DIPLOMA IN NURSING AND DIPLOMA 
IN MIDWIFERY COURSE ġ S.L.327.172 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.172
DIPLOMA IN NURSING AND DIPLOMA IN 
MIDWIFERY COURSE REGULATIONS
15th June, 1999
LEGAL NOTICE 105 of 1999, as amended by Legal Notice 49 of 2003.
Citation and 
interpretation.
1. (1) The title of these regulations is the Diploma in Nursing
and Diploma in Midwifery 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 in Nursing
or to the Diploma in Midwifery; and
"the Institute" means the Institute of Health Care of the
University of Malta.
Applicability.
Amended by:
L.N. 49 of 2003.
2. These regulations shall apply to courses starting in October
2002 or later.
Eligibility for 
Diploma.
3. To be eligible for the award of the Diploma in Nursing or
the Diploma in Midwifery, students must:
( a ) have been registered in the Institute for a minimum
period of three years six months, of which at least two
shall be as regular students of the University of Malta;
or have been registered as regular students in the
Institute for a minimum period of two years, provided
that they are also registered with the Nursing and
Midwifery Board as Registered Nurses/Midwives;
( b ) have completed a course of studies and have been
successful in the final comprehensive examination in
accordance with these regulations;
( c ) be in possession of a statement of good conduct as
befits a person entitled to use the title "Nurse" or
"Midwife", which statement must be signed by the
Head of Nursing/Midwifery Studies; and
( d ) have satisfied all other requirements laid down in these
regulations and in any other relevant statutes,
regulations and bye-laws of the University.
Admission 
requirements.
4. (1) Candidates may be registered as students in the course
if they:
( a ) are aged not less than 17 years within three calendar
months from the date on which the course commences;
( b ) satisfy the requirements as probationary or regular
students in terms of the Admission Regulations of the
University, and, if they are probationary students,
satisfy also the entry requirements specified in
regulation 5; and
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DIPLOMA IN NURSING AND DIPLOMA 
IN MIDWIFERY COURSE
( c ) satisfy the Institute that they have the necessary
aptitude for nursing or midwifery. The Institute may
require candidates to attend an interview/assessment
for this purpose.
(2) Candidates must possess a medical certificate as to their
suitability for undertaking Nursing/Midwifery duties.
(3) In addition to satisfying the requirements indicated in
subregulations (1) and (2), overseas candidates must demonstrate
proficiency in both written and oral English.
(4) Candidates with a Registered Nursing or Midwifery
qualification may be registered directly into the Diploma
component of the course.
Entry requirements 
for probationary 
students.
5. (1) In order to be admitted as probationary students in the
course, candidates shall be in possession of one of the following:
( a ) six passes at Ordinary Level, including passes in
Maltese, English Language, Mathematics and a
science subject; or
( b ) a certificate from the Pre-Vocational School (Health
Studies) with grade C or better in six subjects,
including Maltese, English Language, Mathematics
and a science subject; or
( c ) the Certificate in Nursing Practice awarded by the
Institute; or
( d ) the Certificate of Enrolled Nurse awarded by the
Department of Health.
Duration of the 
course.
6.  (1) ( a ) The course shall extend over a period of three years six
months. Students may not take the final comprehensive
examination earlier than three years six months or later
than four years six months from the date of the
commencement of the course, except with the
permission of the Board.
( b ) Students admitted under regulation 4(4) may not take
the final comprehensive examination earlier than two
years or later than three years from the date of the
commencement of the course, except with the
permission of the Board.
(2) The foundation programme in Nursing and Midwifery
comprises the first eighteen months of the course.
(3) Students who successfully complete the foundation
programme shall be entitled to be registered as regular students of
the University.
(4) Following successful completion of the foundation
programme students shall continue their studies in either Nursing
or Midwifery for a further two years.
Nursing or 
Midwifery options.
Amended by:
L.N. 49 of 2003.
7. (1) Students shall choose to study either Nursing or
Midwifery at the commencement of the course. Students choosing
to study Midwifery must obtain grade C in the module on
"Maternal Health and Care of the Newborn" and pass the clinical
DIPLOMA IN NURSING AND DIPLOMA 
IN MIDWIFERY COURSE ġ S.L.327.172 3
assessment of that module.
