DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCE - DIP. 
HEALTH SCIENCE - COURSE _g S.L.327.52 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.52
DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCE - DIP. HEALTH 
SCIENCE - COURSE REGULATIONS
7th April, 1995
LEGAL NOTICE 45 of 1995, as amended by Legal Notices 96 and 168 of
1998, 37 of 1999 and 147 of 2001.
Citation and 
interpretation.
1. (1) The title of these regulations is the Diploma in Health
Science - Dip. Health Science - Course Regulations.
(2) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires -
"the Board" means the Board of the Institute of Health Care;
"the course" means the course leading to the diploma;
"the Diploma" means the Diploma in Health Science - Dip.
Health Science;
"Health Science" means one of the options listed in the First
Schedule.
Applicability.
Amended by:
L.N. 96 of 1998;
L.N. 168 of 1998;
L.N. 37 of 1999;
L.N. 147 of 2001.
2. These regulations shall apply from 4th May 2001 onwards.
Eligibility for 
Diploma.
3. To be eligible for the award of the Diploma a candidate
shall:
( a ) have been registered in the Institute of Health Care for
a minimum period of three and half years, of which at
least two shall be as a regular student;
( b ) have completed a course of studies and been
successful in the examination in accordance with these
regulations;
( c ) be in possession of a statement of good conduct as
befits a person to work as a professional in Health
Science, which statement must be endorsed by the
Board; and
( d ) have satisfied all other requirements laid down in these
regulations and in any other relevant regulations and
statutes of the University.
Registration.
Amended by:
L.N. 147 of 2001.
4. (1) A candidate may be registered as a student in the
course if he:
( a ) is aged not less than 17 years within three calendar
months from the date on which the course commences;
( b ) satisfies the requirements as a probationary or regular
student in terms of the Admission Regulations of the
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DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCE - DIP. 
HEALTH SCIENCE - COURSE
University and, if he is a probationary student,
satisfies also the entry requirements specified in
regulation 5;
( c ) has the necessary aptitude to follow a course in Health
Science.
(2) A candidate must possess a medical certificate as to his
suitability for undertaking duties in Health Science.
(3) Overseas students must also demonstrate proficiency in
both written and oral English.
(4) Senate, on the advice of the Board, may limit the number
of students that may be admitted to any area of study offered in the
course. In such a case, Senate shall make regulations for the
selection of applicants for admission.
Entry 
requirements.
5. In order to be admitted as a student in the course the
candidate shall be in possession of one of the following:
( a ) six passes at Ordinary Level, including Maltese,
English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject;
or
( b ) a certificate from the Prevocational School (Health
Studies) with grade C or better in six subjects
including Maltese, English Language, Mathematics
and a Science subject; or
( c ) the qualifications for entry of mature students under
the Admission Regulations of the University.
Duration of the 
course.
6. (1) The course shall extend over a period of three years
and six months. A candidate may not take the final examination
earlier than three years and six months or later than five years and
six months from the date of the commencement of the course
except with the permission of the Board.
(2) The Foundation programme in Health Science comprises
the first eighteen months of the course.
(3) A student who successfully completes the Foundation
programme shall be entitled to be registered as a matriculated
student of the University.
(4) Following successful completion of the Foundation
programme students shall continue their studies in Health Science
for a further two years.
Selection of the 
Health Science.
7. (1) Students shall enrol to study for one of the Health
Sciences at the commencement of the course. Only a selection of
the Health Sciences listed in the First Schedule may be offered in
any academic year.
(2) A student shall be allowed to change his chosen Health
Science:
( a ) on his written request which must be received not later
than the end of the first semester of the Foundation
programme;
( b ) following the written recommendation of both Heads
DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCE - DIP. 
HEALTH SCIENCE - COURSE _g S.L.327.52 3
of Studies involved; and
( c ) on approval of this change by the Board.
Foundation 
programme.
8. (1) During the Foundation programme of the course
students shall be prepared in the fundamental knowledge, skills and
attitudes inherent in carrying out duties in Health Science. Students
shall also be prepared for their subsequent professional and
academic development.
