L.S. 327.101 Regolamenti tal-Kors għall-Grad ta' Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - u Master of Philosophy - M.Phil.

(1)The title of these regulations is the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations.

(2)In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms used shall be taken to mean as indicated in the Glossary of Terms listed hereunder: Citation and interpretation. Amended by: L.N. 382 of

1. Glossary of Terms Explanation Board the board of the University faculty or institute or centre where the research will be carried out Committee the Ph.D. Committee appointed by Senate Faculty the University faculty or institute or centre offering the degree Faculty Doctoral t h e c o m m i t t e e e n t r u s t e d t o o v e r s e e e a c h Committee s t u d e n t ’s r e s e a r c h a c t i v i t i e s a n d d o c t o r a l studies M.Phil. Degree the degree of Master of Philosophy - M.Phil. Ph.D. Degree the degree of Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. Principal the main supervisor assigned to students with Supervisor responsibilities as outlined in regulation 31 Term
2. These regulations shall be applicable from October 2016 onwards. Applicability. Amended by: L.N. 117 of 2009; L.N. 388 of 2010; L.N. 179 of 2011; L.N. 296 of 2013; L.N. 240 of 2014; L.N. 164 of 2015; L.N. 382 of
3. 3.

(1)Applications for registration for the Ph.D. Degree shall be accepted by Senate, on the recommendations of the Board and of the Committee, under such conditions as Senate deems fit to impose. Ph.D. Committee. Amended by: L.N. 382 of 2016.

(2)The Committee shall be appointed by Senate for three years and shall be composed as follows: The Rector (or his delegate) as Chairman Three members elected from and by the Senate The Registrar, who shall also act as Secretary 2 [ S.L.327.101 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE The Dean of the Faculty or the Director of the Institute or Centre where the research will be carried out. Eligibility to offer the Ph.D. Degree. 4. Applicants shall be accepted to register for the Ph.D. Degree after it is ascertained by Senate that the Faculty where the research will be carried out can provide suitable facilities for the proposed research as well as supervisors who can provide regular supervision taking account of their academic record and expertise and other commitments. Eligibility for the Award of the Ph.D. Degree. 5.

(1)The Ph.D. Degree shall be awarded upon the successful defence of a thesis containing original and significant contributions to knowledge in one of the areas of study studied at the University. The thesis, presented after an appropriate period of supervised research, shall consist of the students’ account of their investigations and research and shall offer evidence of originality by the discovery of new facts, the development of new theory and/ or by the exercise of independent critical power and constitutes an addition to knowledge. The thesis or parts thereof should be of peer-reviewed publishable quality.

(2)Students shall comply with the provisions of these regulations and of the Faculty Ph.D. Degree bye-laws and shall also satisfy any other requirements prescribed in any other relevant statutes, regulations and bye-laws of the University, including applicable ethical, and health and safety procedures.

(3)In accordance with the provisions of Statute 3, where the University, with the approval of Senate, enters into an agreement with other universities for the granting of a joint or double degree, then the Ph.D. Degree may be awarded: (

1. a)in the case of a joint degree, jointly on one certificate by all the partner universities and shall be conferred at one of the partner universities as agreed among them; or (
2. b)in the case of a double degree, separately by each partner university. Requirements for admission to the Ph.D. Degree. Amended by: L.N. 117 of 2009; L.N. 382 of 2016. 6.

(1)The Committee shall consider applications for the Ph.D. Degree from applicants who possess a Master degree of the University of Malta or another university, normally in the same area of studies applied for. In certain cases, the Committee may also consider other qualifications if deemed to be appropriate.

(2)Bye-Laws may provide that applicants in possession of a degree obtained at First Class Honours or Second Class Honours (Upper Division) may also apply, provided that the Faculty Doctoral Committee: (

1. a)ascertains that the applicant has a very strong background in the area of study related to the proposed area of research; and (
2. b)submits a clearly motivated recommendation for acceptance to the Board of the Faculty for eventual consideration by the Ph.D Committee and Senate.

(3)Applicants are required to be in possession of appropriate DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE [ S.L.327.101 3 qualifications to demonstrate that their standard of English is satisfactory. The offer of a place to read for the Ph.D. Degree may be made subject to the applicants obtaining such proficiency qualifications prior to the commencement of their studies.

