ARIC
Programme Title

Master by Research

Course Code

RI7-O02-21
Programme Includes:(Apprenticeship/ Placement or Internship)

Taught Units Only (No Apprenticeship/No Placement/ No Internship)
MQF Level

Level 7
Type(refer to Appendix 1 for Parameters)

Qualification
Accreditation Status(Note: If the Type is Award or Qualification, therefore by default, the Accreditation Status should be Accredited)

Accredited via MCAST’s Self Accreditation Process (MCAST holds Self-Accrediting Status as per 1st schedule of Legal Notice 296/2012)
Mode of Delivery

Blended Learning
Duration (hours or years)

18 months in the case of full-time studies; 36 months in the case of part-time studies.
Total Number of Credits

90 ECTS
Total Learning Hours(25 Total Learning Hours for each ECTS)

2250 Hours
Target Audience
Target Group(the type of learners that the educational institution anticipates joining this programme)
Programme Fees

(Applicable for Non-EU and Non-EEA Countries) – the fee mentioned here is indicative.  Please refer to www.mcast.edu.mt, as well as to MCAST’s MG2I International Section for any updated fees as well as terms of payments.
Date of Next Student Intake

2024-10-01
Language of Instruction

The official language of instruction at MCAST is English. All notes and textbooks are in English (except for language courses, which will be in the respective language being instructed). International candidates will be requested to meet English language certification requirements for access to the course.
Application Method

Applications to full-time courses are received online via the College Management Information System. Applicants can log-in using Maltese Electronic ID (eID) in order to access the MCAST Admissions Portal directly and create one’s own student account with the identity being verified electronically via this secure service. Non-EID applicants need to request account creation though an online form after that they confirm that their local Identification Document does not come with an EID entitlement. . Once the identity is verified and the account is created on behalf of the applicant, one may proceed with the online application according to the same instructions applicable to all other applicants. For more information about how to apply online for a course at MCAST, please visit: https://mcast.edu.mt/how-to-apply-online-2/
Information for Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU candidates require a study visa in order to travel to Malta and join the course applied for. For further information re study-visa please access https://www.identitymalta.com/unit/central-visa-unit/.
Address where the Programme will be Delivered

MCAST has four campuses as follows: MCAST Main Campus Triq Kordin, Paola, Malta All courses except for courses delivered by the Institute for the Creative Arts, the Centre of Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences and the Gozo Campus are offered at the Main Campus address (above). Courses delivered by the Institute for the Creative Arts, the Centre of Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences, or the Gozo Campus, are offered in one of the following addresses as applicable:Institute for the Creative Arts Mosta Campus Misraħ Għonoq Tarġa Gap, Mosta Institute of Applied SciencesCentre of Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences, Luqa Road, Qormi Gozo CampusJ.F. De Chambray Street MCAST, Għajnsielem GozoIn the case of courses delivered via Online Learning, students will be following the programme from their preferred location/address. Programmes delivered via Blended Learning, and which therefore contain both an online and a face to face component shall be delivered as follows:Face to Face components – as per above address instructionsOnline components – from the student’s preferred address.
Course Description/Deskrizzjoni tal-Kors

English

The Master by Research (MRes) programme provides the student with sound practical knowledge and experience in preparation for a research career, as well as with preparation and training for doctoral research. Students will have demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, and they will understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research. They will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and they will show originality in tackling and solving applied research related challenges.


Malti

Il-programm Master by Research (MRes) jipprovdi lill-istudenti għarfien prattiku sod u esperjenza bi tħejjija għal karriera fir-riċerka, kif ukoll tħejjija u taħriġ għal riċerka fil-livell ta’ dottorat. L-istudenti jkunu wrew oriġinalità fl-applikazzjoni tal-għarfien, u jifhmu kif il-fruntieri tal-għarfien jitwessgħu permezz tar-riċerka. Huma jkunu jistgħu jittrattaw kwistjonijiet kumplessi b’mod sistematiku u kreattiv, u juru oriġinalità fil-mod li jindirizzaw u jsolvu sfidi relatati mar-riċerka applikata.
Career Opportunities
Entry requirements(Refer to Programme Specification)

