Legal Notice 24 of 2006 - Malta Government Gazette No. 17,874 - 3 February 2006
Amended by:
Legal Notice 80 of 2007 – Malta Government Gazette No. 18,058 – 30 March 2007
Legal Notice 222 of 2008 – Malta Government Gazette No. 18,309 – 16 September, 2008
Legal Notice 119 of 2009 – Malta Government Gazette No. 18,404 – 17 April, 2009
Legal Notice 211 of 2009 – Malta Government Gazette No. 18,458 – 24 July, 2009
Legal Notice 287 of 2011 – Malta Government Gazette No. 18,782 – 22 July, 2011
Legal Notice 387 of 2011 – Malta Government Gazette No. 18,812 – 30 September, 2011
Legal Notice 388 of 2012 – Malta Government Gazette No. 18,987 – 13 November, 2012
Legal Notice 94 of 2013 – Malta Government Gazette No. 19,227 – 28 March 2014
Legal Notice 341 of 2014 – Malta Government Gazette No. 19,316 – 26 September 2014
Legal Notice 450 of 2014 – Malta Government Gazette No. 19,356 – 12 December 2014
EDUCATION ACT
(CAP. 327)
Bye-Laws of 2006 in terms of the
General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2004
for the Degree of Bachelor of Education (Honours) - B.Ed. (Hons) under the auspices of the Faculty of Education
IN exercise of the powers conferred upon him by sections 30(5) and
31(6) of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the University of
Malta has promulgated the following bye-laws made by the Board of the
Faculty of Education in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by section 37 (1)
of the said Act and which have been approved by the Senate of the University of
Malta as required by section 37 (2) of the said Act:
Citation and Interpretation
1. (1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2006 in terms of the
General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2004 for the degree of
Bachelor of Education (Honours) - B. Ed. (Hons.) - under the auspices of the Faculty of
Education.
(2) In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires "the Board" means the Board of the Faculty of Education;
"the Course" means the programme of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of
Education (Honours) - B.Ed. (Hons);
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"the Degree" means the degree of Bachelor of Education (Honours) - B.Ed.
(Hons);
"the Faculty" means the Faculty of Education; and
"the Principal Regulations" means the General Regulations for University
Undergraduate Awards, 2004.
Applicability
2. These bye-laws shall be applicable to courses commencing in October 2004 or
later.
Areas of Study
3. The Degree may be awarded under the auspices of the Faculty in Early
Childhood Education and Care, Primary Education or Secondary Education as an area
of specialisation.
For courses commencing in October 2013 or later:
3. (1) The Degree may be awarded under the auspices of the Faculty in Early
Childhood Education and Care, Primary Education or Secondary Education as an area
of specialisation.
(2) (a) For the Primary and the Early Childhood Education and Care areas of
specialisation, the Board shall recommend to Senate the number of applicants that may
be allowed to register in these areas of specialisation, depending on the number of
school placements available. The number of available places shall be announced when
this information is made available to the University by the relevant authorities.
(b) If there are more eligible applicants than the number of places available,
applicants shall be selected after an interview by an interviewing board appointed by the
Board for the purpose and which shall be composed of at least 3 members. Applicants
shall be rank ordered in accordance with criteria approved by Senate.
4. (1) Applicants who choose Secondary Education as their area of specialisation
shall also be required to choose one or two teaching areas.
(2) The teaching areas for the Secondary Education area of specialisation shall be
chosen as follows: two teaching areas from Group A, or one teaching area from Group
B, or one teaching area from Group C, or any teaching area or combination of teaching
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areas as approved by the Senate on the recommendation of the Board. In any year,
teaching areas shall be offered depending on the availability of resources and the
number of applicants who choose them.
5. (1) The teaching areas in Group A shall be the following: Art, English, French,
Geography, German, History, Italian, Maltese, Music Studies, Religious Education,
Spanish.
(2) The following combinations of teaching areas from Group A are not
normally offered:
- Art and French
- English and Music Studies
- Geography and either Maltese or Religious Education
- German and History
- Maltese and Religious Education
- Spanish and English
- Spanish and Music Studies.
