The ITS Rules and Regulations are applicable to all registered full-time and part-time students, including students enrolled under the Extended Skills Training Scheme.

1.  Entry Criteria

1.1:   Applicants for ITS courses are assessed at the initial stage on the basis of their academic qualifications (Accreditation for Prior Learning - APL) and their work experience (Accreditation for Prior Experiential Learning - APEL).

1.2:   All prospective students must satisfy the entry criteria for their chosen programme of studies.

1.3:   Maltese applicants, who for reasons of residence or education abroad over a significant period during the previous four (4) years, have not received adequate teaching in Maltese, may offer another language instead of Maltese for course entry purposes.

1.4:   Applicants born outside Malta but having one parent of Maltese nationality must produce a copy of the ID card issued by the Electoral Office and other documents issued by the Citizenship & Expatriates Department of the Office of the Prime Minister regarding their citizenship.

1.5:   The Institute of Tourism Studies reserves the right to determine the number of new entrants in relation to the availability of resources.

2.  Diploma Programme Entry Criteria

2.1:   Applicants for the Diploma Programmes must have completed an Institute of Tourism Studies Certificate and obtained an overall 65% average Credit / Merit Grade.

2.2:   Applicants for the Diploma Programmes must undertake a compulsory period of industrial experience overseas as part of the ITS International Internship Programme. (vide 8)

2.3:   Mature students who worked full-time for three (3) years in Malta in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry will be allowed to join the diploma level programme provided that:

• they have successfully completed their certificate level studies at the ITS;
• they have obtained an overall average merit grade of 65%;
• they submit a portfolio of evidence supporting their prior experiential learning. This portfolio must be approved by an appointed assessor.

2.4:   Students may return on a part-time basis to re-take a number of modules, subject to availability of places. Students are liable to pay the relative fee.

3.  Student Profiling and Admission to ITS

3.1:   All students satisfying the entry criteria will be assessed on their individual knowledge, skills, experience and aptitude to follow a programme of studies at the Institute of Tourism Studies and subsequently a career in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. All full-time students must also take written tests and attend an interview as published in the ITS Prospectus.

3.2:   An order of merit will be drawn up and students will be accepted to follow a programme of studies at ITS according to their placement in the order of merit depending on availability of places.

3.3:   Applicants may be refused entry to the Institute of Tourism Studies if found unsuitable at any stage of the selection process.

3.4:   The Institute may consider applications from mature students who are 23 years or over and who do not have full entry qualifications.

3.5:   The final decision on acceptance into the Institute of Tourism Studies will be on the basis of the personal profile. The decision of the Selection Board is final.

3.6:   Students presenting professional or post-secondary Diplomas or Certificates related in whole or in part to the area of study may be exempted from taking particular modules from the relevant programme, provided full documentation is presented. The Institute of Tourism Studies reserves the right not to accept such documentation.

3.7:   Students possessing a full-time Institute of Tourism Studies Certificate / Diploma may apply for another higher programme in order to further their studies. Students are eligible for stipends for a maximum period of four (4) academic years only.

3.8:   In exceptional cases, applications from students who wish to change their programme of studies before the completion of the ITS Certificate may be considered by the Director General.

3.9:   Students engaged in full-time or part-time employment are responsible for their own release in order to follow a programme of studies.

3.10:   The language of tuition at the Institute of Tourism Studies is English or any other language as stipulated by the Board of Studies.

3.11:   Students who opt to follow part-time / single modules must pay the relative fee on application.

3.12:   Applicants for courses involving food preparation and food and beverage service will be required to undertake a medical test in accordance with current Health and Hygiene Regulations and to pass the Food Hygiene Certificate course in terms of LN178/2001.

3.13:   Prior to the commencement of their programme of studies, students will be required to sign a Learning Contract.

4.  Stipends

4.1:   Stipends as stipulated in the Government regulations will be paid to eligible students one month in arrears.

