BYE-LAWS FOR THE MASTER OF FINE ARTS - M.F.A. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.566

BYE-LAWS FOR THE MASTER OF FINE ARTS -

M.F.A. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY

FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

11th January, 2017

LEGAL NOTICE 11 of 2017.

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

Degree of Master of Fine Arts - M.F.A. - under the auspices of the

Faculty for the Built Environment.

(2)

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

"the Board" means the Board of the Faculty for the Built

Environment;

"the course" means the programme of study leading to the degree

of Master of Fine Arts - M.F.A.;

"the Degree" means the degree of Master of Fine Arts - M.F.A.;

"the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards.

These bye-laws shall be applicable

for

courses

commencing in December 2016 or later.

The course shall be offered in any area of study which

benefits from a project-based approach, including disciplines from

fine arts, visual arts, conservation, or architecture that falls within

the academic responsibility of the Board, after approval by Senate.

(1) The course shall be open to applicants in possession of

one of the following qualifications

(a) a first cycle degree with at least Second Class

(Honours), in a discipline related to fine arts, visual

arts, architecture or conservation or any other area as

deemed relevant by the Board, with a minimum of 180

ECTS credits, obtained in the ten years previous to

registration for the course; or

(b) a qualification deemed by Senate, on the

recommendation of the Board, to be equivalent to the

qualifications listed in paragraph (a),

provided that applicants may be asked to demonstrate competence

in those skills required by the nature of the proposed research, via

an extended interview and the submission of appropriate

documentation.

(2) Applicants whose first degree was obtained more than ten

years previous to registration for the course may also be admitted

provided that they provide sufficient proof of their competence to

follow the course with profit. The Board may, at its discretion,

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require such applicants to follow a preparatory programme as

specified in bye-law 5.

Applicants may be required to complete a preparatory

programme comprising not less than 30 and not more than 60 ECTS

credits as directed by the Board, particularly when they wish to

focus on an area of research different from that followed in the first

cycle degree but do not possess the skills or the knowledge to take

up postgraduate studies in that area. Applicants shall be required to

obtain an overall average mark of 65% or better in the preparatory

programme prior to their registration as regular students on the

course.

The course shall extend over three semesters of full-time

study or the equivalent in part-time study.

The programme of study shall comprise study-units to

which a total of 90 ECTS credits shall be assigned.

The programme of study will be undertaken primarily by

studio-based or practice-based research. The detailed programme

will vary depending on the theme of research, but shall normally

include a portfolio of original studio-based or practice-based or

project-based work, as exhibited in a portfolio, or publication, and

a written dissertation.

The programme of study shall comprise a seminar to which

5 ECTS credits are assigned and a dissertation/portfolio study-unit

to which 85 ECTS credits are assigned, as approved by the Board,

provided that not less than 20% of these credits are assigned to the

dissertation.

Programmes of study shall be published by the Board after

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

commencement of the course.

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual

dissertation of not less than 15,000 words, exclusive of notes,

bibliography and appendices, in accordance with the guidelines

issued by the Board.

(2) Work on the dissertation may be undertaken at any time

during the course after approval of the proposal by the Board. Each

student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance

and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

(3) The provisional title of the dissertation and a detailed

research proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval at

the time of application.

(4) Students shall also sit for a viva voce examination focusing

on the dissertation.

(1) The portfolio shall comprise studio-based or practise-

based or project-based work related to the theme of research as

approved by the Board.

(2) Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall

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

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study.

(3) Not less than three months before the intended date of

submission of the portfolio, students shall apply to the Board for

permission to present the portfolio. Before giving permission, the

Board shall consult the students’ supervisor and shall ascertain that

the period of study conforms with that stipulated in the Principal

Regulations.

(4) When submitting a portfolio of work, students shall

include a signed declaration that the entire portfolio is their own

personal work and that it has been done after their registration for

the Degree.

(5) The work must on no account have already been submitted

for any qualification or elsewhere, or published independently by

the student, entirely or substantially.

(6) Students shall also sit for a viva voce examination focusing

on the portfolio project.

(7) The Board of Examiners assessing the portfolio shall

regulate its procedures in accordance with the Procedures for

Boards of Examiners of Master Dissertations approved by Senate

as applicable.

(1) The Board shall appoint a Panel of Supervision for

each student normally composed of three members as follows

Head of Department as Chairman, or his or her delegate, and two

other members, one of whom being the research supervisor,

provided that when the Head of Department is the supervisor, he or

she shall not chair the Panel.

(2) The Panel of Supervision shall follow, as it deems fit, the

progress of students in their work for the dissertation and portfolio,

provided that it meets at least twice a year to review such progress.

(3) Students shall be required to report to their supervisors at

least once every two months, and in addition as often as the

supervisor deems necessary.

(4) At the end of each semester of studies supervisors shall be

required to submit to the Panel of Supervision reports for the

students under their supervision. Students shall seek approval from

said Panel for any substantial modification in the title or content of

the dissertation or portfolio. The dissertation or the portfolio may

not normally be submitted for examination without the approval of

the supervisor.

(5) The Panel of Supervision shall periodically inform the

Board, in writing, on the general performance of each student for

the dissertation and portfolio. Such advice may include

recommendations to either (a) extend the period of study in order to

enable the student to complete the dissertation or portfolio; 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

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Principal Regulations; and

(ii) the Board may not terminate studies prematurely

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

chance to be heard.

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the

classification of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in

all the components of the programme of study, all credits being

weighted equally.

The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply

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

subject to such changes as may reasonably be deemed by the

relevant Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the

course.