L.S. 327.566 Ordinamenti għall-Grad ta’ Master of Fine Arts – M.F.A. - taħt il-patroċinju tal-Fakultà tal-Ambjent Mibni

(1)The title of these bye-laws is the Bye-Laws for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts - M.F.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty for the Built Environment.

(2)Citation and interpretation. In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires - "the Board" means the Board of the Faculty for the Built Environment; "the course" means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Fine Arts - M.F.A.; "the Degree" means the degree of Master of Fine Arts - M.F.A.; "the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards. S.L. 327.328

1. These bye-laws shall be applicable commencing in December 2016 or later. courses Applicability.
2. The course shall be offered in any area of study which benefits from a project-based approach, including disciplines from fine arts, visual arts, conservation, or architecture 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. for (

1. a)a first cycle degree with at least Second Class (Honours), in a discipline related to fine arts, visual arts, architecture or conservation or any other area as deemed relevant by the Board, with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, obtained in the ten years previous to registration for the course; or (
2. b)a qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, to be equivalent to the qualifications listed in paragraph (a), provided that applicants may be asked to demonstrate competence in those skills required by the nature of the proposed research, via an extended interview and the submission of appropriate documentation.

(2)Applicants whose first degree was obtained more than ten years previous to registration for the course may also be admitted provided that they provide sufficient proof of their competence to follow the course with profit. The Board may, at its discretion, 2 [ S.L.327.566 DEGREE OF MASTER OF FINE ARTS - M.F.A. UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT require such applicants to follow a preparatory programme as specified in bye-law

1. Preparatory programme.
2. Applicants may be required to complete a preparatory programme comprising not less than 30 and not more than 60 ECTS credits as directed by the Board, particularly when they wish to focus on an area of research different from that followed in the first cycle degree but do not possess the skills or the knowledge to take up postgraduate studies in that area. Applicants shall be required to obtain an overall average mark of 65% or better in the preparatory programme prior to their registration as regular students on the course. Course duration.
3. The course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study. Programme of study.
4. The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of 90 ECTS credits shall be assigned. Detailed programme of programme of study.
5. The programme of study will be undertaken primarily by studio-based or practice-based research. The detailed programme will vary depending on the theme of research, but shall normally include a portfolio of original studio-based or practice-based or project-based work, as exhibited in a portfolio, or publication, and a written dissertation. Credits.
6. The programme of study shall comprise a seminar to which 5 ECTS credits are assigned and a dissertation/portfolio study-unit to which 85 ECTS credits are assigned, as approved by the Board, provided that not less than 20% of these credits are assigned to the dissertation. Publication of programmes of study.
7. Programmes of study shall be published by the Board after approval by Senate normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the course. Dissertation. 11.

(1)Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of not less than 15,000 words, exclusive of notes, bibliography and appendices, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2)Work on the dissertation may be undertaken at any time during the course after approval of the proposal by the Board. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

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

(4)Students shall also sit for a viva voce examination focusing on the dissertation. Portfolio. 12.

(1)The portfolio shall comprise studio-based or practisebased or project-based work related to the theme of research as approved by the Board.

(2)Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of DEGREE OF MASTER OF FINE ARTS - M.F.A. UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT [ S.L.327.566 study.

(3)Not less than three months before the intended date of submission of the portfolio, students shall apply to the Board for permission to present the portfolio. Before giving permission, the Board shall consult the students’ supervisor and shall ascertain that the period of study conforms with that stipulated in the Principal Regulations.

(4)When submitting a portfolio of work, students shall include a signed declaration that the entire portfolio is their own personal work and that it has been done after their registration for the Degree.

(5)The work must on no account have already been submitted for any qualification or elsewhere, or published independently by the student, entirely or substantially.

(6)Students shall also sit for a viva voce examination focusing on the portfolio project.

(7)The Board of Examiners assessing the portfolio shall regulate its procedures in accordance with the Procedures for Boards of Examiners of Master Dissertations approved by Senate as applicable. 13.

(1)The Board shall appoint a Panel of Supervision for each student normally composed of three members as follows: Head of Department as Chairman, or his or her delegate, and two other members, one of whom being the research supervisor, provided that when the Head of Department is the supervisor, he or she shall not chair the Panel.

(2)The Panel of Supervision shall follow, as it deems fit, the progress of students in their work for the dissertation and portfolio, provided that it meets at least twice a year to review such progress.

(3)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.

(4)At the end of each semester of studies supervisors shall be required to submit to the Panel of Supervision reports for the students under their supervision. Students shall seek approval from said Panel for any substantial modification in the title or content of the dissertation or portfolio. The dissertation or the portfolio may not normally be submitted for examination without the approval of the supervisor.

(5)The Panel of Supervision shall periodically inform the Board, in writing, on the general performance of each student for the dissertation and portfolio. Such advice may include recommendations to either (

1. a)extend the period of study in order to enable the student to complete the dissertation or portfolio; or (
2. b)terminate studies prematurely if the supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances, provided that: (
3. i)the extension of the study period referred to in (
4. a)shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Panel of Supervision. 3 4 [ S.L.327.566 DEGREE OF MASTER OF FINE ARTS - M.F.A. UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 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. 14. 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. 15. 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 relevant Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the course.