6. The teaching area in Group B shall be Science, with specialisation in either
Biology, or Chemistry, or Physics.
7. The teaching areas in Group C shall be the following: Computing, Nutrition,
Family and Consumer Studies, Mathematics, Personal and Social Development,
Physical Education, and Technical Design and Technology.
8. (1) The Board shall announce the teaching areas offered within the Secondary
Education area of specialisation as approved by Senate, before the beginning of each
Course.
(2) In teaching areas where the number of school placements is limited, the
Board shall recommend to Senate the number of applicants that may be allowed to
register in these teaching areas, depending on the number of school placements
available. The number of available places shall be announced when this information is
made available to the University by the relevant authorities.
(3) If there are more eligible applicants than the number of places available,
applicants shall be rank ordered in accordance with criteria approved by Senate. The
University Admissions Board, after seeking the advice of the Faculty Admissions
Committee, shall first consider eligible applicants whose qualifications were obtained in
the Matriculation Certificate Examination or from another examining board, if the
Faculty Admissions Committee is satisfied that the qualifications presented are
comparable in content and equivalent in standard to the Matriculation Certificate
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Examination in the same subject/s. For the purpose of selection, applicants whose
qualifications and the special course requirements as stipulated in bye-law 9, were
obtained by 31 August preceding the commencement of the Course shall be considered
first. If vacant places are still available, applicants who obtain all necessary
qualifications and fulfil all special course requirements as stipulated in bye-law 9 after
the 31 August and before the 30 September shall be considered to take up the remaining
places.
Special Course Requirements for Admission
9. (1) To be registered as regular students in the Course, applicants shall, apart
from satisfying the general requirements for admission as specified in the Admission
Regulations, be in possession of the special course requirements listed in this bye-law.
For courses commencing in October 2012 and October 2013:
(2) If Early Childhood Education and Care or Primary Education is chosen as
the area of specialisation, applicants shall have:
(a) one pass at Advanced Matriculation Level at Grade C or better in one of
the following subjects: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, English, Geography,
History, Home Economics and Human Ecology, Information Technology, Maltese,
Mathematics (Applied or Pure), Music, Philosophy, Physics, Religious Knowledge, and
Sociology; and
(b) passes at Intermediate Matriculation Level at Grade C or better in two
of the following subjects (excluding the subject presented at Advanced Level): Art,
Biology, Chemistry, Computing, English, Environmental Science, Geography, History,
Home Economics and Human Ecology, Information Technology, Maltese, Mathematics
(Applied or Pure), Music, Philosophy, Physics, Religious Knowledge, and Sociology;
and
(c) passes in proficiency tests in English and Maltese, approved by the
Faculty. Applicants shall be exempted from sitting for the proficiency test in English if
they are in possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or higher, or an Intermediate
Matriculation Level pass at Grade C or higher, or an Advanced Matriculation Level
pass at Grade C or higher in English. Applicants shall be exempted from sitting for the
proficiency test in Maltese if they are in possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or
higher, or an Intermediate Matriculation Level pass at Grade C or higher, or an
Advanced Matriculation Level pass at Grade C or higher in Maltese; and
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(d) a certificate showing a pass in all seven European Computer Driving
Licence (ECDL) modules.
Applicable for courses commencing in October 2014 or later:
(2) If Early Childhood Education and Care or Primary Education is chosen as
the area of specialisation, applicants shall have:
(a) Advanced Matriculation Level passes at Grade C or better in any TWO
of the following subjects: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, English, French,
Geography, German, History, Home Economics and Human Ecology, Information
Technology, Italian, Maltese, Mathematics (Applied or Pure), Music, Philosophy,
Physics, Religious Knowledge, Sociology and Spanish; and
(b) Intermediate Matriculation Level passes at Grade C or better in English
and Maltese, if applicants have not already offered these subjects at Advanced
Matriculation Level; and
(c) a certificate showing a pass in the European Computer Driving Licence
(ECDL) Standard Certificate.
