BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH STUDIES - M.SC. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF

M.SC.

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.643

BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF

SCIENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH STUDIES - M.SC. -

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF

HEALTH SCIENCES, THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE

AND SURGERY AND THE FACULTY FOR SOCIAL

WELLBEING

5th November, 2019

LEGAL NOTICE 295 of 2019, as amended by Legal Notices 253 of 2021

and 144 of 2024.

(1)

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

the Degree of Master of Science in Mental Health Studies - M.Sc. -

under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of

Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

(2)

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

“the Boards” means the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences,

the Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Board of

the Faculty for Social Wellbeing;

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

Senate for the Course on the recommendations of the Boards of the

Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and

the Faculty for Social Wellbeing;

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

degree of Master of Science in Mental Health Studies - M.Sc.;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Mental

Health Studies - M.Sc.;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in

Mental Health Studies - 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 Course shall be open to warranted professionals in

possession of a valid registration/licence with the relevant

professional council and a first cycle qualification or higher, awarded

by this University or any other higher education institution

recognized by Senate, obtained with at least Second Class (Honours)

or equivalent, in any one of the following areas

(a)

Communication Therapy, Counselling, Education,

M.SC.

Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational

Therapy,

Psychiatric Nursing,

Psychology,

Psychotherapy, Social Work and Youth Work; or

(b)

any other area deemed suitable by the Board of

Studies.

(2)

Applicants in possession of all the required academic

qualifications for the acquisition of the respective warrant/license to

practise (according to Maltese law) but who are still not in possession of

the warrant/license to practice shall also be considered eligible,

provided that holders of temporary warrants who do not

hold the full academic requirements required by the respective

regulatory body to obtain a permanent warrant to practice will not be

accepted.

(3)

All applicants shall submit with their application a Police

Good Conduct Certificate issued by the Commissioner of Police in

terms of the Conduct Certificates Ordinance.

(4)

The Board of Studies shall recommend to Senate the

number of applicants that may be allowed to register for the Course,

depending on the availability of resources. The number of available

places shall be published at the time of the call for applications.

(5)

When the number of places is so limited and the number

of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available,

applicants shall be selected using the following criteria, the

weighting of which shall be published at the time of the call for

applications

(a)

degree class;

(b)

experience in the area of the proposed study; and

(c)

performance during an interview, if deemed necessary.

(6)

Interviews, if necessary, shall be conducted by a board

composed of at least three members appointed for the purpose by the

Boards.

(7)

For the purpose of selection, applicants who fully satisfy

the entry requirements by 31st August preceding the commencement

of the Course shall be considered first.

(8)

Repealed by Legal Notice 144 of 2024.

The Course shall extend over six semesters of part-time

study.

(1)

The academic administration of the Course shall be

M.SC.

entrusted to a Board of Studies appointed for the purpose.

(2)

The Board of Studies, which shall be appointed for a

period of one academic year, shall be composed as follows

(a)

the Deans of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the

Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty of

Social Wellbeing, or their respective delegate, one

of whom shall be appointed Chairman on the joint

recommendation of the three Faculties;

(b)

at least two academic members of staff from each

of the three Faculties; and

(c)

two students elected from amongst the students

registered on the Course.

(1)

The programme of study shall comprise study-units

to which a total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 60 ECTS

credits are assigned to taught study-units and 30 ECTS credits are

assigned to a dissertation study-unit.

(2)

During the first year of the Course students shall be

required to indicate their chosen stream of study for the second year

of the Course.

Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the

taught study-units with an average mark of at least 50% and do not

proceed with the Course, or having proceeded do not successfully

complete the dissertation, shall be eligible for the award of the

Postgraduate Diploma.

Students shall be eligible for the award of the Degree if

they obtain the 90 ECTS credits as outlined in the programme of

study for the Course with an average mark of at least 50%.

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)

Students shall be required to submit an individual

dissertation of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 words in accordance

with the guidelines issued by the Board of Studies.

(2)

Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the

final two semesters of the Course. 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 detailed

research proposal shall be submitted to the Board of Studies for

approval by the end of the third semester.

M.SC.

(1)

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 studies. 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

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 Postgraduate Diploma and of the Degree shall be

based on the results obtained in all the components of the programme

of study, all credits being weighted equally.