L.S. 327.589 Regolamenti Ġenerali għar-Rikonoxximenti Universitarji ta’ wara l-Ewwel Grad għall-grad ta’ Master of Social Work taħt il-patroċinju tal-

(1)These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of in terms of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, for the degree of Master of Social Work under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

(2)Citation and Interpretation. In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires - “the Board” means the Board of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing; “the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Social Work; “the Degree” means the degree of Master of Social Work; “the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Social Care Studies; “the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Care Studies; and “the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008.” 2. These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in October 2021 or later. 3.

(1)The Course shall be open to applicants who are in possession of the following qualifications: (

1. a)a Bachelor degree from this University or any higher education institution recognised by Senate, obtained with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Social Policy, Psychology, Youth and Community Studies or Social Wellbeing Studies; or (
2. b)a Bachelor degree from this University or another higher education institution recognised by Senate, obtained with at least Category IIA in any two of the following areas of study: Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology or Social Studies; or (c ) a Bachelor degree from this University or another higher education institution recognised by Senate, obtained with at least Category IIA in Theology with Psychology or Social Studies or Sociology; or (
3. d)a Bachelor degree from this University or another higher education institution recognised by Senate, obtained with Applicability. Amended by: L.N. 206 of 2018; L.N. 174 of 2021. Requirements for Admission.  Amended by: L.N. 206 of 2018; L.N. 174 of 2021; L.N. 156 of 2022; L.N. 16 of 2026. 2 [ S.L. 327.589 DEGREE OF MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK at least Second Class Honours and with a minimum average mark of 65% in any area of study together with a minimum of 300 hours of social care-related experience gained over a maximum period of ten years immediately prior to the commencement of the Course. A letter or letters of attestation demonstrating that the applicant has gained the requisite experience must be presented. Applicants shall also be required to present written reflections of their social care-related experience during an interview.

(2)Applicants must not be listed in the Register established under the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (CAP. 518). Upon acceptance into the Course, applicants will be required to submit an original Police Good Conduct Certificate, issued by the Commissioner of Police under the Conduct Certificates Ordinance. The certificate must be issued within six months before the date of its submission.

(3)(

1. a)All applicants shall be required to demonstrate that they have the necessary aptitude and disposition to follow the Course with profit. Course Duration. Programme of Study. (
2. b)Professional aptitude and disposition shall be measured by means of a personal interview. Interviews shall be conducted by an interviewing board composed of at least three members, appointed by the Board for the purpose. (
3. c)Applicants who obtain less than 60% for the professional aptitude and disposition criterion shall automatically not be admitted into the Course.

(4)Repealed by Legal Notice 16 of 2026.

(5)Repealed by Legal Notice 16 of 2026.

(6)Repealed by Legal Notice 16 of

2. The Course shall extend over four semesters of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study. 5.

(1)The programme of study shall consist of study-units to which a total of 120 ECTS credits are assigned, and shall comprise 60 ECTS credits for taught study-units, 30 ECTS credits for two work placements, and 30 ECTS credits for a dissertation.

(2)Students who obtain 30 ECTS credits assigned to 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 the Postgraduate Certificate.

(3)Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to 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 the Postgraduate Diploma. DEGREE OF MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK [ S.L. 327.589 3

1. In cases where students lack essential knowledge in the subject area, the Board may require students admitted to the Course to follow and pass supplementary study-units to which a maximum of 12 ECTS credits are assigned in addition to the programme of study specified in bye-law 5 of these bye-laws.
2. The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate, normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course. 8.

(1)Stu dent s shall be r equi red to su bm it an in div idu al dissertation of approximately 20,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board. Dissertation. Renumbered by: L.N. 16 of 2026.

(2)Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the third and fourth semester of the Course. 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 end of the second semester. 9.

(1)Students shall be required to have regular contact with their supervisor. Renumbered by: L.N. 16 of 2026.

(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 part-time basis. 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)the 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. 10. 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. 11. 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. Classification of the Awards. Renumbered by: L.N. 16 of 2026. Special Provisions for Part-time Courses.  Renumbered by: L.N. 16 of 2026.