4.2:   Students receiving a stipend have to pay their National Insurance Contribution, and are entitled to half the annual government bonus.

5.  Attendance and Absence Reporting

5.1:   Full attendance at all course classes and tutorials is compulsory. Late attendance will be recorded.

5.2:   Students have to attend morning, afternoon or evening sessions as required. Students must follow the time-tables set out by the Institute and may also be required to attend sessions after normal hours, on public holidays and at weekends. Failure to attend sessions as directed by the Institute shall result in deductions from the stipend. Furthermore, students may be liable to disciplinary measures.

5.3:   All absences on medical grounds must be justified by a medical certificate (the blue form issued for Social Security purposes) which must be presented within two working days from the last day of absence.

5.4:   The Institute of Tourism Studies may send its own Medical Officer to verify students on sick leave, whenever deemed necessary.

5.5:   Any absences other than sick leave, must be authorised in writing by the Director General. Travel abroad (other than for medical treatment or representing Malta in official international events) will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Requests for leave of absence are to be forwarded in writing to the Registrar accompanied by the necessary documentation (such as airline tickets). Such requests are to be submitted as early as possible, but in any event by not later than 10 working days from date of the commencement of the intended leave of absence.

5.6:   All modules/local industrial trade practice, require a minimum of 80% attendance per semester. The Director General may, in exceptional cases, exempt a student from attending lessons or practical sessions.

5.7:   Absences due to official ITS business will be considered as duty leave.

5.8:   Cases of students who fail to meet the minimum attendance requirement may be referred by the Registrar to the Board of Studies for a final decision.

5.9:   The Registrar's Office is to be informed of any absences by 10.00a.m. on the first day of absence. A student who fails to comply with this regulation may forfeit his stipend for the whole period of absence.

6.  Appareance and Behaviour

6.1:   Full-time students are required to wear the uniform of the Institute correctly at all times, including journeys to and from the Institute. Part-time students are expected to wear smart attire, consistent with the ITS dress code.

6.2:   During practical sessions, students shall wear appropriate industrial uniforms as defined in Appendix I (B) and (C). Students shall not enter or leave the campus wearing industrial uniforms.

6.3:   Students who cause damage, whether willfully or through neglect, to any property belonging to the Institute or to other persons, will be referred to the Disciplinary Board. Cost of damages to such property will be charged to the student if found guilty.

6.4:   Students are not allowed to leave their authorised area of work without permission from the lecturer.

6.5:   Smoking within the Institute of Tourism Studies campuses is not allowed in conformity with the Smoking in Public Places Regulations 2003 - Article 3.(1) "Smoking is banned in buildings where higher education and vocational training are given".

6.6:   Students making use of the Library and Learning Resources Centre, are to adhere to the rules and regulations, as stipulated in Appendix IV of these Rules and Regulations.

6.7:   Students are not permitted to park their vehicles within the grounds of the ITS unless prior authority in writing is obtained. These vehicles may be subject to search.

6.8:   Students are to switch off their mobile phones in class and during formal activities on campus.

6.9:   Personal belongings may be searched within the premises and grounds of the Institute by authorised personnel.

6.10:   All students will be issued with an ID Tag which must be carried at all times whilst on campus. Separate tags may be issued for different areas.

6.11:   Students not adhering to any of the ITS rules are liable to disciplinary action.

7.  Dress Code

7.1:   ITS students are to abide by the established ITS dress code as stipulated in Appendix I (A).

7.2:   ITS students are to wear the ITS blazer between 1st November and 31st May, unless otherwise informed.

7.3:   Students must wear the ITS uniform at all times, including examination sittings, academic presentations and visits to the library/resource centre.

8.  Local Industrial Trade Practice (LITP)

8.1:   Full-time students will be required to undertake compulsory LITP in establishments assigned to them by the ITS.

8.2:   Students may identify their own possible placement for their LITP, provided that approval is obtained from the Institute.

8.3:   Conditions of employment and remuneration payable to students during this LITP will be in accordance with local current employment regulations.

