BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER IN TEACHING AND LEARNING - MTL - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.519

BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER IN

TEACHING AND LEARNING - MTL - UNDER THE

AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION

9th May, 2016

LEGAL NOTICE 161 of 2016, as amended by Legal Notice 23 of 2017,

183 of 2017, 135 of 2018 and 55 and 262 of 2019 and 266 and 393 of 2020

176 of 2021, 149 of 2022, 172 of 2023, 146 of 2024 and 123 of 2025.

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

Degree of Master in Teaching and Learning - MTL - under the

auspices of the Faculty of Education.

(2)

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

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

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

Senate for the Course, on the recommendation of the Board;

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

degree of Master in Teaching and Learning - MTL;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master in Teaching and

Learning - MTL - in the relevant area;

“the Faculty” means the Faculty of Education;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate

Certificate in Education Sciences (P.G. Cert.);

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in

Education Sciences (P.G. Dip.); and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

These bye-laws shall be

applicable

for

courses

commencing in October 2021 or later.

The Degree shall be awarded under the auspices of the

Faculty in the following areas

(a) Early Childhood and Primary Education, or

(b)

Secondary Education, which shall be offered either in

one main teaching area and an education-related area;

or in one main teaching area; or in one main teaching

area and a subsidiary teaching area; or

(c) Primary and Secondary Education, which shall be

offered in one teaching area.

The Board shall announce the teaching areas offered within

the Secondary Education area as well as within the Primary and

Secondary Education area as approved by Senate, at the time of the

call for applications.

Apart from being in possession of a first cycle degree obtained

with at least Second Class Honours or Category II as indicated for each

area in bye-law 6, applicants shall

(a) submit a Police Good Conduct Certificate issued by the

Commissioner of Police in terms of the Conduct

Certificates Ordinance; and

(b) not be included in the Register established under the

Protection of Minors (Registration) Act.

(a) applicants choosing the area of Early Childhood and

Primary Education shall be in possession of one of the following

qualifications

(i)

the first cycle degree in Early Childhood

Education and Care; or

(ii) a first cycle degree with a main area of study

that is a subject directly related to at least one

subject taught as part of the Primary Education

Curriculum; or

(iii) a first cycle degree with a main area of study in

an area related to human/child development or

childhood;

(b) applicants choosing the area of Secondary Education in the

following teaching area/s shall be in possession of the

following

(i)

for Arabic: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in Arabic;

(ii) for Business Education: a first-cycle degree with

at least 16 ECTS credits in Accountancy, 16 ECTS

credits in Economics, and 38 ECTS credits in areas

considered relevant by the Board of Studies;

(iii) for

Computing

(including

Information

Technology and Vocational Education &

Training IT): a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in Computer Science, Information

Systems

or

Computer/Communications

Engineering, which must include study-units in the

following areas to ensure a sufficiently broad

knowledge base in the subject: Programming

beyond an introductory level in any high-level

programming language, Computer Logic and

Organisation, Database Management Systems,

Systems Analysis and Design, Data Structures and

Algorithms, and Operating Systems, provided that

applicants who have not completed study-units in all

of these areas but who have successfully completed

study-units in at least four of the areas may also be

admitted to the Course but shall be required to

follow supplementary study-units as indicated in

bye-law 7 in areas not covered in their previous

DEGREE OF MASTER IN TEACHING AND LEARNING - MTL -

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION

degree;

(iv) for Dance: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in Dance Studies or related area of

study, together with two recommendation letters

from professionals in the field of dance. Applicants

in possession of a first cycle degree in any area of

study, together with a minimum of 5 years’

experience in performance, teaching, or community

dance, certified through a portfolio and at least two

recommendation letters from professionals in the

field of dance may also be considered, provided that

such applicants may be requested to sit for an

interview and to provide more information about

their artistic background and interest in the teaching

profession;

(v) for Design and Technology: a first cycle degree in

Technical Design and Technology OR a first cycle

degree in Engineering. Applicants with a degree in

Engineering may be requested to sit for an interview

and to provide more information about their

technical knowledge, technological background and

interest in the teaching profession. In cases where

applicant lack essential knowledge in particular

areas not covered in their first degree, the Board, on

the recommendation of the Board of Studies, may

require the applicant to follow and successfully

complete

a

preparatory

programme

or

supplementary study-units as indicated in bye-law

7;