(4)In addition to the qualifications specified in sub-regulations

(1),

(2)and

(3), applicants shall also possess such qualifications and satisfy such other conditions as the Board may from time to time establish for the purpose and which shall be approved by Senate in the form of bye-laws. 7.

(1)Applications may be submitted at any time of the year but students shall be registered with effect from one of the following dates: 1 October, 1 December, 1 February, 1 April, and 1 June. Applications for the Ph.D. Degree.

(2)Applications for the Ph.D. Degree shall include the following: (

1. a)the provisional title for the thesis; (
2. b)a detailed research proposal, approximately 1000 words; normally of (
3. c)a statement on whether the studies will be undertaken on a full-time or a part-time basis, and, in the latter case, the number of hours that shall be dedicated to this research work; (
4. d)a statement by a member of staff of the University who has agreed to act as Principal Supervisor; (
5. e)a recommendation from the head of department or the division co-ordinator that the research topic is acceptable; (
6. f)where appropriate, a request to present the thesis in a language other than English; and (
7. g)where appropriate, a request to undertake the research outside the University. 8. In the case of applicants from outside Malta, funding and visa requirements shall be taken into consideration when the application and research programme are being considered. Applicants from outside Malta. 9. Accepted applicants shall register for the M.Phil. Degree in the first instance. Senate may allow the transfer of registration from the M.Phil. Degree to the Ph.D. Degree if the conditions laid down in regulation 37 have been satisfied. Registration for the M.Phil. Degree. Substituted by: L.N. 240 of 2014. 10.

(1)Applicants shall be interviewed by the Faculty Doctoral Committee with the participation of the applicants’ designated Principal Supervisor in order to assess the applicants’ ability and potential to reach doctoral level. Where it is not practical to hold an interview, appropriate alternative means of judging suitability must be found to the satisfaction of the Committee. The result of the interview shall be made available to the Committee, together with the Board’s recommendation, for its consideration. Interview. Amended by: L.N. 382 of 2016.

(2)The Faculty Doctoral Committee shall submit its report for 4 [ S.L.327.101 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE the consideration of the Board. Recommendation. Amended by: L.N. 382 of

2. The Committee shall recommend to Senate the acceptance of all applications which satisfy the requirements outlined in regulations 6 and
3. Accepted applicants.
4. Accepted applicants shall be expected to enrol by the date indicated to them in accordance with regulation 7

(1). The offer to applicants who do not so enrol shall lapse. Modification in title or content of thesis. 13. Students shall seek the approval of Senate, following a recommendation by the Board, on the advice of the Faculty Doctoral Committee, for any substantial modification in the title or content of their thesis. Language of thesis. 14.

(1)Theses shall be written in English, except that theses in areas of study involving a language may be written in that language.

(2)However, a Board may allow students to write their thesis in any other language, provided that the Board has ascertained, to the satisfaction of the Sub- Com mittee and Senate, that the University has 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. Collaboration with research institutions. 15.

(1)Senate may allow students to undertake research in collaboration with research institutions other than universities if such collaboration would: (

1. a)extend the student’s own experience; (
2. b)provide a wider range of expertise to assist in the development of the research work; and (
3. c)enable the student to become a member of a wider research community.

(2)Such collaboration shall normally involve essential access by the student to one or more of the following resources of the collaborating research institution: taught study-units, equipment, facilities, premises, supervision by staff, data. Joint research projects.

1. The University may allow students on doctoral p r o g r a m m e s to p a r t i c i p a t e i n r e s e a r c h p r o je c t s w h e r e d a ta generated jointly by a group of researchers is used for the writing of theses, provided that each student writes a separate thesis. Ethical approval of research programmes. Amended by: L.N. 382 of
3. Any research undertaken by students which involves direct contact with patients or healthy participants, whether clinical, biomedical or social research, or the secondary use of existing human materials or specimens, or involving animals must be subject to ethical review. Such review must be undertaken by the Research Ethics Committee appointed by Senate for the purpose. These research proposals shall first be considered by the Board who shall submit the proposal to the Research Ethics Committee. The Committee and Senate shall only consider such applications if the Research Ethics Committee has given its approval. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE [ S.L.327.101 5
4. All students who undertake their research work at the University shall be encouraged to undertake a period of study at an overseas higher education and/or research institution in order to gain wider research experience. Period of study at an overseas higher education. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of
6. Applicants may be accepted to register for the Ph.D. Degree and to work mostly away from the University, provided that: Place of study. Re-numbered and substituted by: L.N. 240 of
7. (a) they shall work in a field of major relevance to the University department in which their research is to be carried out; (b) the facilities at the place in which they will be carrying out their research shall be equivalent to or better than those of the department or complementary to those of the department and are essentially required for the work; the department concerned shall provide written evidence of this to the Board; (c) they shall normally spend a total of at least three weeks per semester on the Malta campus during which period they shall hold meetings with the Principal Supervisor; and (d) an adviser is appointed to follow the student regularly at the off-campus place of study/research. 20.