(2) Students shall not be allowed to change from Nursing to
Midwifery or vice versa after the second semester of the foundation
programme without the written recommendation of the Head of
Nursing/Midwifery Studies to the Board, which may grant
permission. Students shall be required to complete the relevant
modules following such a change.
(3) Students in the Nursing diploma course may choose
Psychiatric Nursing as their principal area of study at the
commencement of the Diploma course.
(4) Before the commencement of the Diploma Programme,
students opting for Midwifery Studies or Psychiatric Nursing as
their area of study shall be reassessed for their suitability to follow
their chosen area of study.
Foundation 
programme.
8. (1) During the foundation programme students shall be
prepared in the fundamental knowledge, skills and attitudes
inherent in the practice of Nursing or Midwifery. 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 clinical component, and shall concentrate on
an area of Nursing/Midwifery practice.
(3) Subjects covered within each module are interrelated and
shall therefore be assessed as one unit of learning.
(4) On completion of a module, students shall be awarded a
grade indicating the standard attained by them in the theoretical
assessments. The grades shall be as follows:
A - Work of exceptional quality
B - Work of above average quality
C - Work of average quality
D - Work of below average quality
F - Fail.
(5) Students are allowed to re-sit the appropriate assessments
once if they fail a module. If successful in the re-sit, the maximum
grade that may be awarded shall be grade D.
(6) Students shall be assessed in both theory and practice of
Nursing or Midwifery by continuous assessment.
(7) Clinical practice shall be assessed by nursing/midwifery
teachers or clinical nurses/midwives from relevant areas of
practice.
Completion of 
foundation 
programme.
9. (1)  To complete the foundation programme successfully
and continue the course, students shall obtain the following:
( a ) a pass grade in the theoretical assessments with an
average grade
( b ) a pass grade in all the clinical assessments; and
( c ) a pass in the foundation programme comprehensive
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DIPLOMA IN NURSING AND DIPLOMA 
IN MIDWIFERY COURSE
examination.
(2) Students who do not satisfy the requirements stipulated in
subregulation (1) shall be allowed to rejoin the foundation
programme, provided that the Board may exempt them from up to
one-third of the study-units which they have completed
successfully.
(3) Students who fail the foundation programme
comprehensive examination shall be required to re-sit the
examination once only, normally within three months of
completing the foundation programme.
(4) Students who successfully complete the foundation
programme shall be awarded a Certificate in Foundation Studies
(Nursing and Midwifery).
Diploma 
programme.
10. (1) Following the foundation programme there shall be a
further two years of study towards the award of the Diploma in
Nursing or the Diploma in Midwifery 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 either General or Psychiatric Nursing
or Midwifery theory and practice; and
( b ) Diploma Studies - study-units of behavioural and
biomedical sciences and professional knowledge
applicable to both General or Psychiatric Nursing and
Midwifery students.
Diploma in 
Nursing - 
professional 
studies.
11. (1) Professional studies are set out in modules of learning.
(2) Each module shall be considered a discrete study-unit
incorporating a theoretical and clinical component.
(3) The Head of Nursing/Midwifery Studies shall decide the
sequence of modules students may take.
Theoretical 
component.
12. (1) Each nursing module shall be assigned a specific
number of theoretical credits.
(2) Twenty-seven theoretical credits shall be assigned to
professional nursing studies.
(3) Subjects covered within each module are interrelated and
shall therefore be assessed as one unit of learning.
(4) On completion of a module students shall be awarded a
grade indicating the standard attained by them in the theoretical
assessments. The grades shall be as follows:
A - Work of exceptional quality
B - Work of above average quality
C - Work of average quality
D - Work of below average quality F Fail.
(5) Students shall be allowed to re-take the appropriate
assessments once if they fail a module. If successful in the re-
DIPLOMA IN NURSING AND DIPLOMA 
IN MIDWIFERY COURSE ġ S.L.327.172 5
assessment, the maximum grade that may be awarded is grade D. If
unsuccessful, students 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 the
course, except in special circumstances and with the permission of
the Board. Only one module may be repeated.
(6) Students who fail to obtain 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.
Clinical 
component.
13. (1) The clinical component of the Diploma course shall
consist of study-units of clinical practice to which not less than
twenty-eight clinical nursing credits shall be assigned.
(2) Students shall be required to undergo clinical placements
in areas specified by the Board in the sequence specified by it.