For courses commencing in October 2012 and October 2013:
(3) Applications for the Early Childhood Education and Care area of
specialisation shall also be accepted from persons who are not in possession of the
general requirements for admission as specified in the Admission Regulations but have
obtained the following:
(a) passes at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in English Language,
Mathematics and Maltese; and
(b) the MCAST-BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and
Development or the Certificate in Pre-School Education (Education Division – Further
Studies and Adult Education Department) or the Certificate in Childcare (Education
Division – Further Studies and Adult Education Department); and
(c) one pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in one of the following
subjects: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, English, Geography, History, Home
Economics and Human Ecology, Information Technology, Maltese, Mathematics
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(Applied or Pure), Music, Philosophy, Physics, Religious Knowledge, and Sociology;
and
(d) passes in proficiency tests in English and Maltese approved by the
Faculty (unless exempted from them in terms of bye-law 9 (2)(c)); and
(e) a certificate showing a pass in all seven European Computer Driving
Licence (ECDL) modules.
For courses commencing in October 2014 or later:
(3) Applications for the Early Childhood Education and Care area of
specialisation shall also be accepted from persons who are not in possession of the
general requirements for admission as specified in the Admission Regulations but have
obtained the following:
(a) a pass at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in Mathematics; and
(b) the MCAST-BTEC National Diploma in Early Years or MCAST-BTEC
National Diploma in Children's Care Learning and Development or MCAST-BTEC
National Diploma in Child’s Play Learning and Development or the Certificate in PreSchool Education (Education Division - Further Studies and Adult Education
Department) or the Certificate in Childcare (Education Division - Further Studies and
Adult Education Department); and
(c) Advanced Matriculation Level passes at Grade C or better in any two of
the following subjects: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, English, French,
Geography, German, History, Home Economics and Human Ecology, Information
Technology, Italian, Maltese, Mathematics (Applied or Pure), Music, Philosophy,
Physics, Religious Knowledge, Sociology and Spanish; and
(d) Intermediate Matriculation Level passes at Grade C or better in English
and Maltese, if applicants have not already offered these subjects at Advanced
Matriculation Level; and
(e) a certificate showing a pass in the European Computer Driving Licence
(ECDL) Standard Certificate.
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Applicable for courses commencing in October 2013 or later:
(4) In accordance with the provisions of regulation 8.1.1 of the Admission
Regulations of the University, the Admissions Board, acting on the advice of the
relevant Board of Studies, may admit applicants for the Early Childhood Education and
Care area of specialisation, into any year of the Course if in possession of the following:
(a) MCAST–BTEC Higher National Diploma in Advanced Studies in Early
Years; and
(b) passes at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in English Language, Maltese and
Mathematics and; and
(c) passes in proficiency tests in English and Maltese approved by the Faculty
(unless exempted from them in terms of bye-law 9 (2) (c)); and
(d) a certificate showing a pass in all seven European Computer Driving
License (ECDL) modules,
provided that such applicants shall be required to follow a programme of study as
directed by the Board, over two years of full-time study.
Applicable for courses commencing in October 2014 or later:
(4) In accordance with the provisions of regulation 8.1.1 of the Admission
Regulations of the University, the Admissions Board, acting on the advice of the
relevant Board of Studies, may admit applicants for the Early Childhood Education and
Care area of specialisation, into any year of the Course if in possession of the following:
(a) MCAST–BTEC Higher National Diploma in Advanced Studies in Early
Years; and
(b) passes at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in English Language, Maltese and
Mathematics and; and
(c) passes in proficiency tests in English and Maltese, approved by the Faculty.
Applicants shall be exempted from sitting for the proficiency test in English if they are
in possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or higher, or an Intermediate
Matriculation Level pass at Grade C or higher, or an Advanced Matriculation Level
pass at Grade C or higher in English. Applicants shall be exempted from sitting for the
proficiency test in Maltese if they are in possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or
higher, or an Intermediate Matriculation Level pass at Grade C or higher, or an
Advanced Matriculation Level pass at Grade C or higher in Maltese; and
(d) a certificate showing a pass in the European Computer Driving Licence
(ECDL) Standard Certificate,
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provided that such applicants shall be required to follow a programme of study as
directed by the Board, over two years of full-time study.
