recommend

to the Faculty Doctoral Committee that adequate provisions are

made to rectify the situation if reasonable grounds are shown to

exist and, where applicable, funding arrangements permit.

(1) Professional Practice Supervisors shall provide

guidance to students during their professional practice in order to

enable students to integrate theory with practice, demonstrate

professional and interpersonal skills and build confidence in their

practice skills.

(2) Dissertation Supervisors shall be responsible for providing

guidance to students under their care by offering ideas and

providing help and encouragement on the planning and progress of

research, submission of the dissertation and publication of the

research results.

(3) Dissertation Supervisors shall also ensure that the students

are aware of the manner in which research results are to be reported

and that they understand the implications of plagiarism and other

unbecoming academic practices.

(4) Dissertation Supervisors and Professional Practice

Supervisors shall meet students regularly to review their progress.

These meetings shall occur at least six times a year for full-time

students. Meetings may be substituted by other means of

communication.

(5) The supervisory role of Dissertation Supervisors, co-

supervisors and advisers in the research component 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) Dissertation Supervisors, co-supervisors and advisers are

not responsible for proof-reading dissertations. Neither is it their

responsibility to ensure that dissertations do not contain plagiarised

parts.

(7) A Dissertation Supervisor, Co-supervisor, Adviser or

Professional Practice 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.

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

final version of a dissertation prior to formal submission for

examination, the Dissertation Supervisor shall use discretion as to

whether to reprimand the student and demand corrective action or

report the matter to the University Assessment Disciplinary Board,

depending on the gravity of the offence.

(9) The total number of doctoral and professional doctorate

students accepted for supervision at any time by any single full-

time academic shall be limited to five, provided that if the

academic can demonstrate to the Sub-Committee that

(a) he/she disposes of a research management structure

which facilitates communication and interaction

between supervisor and individual researchers; or

(b)

he/she has less teaching commitments than normal,

then the Sub-Committee may authorise the supervision of a larger

number of students.

A Co-supervisor may be appointed in order to provide

guidance and supervision when the nature of the research work

makes it necessary or expedient to do so; the Co-supervisor is to act

on a regular basis as consultant to the research project.

One or more advisers may be appointed when it is

anticipated that particular aspects of the research work will

necessitate occasional significant consultation with one or more

experts. An adviser is an expert who is appointed to provide advice

on a particular aspect of the research work.

When Co-supervisors and/or Advisers are appointed, the

Dissertation Supervisor shall retain the ultimate responsibility of

leadership in supervision.

Taught study-units shall be assessed at the end of the

semester in which they are taught.

Examiners shall express the students’ performance in the

assessment of all taught study-units 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 calculating the

students’ progress.

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.

Work of good quality

60% - 69%

C

Average performance, with a sound

working knowledge of the subject

matter. Evidence of sufficient reading/

research/work.

Work of fair but below average quality 55% - 59%

D

Considerable but incomplete

understanding of the subject matter.

Evidence of a fair amount of reading/

research/work.

Pass - when assessment is based on a

Not

P

pass/fail basis, as may be applicable to applicable

placement, practical work or similar

work.

Unsatisfactory, failing work in any 0% - 54%

F

study-unit.

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.

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.

The dissertation and the professional practice study-units

shall be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.

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

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

Degree. If successful, the maximum mark/grade that can be

awarded shall be 55% / Grade D.

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

unit if they have already been awarded credit for it.

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

any study-unit shall be required to withdraw from the Programme.

In order to remain registered on the Programme, students

must

(a) maintain an average mark of 60% in the taught study-

units, which average mark shall be computed at the

end of the academic year; and

(b) where applicable, obtain a pass in the professional

practice component in a yearly assessment,

irrespective of whether their studies are being carried

out on a full-time or part-time basis.

In order to progress to the dissertation study-unit, students

are required to obtain an overall average mark in the taught study-

units as specified in the bye-laws for the course.

Bye-laws may specify that progression to the dissertation

study-unit is conditional to an average mark that is higher than the

one specified in regulation 32.

Students who obtain at least 60 ECTS credits for taught

study-units and either opt not to proceed with the course, or having

proceeded, do not complete the full programme of study, shall be

eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma.