(vi) for English: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in English, which must include a

minimum of 25 ECTS credits in taught study-

units in English language and linguistics, and 25

ECTS credits in English literature,

provided that for courses commencing in

October 2016 only, the degree must include a

minimum of 20 ECTS credits in taught study-

units in English language and linguistics, and 20

ECTS credits in English literature;

(vii) for European Studies: a first cycle degree with at

least 70 ECTS credits in European Studies;

(viii) for French: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in French and/or Linguistics relevant

to French; or, for applicants who would have

obtained the Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général or

the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (or

equivalent) attesting the successful completion of

schooling in French at 18 years of age (or over), a

first cycle degree in any area of study;

(ix) for German: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in German and/or Linguistics relevant

to German; or, for applicants who would have

obtained

the

Zeugnis

der

Allgemeinen

DEGREE OF MASTER IN TEACHING AND LEARNING - MTL -

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION

Hochschulreife / Abitur (or equivalent) attesting the

successful completion of schooling in German at 18

years of age (or over), a first cycle degree in any

area of study;

(x)

for Geography: a first cycle degree with at least

70 ECTS credits in Geography;

(xi) for Home Economics: a first cycle degree in Home

Economics;

(xii) for Italian: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in Italian and/or Linguistics relevant

to Italian; or, for applicants who would have

obtained the Diploma di Maturità / Diploma di

Esame di Stato (or equivalent) attesting the

successful completion of schooling in Italian at 18

years of age (or over), a first cycle degree in any

area of study;

(xiii) for History: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in History;

(xiv) for Maltese: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in Maltese, which must include a

minimum of 25 ECTS credits in taught study-

units in Maltese language and linguistics, and 25

ECTS credits in Maltese literature,

provided that for courses commencing in

October 2016 only, the degree must include a

minimum of 20 ECTS credits in taught study-

units in Maltese language and linguistics, and 20

ECTS credits in Maltese literature;

(xv) for Mathematics: a first cycle degree with at

least 70 ECTS credits in Mathematics;

(xvi) for Religious Education: a first cycle degree with

at least 70 ECTS credits in Theology or in an area

considered relevant by the Board of Studies.

(xvii) for Science: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in the Natural Sciences (Biology,

Chemistry or Physics);

(xviii) for Social Studies: a first cycle degree with at

least 70 ECTS credits in Sociology or Social

Studies; and

(xix) for Spanish: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in Spanish and/or Linguistics relevant

to Spanish; or, for applicants who would have

obtained the Título de Bachiller (or equivalent)

attesting the successful completion of schooling in

Spanish at 18 years of age (or over), a first cycle

degree in any area of study; and;

(xx)

for Vocational Education and Training in

Engineering Technology, Hospitality, Health and

Social Care, Agribusiness, Textiles and Fashion,

Hairdressing and Beauty, Media Literacy,

Artisanship, Construction, or Retailing: a first

cycle degree with at least 70 ECTS credits in a

relevant area of study.

(c) applicants choosing the area of Primary and Secondary

Education in the following teaching areas shall be in

possession of the following

(i) for Art: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in Fine Art or in a related area of

study; all such applicants are required to also

present a detailed portfolio showing a diversity

of their recent artistic practice in different

media; applicants may be requested to sit for an

interview and to provide more information about

their artistic background and interest in the

teaching profession;

(ii) for Drama: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in Theatre Studies;

(iii) for Ethics Education: a first cycle degree in any

area;

(iv) for Music: a first cycle degree with at least 70

ECTS credits in Music;

(v) for Personal, Social and Career Development

(a) a first cycle degree with at least 70 ECTS

credits in Psychology or Youth Studies or Social

Work; OR (b) a first cycle degree with a

minimum of 35 ECTS credits in Psychology

together with a minimum of 35 ECTS credits in

either Anthropology, Philosophy or Sociology;

(vi) for Physical Education: a first cycle degree with

at least 70 ECTS credits in sport and/or physical

education, which must include a minimum of 10

ECTS credits in taught study-units in Physical

Education curricular practical content covering the

following areas: individual sports, team sports and

fundamental motor skills.