(1)Studies for the Ph.D. Degree shall extend over three years of full-time study or six years of part-time study. If the nature of the work or the research so demands, the Committee may recommend to Senate a longer period.

(2)In the case of students accepted in terms of regulation 6

(2), the period of full-time study shall normally extend for not less than four years. Duration of studies. Amended by: L.N. 388 of 2010; L.N. 240 of 2014; L.N. 382 of 2016.

(3)On the recommendation of the Board and the Committee, Senate may grant students an extension of studies of up to two years in order to enable them to complete their studies, irrespective of whether they are registered on a full-time or a part-time basis.

(4)Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-regulation

(1), in exceptional circumstances, the Senate, on the recommendation of the Board and the Committee, may give permission for the submission of a thesis after the equivalent of two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study have expired from the date of first registration. 21. Full-time students may not engage in employment which is likely to interfere with the progress of their research and must inform the University about the extent of their employment commitments. Employment. 22.

(1)Doctoral students engaged as full-time research assistants by the University may be allowed to register on a fulltime basis, provided that their research falls within the area of research for their thesis. Doctoral students.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of regulation 20, the minimum period of study for doctoral students holding full-time 6 [ S.L.327.101 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE appointments as research assistants at the University shall be three years. Laboratory bench fee.

1. Early submission shall not affect any laboratory bench fee liability. Suspension of studies. Amended by: L.N. 382 of
3. On the recommendation of the Board and of the Committee, the S enate may allow stud ents, for a goo d and sufficient reason, to suspend their studies for a maximum period of twelve months, irrespective of whether they are registered on a f u ll - t im e o r a p a r t -t i m e ba s is . I n s uch c a s e s , th e p e r io d o f suspension of studies shall not be taken into consideration for calculating the period of registration for the Ph.D. Degree in terms of the duration requirement. Change of mode of study. Substituted by: L.N. 240 of
5. Senate may allow students to change their mode of study from full-time to part-time or from part-time to full-time, whenever feasible. The period of registration shall be recalculated on the basis of the proportion of time during which the students were studying in each mode. Annual enrolment. 26.

(1)Students are required to enrol with their home Faculty at the beginning of each academic year throughout their period of study.

(2)Such enrolment shall be allowed only on the submission of a s a t i s f a c t o r y pr o g r e s s r e p o r t fr o m th e s t u de nt s ’ P r in c i p a l Supervisor. Programme of study. Added by: L.N. 240 of 2014. 27.

(1)Bye-laws may specify that the Ph.D. Degree shall include study-units intended to develop skills and competencies as required for the proper execution of the research or to introduce the students to specialist areas related to their doctoral research or to provide preparation for future careers. The Board shall submit the programme of study for Senate’s approval.

(2)Students shall successfully complete the programme of study during the first part of their studies. Assessment and reassessment of study-units. Added by: L.N. 240 of 2014. S.L. 327.328 28.

(1)Examiners shall be governed by Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards. the General Research, teaching and demonstration work. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014. 29.

(1)Full-time doctoral students may be required to support the Faculty’s t eachin g a ctivities and/or provide laboratory demonstration service for up to a maximum of one hundred hours a year, provided that these duties do not conflict with their research work and that students may be exempted from this requirement for a good and valid reason.

(2)In order to remain registered on the M.Phil. degree, students must maintain an average mark of 60% in the study-units, which shall be calculated at the end of the semester or year, as applicable.

(2)The criteria used in assigning such duties to students shall be equitable and transparent.

(3)Doctoral students involved in teaching shall be assigned a mentor to whom they may turn for advice. They shall also be DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE [ S.L.327.101 7 provided with advice and facilities to ensure that they may teach effectively. Students involved in demonstration work shall be provided with instruction and guidance, including relevant safety training.

(4)For such work, students shall be remunerated at standard rates as approved by the University. 30.