A relevant MQF/EQF Level 6 degree at second class or higher. Other Entry Requirements An MQF/EQF Level 6 degree, which is regarded by MDC as equivalent to an Honours degree such as professional qualifications subjects, plus a portfolio evidencing relevant work experience for at least 3 years.
Programme Learning Outcomes(Refer to Programme Specification)

At the end of the programme the learner will be able to: 1.Identify the main concepts, issues and concerns relating to an identified research theme through secondary data; 2.Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of chosen research methodology and its techniques and appropriate application; 3.Develop and apply advanced research skills using specific tools and a select methodological approach; 4.Apply and synthesis a comprehensive research endeavour according to an identified research objective; 5.Constructively present and defend research outcomes towards an appropriate audience justifying unique contributions of research.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment Procedures

The programmes offered are vocational in nature and entail both theoretical lectures delivered in classes as well as practical elements that are delivered in laboratories, workshops, salons, simulators as the module requirements dictate. Each module or unit entails a number of in person and/or online contact learning hours that are delivered by the lecturer or tutor directly (See also section ‘Total Learning Hours). Access to all resources is provided to all registered students. These include study resources in paper or electronic format through the Library and Resource Centre as well as tools, software, equipment and machinery that are provided by the respective institutes depending on the requirements of the course or module. Students may however be required to provide consumable material for use during practical sessions and projects unless these are explicitly provided by the College. All Units of study are assessed throughout the academic year through continuous assessment using a variety of assessment tools. Coursework tasks are exclusively based on the Learning Outcomes and Grading Criteria as prescribed in the course specification. The Learning Outcomes and Grading Criteria are communicated to the Student via the coursework documentation. The method of assessment shall reflect the Level, credit points (ECTS) and the schedule of time-tabled/non-timetabled hours of learning of each study unit. A variety of assessment instruments, not solely Time Constrained Assignments/Exams, are used to gather and interpret evidence of Student competence toward pre-established grading criteria that are aligned to the learning outcomes of each unit of the programme of study. Grading criteria are assessed through a number of tasks, each task being assigned a number of marks. The number of grading criteria is included in the respective Programme Specification. The distribution of marks and assessment mode depends on the nature and objectives of the unit in question. Coursework shall normally be completed during the semester in which the Unit is delivered. Time-constrained assignments may be held between 8 am and 8 pm during the delivery period of a Unit, or at the end of the semester in which the Unit is completed. The dates are notified and published on the Institute notice boards or through other means of communication. Certain circumstances (such as but not limited to the Covid 19 pandemic) may lead Institutes and Centres to hold teaching and assessment remotely (online) as per MCAST QA Policy and Standard for Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment (Doc 020) available via link https://www.mcast.edu.mt/college-documents/The Programme Regulations pertaining to this Programme’s MQF/EQF level available at: link https://www.mcast.edu.mt/college-documents/, apply.
Grading System

All MCAST programmes adopt a Learner-centred approach through the focus on Learning Outcomes. The assessment of MCAST programmes is criterion-referenced and thus assessors are required to assess learners’ evidence against a pre-determined set of Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria. For a student to be deemed to have successfully passed a unit, a minimum of 50% (grade D) must be achieved. All full time units are individually graded as follows:A* (90-100)A (80-89)B (70-79)C (60-69)D (50-59)Unsatisfactory work is graded as ‘U’.Work-based learning units are graded on a Pass/Fail basis only.Detailed information regarding the grading system may be found in the Programme Regulations pertaining to this programme’sMQF/EQF Level available at: link https://www.mcast.edu.mt/college-documents/
Contact details for Further Learning Opportunities

MCAST Career Guidance Tel: 2398 7135/6 Email: career.guidance@mcast.edu.mt
Regulatory Body/ Competent Authority Contact Details (where applicable – in the case of a programme leading to Regulated Profession)

Last updated: 2024-07-02