(d)

For the Secondary Education, or the Primary and

Secondary Education teaching areas, the

requirements listed in paragraphs (b) and (c) may be

fulfilled through presentation of qualifications the

content of which is deemed to be comparable to said

requirements by the University Admissions Board

on the recommendation of the Faculty Admissions

Committee.

(1) In cases where applicants lack essential knowledge in

particular areas not covered in his/her first degree, the Board, on

t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n o f t h e B o a r d o f St u d i e s , m a y r e q u i r e

applicants to follow and pass supplementary study-units at level 4

or lower to which not more than 12 ECTS credits are assigned.

(2) Applicants with a first cycle degree or a diploma who do not

fully meet the requirements for admission specified in bye-laws 5 and 6

(a), (b) and (c), shall be required to demonstrate the learning achieved

through prior experience and certification through the evaluation

procedures established by the University Policy for the Recognition and

Accreditation of Prior Learning. The Board may then recommend to the

University Admissions Board to either (i) admit the applicant to the

Course; or (ii) admit the applicant to the Course subject to the successful

completion of a Preparatory Programme as directed by the Board,

comprising not more than 60 ECTS credits.

(1) The Board shall recommend to Senate the number of

applicants that may be allowed to register for the course, depending

on the availability of human resources and the number of suitable

classes available for the field placement component. The Board

shall announce the number of available places in each area of study

and/or teaching area at the time of the call for applications.

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

places available, applicants shall be selected according to the

following criteria

1st Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant

subject area indicated in bye-law 6, together with

a Doctoral degree and a Master degree in the

same or a closely related subject area

2nd Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant

subject area indicated in bye-law 6 together with

a Doctoral degree in the same or a closely related

subject area

3rd Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant

subject area indicated in bye-law 6 together with

a Master degree in the same or a closely related

subject area

4th Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant

subject area indicated in bye-law 6 and a

Postgraduate Diploma in the same or a closely

related subject area

5th Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant

subject area indicated in bye-law 6 obtained with

First Class Honours or Category I

6th Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant

subject area indicated in bye-law 6 obtained with

Seco nd Class Hon ours (Upp er Division) or

Category IIA

7th Category: Holders of a first cycle degree in the relevant

subject area indicated in bye-law 6 obtained with

Second Class Honours (Lower Division) or with

Category IIB,

provided that for the purpose of selection, applicants who fully

satisfy the requirements for admission by 31st August preceding

the commencement of the Course shall be considered first.

(3) If, after the rank order is established as indicated above,

there is a tie for any one or more places: (a) the final average mark

obtained by the student in his/her Master or Bachelor degree shall

be considered, and (b) if there is a further tie, the applicants shall

be interviewed.

(4) The Board may also require applicants to sit for an

interview during which their ability to successfully complete the

Course with profit shall be assessed.

(5) The Interviewing Board shall be composed of at least three

members.

The Course shall extend over four semesters of full-time study

or the equivalent in part-time study.

(1) The programmes of study shall comprise study-units to

which a total of 120 ECTS credits are assigned, of which

(a) 70 ECTS credits are assigned to an Education and

Pedagogy taught component, which shall include 40

ECTS credits assigned to study-units in Pedagogy and

30 ECTS credits assigned to Education core study-

units;

(b) 20 ECTS credits are assigned to two field placement

study-units; and

(c) 30 ECTS credits are assigned to the Research and

Inquiry component, which shall include a research and

inquiry study-unit (10 ECTS credits) and a written

dissertation (20 ECTS credits).