(5) If Secondary Education is chosen as the area of specialisation, applicants shall
have:
(a) for two teaching areas from Group A: passes at Advanced Level at Grade
C or better in each of the two subjects chosen as teaching areas;
(b) for a teaching area from Group B:
(i) for Science with specialisation in Biology: two passes at Advanced
Level at Grade C or better in Biology and in any other subject, together with a pass at
Grade C or better at Intermediate Level in Chemistry;
(ii) for Science with specialisation in Chemistry: two passes at Advanced
Level at Grade C or better in Chemistry and in any other subject, together with a pass at
Grade C or better at Intermediate Level in Physics; and
(iii) for Science with specialisation in Physics: two passes at Advanced
Level at Grade C or better in Physics and in any other subject, together with a pass at
Grade C or better at Intermediate Level in Applied Mathematics or Pure Mathematics;
(c) for a teaching area from Group C:
(i) For Nutrition, Family and Consumer Studies: two passes at Advanced
Level at Grade C or better in Home Economics and Human Ecology and in any other
subject;
(ii) for Mathematics: two passes at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in
Pure Mathematics and in any other subject;
(iii) for Computing: two passes at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in
Computing and in any other subject, together with a pass at Intermediate Level at Grade
C or better in Pure Mathematics (a pass at Advanced Level in Information Technology
or in Pure Mathematics may not be offered instead of Computing);
(iv) for Personal and Social Development: a pass at Advanced Level at
Grade C or better in either Philosophy or Sociology and a pass at Advanced Level at
Grade C or better in any other subject;
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(v) for Physical Education: a pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better
in any two subjects, a pass in a physical education proficiency test, a medical certificate
as per prescribed form provided by the Institute of Physical Education and Sport, and a
portfolio demonstrating interest in and commitment to Physical Education and Sport;
For courses commencing in October 2014 or later:
(v) for Physical Education:
(1) a pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in any two subjects, a pass in a
physical education proficiency test, a medical certificate as per prescribed form provided by
the Institute of Physical Education and Sport, and a portfolio demonstrating interest in and
commitment to Physical Education and Sport;”
(2) Applications for the Physical Education area of specialisation shall also be
accepted from persons who are not in possession of the general requirements for
admission as specified in the Admission Regulations but have obtained the following:
(a) the MCAST-BTEC Extended Diploma (Development, Coaching & Fitness)
with DDD (where D signifies Distinction) or DDM (where M signifies Merit); and
(b) an Advanced Level pass at Grade C or better in any subject except Physical
Education; and
(c) passes at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in English Language, Maltese and
Mathematics; and
(d) a certificate showing a pass in the European Computer Driving Licence
(ECDL) Standard Certificate; and
(e) a pass in the physical education proficiency test; and
(f) a pass in a medical fitness test as per prescribed form provided by the
Institute of Physical Education and Sport and present a portfolio demonstrating interest
in and commitment to Physical Education and Sport; and
(g) a pass in the English proficiency test, approved by the Faculty. Applicants
shall be exempted from sitting for the proficiency test in English if they are in
possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or higher, or an Intermediate Matriculation
Level pass at Grade C or higher, or an Advanced Level pass at Grade C or higher in
English.