(3) Successful completion of a clinical study-unit shall be
determined by intermittent continuous assessment.
(4) Students who fail a clinical module shall be entitled to
repeat the module once at the end of the course.
(5) Students who fail more than one clinical module in any one
year shall not be allowed to continue the course or shall not be
eligible to sit for the final comprehensive examination, except in
special circumstances and with the permission of the Board.
Professional 
competence.
14. Students shall not be allowed to take the final
comprehensive examination unless they have achieved the
competence of a Registered Nurse, that is to:
( a ) demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to
meet the health and sickness requirements of
individuals and of groups in a particular area of
practice;
( b ) recognise common factors which contribute to, and
those which adversely affect physical, mental and
social well-being of patients or clients and take
appropriate action;
( c ) identify the social and health implications of physical
and mental handicap or disease, pregnancy and child-
bearing, for the individual, his friends, family and
community;
( d ) demonstrate knowledge of the normal development of
the foetus, the infant, the child, the adolescent and the
young, middle-aged and elderly adult;
( e ) demonstrate an appreciation of research and use
relevant literature and research as an aid to practice;
( f ) demonstrate professional accountability and
commitment to continuing education and
development;
( g ) demonstrate an awareness of social and political
factors which relate to health care;
( h ) demonstrate knowledge and understanding to meet the
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DIPLOMA IN NURSING AND DIPLOMA 
IN MIDWIFERY COURSE
requirements of legislation which is relevant to
practice;
( i ) recognise and uphold the personal and confidential
rights of patients and clients;
( j ) develop helpful caring relationships with patients,
clients and their families or friends; initiate, continue
and complete therapeutic relationships with patients
using appropriate inter-personal and communication
skills;
( k ) identify the health-related learning needs of patients,
clients, family or friends and participate in health
promotion/education;
( l ) demonstrate an awareness of the roles of individual
members of the team who provide aspects of patient/
client care, function efficiently in a team and assist in
a multi-disciplinary approach where appropriate;
( m ) assign appropriate work to helpers and provide
supervision and monitoring of assigned work;
( n ) identify physical, psychological, social and spiritual
needs of the patient or client; be aware of and value
the concept of individualised care, devise a plan of
care, contribute to its implementation and evaluation
by demonstrating an appreciation of the principles of a
problem solving approach and practice;
( o ) enable patients or clients as appropriate to progress
from varying degrees of dependence to maximum
independence, or to a peaceful death.
Diploma in 
Midwifery - 
professional 
studies.
15. (1) Professional studies are set out in themes which shall
be taken concurrently.
(2) Each of the themes shall have a theoretical and clinical
component.
(3) The Head of Nursing/Midwifery Studies shall decide the
sequence of themes students may take.
Theoretical 
component.
16. (1) Each theme shall have a number of study-units, each
of which shall be assigned a specific number of credits.
(2) Twenty-seven theoretical credits shall be assigned to
professional midwifery studies.
(3) On completion of a study-unit students shall be awarded a
grade indicating the standard attained by them in the theoretical
assessments. The grades shall be as follows:
A Work of exceptional quality
B Work of above average quality
C Work of average quality
D Work of below average quality
F Fail.
(4) Students shall be allowed to re-sit the assessments/test
DIPLOMA IN NURSING AND DIPLOMA 
IN MIDWIFERY COURSE ġ S.L.327.172 7
once only if they fail a study-unit. If successful in the re-sit, the
maximum grade that may be awarded shall be grade D. If
unsuccessful, students shall be required to repeat the whole study-
unit and on successful completion shall be eligible to grade D.
(5) Students who in any year fail to obtain 80% or more of the
credits assigned 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.
Clinical 
component.
17. (1) The clinical component of the Diploma course shall
consist of clinical placements for which not less than twenty-eight
credits shall be assigned.
(2) Clinical placements shall be specified by the Head of
Nursing/Midwifery Studies. They shall allow flexibility in
instances when the learning needs of the students shall be better
served.
(3) Students shall be required to keep a record of clinical
practice which must be signed by their supervisor.
(4) Successful completion of a clinical study-unit shall be
determined by continuous assessment.
(5) Students who fail to reach an overall pass grade in clinical
practice at the end of each diploma year shall be allowed to
complete the course or to take the final comprehensive examination
only in exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the
Board.
Professional 
competence.