(1)When accepting an application for the Ph.D. Degree, the Senate, on the recommendation of the Board and the Committee, shall appoint a Principal Supervisor from among the members of the academic staff of the University in accordance with the provisions of regulation

1. Such a member of staff shall have appropriate qualifications, including extensive knowledge and research experience in the broad subject area of the student and current involvement in research groups. Supervision of theses. Amended by: L.N. 179 of
2. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of
3. Amended by: L.N. 382 of 2016.

(2)Senate may also appoint a co-supervisor or adviser to provide the link if the research is of an interdisciplinary nature or if the research is being undertaken in collaboration with another organisation.

(3)A Principal Supervisor, co-supervisor or adviser shall not be related to a student by consanguinity or by affinity to the third degree inclusive or have a dual relationship with the student. 31.

(1)A Principal Supervisor shall be responsible for providing guidance to students under his/her care in the following areas: (

1. a)offering ideas and providing guidance and encouragement on the planning and progress of research, submission of the thesis and publication of the results; (
2. b)providing or arranging for instruction in research methodology, including use of information technology; (
3. c)guiding students in acquiring and improving appropriate generic skills, including written and oral communication, numeracy, decision-taking, and organisational and management skills; and (
4. d)ensuring that the students are aware of the manner in which research results are reported and that they understand the implications of plagiarism and other unbecoming academic practices.

(2)A Principal Supervisor shall meet students regularly to review their progress. These meetings shall occur at least six times a year for full-time students. Meetings may be substituted by other means of communication.

(3)The supervisory role of Principal Supervisors, cosupervisors and advisers shall cease when the thesis is submitted for examination. The role may be re-assumed, on the advice of the Board of Examiners, in order to provide guidance to students whose thesis is referred back for significant correction pending final acceptance. Roles of principal supervisors, cosupervisors and advisers. Amended by: L.N. 179 of 2011. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014. Amended by: L.N. 382 of 2016. 8 [ S.L.327.101 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE

(4)Principal Supervisors, co-supervisors and advisers are not responsible for proof-reading theses. Neither is it their responsibility to ensure that theses do not contain plagiarised parts.

(5)If plagiarism is detected by a supervisor in drafts or in the final version of a thesis prior to the form al submission for examination, the Principal Supervisor shall use discretion as to whether to reprimand the student and demand corrective action or report the matter to the Assessment Disciplinary Board, depending on the gravity of the offence.

(6)The total number of doctoral students accepted for supervision at any time by any single full-time academic shall be limited to three, provided that if the academic can demonstrate to the Committee that (

1. a)he/she disposes of a research management structure which facilitates communication and interaction between supervisor and individual researchers; or (
2. b)he/she has less teaching commitments than normal, then the Committee may authorise the supervision of a larger number of doctoral students. Co-supervisor. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014. 32. A co-supervisor may be appointed when the nature of the research work makes it necessary or expedient to do so; the role of co-supervisor is to act on a regular basis as consultant to the research project. Adviser. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014. 33. One or more advisers may be appointed when it is anticipated that particular aspects of the research work will necessitate occasional significant consultation with one or more experts. Responsibility of leadership in supervision. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014. 34. When co-supervisors and/or advisers are appointed, the Principal Supervisor shall retain the ultimate responsibility of leadership in supervision. Faculty Doctoral Committee. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014. Amended by: L.N. 382 of 2016. 35.

(1)The Senate, acting on the advice of the Board, shall also appoint a Faculty Doctoral Committee composed of between three and five members, chaired by the Dean or his/her delegate, the other members being normally heads of department.

(2)The Faculty Doctoral Committee shall follow, as it deems fit, the progress of students in their research work, provided that it shall meet at least once a year to review the progress of each student.

(3)Principal Supervisors shall be required to submit regular written progress reports on their students to the Faculty Doctoral Committee. Students shall have a right to view the reports and to make their own comments.

(4)If a Principal Supervisor leaves the University or is otherwise unable to supervise, the Faculty Doctoral Committee shall arrange for appropriate alternative advice and take steps to ensure that the student’s research is not hindered or impeded. If the absence is of a permanent nature, the Faculty Doctoral Committee shall propose a new Principal Supervisor to the Committee and DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE [ S.L.327.101 9 Senate, through the Board.

(5)Students are also invited to submit annual reports to the Faculty Doctoral Committee on the progress of their studies, which shall include any problems that they may be encountering.