(2) The course shall consist of modules, each of which shall
have a theoretical and practical component and shall concentrate on
an area in the Health Science.
(3) Students shall be assessed in both theory and practice of
the duties relevant to Health Science by continuous assessment.
(4) The practical part shall be assessed by tutors in Health
Science or practical demonstrators from relevant areas of practice.
Successful 
completion of the 
Foundation 
programme.
Amended by:
L.N. 96 of 1998.
Substituted by:
L.N. 147 of 2001.
9. (1) To complete the Foundation programme successfully
and continue the course, a student shall be required to sit for the
Foundation comprehensive examination, and obtain a pass in all the
papers, after obtaining the requirements laid down below:
( a ) a pass grade in the theoretical modules with an average
grade of C; and
( b ) a pass grade in all practical modules.
(2) A student who at the end of the Foundation programme
fails to obtain a pass grade in more than two of the modules
(theoretical and/or practical) covered shall not be allowed to
continue the course.
(3) A student who fails to obtain a pass grade in not more than
two modules under sub-regulation (1)( a ) or ( b ), or in not more than
one module from each of paragraphs ( a ) and ( b ) above, shall be
entitled to repeat such modules and, with the approval of the Board,
any other study-units for the purpose of improving the overall
grade, once only during an additional year of studies. A student
who, following the additional year of studies, still fails to obtain a
pass grade in any module which he has repeated and/or fails to
obtain the average grade of C as required in subregulation (1)( a ),
shall not be allowed to continue the course except in special
circumstances and with the permission of the Board.
(4) A student who obtains a pass grade in all modules under
subregulation (1)( a ) but does not obtain an average grade of C shall
be allowed to pursue an additional year of studies to undertake the
study-units as indicated by the Board. If he obtains an average
grade of C, having regard to both the first and second occasions, he
shall be entitled to sit for the Foundation comprehensive
examination. If he fails to obtain the average grade as above, he
shall not be allowed to continue the course.
(5) A student who fails the Foundation comprehensive
examination shall be required to resit the examination at the next
scheduled examination session. If unsuccessful in the resit, the
studunt may be allowed an additional year of studies, under those
conditions the Board may impose, before retaking the Foundation
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DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCE - DIP. 
HEALTH SCIENCE - COURSE
comprehensive examination, provided that this falls within the
provisions outlined in regulation 6(1).
Diploma 
programme.
10. (1) Following the Foundation programme there shall be a
further two years study for the obtainment of the Diploma in Health
Science according to the course of studies followed.
(2) The Diploma programme shall consist of two elements:
( a ) Professional studies - study-units at Diploma level
concerned with the theory and practice of Health
Science;
( b ) Diploma studies - study units in the professional
knowledge applicable to students in Health Science.
Diploma 
programme - 
professional 
studies.
11. (1) Professional studies are set out in modules of learning.
(2) Each module shall be considered a discrete study-unit
incorporating theoretical and practical/laboratory credits.
(3) The Head of Studies in Health Science shall decide the
sequence of modules a student may take.
Professional 
studies - theoretical 
component.
12. (1) Each module shall be assigned a specific number of
theoretical credits.
(2) The number of theoretical credits assigned to professional
studies in the different Health Sciences shall be those listed in the
Second Schedule.
(3) Subjects covered within each module are interrelated and
shall therefore be assessed as one unit of learning.
(4) On completion of a module the student shall be awarded a
grade indicating the standard attained by him in the theoretical
assessments. The grades shall be as follows:
A - Excellent
B - Very Good
C - Good Pass
D - Pass
F - Fail.
(5) A student shall be allowed to resit the appropriate
assessments once if he fails a module. If successful in the resit, the
grade to be given shall be D. If unsuccessful, the student shall be
entitled to repeat the whole module on only one occasion at the end
of the course. Students who fail the module at the second attempt
shall not be allowed to continue their course except in special
circumstances and with the permission of the Board. Only one
module may be repeated.
(6) A student who fails to achieve a pass grade in two modules
shall not be allowed to continue the course except in special
circumstances and with the permission of the Board.
Professional 
studies - practical 
component.
13. (1) The practical component of the diploma element of the
Course shall consist of study-units of practical/laboratory practice.
