L.S. 327.135 Regolamenti tal-Kors għall-Grad ta' Doctor of Medicine and Surgery - M.D.

(1)The title of these regulations is the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery - M.D. - Degree Course Regulations.

(2)In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires - Citation and interpretation. Amended by: L.N. 371 of 2018. "the Bachelor Degree" means the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Sciences – B.Sc.(Hons); "the Board" means the Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery; "the Board of Studies" means the Board of Studies appointed by Senate for the Course, on the recommendation of the Board; "the Course" means the programme of study leading to the Degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery – M.D. and the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Sciences – B.Sc.(Hons) – as the case may be; "the Degree" means the Degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery - M.D.; and "the Faculty" means the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. 2. These regulations shall be applicable for courses commencing in 15th September 2019 or later. 3. * To be eligible for the award of the Degree and the Bachelor Degree, students must: (

1. a)be registered as regular students in the Course in terms of the Admission Regulations of the University; (
2. b)satisfy the Special Course Requirements in accordance with regulation 4; (
3. c)complete the course of studies, qualify in the examinations and satisfy any other requirements as prescribed in these regulations; and *Applicable from October 2018 Applicability. Amended by: L.N. 414 of 2013; L.N. 40 of 2014; L.N. 99 of 2014; L.N. 326 of 2014; L.N. 43 of 2015; L.N. 87 of 2016; L.N 188 of 2016; L.N. 58 of 2017; L.N. 308 of 2017; L.N. 34 of 2018; L.N. 371 of 2018; L.N. 261 of 2019. Eligibility for Degree. Substituted by: L.N. 371 of 2018. 2 [ S.L.327.135 DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY M.D. - DEGREE COURSE (
4. d)satisfy any other requirements prescribed in any other relevant statutes and regulations of the University. Admission and special course requirements. Amended by: L.N. 414 of 2013; L.N. 40 of 2014; L.N. 99 of 2014; L.N. 87 of 2016; L.N 188 of 2016; L.N. 58 of 2017; L.N. 308 of 2017; L.N. 34 of 2018; L.N. 219 of 2023; L.N. 100 of 2024; L.N. 66 of 2026. 4.*

(1)In accordance with the provisions of Regulation 16

(1)of the Admissions Regulations, applicants who apply for admission to the Course in Year 3 may be admitted directly into the Clinical Part of the Course (Year 3) by the Admissions Board, acting on the recommendation of the Faculty Admissions Committee, subject to any conditions the Board may impose.

(2)Applicants who apply for admission to the Course in Year 1 must, besides satisfying the requirements for admission as regular students in terms of the Admission Regulations, satisfy the following Special Course Requirements: (

1. a)be in possession of passes in the Matriculation Examination at Advanced Level at Grade B or better in Biology and Chemistry; and (
2. b)be in possession of a pass in any subject taken in the Matriculation Examination at Intermediate Level and obtained at Grade B or better except for Environmental Science and Systems of Knowledge: provided that all passes in these Special Course Requirements are obtained together in one session of examinations (i.e. one sitting) and are from recognised examining boards from the same country; and (
3. c)(i)Maltese applicants who, in terms of regulation 13 of the Admissions Regulations, 2016 are exempted from possessing a pass in the Secondary Education Certificate examination in Maltese at Grade 5 or better or at SEC level 3, are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta, or a pass at SEC level 3 in IlMalti bħala Lingwa Barranija prior to the commencement of the Course; (
4. ii)non-Maltese applicants who, in terms of regulation 13 of the Admissions Regulations, 2016 are exempted from possessing a pass at SEC level 3 in Il-Malti bħala Lingwa Barranija, are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta, or a pass in the study-unit in Medical Maltese as part of the Certificate in Foundation Studies (Medical, Dental and Health Sciences) course, prior to the commencement of the Course, provided that applicants presenting overseas qualifications and either a pass in the Secondary Education Certificate examination in Maltese at Grade 5 or better or at SEC level 3, or a pass at SEC level 3 in Il-Malti bħala Lingwa Barranija, shall be exempted from presenting the Medical Maltese Proficiency *Applicable from October 2026. DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY M.D. - DEGREE COURSE [ S.L.327.135 3 Certificate; and (iii) the Secondary Education Certificate pass in Maltese at Grade 5 or better or at SEC level 3, is required for admission to both Year 1 and Year 3 of the Course, provided that applicants who in terms of regulation 13 of the Admissions Regulations, 2016 are eligible for exemption from this requirement, shall be required to present a SEC level 3 pass in Il-Malti bħala Lingwa Barranija, or the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate.