8.4:   Full attendance is compulsory during this internship. An attendance sheet provided by the ITS is to be signed daily by the student and countersigned by the supervisor or industrial mentor.

8.5:   A learning agreement is to be made by students with a supervisor or mentor with a view to enabling the student to identify a specified learning outcome.

8.6:   On the successful completion of this internship and the presentation of a portfolio, students will be awarded three (3) credits.

8.7:   The LITP Co-ordinator may consider requests for a change in placements when this request is justified. The decision of the Co-ordinator is final.

8.8:   Students who are dismissed from their place of work due to negligence or misconduct shall be liable to disciplinary action. Cases of misconduct at the place of work shall result in disciplinary action.

8.9:   Students are subject to the disciplinary regulations of the Institute during this internship.

9.  International Internship Programme

9.1:   Higher Diploma in Hospitality Management students and students in other programmes of studies who intend to progress to a third year of studies have to undergo a twelve (12) month period of compulsory international internship.

9.2:   Students who apply for an international internship and are accepted by establishments approved by ITS, will have to make their own travel and insurance arrangements. An administrative fee will be charged for the processing of the international internship application.

9.3:   The International Internship Co-ordinating Unit's decision on the placement of students on their international internship is final.

9.4:   Students shall sign a Commitment Form confirming their undertaking to undergo the full period of industrial training abroad.

9.5:   Students undertaking an international internship who return to Malta for justified medical or humanitarian reasons acceptable to the Director General may be allowed to proceed with their diploma level studies on the condition that they will not graduate before:-

• completing their 12 month international internship; or
• working full-time for two years in the hospitality and tourism industry in Malta.

Students who fail to complete their twelve month International Internship for a reason considered justified by the Institute will have the period of overseas internship taken into consideration for the purposes of sub-section (b) of this section.

9.6:   Students are to adhere to the conditions related to the issue of the work permits of the host country, where applicable.

9.7:   Students undertaking the international internship programme are subject to the disciplinary regulations of the Institute.

9.8:   Six (6) academic credits are awarded on successful completion of the international internship provided that students have presented a 'Portfolio of Evidence' within three (3) months from their return to Malta.

10.  Awards of Diploma / Certificate

10.1:   The Diploma / Certificate from the Institute is awarded after the successful completion of the course.

10.2:   Module assessment is graded according to the criteria set by the ITS. Assessment may be continuous through coursework, portfolio and/or end of semester tests / examinations.

10.3:   Students must complete any failed modules within two (2) academic years from the original date of programme completion to graduate with a Certificate / Diploma.

10.4:   The ITS Certificates / Diplomas are awarded on the following basis:-

• Distinction: 85% & over
• Merit: 65% - 84%
• Pass: 50% - 64%

11.  Change of Personal Details

Students are obliged to inform the Registrar's Office of any changes in their personal details and any changes of address and / or telephone number, etc.

12.  Students Disciplinary Procedures

12.1:   Disciplinary procedures should aim at promoting the educational wellbeing of the students and the advancement of the Institution.

12.2:   Students, irrespective of whether they are full-time or part-time, school based or work-based are duty bound to comply with the Institute's Regulations and behave at all times respectfully towards all members of the Institute. In case of non-compliance with these regulations, the following disciplinary procedures will be followed.

13.  Minor Offences

13.1:   Minor offences should be dealt with directly by members of the lecturing staff in contact with the students.

14.  Verbal Warning

14.1:   In case of repeated minor misconduct, an official verbal warning by the team co-ordinator or by a person designated by the Chairperson of the Board of Governors to act as a disciplinary officer shall be given. The warning will make it clear that acts of repeated misconduct could lead to tougher disciplinary action. The student will be informed in writing that a verbal warning has been given and a copy will be inserted in the student's personal file. A copy of the letter will be sent to the parent/guardian (if the student is under 18 years of age) and to the employer if the act of misdemeanor has occurred on the premises where the student is undergoing his internship. If no further misdemeanor occurs within the following six months the record of the warning will be removed from the student's file.

