BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF LAWS

DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF LAWS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.95

BYE-LAWS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF

ARTS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES UNDER THE

AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF LAWS

2nd December, 2008

LEGAL NOTICE 320 of 2008, as amended by Legal Notices 202 of 2013,

102 of 2015, 51 of 2017, 61 of 2018 and 260 of 2019 and 96 of 2024.

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

degree of Master of Arts in Financial Services under the auspices

of the Faculty of Laws.

(2)

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

"the Board" means the Board of the Faculty of Laws;

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

of Master of Arts in Financial Services;

"the Degree" means the degree of Master of Arts in Financial

Services;

"the Postgraduate Diploma" means the Postgraduate Diploma in

Financial Services; and

"the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for

University Postgraduate Awards.

These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in

October 2019 or later.

(1)

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession

of

(a) the degrees of Doctor of Laws, Bachelor of Laws with

at least Category II, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) with

at least Second Class Honours or the Diploma of

Notary Public; or

(b) a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Second Class

Honours or Category II in one of the following areas

of study

Accountancy, Banking and Finance,

Economics, or Insurance; or

(c) professional qualifications in Accountancy or

Accountancy and Auditing recognised by the

University of Malta for the purpose; or

(d) a degree from the University of Malta or a professional

qualification from a recognised institution in an area

of study which the Board deems to be relevant, and

comparable to the qualifications indicated in

paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this bye-law.”

(2)

The admission of applicants under sub-paragraph (d) of

DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF LAWS

paragraph (1) of this bye-law may be made conditional on the result

of an interview conducted by an interviewing board appointed for

the purpose of assessing applicants’ commitment, motivation,

academic preparedness and general ability to follow the Course

with profit.

(3) The interviewing board appointed by the Board shall be

composed of at least three members.

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 credits are assigned, of which 60 credits are

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

dissertation study-unit.

Students who obtain the 60 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.

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 not less than 20,000 words and not more than 25,000

words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

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

third semester. 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 of the dissertation and a detailed

research proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval by

the beginning of the second semester.

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

their supervisor.

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

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

studies, whether the student is following the Course on a full-time

or a part-time basis. 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.

DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF LAWS

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.

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.