(3)For the purpose of sub-regulation

(2), a pass obtained in a session of examinations which is held after the results of a previous session were published shall be deemed to be a pass obtained in a session that is distinct from the previous one. This regulation shall also apply to the second session of the Matriculation Examination o ff e r e d b y t h e M AT S E C B o a r d o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M a l t a according to the provisions of the Matriculation Examination Regulations, and this notwithstanding any other regulation governing the award of the Matriculation Certificate.

(4)* (i)Applicants in possession of one of the following degrees obtained from the University of Malta and a pass in the Secondary Education Certificate in Maltese at Grade 5 or better or at SEC level 3, may also apply: (

1. a)a Bachelor of Science with a classification of Category II or better or a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better, in both cases with Biology and Chemistry as principal areas, or a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better in either Biology or in Chemistry or in Chemistry with Materials; or (
2. b)a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better in one of the following: Applied Biomedical Science (or Medical Laboratory Science), Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences, Community Nursing, Community Midwifery, Communication Therapy or Speech Language Pathology (if awarded from October 2028 onwards), Health Science, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and Radiography; or (
3. c)a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better; or (
4. d)a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Science with a classification of Second Class Honours or better; or (
5. e)a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with a classification of Second Class Honours or better if awarded from July 2009 onwards; or *Applicable for courses commencing in October 2026 or later: S.L. 327.271 Substituted by: L.N. 350 of 2021; L.N. 66 of 2026. 4 DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY M.D. - DEGREE COURSE [ S.L.327.135 (
6. f)the degree of Master of Dental Surgery awarded from July 2018 onwards; or (
7. g)a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Biochemistry with a classification of Second Class Honours or better awarded from July 2020 onwards; or (h)a Master of Pharmacy with a classification of Merit or better; or (
8. i)a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Technology with a classification of Second Class Honours or better; or (
9. j)a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmacology with a classification of Second Class Honours or better awarded from July 2024 onwards; or (
10. k)a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a classification of Second Class or better in Physics, Medical Physics and Radiation Protection; and (
11. ii)Maltese applicants who, in terms of regulation 13 of the Admissions Regulations, 2016 are exempted from possessing a pass in Secondary Education Certificate in Maltese at Grade 5 or better or at SEC level 3 are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta or a pass at SEC level 3 in Il-Malti bħala Lingwa Barranija awarded by the University of Malta prior to the commencement of the Course; (iii) non-Maltese applicants who, in terms of regulation 13 of the Admissions Regulations, 2016 are exempted from possessing a pass at SEC level 3 in Il-Malti bħala Lingwa Barranija, are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta, or a pass in the study-unit in Medical Maltese as part of the Certificate in Foundation Studies (Medical, Dent al and H ealth S cien ces) course, prio r to the commencement of the Course, provided that if such applicants possess either a pass in the Secondary Education Certificate examination in Maltese at Grade 5 or better or at SEC level 3, or a pass at SEC level 3 in Il-Malti bħala Lingwa Barranija, shall be exempted from presenting the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate; and (
12. iv)the Secondary Education Certificate pass in Maltese at Grade 5 or better or at SEC level 3, is required for admission to both Year 1 and Year 3 of the Course, provided that applicants who in terms of regulation 13 of the Admissions Regulations, 2016 are eligible for exemption from this requirement, shall be required to present a SEC level 3 pass in Il-Malti bħala Lingwa Barranija, or the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate.

(5)Applicants in possession of other qualifications obtained from recognised institutions other than the University of Malta shall be considered by the Admissions Committee of the Faculty and shall be admitted to the Course if it is ascertained that their qualifications are comparable to the qualifications indicated in paragraphs

(2),

(3)and

(4)DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY M.D. - DEGREE COURSE [ S.L.327.135 5 of this regulation.

(6)Applicants may be required to attend for an interview and/ or examination. The Interviewing Board/s shall be composed of the Dean or his delegate, three other members appointed by the Board, one of whom shall be from outside the Faculty, and another member appointed by Senate. Up to three such Interviewing Boards shall be appointed for each intake of students as determined by the Board.

(7)Applicants who are accepted to join Year 1 or Year 3 of the Course shall be required to undergo an occupational health assessment, as detailed in the Occupational Health Protocol approved by the Board, so as to ascertain that they are fit for the duties related to their proposed studies. Students who do not fulfil this requirement may be barred from progressing with their studies. Failure to disclose information about a physical or mental health problem that could affect patient safety is considered to be a serious breach of the Fitness to Practise Policy of the University.

