BYE-LAWS IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE AWARDS, 2008 FOR THE DEGREE

DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS

(RESEARCH ON ISLANDS AND SMALL STATES) - M.A

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.594

BYE-LAWS IN TERMS OF THE

GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR UNIVERSITY

POSTGRADUATE AWARDS, 2008 FOR THE DEGREE

OF MASTER OF ARTS (RESEARCH ON ISLANDS

AND SMALL STATES) - M.A. UNDER THE AUSPICES

OF THE ISLANDS AND SMALL STATES INSTITUTE

28th June, 2018

LEGAL NOTICE 208 of 2018.

(1)

These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws in

terms of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate

Awards, 2008 for the degree of Master of Arts (Research on Islands

and Small States) - M.A. - under the auspices of the Islands and

Small States Institute.

(2)

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

“the Board” means the Board of the Islands and Small States

Institute;

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

Senate on the recommendation of the Board, which shall be

responsible for the academic administration of the programme;

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

degree of Master of Arts (Research on Islands and Small States) -

M.A.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts (Research on

Islands and Small States) – M.A.; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

These bye-laws shall be

applicable

for

courses

commencing in October 2018 or later.

Subject to the availability of resources, the Course shall

be offered in any area of study related to Island and Small States in

which the Institute can offer expert guidance and supervision. The

a r e a s o f s t u d y s h a l l b e ap p r o v e d b y t h e B o a r d b e f o r e t h e

commencement of the Course.

(1)

The Course shall be open to applicants in

possession of a first cycle degree obtained with at least Second Class

(Honours) or Category II in an area of study which the Board of

DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS

(RESEARCH ON ISLANDS AND SMALL STATES) - M.A

Studies deems to be relevant to the proposed area of study for the

dissertation

provided that applicants in possession of a degree with

Third Class (Honours) shall satisfy the Board of Studies that they are

in possession of other qualifications, including relevant experience

obtained following the first cycle degree.

(2)

The admission of applicants may be made conditional on

the result of an interview conducted by an interviewing board

composed of at least three members, appointed by the Board for the

purpose.

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time

study or the equivalent in part-time study.

(1)

The programme of study shall comprise study-units

to which a total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which not more

than 20 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-units and not less

than 70 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

(2)

The programme of study shall be published after approval

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

commencement of the Course.

(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 10 ECTS credits for taught study units, whether the

students are following the Course on a full-time or a part-time basis,

shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessment during

the September supplementary examination session.

(3)

Students who fail more than the number of credits

permitted under paragraph (2) of this bye-law, or students who after

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

to withdraw from the Course.

(1)

Students shall be required to submit an individual

dissertation of approximately 30,000 words in accordance with the

guidelines issued by the Board of Studies.

(2)

Work on the dissertation may be undertaken at any time

during the Course after approval of the research proposal. Each

student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance and

advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

(3)

A provisional title for the dissertation and a provisional

research proposal of approximately 300 words shall be submitted at

DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS

(RESEARCH ON ISLANDS AND SMALL STATES) - M.A

the time of application. The title for the dissertation and a detailed

research proposal outlining the proposed project and the main

questions to be addressed shall be submitted to the Board of Studies

for approval by not later than the end of the first semester.

(1)

Students shall be required to report to their

supervisors at least once every two months, and, in addition, as often

as the supervisors deem necessary.

(2)

At the end of each semester of study, supervisors shall be

required to submit to the Board of Studies reports for the students

under their supervision. Students shall seek approval from the Board

of Studies for any substantial modification in the title or content of

the dissertation.

(3)

The Board of Studies shall periodically inform the Board,

in writing, on the general performance of each student. Such reports

may include recommendations 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 Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the

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

all 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 Board

as necessary due to the part-time nature of the Course.