L.S. 327.605 Ordinamenti skont ir-Regolamenti Ġenerali tal-2008 għar-Rikonoxximenti Universitarji ta’ wara l-Ewwel Grad għall-grad ta’ Master in Theol

(1)These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws in terms of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the degree of Master in Theology - M.Th. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology.

(2)Citation and Interpretation In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires – “the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Theology; “the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master in Theology - M.Th.; “the Degree” means the degree of Master in Theology - M.Th.; “the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Theology – P.G. Cert; “the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Theology – P.G. Dip; and “the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008. 2. These bye-laws shall be applicable from 1st February, 2021 and onwards. Applicability Amended by: L.N. 173 of 2021. 3. The Course combines teaching and research in any area of Theology in which the Board can offer expert guidance and supervision. The areas of study shall be indicated by the Board in the Course Programme. Areas of Study 4.

(1)possession of: The Course shall be open to applicants in (

1. a)a Bachelor degree obtained with Second Class Honours or better in Theology with a subsidiary area in Philosophy; or Requirements for Admission Amended by: L.N. 173 of 2021. (
2. b)a Bachelor degree obtained with Category II or 2 [ S.L. 327.605 MASTER IN THEOLOGY – M.TH. –UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF THEOLOGY better in Theology.

(2)Applicants in possession of the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology with at least Second Class Honours shall also be eligible to apply.

(3)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 number of available places at the time of the call for applications.

(4)When the number of places is so limited and the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants will 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.

(5)The admission of applicants under sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph

(1)of this bye-law shall be made conditional on the result of an interview conducted by an interviewing board composed of at least three members, appointed by the Board for the purpose. Such applicants shall be required to follow a preparatory programme as indicated in bye-law 5.

(6)For the purpose of selection, applicants whose qualifications as stipulated in paragraph

(1)of this bye-law were obtained by 31 August preceding the commencement of the Course shall be considered first. Preparatory Programme 5. Applicants admitted under sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph

(1)of bye-law 4 shall be required to successfully complete a preparatory programme comprising 30 ECTS credits obtained with an average mark of 55% or better prior to their registration in the Course. Course Duration Substituted by: L.N. 173 of 2021. 6.

(1)The Course for applicants in terms of paragraph

(1)of bye-law 4 shall extend over four semesters of full-time study.

(2)The Course for applicants in terms of paragraph

(2)of byelaw 4 shall extend over a period of two consecutive semesters of parttime study. Programme of Study Substituted by: L.N. 173 of 2021. 7.

(1)The programme of study for applicants in terms of paragraph

(1)of bye-law 4 shall comprise study-units to which a total of 120 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 90 ECTS credits are assigned MASTER IN THEOLOGY – M.TH. –UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF THEOLOGY [ S.L. 327.605 3 to taught study-units and 30 ECTS credits are assigned to a dissertation study-unit.

(2)The programme of study for applicants in terms of paragraph

(2)of bye-law 4 shall comprise a total of 30 ECTS credits assigned to a research component.

1. Students who obtain at least 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.
2. Students who obtain at least 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.
3. Students shall be eligible for the award of the Degree if they obtain the 120 ECTS credits as outlined in the programme of study for the Course with an average mark of at least 50%.
4. The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate, normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course. 12.

(1)Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of approximately 15,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board: Dissertation Amended by: L.N. 173 of 2021. Renumbered by: L.N. 259 of 2024. provided that students registered on the 30 ECTS credits programme may be allowed by the Board to submit three research papers of 10 ECTS credits each in lieu of the dissertation..

(2)Work on the dissertation may be undertaken after approval of the proposal. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study. 13.

(1)Students shall be required to have regular contact with their supervisor.

(2)Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for each student under their supervision at the end of each semester of studies. Such reports may include recommendations 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 Renumbered by: L.N. 259 of 2024. 4 [ S.L. 327.605 MASTER IN THEOLOGY – M.TH. –UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF THEOLOGY in (
4. a)shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Regulations; and (
5. ii)Classification of the Awards Substituted by: L.N. 173 of 2021. Renumbered/ Amended by: L.N. 259 of 2024. the Board may not terminate studies prematurely according to (
6. b)until it has first given the student a chance to be heard. 14.

(1)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 components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

(2)The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of the Degree for students who follow the 30 ECTS credit programme of study shall take into account the results obtained in the study-units of the fifth year (60 ECTS credits) of the Bachelor of Sacred Theology course as well as the results obtained in the 30 ECTS credit programme of study, all credits being weighted equally, provided that for students who were awarded their first cycle degree using a grading system which is substantially different from that currently in use at the University of Malta, the Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of the Degree will be calculated on the basis of the result/s obtained in the 30 ECTS credit programme only. Equivalence Renumbered/ Substituted by: L.N. 259 of 2024. 15. The degree of Master in Theology is equivalent to the canonical degree awarded on successful completion of the first cycle of philosophical and theological studies, as prescribed by the Apostolic Constitution Sapientia Christiana and the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis gaudium.