For courses commencing in October 2015 or later:
(v) for Physical Education:
(1) a pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in any two subjects, a pass in a
physical education proficiency test obtained in the same year when submitting the
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application, a medical fitness certificate, as per prescribed form provided by the Institute of
Physical Education and Sport, produced in the same year when submitting the application, and
a portfolio demonstrating interest in and commitment to Physical Education and Sport;
(2) Applications for the Physical Education area of specialisation shall also be
accepted from persons who are not in possession of the general requirements for
admission as specified in the Admission Regulations but have obtained the following:
(a) the MCAST-BTEC Extended Diploma (Development, Coaching & Fitness)
with DDD (where D signifies Distinction) or DDM (where M signifies Merit); and
(b) an Advanced Level pass at Grade C or better in any subject except Physical
Education; and
(c) passes at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in English Language, Maltese and
Mathematics; and
(d) a certificate showing a pass in the European Computer Driving Licence
(ECDL) Standard Certificate; and
(e) a pass in a physical education proficiency test taken in the same year when
submitting the application; and
(f) a medical fitness certificate, as per prescribed form provided by the Institute
of Physical Education and Sport, taken in the same year when submitting the application
and present a portfolio demonstrating interest in and commitment to Physical Education
and Sport; and
(g) a pass in the English proficiency test, approved by the Faculty. Applicants
shall be exempted from sitting for the proficiency test in English if they are in
possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or higher, or an Intermediate Level pass at
Grade C or higher, or an Advanced Level pass at Grade C or higher in English.”
(vi) for Technical Design and Technology:
(1) a pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in Engineering
Drawing or in Graphical Communication, a pass at Intermediate Level at Grade C or
better in Physics, and a pass at Advanced Level at Grade C or better in any other
subject; or
The following sub-paragraph (2) shall be added for courses commencing in October
2014 or later:
(2) a pass at Advanced Level at grade C or better in Physics, a pass at
Intermediate Level at grade C or better in Engineering Drawing and Graphical
Communication, and a pass at Advanced Level at grade C or better in any other subject;
or
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The following paragraph (2) shall be renumbered as paragraph (3) for courses
commencing in October 2014 or later:
(3) five passes at Grade 5 or better in the Secondary Education Certificate
Examination, including English Language and Maltese, together with a pass in Systems
of Knowledge in the Matriculation Certificate Examination at Intermediate Level, and
the Advanced Technicians Diploma of the City and Guilds of London Institute, or
the MCAST-BTEC Higher National Diploma in Electrical Engineering Level 5, or the
MCAST-BTEC Higher National Diploma in Electronic Engineering Level 5, or the
MCAST-BTEC Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Level 5, or a
qualification considered equivalent by the University Admissions Board on the
recommendation of the Board.
(d) a pass in the proficiency test in English approved by the Faculty. Applicants
shall be exempted from sitting for the proficiency test in English if they are in
possession of a pass at SEC level at Grade 3 or higher, or an Intermediate Level pass at
Grade C or higher, or an Advanced Level pass at Grade C or higher in English; and
(e) a certificate showing a pass in the European Computer Driving Licence
(ECDL) Standard Certificate.
This paragraph shall be included for courses commencing in October 2014 or
later:
(6) Applicants admitted under sub-paragraph (a) (iii) of paragraph (2) of
regulation 2 of the Admission Regulations must be in possession of those qualifications
and/or experience that would satisfy the Faculty Admissions Committee that they have
reached the academic standard required to follow the Course with profit. The eligibility
of such applicants shall be decided by the Faculty Admissions Committee, following an
interview conducted by an interviewing board appointed for the purpose. The
interviewing board appointed by the Board shall be composed of at least three persons.
These paragraphs shall be renumbered as paragraphs (7) and (8) for courses
commencing in October 2014 or later:
(7) Applicants who do not pass the English and Maltese proficiency tests (as
applicable) and are not exempted from them in terms of the provisions of these byelaws, and/or are not in possession of the ECDL by the 30 September shall not be
admitted to the Course.
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(8) In the case of English, passes at the same standard in comparable
qualifications will also be accepted.
10. Applicants with other qualifications considered to be sufficient may be
exempted by the University Admissions Board, on the advice of the Faculty Admissions
Committee, from the whole or part of these special course requirements.
Course Duration
11. (1) For the Primary and Secondary Education areas of specialization, the
Course shall extend over a period of four years of full-time study.
(2) For the Early Childhood Education and Care area of specialization, the
Course shall extend over a period of three years full-time or its equivalent in part-time
study.