(8)Accepted applicants may defer entry to the following year of study provided that there are no changes in the entry requirements applicable to the following year. 5.

(1)The Course for the Degree shall extend over a period of five years and shall be divided into two parts: the Pre-Clinical Part, of two years’ duration, that is, Years 1 and 2, and the Clinical Part, of three years’ duration, that is, Years 3, 4 and 5. Course duration. Amended by: L.N. 87 of 2016. Substituted by: L.N. 371 of 2018.

(2)The Course for the Bachelor Degree shall extend over a period of three years and shall comprise the first two years of the Degree (the Pre-Clinical Part) and another year (an intercalated year) which shall be mainly dedicated to the methodology of medical research.

(3)The Course for the Degree for students who decide to in ter ru pt t he C ou rs e to f ol lo w the i nterca lated year b efore continuing with the Degree shall extend over 6 years.

(4)The Board may allow students to repeat a year once in each of the two parts of the Course for the Degree and to suspend their studies for a maximum period of twelve months once in each of the two parts of the Course for the Degree.

(5)Students opting to follow the Bachelor Degree shall only be allowed to repeat a year once only and shall be allowed a suspension of studies of a maximum period of twelve months once only in the three-year programme.

(6)The Board may allow students an additional year of studies once only throughout the Course.

1. The Board shall publish the programme of study, comprising all the study-units taught in each year of the course, their syllabus and method of assessment following the approval of Senate, normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the course. Subject to the approval of Senate, the Board may make any necessary changes to the programme of study as required. Programme of study. 6 [ S.L.327.135 DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY M.D. - DEGREE COURSE
2. The programme of study for each year of the course shall comprise study-units to which 60 ECTS credits are assigned and may include practical, laboratory and clinical placements as detailed in the description for each study-unit on offer during the year. Added by: L.N. 371 of
3. Amended by: L.N. 261 of 2019; L.N. 135 of
4. 8.

(1)At the end of Year 2 of the Course only, students who successfully complete all the study-units of the first two years of the Course (the Pre-Clinical Part) with an average mark of at least 70% in each of the first two years of the Course, shall be eligible to apply to join the Course leading to the Bachelor Degree. Students who fail to complete a study-unit/s that can be assessed only once during the academic year, and hence no supplementary session is possible, or students who are prevented for a reason considered valid by Senate from being assessed in this study-unit/s, shall be allowed to progress conditionally to the Bachelor Degree. Such students shall be required to successfully complete any study-unit/s which has/have been so referred during the intercalated year.

(2)Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, shall determine the number of applicants that may be allowed to register for the Bachelor Degree, depending on the availability of resources. The number of available places shall be announced at the time of the call for applications.

(3)When the number of applicants that may be admitted to the Bachelor Degree is limited in terms of paragraph

(2)of this regulation, and the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants shall be selected according to the highest overall performance in the first two years of the Degree Course.

(4)In the case of two applicants who have identical average marks in the first two years of the Degree Course, selection will be based on an interview.

(5)Following selection in terms of paragraphs

(3)and

(4)of this regulation, the Board of Studies for the Bachelor Degree shall interview the students to assign the research projects.

(6)Students who interrupt the Course for the Degree at the end of the Pre-Clinical Part and successfully complete the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the intercalated year, shall be eligible for the award of the Bachelor Degree. Such students may then proceed to the third year of the Course for the Degree or terminate their studies.

(7)Students who fail to obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the intercalated year shall not be eligible for the award of the Bachelor Degree but may be allowed to progress to the third year of the Course for the Degree. Students shall not be allowed to refer any missing study-units of the intercalated year to the third year of the Course for the Degree." DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY M.D. - DEGREE COURSE [ S.L.327.135 9. During the Course the result in each study-unit shall be published according to the following marks and grades in descending order of merit: Mark Range Grade 90% - 100% A+ 80% - 89% A 75% - 79% B+ 70% - 74% B 60% - 69% C+ 55% - 59% C 50% - 54% D+ 45% - 49% D 0% - 44% F. 10.

(1)The method of assessment for each study-unit shall be indicated in the study-unit description and published in the catalogue of study-units. The result of each study-unit shall take into account all components of the assessment of that study-unit.

(2)Students shall be entitled to four assessment attempts in order to obtain a pass grade in the assessment of a study-unit, except in the case of study-units whose assessments are indicated as not available at the supplementary assessment session, in which case students are entitled to two assessment attempts only.