18. Students shall not be allowed to take the final
comprehensive examination unless they have achieved the
competence of a Registered Midwife, that is to:
( a ) advise on the promotion of health;
( b ) recognise the physical, emotional and social situations
which may influence the health and well-being of the
mother and baby;
( c ) assess, plan and implement care within the sphere of
practice of a midwife to meet the physical, emotional,
educational and social needs of the mother, baby and
family;
( d ) take action on their own responsibility in initiating the
action of other disciplines and seeking assistance when
required;
( e ) interpret and undertake care prescribed by a registered
medical practitioner;
( f ) demonstrate effective communication with mothers,
relatives, colleagues and other disciplines;
( g ) demonstrate an awareness of a research based practice;
( h ) work in a multi-disciplinary team with an
understanding of the role of all members; and
( i ) assign appropriate work to helpers and provide
supervision and monitoring of assigned work.
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DIPLOMA IN NURSING AND DIPLOMA 
IN MIDWIFERY COURSE
Diploma Studies 
(Nursing and 
Midwifery options) 
- Diploma studies.
19. (1) Diploma studies shall comprise biomedical and
behavioural sciences and professional studies applicable to both
nursing and midwifery students.
(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 to which
thirty-three credits shall be assigned.
(4) The Board shall decide which study-units students may
take, and in which sequence, in order to complete the course.
(5) On completion of a study-unit students shall be awarded a
grade indicating the standard attained by them in the study-unit
assessments. Grades shall be as follows:
A Work of exceptional quality
B Work of above average quality
C Work of average quality
D Work of below average quality
F Fail.
(6) Students shall be allowed to re-take an assessment once
only if they fail a study-unit. If successful in the re-sit, the
maximum grade that may be awarded shall be grade D. If
unsuccessful, students shall be required to repeat the whole study-
unit and on successful completion shall be eligible to grade D.
(7) Students who in any one year fail to obtain 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.
Completion of the 
course.
20. (1) To complete the course, students admitted under
regulation 4(1)( b ) must obtain the following:
( a ) a pass at grade C or better in the Foundation
Programme;
( b ) 27 Professional credits (Nursing or Midwifery);
( c ) 33 Diploma credits;
( d ) 28 clinical Nursing credits or 28 clinical Midwifery
credits; and
( e ) other theoretical or clinical credits as from time to
time required to comply with the European
Community Directives on Nursing and Midwifery
Education.
(2) To complete the course, students admitted under regulation
4(4) must obtain the following:
( a ) 40 Professional/Diploma credits as directed by the
Board; and
( b ) 12 clinical Nursing or 12 clinical Midwifery credits as
directed by the Board.
DIPLOMA IN NURSING AND DIPLOMA 
IN MIDWIFERY COURSE ġ S.L.327.172 9
(3) The Board may exempt students from the requirement of
obtaining a credit certificate for a particular study-unit if they have
obtained from the University, or an institution recognized by the
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.
21. (1) Students shall be required to sit for the final
comprehensive examination after obtaining the requirements laid
down in regulation 20.
(2) At the end of the course students shall be required to take
the final comprehensive examination consisting of two
comprehensive papers (in the same session) relevant to their course
of studies and present a project as follows:
( a ) Paper I: Theory and Practice of General or Psychiatric
Nursing or Midwifery, as the case may require;
( b ) Paper II: Professional Development and Management
related to General or Psychiatric Nursing or
Midwifery, as the case may require; and
( c ) special project related to General or Psychiatric
Nursing or Midwifery, as the case may require.
(3) Students may also be required to take an oral examination
at which they shall be expected to discuss aspects of the special
project.
(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 students for the Diploma in
Nursing or Diploma in Midwifery shall take into account their
performance in the final comprehensive examination as well as the
credit certificates and grades obtained during the course.
(6) Students who fail in only one paper shall be allowed a re-
sit in that paper. Students who fail in more than one paper shall be
required to re-sit the whole final comprehensive examination at a
time to be established by the Board.
(7) Students shall only be allowed three attempts at the final
comprehensive examination.
Results.
Diploma in Nursing or the Diploma in Midwifery shall be
published in a list in alphabetical order in the following three
categories:
Distinction
Credit
Pass.
(2) Students who qualify for the award of either Diploma
following a re-sit of part or all of the final comprehensive
examination shall only be eligible for the category Pass.
