MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ACTION - M.A. - DEGREE COURSE REGULATIONS,UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE

HUMANITARIAN ACTION - M.A.

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.588

MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL

HUMANITARIAN ACTION - M.A. - DEGREE COURSE

REGULATIONS,UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE

FACULTY OF ARTS

30th January, 2018

LEGAL NOTICE 30 of 2018, as amended by Legal Notices 132 of 2020 and

348 of 2021 and 212 of 2024 . 

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Master of Arts in

International Humanitarian Action - M.A. - Degree Course

Regulations.

(2)

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires -

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

“the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies

responsible for the academic administration and organization of the

Course, which shall include a member from each Partner

Institution;

“the Course” means the programme of study developed by

the Partner Institutions leading to the degree of Master of Arts in

International Humanitarian Action - M.A.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in

International Humanitarian Action - M.A.;

“the Partner Institutions” means the institutions taking part

i n t h e J o i n t M a s t e r ’s d e g r e e p r o g r a m m e i n I n t e r n a t i o n a l

Humanitarian Action which is approved by the Network On

Humanitarian Action (NOHA) Board of Directors, namely

Aix-Marseille Université,

Ruhr-Universität Bochum,

Universidad de Deusto,

University College Dublin,

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen,

University of Malta,

Uppsala Universitet,

Uniwersytet Warszawski;

“the Senate” means the Senate of the University of Malta;

and

“the University” means the University of Malta.

(3) This Degree is a Joint Degree of the University and this

shall be taken to mean that the Course is taught at the Partner

Institutions within the framework of a joint degree programme. The

Degree shall only be awarded if the Partner Institutions declare the

student to be eligible for the award.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (3) of this

regulation, the University shall make provision for the award of a double

or dual degree, as applicable, in those instances when students who

HUMANITARIAN ACTION - M.A.

follow part of their studies at the University, undertake studies at any of

the other partner institutions which are legally precluded from issuing

joint degree awards

These regulations shall be applicable to courses

commencing in 1st March 2020 or later.

(1) The Course shall be open to applicants who are in

possession of a first cycle degree (Bachelor, EQF Level 6) from this

or another university recognized by Senate, with at least Second

Class Honours or Category II or an equivalent classification, in a

discipline of relevance to Humanitarian Action, the duration of

which should be a minimum of three years and which should

comprise not less than 180 ECTS credits.

(2) (i) Applicants are required to demonstrate that their

standard of the languages of instruction of the Partner Institutions

they plan to attend are satisfactory. The offer of a place on the

Course may be made subject to the applicants obtaining such

proficiency qualifications prior to the commencement of their

studies.

(ii)

Proficiency in English may be certified by one of the

following

(a)

TOEFL: score of at least 250 (computer-based test)

or 93 with a writing score of at least 24 (internet-

based test);

(b) Cambridge Proficiency Examination Advanced

Certificate: pass at Grade C or better; or

(c) IELTS: at least 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in each

element;

provided that English native speakers and students who

have followed a Bachelor’s course taught in English shall not be required

to submit the above certificates but may be required to demonstrate

proficiency in some other way.

(iii)

Proficiency in French may be certified by a C1 level

according to the Common European Framework of

Reference for Languages (CEFR);

(iv)

Proficiency in Spanish may be certified by a B2 level

according to the Common European Framework of

Reference for Languages (CEFR).

(3) Depending on the availability of resources, Senate, on the

recommendation of the Board of Studies, shall determine the

number of applicants that may be allowed to register on the Course.

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

call for applications.

(4) If there are more eligible applicants than there are available

places, applications shall be evaluated on the basis of the following

criteria

(a)

type and level of academic qualifications (25%);

(b)

type and level of research experience (10%);

HUMANITARIAN ACTION - M.A.

(c)

type and level of professional experience, such as

practical experience in the area of humanitarian

action in governmental, inter-governmental and/or

non-governmental organisations and institutions

(25%);

(d)

motivation and concern for humanitarian issues

(10%);

(e)

multicultural sensitivity (10%);

(f)

level of linguistic abilities (10%),

(g)

recommendations (5%);

(h)

nationality and gender balance (5%).

(5) Applicants may further be requested to sit for an interview

which shall be conducted by an interviewing board composed of at

least three members, appointed for the purpose.

(6) The interviewing board may make use of electronic means

of communication in order to carry out interviews with applicants.

(1) All applications must be made on-line via the NOHA

Consortium website (nohanet.org) in accordance with the published

instructions and before the deadlines stated on the website.

(2) On application, applicants must indicate at which of the

Partner Institutions they wish to undertake studies, besides this

University.

(1) The Course shall extend over two years of full-time

study.

(2) The Board of Studies may allow students to extend their

studies by not more than six months, provided that in special

circumstances, Senate, on the recommendation of the Board of

Studies, may grant students a further extension of up to two years

in order to enable them to complete their studies.

(3) If students following the Course supported by a scholarship

require an extension, the scholarship shall not be extended. Such

extensions may be given in terms of the applicable regulations at

the Partner Institution involved.