(6)Students who wish to change their Principal Supervisor should discuss this matter with the Chairman of the Faculty Doctoral Committee who shall recommend to the Board to make adequate provisions to rectify the situation if reasonable grounds are shown to exist and, where applicable, funding arrangements permit. 36. The Faculty Doctoral Committee shall periodically inform the Board, in writing, on the general performance of students. Such advice may include a recommendation either to: (

1. a)grant an extension of the study period in order to enable the student to complete the thesis, provided that the period of extension of studies shall be according to regulation 20; or General performance of students. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014. (
2. b)terminate the studies prematurely if this is deemed to be proper in the circumstances, provided that the student can appeal his/her case before Senate within fifteen days from the notice of termination of studies. 37.

(1)Senate may allow a transfer of registration from the M.Phil. Degree to the Ph.D. Degree with the same research proposal if the following conditions have been satisfied: (

1. a)a satisfactory progress report from the student’s Faculty Doctoral Committee has been received; and (
2. b)after 12 months and not later than 24 months of fulltime study (or the equivalent in part-time study) have elapsed, and after successful completion of the programme of study if applicable, an ad hoc board appointed by the Board for the purpose, composed of a chairman, the Principal Supervisor and another member, has ascertained that: (
3. i)the student has completed successfully the programme of study, if applicable; and (
4. ii)the quality of the research work presented by the student has the potential to reach the standard appropriate to that required of a doctoral degree and recommends transfer.

(2)The ad hoc board may: (

1. a)establish that the student has not successfully completed the programme of study, where such programme is a component of the M.Phil. degree; or (
2. b)determine that the student’s research work has not reached a sufficient standard to warrant recommendation of the transfer and advises resubmission within a specified period; or (
3. c)advise that the student be given up to 12 months in Transfer of registration from M.Phil. Degree to Ph.D. Degree. Substituted by: L.N. 296 of 2013. Re-numbered and substituted by: L.N. 240 of 2014. Amended by: L.N. 382 of 2016. 10 [ S.L.327.101 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE order to complete his/her studies for the award of an M.Phil. Degree.

(3)The ad hoc board shall inform the Committee of the results of its deliberations through the Board.

(4)If the transfer is allowed by Senate, the work already done for the M.Phil. Degree shall count towards the requirements for the Ph.D. Degree.

(5)If a student fails to present a request to transfer his studies to the Ph.D. degree within the period stipulated in sub-regulation

(1)(b), the student would be required to submit a justifiable reason, which Senate would consider following recommendations of the Faculty Doctoral Committee, the Board and the Committee. Submission of theses for Ph.D. Degree. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of

2. Not less than three months before the intended date of submission, students shall signify their intention to the Faculty Doctoral Committee to present their thesis stating its exact title. The Faculty Doctoral Committee, after ascertaining that the period of study conforms to that stipulated in these regulations, and that the Principal Supervisor has given his opinion to the student regarding the submission of his/her thesis for examination, shall advise the Board to recommend to Senate the appointment of a Board of Examiners. Presentation of thesis for examination. Amended by: L.N. 179 of
3. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of
4. 39.

(1)When presenting a thesis for examination, students shall submit: (

1. a)a signed declaration that the thesis is their own personal work, and that the greater portion of the work has been done after their registration for the Ph.D. Degree; (
2. b)where appropriate, a statement declaring that a part of the thesis has already been submitted for another degree or qualification or that the thesis has been published; and (
3. c)Principal Supervisors shall signify in writing, on the appropriate form, that they are aware that the student is submitting his/her thesis for examination by the Board of Examiners.

(2)Students shall not discuss their work with the examiners during the period between their appointment as examiners and the oral examination. Format. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of

2. The thesis shall be written in the prescribed format and shall not exceed 100,000 words excluding bibliography, appendices and abstract. The work presented shall conform to the established scholarly standards of the appropriate discipline. Boards of Examiners for study-units. Added by: L.N. 240 of
3. S.L. 327.328
4. Boards of Examiners shall be governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE [ S.L.327.101 42.

(1)Theses shall be examined by a Board of Examiners appointed for the purpose by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, and shall include a Chairman, an external examiner, and at least another member, provided that the oral examination of the thesis shall be conducted by at least three examiners including the external examiner. 11 Board of Examiners for theses. Re-numbered and amended by: L.N. 240 of 2014; Amended by: L.N. 382 of 2016.