(2) Students following the area of study of Early Childhood

and Primary Education shall be required to

(a) sit for a Maltese Proficiency Test - ‘Test ta’

Profiċjenza fil-Malti’ at the beginning of the Course

provided that applicants in possession of a pass in Maltese at

Intermediate or Advanced Matriculation Level at Grade C or higher, or

qualifications deemed to be equivalent by the Board, shall be exempt

from this requirement. Students who fail the Maltese proficiency test

shall be required to follow and successfully pass a proficiency course in

Maltese approved by the Board before the end of the third semester of

the Course. Students who do not satisfy the Maltese proficiency

requirement by this period shall be required to interrupt their studies for

up to a maximum of twelve months during which time they are expected

to obtain this requirement. Students shall only be eligible to proceed

with their studies if they comply with this requirement; and

(b) follow and successfully pass a proficiency course in

English approved by the Board before the end of the third

semester of the Course. Students who do not satisfy the

English proficiency requirement by this period shall be

required to interrupt their studies for up to a maximum of

twelve months during which time they are expected to

obtain this requirement. Students shall only be eligible to

proceed with their studies if they comply with this

requirement. Students who on admission into the Course

are in possession of a pass in English at Intermediate or

Advanced Matriculation Level at Grade C or higher, or

qualifications deemed to be equivalent by the Board, shall

be exempt from the English proficiency requirement..

(3) Students following the area of study of Secondary

Education, or Primary and Secondary Education, shall be required

to

(a) sit for a Maltese Proficiency Test - ‘Test ta’

Profiċjenza fil-Malti’ at the beginning of the Course

provided that applicants in possession of a pass in Maltese at

Secondary Education Certificate level at Grade 3 or higher, or at

Intermediate or Advanced Matriculation Level at Grade C or higher, or

qualifications deemed to be equivalent by the Board, shall be exempt

from this requirement. Students who fail the Maltese proficiency test

shall be required to follow and successfully pass a proficiency course in

Maltese approved by the Board before the end of the third semester of

the Course. Students who do not satisfy the Maltese proficiency

requirement by this period shall be required to interrupt their studies for

up to a maximum of twelve months during which time they are expected

to obtain this requirement. Students shall only be eligible to proceed

with their studies if they comply with this requirement; and

(b) follow and successfully pass a proficiency course in

English approved by the Board before the end of the third

semester of the Course. Students who do not satisfy the

English proficiency requirement by this period shall be

required to interrupt their studies for up to a maximum of

twelve months during which time they are expected to

obtain this requirement. Students shall only be eligible to

proceed with their studies if they comply with this

requirement. Students who on admission into the Course

are in possession of a pass in English at Secondary

Education Certificate level at Grade 3 or higher, or at

Intermediate or Advanced Matriculation Level at Grade C

or higher, or qualifications deemed to be equivalent by the

Board, shall be exempt from the English proficiency

requirement.

(4) In exceptional circumstances, the Faculty may exempt a

student from following the additional requirements mentioned in

paragraphs (2) and (3) of this bye-law, provided that in such

instances the student shall be required to fulfill other requirements

as determined by the Board.

(1) Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits for the study-units

included in the programme of study for the first year of the full-time

course with an average mark of at least 50% and who opt not to proceed

with the Course, or having proceeded do not successfully complete the

Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

(2) Students who obtain 30 ECTS credits with an average mark of

at least 50% and who do not successfully complete the Course, shall be

eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.

(1) The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be

completed by the end of the semester in which the teaching of the

study-unit is held.

(2) Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not

more than 20 ECTS credits for taught study-units, if following the full-

time Course, or not more than 10 ECTS credits if following the part-

time Course, shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed

assessments during the September supplementary examination session.

(3) Students who fail more than the number of credits

permitted under paragraph (2) of these bye-laws or students who

after re-assessment fail to obtain credit for any study-unit, shall be

deemed to have failed the course.

(1) There shall be a field placement, comprising a period

of observation and teaching in schools and/or other educational

settings, under supervision, as determined by the Board in each of

the two years of the course.

(2) The Board shall appoint a field placement Board of Examiners

for each of the following areas (i) Early Childhood and Primary

Education, (ii) Secondary Education (Humanities subjects), (iii)

Secondary Education (Science and Technical subjects), (iv) Primary and

Secondary Education and (v) Vocational Education & Training with

Science and Technical subjects.

(3) Each student shall be assessed by at least two examiners as

provided for by the University Assessment Regulations. The

number of assessment visits shall be stated in the Faculty

guidelines but examiners may increase assessment visits as they

deem fit.