(1) The programme of study shall consist of study-units to

which a total of 120 ECTS credits shall be assigned, and shall

comprise 60 ECTS credits for taught study-units, 30 ECTS credits

for a Work Placement or Regional Training, and 30 ECTS credits

for a dissertation. The Board shall publish the programme prior to

the commencement of the Course, following the approval of

Senate.

(2) All students shall be required to spend a compulsory study

period in at least two of the Partner Institutions, as indicated in the

programme of study.

The Board of Studies shall draw up a catalogue of all study-

units for approval by Senate. The catalogue shall indicate the level,

code, title, description and type of each study-unit, the ECTS

credits assigned to each study-unit, the methods of teaching and

assessment, as well as the re-assessment opportunities for each

study-unit.

HUMANITARIAN ACTION - M.A.

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

completion of the study-unit, during the period of attendance at one

of the Partner Institutions at a time to be specified by the Board of

Studies.

(2) Results for the assessment of the study-units and the

dissertation undertaken at the University shall be published as a

percentage mark and grade as indicated in below

Mark Range

Grade

80% - 100%

A

70% - 79%

B

55% - 69%

C

50% - 54%

D

45% - 49%

E

0% - 44%

F

provided the minimum pass mark for the dissertation shall be 50%.

(3) Students who fail in any of the taught study-units shall be

allowed one re-assessment. The re-assesment shall be held at the next

scheduled examination session (May or September) as the case may be,

provided that when it is not possible or practicable for a study-unit to be

re-assessed during the same academic year, students shall be required to

refer the failed study-unit to the following year. The conditions for the

re-assessment of such study-units shall be indicated in the particular

study-unit description. The maximum mark/grade that can be awarded

after re-assessment of taught study-units shall be 45%/Grade E.

provided that if a student fails in a dissertation, the maximum grade/mark

that can be awarded after re-assessment shall be 50%/Grade D.

(4)

Students who fail in the dissertation shall be allowed a re-

examination in terms of regulation 12. The maximum mark/grade

that can be awarded after re-examination shall be 50%/Grade D.

(5)

Progression from one semester to the next shall be as

specified in the Study and Examination Regulations published on the

NOHA website (nohanet.org).

(6)

Students who do not complete or fail in the assessment of

the Regional Training or the Work Placement shall not have the right

to re-assessment and shall be required to withdraw from the Course.

(7)

Senate shall appoint a Board of Examiners for each study-

unit undertaken at the University, in accordance with the provisions of

the University Assessment Regulations.

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual

dissertation of approximately 30,000 words, excluding references

and appendices, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the

Board of Studies.

HUMANITARIAN ACTION - M.A.

(2) Dissertations shall normally be written in English.

However, the Board of Studies may allow students to write their

dissertation in any other language, provided that the Board of

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

Partner Institutions have the necessary expertise to supervise and

examine the work. In such cases, students shall be required to

include a translation of the abstract in English.

(3) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the

fourth semester of the Course. Students shall submit for approval a

title and a detailed research proposal by the deadline and in the

format specified in the NOHA Master Thesis Guide and other

relevant documents as drawn up by the Board of Studies.

(4) Students shall seek approval from the Board of Studies for

any substantial modification in the title or content of the

dissertation.

(5) Dissertations shall include a declaration signed by the

students that it is their own original work.

(6) Before graduating, students shall present one hard bound

copy of the dissertation to the Board of Studies, and an electronic

version to each of the Partner Institutions, which shall include a

signed declaration of authenticity. The electronic version must

conform to the standards set by each of the Partner Institutions.

(1) The Board of Studies shall appoint a supervisor for

each student. Students shall be required to have regular contact

with their supervisor.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board of Studies progress

reports for each student under their supervision at the end of each

semester of study. 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

regulation 5 of these regulations; and

(ii)

the Board of Studies may not terminate studies

prematurely according to (b) until it has first given

the student a chance to be heard.

(3) The role of the supervisor shall cease when the dissertation

is submitted for examination but 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.

(1) Each dissertation shall be examined by a Board of

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

normally be a local examiner from one of the Partner Institutions.

The Board of Examiners may additionally also include an external

examiner appointed from an institution external to the Partner

Institutions.

(2) Students may be required to take a viva voce examination to

HUMANITARIAN ACTION - M.A.

defend their dissertation and this may also be conducted using

electronic means of communication if so approved by the Board of

Studies.

Students whose dissertation is found unsatisfactory may be

allowed by the Board of Studies, on the recommendation of the

Board of Examiners, to re-submit it in a revised form, within a

period of up to six months from the day on which it is referred back

to them.

(1) Students who obtain the 120 ECTS credits shall be

eligible for the award of the Degree.

(2) The names of students who qualify for the award of the

Degree shall be published in a list in alphabetical order; provided

that students who qualify for a Degree from this University in terms

of paragraph (4) of regulation 1 of the principal regulations shall be

classified as follows

Pass with Distinction

Pass with Merit

Pass.

(3) The Degree shall be awarded jointly by the University and

any of the Partner Institutions at which the student has completed at

least 30 ECTS credits.