(3)In any academic year, students who fail in study-units shall be allowed a supplementary assessment in September of the same year.

(4)Students who after the supplementary session fail in studyunits to which 10 or less ECTS credits are assigned, after academic counselling by the Dean and/or the Head of Department concerned, may be given the option by the Board, to either: (a) subject to paragraph

(6)of this regulation, refer the failed study-unit/s to the following year to be done over and above the study-units indicated for that year; or (b) subject to paragraph

(6)of regulation 5 and to paragraph

(6)(

1. a)of this regulation, refer the failed study-unit/s to an additional year of study, if the student is in Year 5 of the Course; or (
2. c)subject to paragraphs

(4)and

(5)of regulation 5 of these regulations, repeat the year.

(5)Students referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph

(4)of this regulation who take up the option to refer failed study-units to the following year of the Course shall be considered to have progressed conditionally to the next year and shall not be allowed to continue with the Course if, after the supplementary session of 7 Mark scheme for the course. Substituted by: L.N. 99 of

1. Renumbered by: L.N. 371 of
2. Substituted by: L.N. 261 of
3. Assessment and Progression in the Course Amended by: L.N. 99 of 2014; L.N. 326 of 2014; L.N. 43 of
4. Renumbered by: L.N. 371 of
5. Amended by: L.N. 371 of 2018; L.N. 201 of
6. Substituted by: L.N. 100 of
7. 8 [ S.L.327.135 DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY M.D. - DEGREE COURSE that year, they fail again to obtain a pass in the referred study-unit/ s.

(6)(a)The option to refer study-units to the following year shall be available once only throughout the Course, except in the c a s e o f th e s tu dy -u ni ts re fer r e d to i n par a g ra ph

(8)o f t hi s regulation, provided that students in Year 2 shall not be allowed to refer any other study-units to the following year. (b) Year 2 students who are not eligible to proceed to Year 3 of the Course shall be required to successfully complete the failed study-unit/s during an additional year of study, or to repeat the year, in both cases if eligible in terms of paragraphs

(4),

(5)and

(6)of regulation 5 of these regulations.

(7)(a)If a student is prevented, for a reason considered valid by Senate, from being assessed in the first assessment and/or the supplementary assessment of study-unit/s to which 10 or less ECTS credits are assigned, the student shall be required to complete these study-units in the following year to be done over and above the study-units indicated for that year. (b) If a student is prevented, for a reason considered valid by Senate, from being assessed in the first assessment and/or the supplementary assessment of study-unit/s to which more than 10 ECTS credits are assigned, the student shall be required to complete these study-units in an additional year of study, if eligible in terms of paragraph

(6)of regulation 5 of these regulations. (c) If a student is prevented, for a reason considered valid by Senate, from being assessed in referred study-units, the student shall be required to complete the previous year’s requirements in an additional year of study, if eligible in terms of paragraph

(6)of regulation 5 of these regulations. Under no circumstances shall a student be allowed to progress to the following year if the requirements of the year previous to the current one have not been satisfied. (d) Failure to present a valid reason for absence for the consideration of Senate or failure to prove that the students could not sit for the assessment due to circumstances beyond their control, will result in students being considered as having utilized an assessment attempt.

(8)In the case of assessments that can only be held once during an academic year and hence no supplementary session is possible, students who fail these assessments or are prevented for a reason considered valid by Senate from being assessed in these studyunits, shall be allowed to progress conditionally to the following year of the Course, provided that they pass such assessments in that year. DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY M.D. - DEGREE COURSE [ S.L.327.135 9

(9)Students who after the supplementary session fail in studyunits to which more than 10 ECTS credits are assigned shall not be allowed to proceed to the following year of the Course but shall be required to repeat the year if eligible in terms of paragraphs

(4)and

(5)of regulation 5 of these regulations.

(10)In a repeat year, students are required to follow and be assessed in all study-units of the programme of study for the year, even those they may have previously passed. Any mark/grade may be obtained in the repeat year and will replace the marks/grades obtained in the preceding year.

(11)Students who would have utilised all assessment attempts after the supplementary session of the repeat year or of the additional year, and who fail to obtain a pass grade in any studyunit shall be unable to progress in the Course. If eligible, such students may request an award in terms of regulation 14 of these regulations.

(12)The maximum mark/grade that may be awarded in a referred study-unit, irrespective of whether the study-unit is assessed in a regular or in a supplementary session of examinations, is 45%, grade D.

