L.S. 327.759 Ordinamenti għall-Grad ta’ Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care – M.A. - taħt il-patroċinju tal-Fakultà tal-Edukazzjoni

(1)These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws for the Degree of Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Education.

(2)Citation and Interpretation In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires - “the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Education; “the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies appointed by Senate for the Course, on the recommendation of the Board; “the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care M.A.; “the Degree” means the Degree of Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care - M.A.; “the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care - P.G. Cert.; “the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care - P.G. Dip.; and “the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021. 2. These bye-laws shall apply to courses commencing in October 2025 or later. Applicability 3.

(1)The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a Bachelor’s degree, pegged at Level 6 on the Malta Qualifications Framework and obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) or Category II classification, in an area of study related to Education (with a specialisation in early childhood or primary education), or any other area deemed relevant by the Board. Applicants in possession a degree classified with Third Class (Honours) or Category III may also be admitted provided they satisfy Requirements for Admission 2 MASTER OF ARTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE - M.A. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION [ S.L. 327.759 the Board that they are in possession of other qualifications, or relevant work experience, obtained following their first cycle degree.

(2)The Faculty Admissions Committee may, after thorough examination of documents submitted in support of the qualifications presented, and following an interview, recommend the admission of applicants applying for admission in terms of the University’s Policy for the Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning (RPL) who are in possession of other academic or professional qualifications and documented experience if these are deemed to be comparable to the qualifications referred to in paragraph

(1)of this bye-law. The admission of such applicants may be made subject to those conditions that may be imposed to address any lacunae in the applicants’ academic preparation. Conditions imposed may include the satisfactory completion of a preparatory programme, or the requirement to follow and pass supplementary study-units, up to a maximum of 12 ECTS credits, in addition to the programme of study specified in bye-law 5 of these bye-laws.

(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. Course Duration

1. The Course shall extend over a period of six semesters of part-time study or the equivalent on a full-time basis. Programme of Study
2. 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 the dissertation study-unit.
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 do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.
4. Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits for 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 Course, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.
5. The programme of study shall be published after approval by Senate normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the Course. Dissertation 9.

(1)Students shall be required to submit an individual MASTER OF ARTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE - M.A. - UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION [ S.L. 327.759 3 dissertation of approximately 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 part-time Course or the final semester of the full-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 of Studies for approval not later than the beginning of the fourth semester of the part-time Course and not later than the second semester of the fulltime Course. 10.

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

(2)Supervisors shall submit to the Board of Studies progress reports for each student under their supervision at the end of each year 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 in (
4. a)shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Regulations; and (
5. ii)the Board of Studies may not terminate studies prematurely according to (
6. b)until it has first given the student a chance to be heard. 11. The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of the Postgraduate Diploma and the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in all components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally. Classification of the Awards 12. 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. Special Provisions for Part-Time Courses