Students shall not be allowed to submit their dissertation

for examination before all the assessments of the taught study-units

and, where applicable, of the professional practice study-unit/s are

successfully completed, as specified in regulation 32.

Bye-laws may provide that students who wish to

discontinue the course may be eligible for the award of a Master’s

degree provided that certain conditions, as specified in the

Faculty’s bye-laws, are met.

Bye-laws may also provide for the award of a Master’s

degree to students who having successfully completed all the

requirements of the professional doctorate fail to produce a

dissertation of a doctoral quality, under those conditions as may be

stipulated by the Board of Examiners and the Board.

In the event that the dissertation also does not reach the

standard required in a Master’s degree, students shall be awarded

the Postgraduate Diploma.

Bye-laws shall specify when students are required to

submit their dissertation proposal. Senate, on the recommendation

of the Sub-Committee, shall consider dissertation proposals

following advice from the Board.

Dissertation proposals shall, in the first instance, be

considered by the Faculty Doctoral Committee, following advice

from the Board of Studies.

Not less than three months before the intended date of

submission of the dissertation, students shall signify their intention

to the Faculty Doctoral Committee and the Board of Studies to

present their dissertation stating its exact title. The Faculty

Doctoral Committee, after ascertaining that the period of study

conforms with that stipulated in these regulations, and that the

Dissertation Supervisor has given his opinion to the student

regarding the submission of his/her dissertation for examination,

shall advise the Board to recommend to Senate the appointment of

a Board of Examiners.

(1) When presenting a dissertation for examination,

students shall submit

(a) a signed declaration that the dissertation is their own

personal work, and that the greater portion of the work

has been done after their registration for the Degree;

and

(b) a form signed by the Dissertation Supervisor

signifying that he/she is aware that the student is

submitting his/her dissertation for examination by the

Board of Examiners.

(2) Students shall not discuss their work with the examiners

during the period between their appointment as examiners and the

oral examination.

The dissertation shall be written in the prescribed format

and shall have a word count as specified in the Faculty bye-laws,

and shall conform with established scholarly standards of the

appropriate discipline.

(1) Boards of Examiners shall be appointed by Senate on

the recommendation of the Board composed as follows

(a) for taught study-units: a chairperson, who shall

normally be the Head of the Department academically

responsible for the study-unit, and not less than two

other examiners, including the lecturer of the study-

unit; and

(b) for the dissertation study-unit: not less than three

examiners, one of whom shall act as chairperson and

including an external examiner. The members of the

Board of Examiners shall be academics experienced in

research in the general area of the student’s

dissertation and, where practicable, shall have

experience as specialists in the topic to be examined,

provided that two of the examiners, including the

external examiner, shall be academics who command

authority within the area of research concerned.

(2) The oral examination of the dissertation shall be conducted

by at least three examiners including the external examiner.

(3) Dissertation supervisors, co-supervisors and advisers shall

be precluded from being examiners for the dissertation but the

dissertation supervisor shall be invited to attend as an observer

during the oral examination. He may contribute if invited to do so

by the members of the Board of Examiners but must withdraw prior

to the final deliberations of the Board of Examiners.

(1) The examination of dissertations shall take place in

two stages

(a) submission by the student and preliminary assessment

by the Board of Examiners; and

(b) oral defence of the dissertation.

(2) In assessing a dissertation, the Board of Examiners shall

require

(a) evidence that it represents a significant contribution to

knowledge in a particular field of study or in the

relationship between theory and professional practice;

(b) evidence of originality;

(c)ċevidence of the ability of the student to relate the

subject matter of the dissertation to the existing body

of knowledge and to current professional practice;

(d) evidence of the ability of the student to apply research

methods appropriate to the subject; and

(e) a satisfactory level of literary presentation.

(3) Each examiner shall submit an independent preliminary

report to the Chairperson of the Board of Examiners. In the report,

each examiner shall consider whether the dissertation provisionally

satisfies the requirements for the award of the Degree and, where

possible, make an appropriate provisional recommendation subject

to the outcome of the oral examination.