For courses commencing in October 2013 or later:
11.
(1)
For the Early Childhood Education and Care, Primary and
Secondary Education areas of specialisation, the Course shall extend over a period of
four years of full-time study.
(2)
For courses which commenced prior to October 2013, for the
Early Childhood Education and Care area of specialisation, the Course shall extend over
a period of three years full-time or its equivalent in part-time study.
Course Programme
12. Students are required to obtain 60 credits per year, as detailed in the
programme of studies (including field placements and a dissertation) approved by
Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, and according to the provisions of the
Principal Regulations.
Special Provision for Field Placement
13. (1) There shall be a Field Placement, comprising a period of observation
and/or teaching in schools, under supervision, as determined by the Board as follows:
(a) in each of the four years, in the case of the Primary and Secondary Education
areas of specialization; and
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(b) in each of the three years (or spread throughout the part-time Course), in the
case of the Early Childhood Education and Care area of specialization.
For courses commencing in October 2013 or later:
13. (1) There shall be a Field Placement, comprising a period of observation
and/or teaching in schools, under supervision, as determined by the Board as follows:
(a) in each of the four years, in the case of the Early Childhood Education and
Care, Primary and Secondary Education areas of specialisation; and
(b) in each of the three years (or spread throughout the part-time Course for
courses which commenced prior to October 2013), in the case of the Early Childhood
Education and Care area of specialisation.
(2) Field Placements shall be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.
For courses commencing in October 2013 or later:
(2)
Field Placements shall be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis in the case
of the B.Ed.(Hons) Primary and Secondary Education areas of specialisation. Field
placements shall be assessed by grades/marks in the B.Ed.(Hons) Early Childhood
Education and Care area of specialisation.
(3) Students shall be required to pass all the Field Placements. Students
can only do one Field Placement in any year of the Course and shall be allowed to
repeat only one failed Field Placement during the following year, so that the final Field
Placement is held during an additional year of studies, if allowed in terms of the
Principal Regulations.
(4) Students whose Field Placement includes the teaching of two teaching
areas and who fail to satisfy the examiners in the teaching of one of the teaching areas
shall be considered to have failed the Field Placement. Such students shall be required
to repeat the Field Placement in terms of paragraph (3) of this bye-law and as provided
for in the Principal Regulations. Students may be allowed to repeat the Field Placement
in the teaching of the failed teaching area only under those conditions established by the
Board.
(5) Students shall be required to abide by the Field Placement Code of
Ethics as published by the Board. Any breach of this Code of Ethics shall be referred to
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an ad hoc Disciplinary Board appointed by the Board and may result in a
recommendation to Senate for dismissal from the Course.
(6) (a) Students who, for health reasons, fail to attend for up to four days
should present a medical certificate within 24 hours to the Office of Professional
Practice. The medical certificate, drawn up by a Medical Doctor, should clearly state the
ailment which is preventing the student from attending school and should include the
name and the Medical Registration Number of the Medical Doctor.
(b) Where students are away from school for up to four days for any valid
reason, including health reasons, as well as in special circumstances for which prior
approval would have been given, they shall be requested to make up for any missed
teaching duties in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of Professional
Practice and the Head of Department concerned.
(c) Students who fail to attend five days or more shall have to undergo a
full Field Placement during an additional year of studies.
(7) The Board shall assign at least two additional examiners to each
student. The main additional examiner is requested to present the assessment reports
for the consideration of the Field Placement Board of Examiners. The Board of
Examiners shall, in terms of the University Examinations Regulations, determine the
procedure to be adopted for the conduct of the Field Placement assessment and may
themselves conduct assessment visits to particular students as they deem fit.
Classification of the Award
14. The Final Weighted Average Mark for the classification of the Degree shall
be based on the results obtained in each year of the Course, each of which shall receive
equal weighting.
15. In the case of assigning the classification of First Class Honours, the Degree
Classification Board shall take into consideration the students’ record of performance
during the Field Placements.
16. The Degree classification shall be published according to the provisions of
the Principal Regulations for Honours degrees.
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