(4) Each field placement Board of Examiners shall follow the

University Assessment Regulations and any other procedure that

the Board may determine for the purpose of field placement,

provided that such procedures are in conformity with the

University Assessment Regulations.

(5) The Board may assign a field placement Mentor to each

student. The mentor shall not be responsible for assessing the

student but may be consulted by the field placement Board of

Examiners to assist it in the assessment process and deliberation.

Other roles and duties of the mentor shall be determined by the

Board.

(6) Students are required to conduct a minimum of 210 hours

of supervised observations per academic year.

(7)

(a) Students are also required to take on full teaching

responsibilities under supervision for a minimum of 24

scholastic days per year.

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

to four days should present a medical certificate within

24 hours to the Faculty Office. The medical certificate,

drawn up by a medical doctor, should clearly state the

ailment which is preventing the student from attending

school and should include the name, signature and the

medical registration number of the medical doctor.

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

days for health reasons or for any other reason which

the Board considers valid, as well as in special

circumstances for which prior approval would have

been given by their field placement Board of

Examiners, they may be required to make up for any

missed teaching duties as directed by the Board.

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

either be required to repeat the whole field placement

in an additional year or, at the discretion of the Board,

may be required to carry out additional days of

supervised practice during the same academic year as

directed by the Board.

(8) Students who fail the first year field placement shall be

allowed to refer the field placement once only to the following year

of study. Such students shall then be required to undertake the final

year field placement during an additional year of study, under those

conditions established by the Board, provided that

(i)

students whose field placement includes the teaching

of two teaching areas and who fail to satisfy the

examiners in the teaching of one of the teaching areas

shall be considered to have failed the field placement

but may be allowed to repeat the field placement in the

failed teaching area only, if eligible in terms of the

Principal Regulations and of these bye-laws, and

(ii) students shall only be allowed to repeat one of the two

field placements.

(9) Students shall only be declared to have passed the field

placement by the field placement Board of Examiners. The

academic and professional judgement of the field placement Board

of Examiners is not reviewable.

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual

dissertation of approximately 25,000 words, provided that, in

specific areas approved by the Board where the nature of the study

requires this, students may submit a combination of an activity or

project and a project report of not less than 10,000 words and not

more than 15,000 words, in accordance with the relevant Principal

Regulations and any further guidelines that may be issued by the

Board.

(2) A provisional title for the dissertation and a detailed

r e s e a r c h p r o p o s a l s h a l l b e s u bm i tt e d f o r t he a pp r o v a l of a

Dissertation Committee appointed by the Board by not later than

the end of the second semester of the course.

(3) Each student shall be assigned a supervisor, who shall

provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of

study.

(4) Students shall be required to have regular contact with

their supervisor.

(5) Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for

each student under their supervision at the end of each semester of

studies. Such reports may include a recommendation to either (a)

extend the period of study in order to enable the student to

complete the dissertation; or (b) terminate studies prematurely if

the supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances,

provided that

(i)

the extension of the study period referred to in (a)

shall be in accordance with the provisions of the

Principal Regulations; and

(ii) the Board may not terminate studies prematurely

according to (b) until it has first given the student a

chance to be heard.

The Dean of the Faculty may at any time suspend or

preclude from the field placement any student who, following

appropriate investigatory procedures that the Board may establish

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

which jeopardises the welfare of pupils or which contravenes the

relevant professional code of conduct (i.e. professional

misconduct), or whose behaviour is deemed to be incompatible

with that required by the profession (i.e. professional

unsuitability).

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the

classification of the Postgraduate Diploma and the Degree shall be

based on the results obtained in all components of the programme

of study, all credits being weighted equally.

For courses commencing in October 2016 only, (i)

applicants who present a first cycle degree with a Third Class

Honours, and (ii) applicants who present a first cycle degree with

60 ECTS credits instead of 70 ECTS credits in the main area/s of

study as specified in bye-law 6, may be considered for admission

by the Board.

The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply mutatis

mutandis to courses followed on a part-time basis, and subject to such

changes as may reasonably be deemed by the Board as necessary due to

the part-time nature of the Course.