(4) The Board of Examiners shall admit the student to an oral

examination after either approving the dissertation unconditionally

or subject to the correction of minor errors to the satisfaction of the

Dissertation Supervisor.

(5) If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the quality

of the dissertation, it shall not admit the student to the oral

examination and shall either

(a) refer the dissertation back to the student for major

revision and resubmission within six months in revised

form to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners; or

(b) not permit the student to resubmit in a revised form but

award the student a Master's degree instead; or

(c) not grant permission to resubmit and state that the

student has failed the dissertation study-unit.

(1) Students shall be required to defend their dissertation

orally before the Board of Examiners, including the external

examiner. The oral examination shall cover the subject of the

dissertation and matters relevant thereto.

(2) The oral examination shall take place at the University of

Malta for all students.

Students shall be informed of the date of the oral

examination at least three weeks before the scheduled date.

(1) Following the

oral

examination,

the

Board

of

Examiners shall either

(a) submit to the Faculty Doctoral Committee and Senate

a joint final report regarding the dissertation study-

unit; or

(b) refer the dissertation back to the student for major

revision and re-submission within six months in

revised form to the satisfaction of the Board of

Examiners, and to admit the student to a second oral

examination, if the Board of Examiners so decides.

(2) The joint final report shall provide sufficiently detailed

comments on the scope and quality of the work as apparent from

the written dissertation and the oral defence. In addition to general

remarks about the strengths and any weaknesses of the dissertation,

the report should include, as an annex, an itemised list of remarks

about any specific improvements or minor mistakes requiring

correction. This list shall be relayed to the student for guidance in

improving the document. It shall be the responsibility of the

Chairperson to ensure that any required corrections and

amendments to the dissertation have been properly executed.

(3) The Board of Examiners shall advise the Board of Studies

about the outcome of the examination of the dissertation as

follows

(a) the student has completed the work successfully; or

(b) the student is required to amend the dissertation to the

satisfaction of the Chairperson of the Board of

Examiners, which work has to be completed within

three months of the official notification to the student

by the Board of Examiners; or

(c) the student has failed to satisfy the examiners on the

dissertation study-unit.

(4) Where examiners are not in agreement, they shall follow

the relevant procedures as described in the University Assessment

Regulations. In any event, the separate reports of each examiner

shall be submitted to the Sub-Committee and Senate.

(5) When the disagreement cannot be resolved, and the

decision is taken by a majority vote, the Chairperson shall so record

it in the joint final report, provided that any disagreeing member

may submit a minority report giving reasons for the disagreement.

In such circumstances, Senate shall either agree to accept the

majority report or take any other measures it seems appropriate.

Bye-laws for the course shall specify the process,

procedures, conditions and the method of examination of the

Professional Practice Component.

The Board of Examiners shall be composed of not less than

three members including the Professional Practice Supervisor.

The Board, on the recommendation of the Board of Studies

a nd the Fa culty Doctoral Co m m it t e e , an d af t e r t a k in g i nt o

consideration the student’s performance in the taught component,

the professional practice, if applicable, and the dissertation, shall

recommend to Senate the award of the Degree.

(1) There shall be an Award Classification Board for the

classification of Postgraduate Diplomas and Master ’s degrees

awarded in terms of regulations 35, 37 and 39.

(2) The Board of Examiners appointed as in regulation 45 shall

act as the Award Classification Board.

(3) The classification of Postgraduate Diplomas and Master’s

degrees 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.

(4) 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

55 - 69%

Pass.

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 the dissertations 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 sub-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 the 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 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 a 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, in the Intellectual Property Policy

shall apply in every case.

(1) Following successful defence of the dissertation and

prior to the conferment of the Degree, students are required to

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

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 up by the University of Malta

Library.

(2) Dissertations shall each be assigned a dissertation

identifier by the Registrar, consisting of a set of digits and letters,

in order to act as unique identifiers for the works.

The Senate may, on the recommendation of each Board,

approve bye-laws governing the Degree to regulate matters not

covered by these regulations.

In matters not provided for by these regulations, the Board

and Senate shall be guided by the provisions of the Doctor of

Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations, as applicable.