The number of credits assigned to these study units for each Hearth
DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCE - DIP. 
HEALTH SCIENCE - COURSE _g S.L.327.52 5
Science shall be those listed in the Second Schedule.
(2) Students shall be required to undergo practical/laboratory
placements in areas specified by the Head of Studies of Health
Science.
(3) Successful completion of a practical/laboratory module
shall be determined by intermittent continuous assessment.
(4) Students who fail a practical/laboratory module shall be
entitled to repeat the module on only one occasion at the end of the
course.
(5) Students who fail more than one practical/laboratory
module in any one year shall not be allowed to continue the course
or be eligible to sit for the final comprehensive examination except
in special circumstances and with the permission of the Board.
Diploma 
programme - 
Diploma Studies.
14. (1) Diploma studies shall comprise the professional
studies applicable to students of Health Science.
(2) Diploma studies shall link in with the professional studies
and sessions shared with other students where appropriate. One day
per week shall be set aside for this purpose.
(3) Diploma studies shall consist of study-units for which a
number of credits shall be assigned as listed in the Second
Schedule.
(4) The Board shall decide which credits a candidate may take
and in what sequence, in order to complete the course.
(5) On completion of a credit the student shall be awarded a
grade indicating the standard attained by him in the credit
assessments. Grades shall be as follows:
A - Excellent
B - Very Good
C - Good Pass
D - Pass
F- Fail.
(6) A student shall be allowed resit an assessment once only if
he fails a credit. If he is successful in the resit, the grade to be
given shall be D. If he is unsuccessful, the student shall be required
to repeat the whole credit and be eligible on successful completion
to grade D.
(7) A student who in one year fails to obtain eighty per cent
(80%) of the total number of credits shall not be allowed to
continue the course or to take the final comprehensive examination
except in special circumstances and with the permission of the
Board. Such student shall be required to obtain all missing credits
before completing the course.
Completion of the 
course.
Amended by:
L.N. 96 of 1998.
15. (1) To complete the course, a student shall have:
( a ) successfully completed the Foundation programme;
( b ) obtained the credit certificates for all professional,
theoretical and diploma credits listed for the relevant
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DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCE - DIP. 
HEALTH SCIENCE - COURSE
Health Science in the Second Schedule; and
(c) obtained the theoretical and practical credits in the
relevant Health Science as from time to time may be
required to comply with European Union Directives.
(2) The Board may exempt a student from the requirement of
obtaining a credit certificate for a particular unit if he has obtained
from the University, or an institution recognized by Senate for the
purpose, a qualification the study for which is, in the opinion of the
Board, equivalent in content and standard to that required for the
credit certificate concerned. Students may only be exempted from
up to one fifth of the theoretical component.
Final 
comprehensive 
examination.
16. (1) A student shall be required to sit for the final
comprehensive examination after obtaining the requirements laid
down in regulation 15.
(2) At the end of the course, a student shall be required to take
the final comprehensive examination. The form of this examination
for each Health Science shall be as described in the Third Schedule.
(3) A student may also be required to take an oral examination
at which he shall be expected to discuss aspects of the special
project, where applicable.
(4) The final comprehensive examination shall be set by the
Board and shall normally take place during the last week of the
course.
(5) The overall evaluation of the student for the Diploma shall
take into account his performance at the final comprehensive
examination as well as the credit certificates and grades obtained
during the course.
(6) A student who fails in only one paper shall be allowed a
resit in that paper. A student who fails more than one paper shall be
required to resit the whole examination, at a time established by the
Board.
(7) A candidate will only be allowed three attempts at the final
comprehensive examination.
Results.
Substituted by:
L.N. 96 of 1998.
17. The names of students who qualify for the award of the
Diploma shall be published in three categories (Distinction, Credit
and Pass) in alphabetical order of names.
Substituted by:
L.N. 96 of 1998.
FIRST SCHEDULE
HEALTH SCIENCES
The Diploma may be awarded in one of the following areas of
study:
( a ) Dental Technology
( b ) Environmental Health
( c ) Medical Laboratory Science
DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCE - DIP. 