14.2:   A verbal warning may be supplemented by a deduction from the student's stipend for a period not exceeding two (2) weeks.

15.  Formal Warning by the Director General of the Institute

15.1:   Where instances of misconduct or breach of regulations have been repeated after the issue of the verbal warnings by the co-coordinator, the student will be requested to attend a disciplinary hearing with the Director General or in his absence the Deputy Director of the Institute, or by a person designated by the Chairperson of the Board of Governors.

15.2:   A notice of the referral to appear before the Director General should be given in writing to the student at least five working days before the hearing.

The notice should state:

• The nature of the misconduct and recurrences;
• The date, time and venue of the meeting.

15.3:   After investigating the case, the Director General may either give a formal verbal warning or issue a formal written warning.

15.4:   After the hearing the student should receive notice of the warning in writing within five working days. The latter should state the nature of the warning (formal verbal or written warning) and clearly state what disciplinary action will be taken if misconduct recurs. A copy of the letter should be inserted in the student's file. Another copy will be sent to the parents/guardian if the student is under 18 years of age and to the employer if the act of misdemeanor has occurred on the premises where the student is undergoing his internship.

15.5:   A formal warning may be supplemented by a deduction from the student's stipends for a period not exceeding four (4) weeks.

16.  Final Formal Warning

16.1:   Should further misconduct occur after a first formal warning has been given, the student will be requested to appear before the Director of the Institute a second time. A notice of the referral to appear before the Director should be given to the student at least five collage days from the day of issue of the warning and before the meeting.

17.  Gross Misconduct

17.1:   In the case of serious misdemeanour, such as but not limited to an act of violence, vandalism, anti social behaviour, theft, smoking, the use of illegal substances, sexual or other forms of harassment, cheating during examinations or any illegal or criminal activity, the student may be suspended immediately by the Director General of the Institute. No stipends will be paid during the period of suspension. The Director General of the Institute will formally inform the officer in charge of issuing stipends, the student's tutor and the Office of the Registrar.

17.2:   The Chairperson of the Board of Governors shall appoint a Board of Discipline consisting of the Director General or his Deputy as Chairperson, the subject co-ordinator and a senior member of the academic staff.

17.3:   A formal written statement confirming the suspension and requiring the student to appear before the Board of Discipline will be sent by the Director General of the Institute to the student within five (5) calendar days from the occurrence of the misconduct. A copy will be sent to the parents or guardian if the student is under eighteen (18) years of age and to the Employment and Training Corporation if the student is enrolled in an Apprenticeship Scheme. The Board of Discipline will be convened within ten working days of the date of suspension.

17.4:   Prior to the commencement of the hearing of the case, the student charged with the offence shall have the right to know the details of the whole case against him, shall have adequate opportunity of making his /her defense and shall have access to all documentary evidence. The student shall be entitled to the assistance of a person of is choice in the preparation and presentation of his case.

17.5:   The board shall have the power to seek advice whenever it considers such advice to be necessary or expedient and to summon any person to appear before it to give evidence or to produce any document.

17.6:   In exercising its function under these regulations, the Board of Discipline shall afford a fair opportunity to the student to present his case, and ensure that justice is done expeditiously and according to the substantive matters of the case.

17.7:   In the case of an offence where the Disciplinary Board has recommended expulsion of the student from the Institute, the Chairperson of the Board of Discipline will refer the recommendation to the Board of Governors for final endorsement.

18.  Appeal Against the Decision

18.1:   The Chairperson of the Board of Governors shall appoint an Appeals Board consisting of a Chairperson and two members from amongst the same board. The secretary to the Board of Governors will act as secretary to the Appeals Board.

18.2:   The student has the right to appeal to the Chairperson of the Board of Appeals of the Institute against a suspension or dismissal from the Institute. Notice of appeal must be given in writing to the Secretary of the Board of Appeals within three days of receipt of the written notice of suspension/dismissal. The student must have grounds for appeal and must state such grounds in his letter.

