L.S. 327.673 Ordinamenti skont ir-Regolamenti Ġenerali għar-Rikonoxximenti Universitarji ta’ wara l-Ewwel Grad, 2021 għall-grad ta’ Master of Arts in

(1)These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws in terms of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 for the degree of Master of Arts in Open and Networked Higher Education - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Education.

(2)Citation and Interpretation. In these by-laws, unless the context otherwise requires - "the Board" means the Board of the Faculty of Education; "the Course" means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Open and Networked Higher Education M.A.; "the Degree" means the degree of Master of Arts in Open and Networked Higher Education - M.A.; "the Postgraduate Certificate" means the Postgraduate Certificate in Open and Networked Higher Education - P.G. Cert.; "the Postgraduate Diploma" means the Postgraduate Diploma in Open and Networked Higher Education - P.G. Dip.; and "the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021. 2. These by-laws shall be commencing in October 2021 or later. applicable for courses 3.

(1)The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a Bachelor degree in an area of study deemed relevant by the Board, classified with at least Second Class Honours or Category II, awarded by this University or any other higher education institution recognised by Senate.

(2)The Admissions Board, on the recommendation of the Board, may also admit into the Course, applicants not in possession of a first cycle degree, if it is satisfied that such are in possession of other academic or professional qualifications and relevant experience Applicability. Requirements for Admission. 2 MASTER OF ARTS IN OPEN AND NETWORKED HIGHER EDUCATION [ S.L. 327.673 that together are deemed to be comparable to the level of a first degree. Such applicants shall be required to demonstrate the learning achieved through prior experience and qualifications through the evaluation procedures established by the University Policy for the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning (RPL).

(3)The admission of applicants may 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.

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

(5)If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places or the Board deems necessary, applicants shall be selected using the following criteria, the weighting of which shall be published at the time of the call for applications: (

1. a)degree type and class; (
2. b)relevant work experience in the proposed study area; (
3. c)professional aptitude and disposition; and (
4. d)performance during an interview conducted by the (
5. e)interviewing board.

(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. Course Duration. 4. The Course shall extend over three semesters of fulltime study or the equivalent in part-time study. Programme of Study. 5.

(1)The programme of study shall comprise studyunits 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 the dissertation study-unit.

(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.

(3)Students who successfully complete a prescribed set of taught study-units totalling 30 ECTS credits with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course, or having proceeded MASTER OF ARTS IN OPEN AND NETWORKED HIGHER EDUCATION [ S.L. 327.673 do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.

(4)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.

(5)Students shall be eligible for the award of the Degree if they obtain the 90 ECTS as outlined in the programme of study for the Course with an average mark of at least 50%. 6.

(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.

(2)Students who fail in the assessment of not more than 20 ECTS credits if they are following the full-time course or 10 ECTS credits if they are following the part-time course, shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessment during the September supplementary examination session.

(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 deemed to have failed the Course. 7.

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

(2)Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the final semester of the full-time Course or the final two semesters of the part-time 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 for approval by the beginning of the third semester of the part-time Course or the beginning of the second semester of the full-time Course.

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

(5)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 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: Dissertation. 3 4 [ S.L. 327.673 MASTER OF ARTS IN OPEN AND NETWORKED HIGHER EDUCATION (
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 defend his case. Classification of the Awards. 8. 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. Special Provisions for Part-Time Courses. 9. 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.