L.S. 327.643 Ordinamenti għall-grad ta’ Master of Science in Mental Health Studies – M.Sc. - taħt il-patroċinju tal-Fakultà tax-Xjenzi tas-Saħħa, tal-

(1)These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws for the Degree of Master of Science in Mental Health Studies - M.Sc. under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

(2)Citation and Interpretation In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires - “the Boards” means the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Board of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing; “the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies appointed by Senate for the Course on the recommendations of the Boards of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty for Social Wellbeing; “the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Science in Mental Health Studies - M.Sc.; “the Degree” means the degree of Master of Science in Mental Health Studies - M.Sc.; “the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Studies - P.G. Dip.; and “the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards,

2. These bye-laws shall be commencing in October 2021 or later. courses Applicability Amended by: L.N. 253 of
4. The Course shall be open to warranted professionals in possession of a valid registration/licence with the relevant professional council and a first cycle qualification or higher, awarded by this University or any other higher education institution recognized by Senate, obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) or equivalent, in any one of the following areas: Requirements for Admission Amended by: L.N. 253 of 2021; L.N. 144 of
5. (a) applicable for Communication Therapy, Counselling, Education, 2 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH STUDIES M.SC. [ S.L. 327.643 Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Social Work and Youth Work; or (b) any other area deemed suitable by the Board of Studies.

(2)Applicants in possession of all the required academic qualifications for the acquisition of the respective warrant/license to practise (according to Maltese law) but who are still not in possession of the warrant/license to practice shall also be considered eligible, provided that holders of temporary warrants who do not hold the full academic requirements required by the respective regulatory body to obtain a permanent warrant to practice will not be accepted.

(3)All applicants shall submit with their application a Police Good Conduct Certificate issued by the Commissioner of Police in terms of the Conduct Certificates Ordinance.

(4)The Board of Studies shall recommend to Senate the number of applicants that may be allowed to register for the Course, depending on the availability of resources. The number of available places shall be published at the time of the call for applications.

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

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

(7)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.

(8)Course Duration

1. study. Board of Studies
2. Repealed by Legal Notice 144 of
3. The Course shall extend over six semesters of part-time

(1)The academic administration of the Course shall be MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH STUDIES M.SC. [ S.L. 327.643 3 entrusted to a Board of Studies appointed for the purpose.

(2)The Board of Studies, which shall be appointed for a period of one academic year, shall be composed as follows: (

1. a)the Deans of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty of Social Wellbeing, or their respective delegate, one of whom shall be appointed Chairman on the joint recommendation of the three Faculties; (
2. b)at least two academic members of staff from each of the three Faculties; and (
3. c)two students elected from amongst the students registered on the Course. 6.

(1)The programme of study shall comprise study-units to which a total of 90 ECTS credits are assigned, of which 60 ECTS credits are assigned to taught study-units and 30 ECTS credits are assigned to a dissertation study-unit. Programme of Study

(2)During the first year of the Course students shall be required to indicate their chosen stream of study for the second year of the Course.

1. Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the 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 dissertation, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.
2. Students shall be eligible for the award of the Degree if they obtain the 90 ECTS credits as outlined in the programme of study for the Course with an average mark of at least 50%.
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. 10.

(1)Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board of Studies.

(2)Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the final two semesters 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 for the dissertation and a detailed research proposal shall be submitted to the Board of Studies for approval by the end of the third semester. Dissertation Renumbered by: L.N. 144 of 2024. 4 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH STUDIES M.SC. 11.

(1)Students shall be required to have regular contact with their supervisor. [ S.L. 327.643 Renumbered by: L.N. 144 of 2024.

(2)Supervisors shall submit to the Board of Studies 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: Classification of the Awards Renumbered by: L.N. 144 of 2024. (
3. i)the extension of the study period referred to in (
4. a)shall be in accordance with the provisions of 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. 12. 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.