(2)The members of the Board of Examiners shall be academics experienced in research in the general area of the student’s thesis and where practicable, shall have experience as specialists in the topic to be examined, provided that two of the examiners, including the external examiner, shall be academics who command authority within the area of research concerned. Where the student is an assistant lecturer at the University, a second external examiner (normally non-visiting) must be appointed and whenever practicable the local examiners shall be appointed from different departments.

(3)Principal Supervisors, co-supervisors and advisers shall be precluded from being examiners but the Principal Supervisor shall be invited to attend as an observer during the oral examination. He/ she may contribute if invited to do so by the members of the Board of Examiners but must withdraw prior to the final deliberations of the Board of Examiners. 43. If a statement has been made as per regulation 39

(1)(b), the Board of Examiners set up under regulation 42

(1)shall recommend to Senate whether the thesis should be accepted for examination or not. Examination of Ph.D. theses. Re-numbered and substituted by: L.N. 240 of 2014. 44.

(1)The examination of doctoral theses shall take place in two stages: Examination of doctoral theses. Re-numbered and amended by: L.N. 240 of 2014. Amended by: L.N. 382 of 2016. (

1. a)submission by the student and preliminary assessment by the Board of Examiners; and (
2. b)oral defence of the thesis.

(2)In assessing a thesis, the Board of Examiners shall require: (

1. a)evidence that it represents a significant contribution to knowledge in a particular field of study; (
2. b)evidence of originality; (
3. c)evidence of the ability of the student to relate the subject matter of the thesis to the existing body of knowledge; (
4. d)evidence of the ability of the student to apply research methods appropriate to the subject; and (
5. e)a satisfactory level of literary presentation.

(3)Each examiner shall submit an independent preliminary report to the Chairman of the Board of Examiners. In the report, each examiner shall consider whether the thesis provisionally satisfies the requirements for the award of the Ph.D. Degree and where possible, make an appropriate provisional recommendation subject to the outcome of the oral examination.

(4)The Board of Examiners shall admit the student to an oral 12 [ S.L.327.101 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE examination after either approving the Ph.D. thesis unconditionally or subject to the correction of minor errors to the satisfaction of the Principal Supervisor.

(5)If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the quality of the thesis, it shall not admit the student to the oral examination and shall either (

1. a)refer the thesis back to the student for major revision and resubmission within a minimum of six months and a maximum of twelve months in revised form to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners; or (
2. b)not permit the student to resubmit in a revised form but admit the student to an oral examination for the award of the M.Phil. Degree instead; or (
3. c)refer the thesis back to the student for major revision and re-submission within six months in a revised form to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners for the award of the M.Phil. Degree instead; or (
4. d)not grant permission to resubmit and state that no degree be awarded, provided that permission as in paragraphs (
5. a)or (
6. c)is granted once only. Oral examination. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014. 45.

(1)Students shall be required to defend their thesis orally before the Board of Examiners. The oral examination shall cover the subject of the thesis and matters relevant thereto.

(2)The oral examination shall take place at the University of Malta for all students.

(3)The Board of Examiners shall submit a final report (together with the examiners’ individual reports) to Senate, which shall include a reasoned statement regarding their judgement of the student’s performance. Date of the oral examination. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of

2. Students shall be informed of the date of the oral examination at least three weeks before the scheduled date. Result of oral examination. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of
3. Amended by: L.N. 382 of
4. 47.

(1)Following the Examiners shall either: oral examination, the Board of (

1. a)submit to the Committee and Senate a joint final report including their recommendation relating to the award of the Ph.D. Degree; or (
2. b)refer the thesis back to the student for major revision and re-submission within six months in revised form to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners, and to admit the student to a second oral examination, if the Board of Examiners so decides.

(2)The joint final report shall provide sufficiently detailed comments on the scope and quality of the work as apparent from the written thesis and the oral defence. In addition to general remarks about the strengths and any weaknesses of the thesis, the report should include, as an annex, an itemised list of remarks DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE [ S.L.327.101 13 about any specific improvements or minor mistakes requiring correction. This list shall be relayed to student for guidance in improving the document. It shall be the responsibility of the Chairman to ensure that any required corrections and amendments to the thesis have been properly executed.