18.3:   All documents relating to the case should be made available to the Appeals Board.

18.4:   The Board of Appeals shall start investigating the case as early as possible and in no case later than five working days from the date of receipt of the notice of appeal.

18.5:   The student shall be entitled to the assistance of a person of his choice in the preparation and presentation of his case during any hearing of appeal.

18.6:   The Appeals Board shall have the power to seek advice whenever it considers such advice to be necessary or expedient and to summon any person to appear before it to give evidence or to produce any documents.

18.7:   After investigating the case and establishing the facts, the Board of Appeals shall communicate in writing its final decision to the Chairperson of the Board of Governors, the Director General and the student by not later than two days from the date of its decision. A copy of the letter will be sent to the student's parent/guardian if the student is under eighteen years of age and to the ETC where applicable.

18.8:   The final decision will be confirmed to the student in writing.

19.  Resignation

19.1:   Letters of resignation shall be sent to the Registrar of the Institute.

19.2:   Students who absent themselves for three (3) consecutive weeks without notification shall be deemed to have resigned from their programme of studies.

19.3:   Students who resign will be paid up to the last day of attendance.

19.4:   Payments made by students who resign are not refundable.

19.5:   Students who resign from a specific programme may re-apply for another programme at the Institute.

19.6:   Students may be allowed to change to a part-time status during their programme of studies.

20.  Foreign Students - Applications by

20.1:   Prospective applicants who are in possession of non-Maltese educational qualifications must attach with the relevant application the document giving recognition and information about their qualifications issued by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre at the Education Division.

20.2:   EU applicants, and those holding a foreign passport but having one parent of Maltese nationality (as indicated above in para 1.4) shall be exempted from the payment of the tuition fee from the commencement of the course of study.

20.3:   EU applicants, and those holding a foreign passport but having one parent of Maltese nationality [as indicated above in para 1.4], must have been residing in Malta for a period of not less than five [5] years from the date of commencement of the relative course of studies are entitled to receive the weekly stipend.

20.4:   Non-EU applicants will be accepted, subject to availability of places, and the Institute will charge a tuition fee on application. Non EU citizens must pay a non-refundable registration fee of Lm50. If accepted, such applicants must pay the sum of Lm1000 to cover the tuition fee for the first academic year, prior to the request for issue of the visa. This tuition fee will be refunded if request for visa is refused. Subsequent payments are to be made one month prior of each semester.

20.5:   All foreign applicants are required to submit a medical certificate with their application. Subsequently students who are accepted by the Institute will have to undertake a medical test confirming that they are free from any contagious diseases.

20.6:   English and Maltese at SEC O'Levl or equivalent are compulsory subjects for entry into non-Craft programme of studies. The ITS may in special circumstances allow an applicant to offer another subject instead of Maltese.

20.7:   Applicants joining a Craft programme of study must have a working knowledge of the English language. Such applicants may be submitted to a test to ensure that their knowledge of English is adequate to enable them to follow the programme of study.

21.  Amendments to the Rules & Regulations

21.1:   These Rules and Regulations will come into effect on the first day of the academic year. Any amendments to these Rules & Regulations will come into effect on the date of publication.

21.2:   All students will be notified of any amendments.

22.  Delegation of Roles & Responsibilities

When the posts of Director or Deputy Director are vacant, the Board of Governors shall delegate other persons / person to assume the role and responsibilities of such posts during such vacancies.

23.  Contacts

Office of the Registrar
Tel: 23793230 /1 /2 /3 /4 /5
Fax: 23793220

Guidance & Counselling Service
Tel: 23793223

International Internship Unit
Tel: 23793268 / 271 / 273

ITS Helpline
help.its@gov.mt

ITS Website
www.its.gov.mt

ITS Reception
Tel: 23793100 or 21388015