HEALTH SCIENCE - COURSE _g S.L.327.52 7
( d ) Occupational Therapy
( e ) Physiotherapy
( f ) Radiography
( g ) Podiatry
Substituted by:
L.N. 96 of 1998;
L.N. 37 of 1999.
SECOND SCHEDULE
NUMBER OF CREDITS IN DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Number of Theoretical Credits
( a ) Dental Technology 20
( b ) Environmental Health 14
( c ) Medical Laboratory Science 18
( d ) Occupational Therapy 18
( e ) Physiotherapy 18
( f ) Radiography 13
( g ) Podiatry 12,
provided that the number of theoretical credits in:
( a ) Medical Laboratory Science shall be 19 from 18th
January 1997 onwards; and
(b) Radiography shall be 15 for diploma programmes
starting in October 1998 or later.
Number of Practical Credits
( a ) Dental Technology 24
( b ) Environmental Health 14
( c ) Medical Laboratory Science 20
( d ) Occupational Therapy 14
( e ) Physiotherapy 14
( f ) Radiography 18
( g ) Podiatry 15,
provided that the number of practical credits in:
( a ) Medical Laboratory Science shall be 25 from 18th
January 1997 onwards; and
( b ) Radiography shall be 25 for diploma programmes
starting in October 1998 or later.
Diploma Studies
( a ) Dental Technology 14
( b ) Environmental Health 17
( c ) Medical Laboratory Science 14
( d ) Occupational Therapy 14
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DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCE - DIP. 
HEALTH SCIENCE - COURSE
( e ) Physiotherapy 14
( f ) Radiography 18
( g ) Podiatry 15,
provided that the number of diploma studies credits in Medical
Laboratory Science shall be 12 from 18th January 1997 onwards.
Amended by:
L.N. 96 of 1998;
L.N. 168 of 1998.
THIRD SCHEDULE
Final Comprehensive Examination
( a ) Dental Technology
Paper I: Science, Anatomy, Dental Laboratories
Techniques
Paper II: Science/Dental Materials
Practical: Examination on any part of the course of
Dental Laboratory skills
Case Discussions: Oral examination on 3 different types of
appliances chosen by the Examining
Board
( b ) Environmental Health
Paper I: Theory of Environmental Health
Paper II: Practical Examination in Environmental
Health
Paper III: Professional Development and
Management
Special project
( c ) Medical Laboratory Science
Paper I: Theory and Practice of Clinical
Chemistry
Paper II: Theory and Practice of Haematology and
Transfusion Medicine
Paper III: Theory and Practice of Immunology
Paper IV: Theory and Practice of Microbiology
Paper V: Theory and Practice of Cellular
Pathology
Special project,
provided that the final comprehensive examination shall consist of
the following from 18th January 1997 onwards:
Paper I: Clinical Chemistry
Paper II: Haematology and Transfusion Medicine
Paper III: Immunology
DIPLOMA IN HEALTH SCIENCE - DIP. 
HEALTH SCIENCE - COURSE _g S.L.327.52 9
Paper IV: Microbiology
Paper V: Cellular Pathology
Special project
( d ) Occupational Therapy
Paper I: Theory of Physical Dysfunction I
Paper II: Theory of Physical Dysfunction II
Paper III: Theory of Psychosocial Dysfunction
Special Project
( e ) Physiotherapy
Paper I: Practice of Physiotherapy
Paper II: Theory of Physiotherapy
Clinical assessment Treatment and  viva voce  examination
Special project
( f ) Radiography
(i) three written examination papers as follows:
Paper I: Principles and Practice of Radiography -
Applied Imaging
Paper II: Principles and Practice of Radiography -
Imaging Physics
Paper III: Radiography Professional Development
- Research, Quality Assurance and
Developments in Imaging
(ii) Special Project: A project of not less than 5000 words on
an approved subject
(iii) Clinical practice examination
( g ) Podiatry
Paper I: Podology and Therapeutics
Paper II: Practice of Podiatry
Special Project,
provided that the Final Comprehensive Examination shall consist
of the following from 6th March 1998 onwards:
Paper I: Podology
Paper II: Therapeutics
Special Project
Clinical Examination.