(3)In the joint final report, with the examiners’ preliminary reports attached as annexes, the Board of Examiners may recommend to Senate that: (a) the Ph.D. Degree be awarded if the thesis satisfies the criteria set out in regulation 5

(1)and

(2); or (

1. b)the Ph.D. Degree be awarded subject to minor amendments being carried out to the satisfaction of the Chairman of the Board of Examiners within three months of the official notification to the student by the Board of Examiners; or (
2. c)the Ph.D. degree be not awarded and that the student be either awarded the M.Phil. Degree or be declared to have definitively failed.

(4)Where examiners are not in agreement, they shall follow the relevant procedures as described in the University assessment regulations. In any event, the separate reports of each examiner shall be submitted to the Committee and Senate.

(5)When the disagreement cannot be resolved, and the decision is taken by a majority vote, the Chairman shall so record in the joint final report, provided that any disagreeing member may submit a minority report giving reasons for the disagreement. In such circumstances, Senate shall either agree to accept the majority report or take any other measures it seems appropriate.

1. Students must abide by the University of Malta Intellectual Property Policy. Copyright and intellectual property. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of
2. L.N. 164 of
4. In line with the University of Malta’s Institutional Repository Policy, the University Library shall provide in open access the electronic copies of the thesis and shall make them publicly available on the University of Malta’s Institutional Repository. Open access. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of
5. Re-numbered and substituted by: L.N. 164 of
6. 50.

(1)Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, training know-how, information, methodologies and manuals; workbooks; statements of operating practice; specifications; drawings; designs; formulae; discoveries; inventions; technical information; know-how generally; lab notebooks; manuscript papers; software; information about the methods, concepts and techniques on which software is based; samples; finances; financial models; pricing and other commercial information; business plans; marketing plans; and any information considered to be sensitive by the University Research Ethics Committee. Confidentiality agreements. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014. Re-numbered and substituted by: L.N. 164 of 2015.

(2)Students are bound not to disclose any confidential 14 [ S.L.327.101 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE information which may come into their possession and, or which they are exposed to and/or which they have access to. Furthermore, students may be asked by the University to sign specific confidentiality agreements should it be deemed necessary.

(3)Subject to the provisions of sub-regulation

(1), information shall not be considered as confidential information if: (

1. a)it was already known to the student and it was not subject to any obligation of confidentiality by the student to the University; (
2. b)it is or becomes publicly known without an act or omission of the student; (
3. c)it is obtained by the student from a third party with a valid right to disclose such confidential information, provided that said third party is not under a confidentiality obligation to the University; (
4. d)it is approved for release in writing by an authorised representative of the University; or (
5. e)the student is specifically required to disclose pursuant to a law or order of any Court of competent jurisdiction. Confidentiality of assessable student work. Added by: L.N. 164 of 2015. 51.

(1)Where the student considers that assessable student work should remain confidential during or after completion of the programme of study or research, a request for it to be embargoed must be made to the Library Committee. The Library Committee shall consult with the Faculty concerned before taking a decision. The period of embargo approved shall not normally exceed two years from final submission of such work to the University. However, in cases where publication of the assessable student work would prove detrimental to the student or the University or the sponsor or the funding body or the persons referred to in such work, a further period may be approved.

(2)In any case and without prejudice to sub-regulation

(1), the University retains the right to request the embargo of assessable student work. In the event that assessable student work is embargoed, the student shall be bound to treat the contents of such work as confidential and prior to any publication, the provisions about publication and exploitation, as detailed in the University of Malta Intellectual Property Policy shall apply in every case. Final version of thesis. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014. Re-numbered and amended by: L.N. 164 of 2015. 52.

(1)Following successful defence of the thesis and prior to the conferment of the Ph.D. Degree, students are required to present two hard bound copies of the thesis to the Faculty, and one electronic version for the University Library, which shall include a signed declaration of authenticity. The electronic version must conform to the standards set by the University of Malta Library.

(2)Doctoral theses shall each be assigned by the Registrar a thesis identifier, consisting of a set of digits and letters, in order to act as unique identifiers for the works. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PH.D. - DEGREE [ S.L.327.101 15

1. These regulations shall apply mutatis mutandis in the case of students being considered for the M.Phil. Degree. M.Phil. Degree. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014; L.N. 164 of
3. The Senate may, on the recommendation of each Board, approve bye-laws governing the Ph.D. Degree to regulate matters not covered by these regulations. Bye-Laws. Re-numbered by: L.N. 240 of 2014; L.N. 164 of 2015.