(13)Attendance for lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical, laboratory and clinical placements, and any other teaching session in whatever mode is obligatory. Following consultation with the Head of Department, lecturers may bar a student whose attendance in a study-unit is not satisfactory from being assessed in that studyunit. In such cases, a 0 mark and an F grade shall be assigned and recorded. 11.

(1)In the Final Year (Year 5) of the course, the assessment of study-units examined by a written paper/s shall be held in the January session of examinations. The examination of the clinical study-unit shall be held in the June session of examinations.

(2)Before being allowed to sit for any examination of the Final Year of the Course (Year 5), students must present a certificate to the Dean, signed by the heads of department concerned, showing that students have completed the schedule of clinical placements prescribed for the Course satisfactorily. In addition they must also provide a certificate showing that they have attended a minimum of 80% of the "shadowing programme" (a period as may be defined from time to time by the Faculty, wherein medical students are assigned to a Foundation Year doctor and the students are expected to practise clinical and administrative skills under his/her supervision) in order to be eligible to sit for the examination of the Essential Core Competences.

1. Students shall not be allowed to sit (whether as first sit or re-sit) for any clinical examinations or for the Paediatrics Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) during the September examination session of the Final Year (Year 5) unless they have attended at least 80% of such additional studies as the Board of Examiners may in each case determine. Examinations in the Final Year of the course. Renumbered by: L.N. 371 of
2. Amended by: L.N. 425 of
3. Re-sit of any examination. Substituted by: L.N. 414 of 2013; L.N. 99 of
4. Renumbered by: L.N. 371 of
5. Substituted by: L.N. 425 of
6. 10 DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY M.D. - DEGREE COURSE [ S.L.327.135 Classification of the Degree. Amended by: L.N. 99 of
7. Renumbered by: L.N. 371 of
8. 13.

(1)The classification of the Degree and the Bachelor Degree shall be determined by the Degree Classification Board composed as follows: The Dean as Chairman; and the Heads of Departments involved in the teaching of the programme.

(2)* (

1. a)The classification of the Degree and the Bachelor Degree shall be based on the results obtained over the duration of the respective Course, with all study-units being weighted equally. (
2. b)For students admitted directly into Year 3 of the Course, the classification of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained over the last three years of the Course, with all study-units being weighted equally.

(3)The Degree Classification Board shall consult the following guidelines when deciding upon the final classification of the Degree: Final Weighted Average Mark Classification 80 - 100% Pass with Distinction 70 - 79% Pass with Merit 45 - 69% Pass

(4)The Degree Classification Board shall consult the following guidelines when deciding upon the final classification of the Bachelor Degree: Consequences of withdrawal from the course. Substituted by: L.N. 326 of 2014. Renumbered by: L.N. 371 of 2018. Substituted by: L.N. 350 of 2021. Final Weighted Average Mark Classification 80 – 100% First Class Honours 70 – 79% Upper Second Class Honours 55 – 69% Lower Second Class Honours 45 – 54% Third Class Honours. 14. When a student withdraws from the Course either by choice or because ineligible to proceed further in terms of these regulations, the student may request to be awarded: (

1. a)the Diploma in General Studies (Dip. Gen. St.) if at least 60 ECTS credits have been obtained; or (
2. b)the Higher Diploma in General Studies (H.Dip. Gen. St.) if at least 120 ECTS credits have been obtained; or (
3. c)the Bachelor in General Studies degree (B.Gen.St.) if at least 180 ECTS credits have been obtained.. Final Weighted Average Mark. Renumbered by: L.N. 371 of 2018. 15. The Final Weighted Average Mark for the degree of Bachelor in General Studies (B.Gen.St.) shall be based on the results obtained, all study-units being weighted equally and shall be classified as follows: Final Weighted Average Mark Classification *These regulations shall be applicable from October 2025. DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY M.D. - DEGREE COURSE 80 - 100% Category I 70 - 79% Category IIA 55 - 69% Category IIB 45 - 54% Category III. [ S.L.327.135 11 16. Students who partially completed the Degree programme prior to academic year 2010/11 and who satisfy regulation 13 shall have the right to request, on entry into force of this regulation, to be awarded the degree of Bachelor in General Studies (B.Gen.St.) without prejudice and ex gratia provided that this degree shall not be granted retroactively. In such cases, this degree shall not be classified. Students who partially completed the Degree programme prior to academic year 2010/11. Renumbered by: L.N. 371 of 2018. 17. In matters not provided for by these regulations, the Board shall be guided by the provisions of the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, as applicable. General provision. Renumbered by: L.N. 371 of 2018. S.L. 327.236