L.S. 327.441 Ordinamenti għall-Grad ta’ Master of Science – M.Sc. – taħt il-patroċinju tal-Fakultà tax-Xjenzi tas-Saħħa

(1)The title of these bye-laws is the Bye-Laws for the Degree of Master of Science - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

(2)Citation and interpretation. Amended by: L.N. 354 of

1. In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires - "the Board" means the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences; "the course" means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Science - M.Sc.; "the Degree" means the degree of Master of Science - M.Sc.; "the Postgraduate Certificate" means the Postgraduate Certificate in the relevant area of study; and "the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards. S.L. 327.328
2. These bye-laws shall be commencing in October 2019 or later. Applicability. Amended by: L.N. 119 of 2014; L.N. 354 of 2014; L.N. 387 of 2014; L.N. 309 of
3. applicable for courses
4. The course shall be offered in any area of study that falls within the academic responsibility of the Board, after approval by Senate. Areas of study. 4.

(1)The course shall be open to applicants in possession of one of the following qualifications: Requirements for admission. Substituted by: L.N. 354 of 2014. Amended by: L.N. 387 of 2014; L.N. 309 of 2019; L.N. 349 of 2022. (

1. a)the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) from the Faculty of Health Sciences in an area of study which should be directly related to the area in which the research is to be carried out; or (
2. b)a Bachelor’s degree obtained with at least a Second Class (Honours) in a discipline deemed by the Board as being closely related to the area of study in which the research is to be carried out; or (
3. c)a qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, to be equivalent to the qualifications listed in (
4. a)and (
5. b)above, provided that for the Clinical Biomechanics and Health Systems Management and Leadership areas of study, applicants in possession of 2 [ S.L.327.441 DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE - M.SC. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES a first degree obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) in a discipline deemed by the Board as being related to the area of study in which the research is to be carried out shall be considered as eligible.”.

(2)The Board shall recommend to senate the number of applicants that may be allowed to register for the course, depending on the availability of resources. The Board shall announce the areas of study and the number of available places at the time of the call for applications.

(3)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 type and class; (b) experience in the area of the proposed study; and (c) performance during an interview, if deemed necessary.

(4)Interviews, if necessary, shall be conducted by a board composed of at least three members appointed for the purpose.

(5)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.

(6)During the first year of the Course, students may be required to undergo an occupational health assessment so as to ascertain that they are fit for work which may bring them in contact with the clinical environment. 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 University Suitability to Practise Regulations. Course duration. 5. The course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study. Programme of study. Substituted by: L.N. 354 of 2014. 6.

(1)The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which not more than 30 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-units and not less than 60 ECTS credits are assigned to the dissertation study-unit.

(2)Students who obtain a total of 30 ECTS credits for 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 course, shall be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate.

(3)The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate, normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the course. Masters by Research Committee. Substituted by: L.N. 119 of 2014; L.N. 354 of 2014. 7.

(1)The Board shall recommend to Senate the appointment of a Faculty Masters by Research Committee normally composed as follows: The Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences or delegate DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE - M.SC. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES [ S.L.327.441 3 (Chairperson) 2 - 5 members of the Faculty of Health Sciences possessing academic doctoral qualifications Head of Department in which the research will be carried out The research student’s academic Supervisor.

(2)The Board may recommend to Senate a Committee having a different composition from that described in paragraph

(1)of this bye-law, if the programme of studies requires input from academics from other faculties. 8.

(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. Assessment and progress. Amended by: L.N. 354 of 2014.

(2)Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not more than two taught study-units, if following the full-time course, or not more than one taught study-unit if following the parttime course, shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments during the September supplementary examination session, provided that, if applicable, students who fail in a studyunit involving a clinical placement that requires assessment over a pe r i o d o f ti m e s h a l l n o t h a ve t h e r i g h t t o a s u p p l e m e n t a r y assessment and shall be required to withdraw from the course.

(3)Students who fail more than the number of study-units 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. 9.

(1)Students following a programme which includes the writing of a dissertation to which 70 or 80 ECTS credits are assigned shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of between 40,000 and 45,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board. Dissertation. Substituted by: L.N. 354 of 2014.

(2)The provisional title of the dissertation and a detailed research proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval at the time of application.

(3)Students following a programme which includes the writing of a dissertation to which 60 ECTS credits are assigned shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of not less than 35,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(4)In such instances, a detailed research the proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval by the beginning of the second semester.

(5)In all cases, 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. 10.

(1)The Masters by Research Committee shall follow, as it deems fit, the progress of students throughout the course, provided Students’ progress. 4 [ S.L.327.441 DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE - M.SC. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES that it meets at least twice a year to review such progress.

(2)Students shall be required to report to their supervisors at least once every two months, and in addition as often as the supervisor deems necessary.

(3)At the end of each semester of studies, supervisors shall be required to submit to the Masters by Research Committee reports for the students under their supervision. Students shall seek approval from said Committee for any substantial modification in the title or content of the dissertation.

(4)The Masters by Research Committee shall periodically inform the Board, in writing, on the general performance of each student. Such reports may include a recommendation to either (

1. a)extend the period of study in order to enable the student to complete the dissertation; or (
2. b)terminate studies prematurely if the supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances, provided that: (
3. i)this extension of the study period referred to in (
4. a)shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Regulations; and (
5. ii)the Board may not terminate studies prematurely according to (
6. b)until it has first given the student a chance to be heard. Classification of the Award. 11. The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in all the components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally. Special provisions for part-time courses. 12. 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.