Second Cycle of Studies – Master of Science

The second cycle of studies includes “Master of Science” programs, which correspond to level 7 of the Albanian Qualifications Framework.

Programs of the Second Cycle “Master of Science”

The “Master of Science” study programs provide graduates with advanced theoretical knowledge and skills for scientific research in a specific field.

These programs consist of no less than 120 credits following the first cycle and normally last two academic years.

Studies conclude with a diploma thesis, and upon completion, the degree “Master of Science” is awarded in the relevant field of study.

Programs offered at University College “Qiriazi”

University College “Qiriazi” offers second cycle “Master of Science” programs in the fields of economics and law. Upon completion, the corresponding diploma is issued in:

Faculty of Economics

Business Administration

Finance

Faculty of Law

Integrated Studies in Law

Admission Criteria for Second Cycle Programs

• Admission is possible for candidates who have completed a first cycle (Bachelor) program and meet the criteria of University College “Qiriazi” and the respective program.
• The admission criteria are determined by the basic unit offering the program and approved according to the statute of the College. They are made public by the main unit and QSHA (Educational Services Center).
• One of the admission criteria is knowledge of one of the five foreign languages of the European Union: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish. Graduation from a program conducted in one of these languages serves as proof.
• University College “Qiriazi” may recognize credits earned in second cycle “Professional Master” programs for transfer into “Master of Science” programs.
• At the beginning of the academic year, the list of registered students is sent to QSHA.

Admission Process

• Registrations are initially carried out according to the requests/preferences and ranked based on the weighted average grade of the Bachelor’s diploma. The regulations of the Faculties and Departments define the Bachelor study programs that a candidate may have completed.
• The regulations of the Faculties and Departments also determine the minimum grade point average of the Bachelor’s diploma that successful candidates must achieve. If there are still available quotas, applicants with a lower average are not excluded.
• The registration fee for candidates is determined in accordance with the legal framework in force and the regulations approved by the governing bodies of the College. Candidates register according to the procedures described in this regulation, as well as in the regulations of the faculties.
• Registrations in the Master of Science study program at University College “Qiriazi” are carried out in implementation and compliance with the laws of the Republic of Albania and the decisions and guidelines of the Ministry of Education. They are conducted at the teaching secretariat where the study program is offered.
• The recognition of credits is based on this regulation and on the regulations of the Faculties.
• Albanian or foreign citizens have the right to transfer to the Master of Science study program at University College “Qiriazi”, in accordance with the legal framework in force and the rules defined in the Statute of University College “Qiriazi”, in this regulation, in the Faculty regulations, as well as in the study program regulations.

Organization of Second Cycle Studies

1. The Master of Science study program at University College “Qiriazi” is conducted full-time. The normal duration is two academic years.
2. The maximum duration of studies in a study program cannot exceed twice the normal duration of studies foreseen by the program, excluding periods of time when the student has suspended studies.
3. A student may continue participation in the Master of Science program beyond the normal duration of studies. In this case, they must fulfill the obligations according to the curriculum plan and pay the respective fees.
4. A student who does not complete their studies within the maximum duration of the program has the right to apply to restart studies in the same program or in another program. They are subject to the admission criteria and procedures announced for registration in the study program of the host institution. The credits accumulated by the student during the previous period of studies may be transferred, by decision of the basic unit of the institution accepting the student, according to the criteria defined in its regulation.
5. These study programs are organized in modules and evaluated with credits, according to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
6. The number of credits accumulated during one year by a student attending a full-time Master of Science study program at University College “Qiriazi” is 60 credits. By the end of this program, the student accumulates 120 credits.
7. In the second semester of the second year, the diploma defense takes place. The diploma is an independent scientific work of the student enrolled in the Master of Science program.
8. The language of instruction in the Master of Science study program at University College “Qiriazi” is Albanian.
9. Lectures are conducted in accordance with the class schedule approved by the Dean of the Faculty where the study program is carried out.
10. Knowledge is assessed in each module through evaluation of course assignments, participation and evaluation in seminars, laboratory work, and examinations.
11. The requirements to progress to the following year are as follows:

• Attendance (lectures, seminars, exercises, laboratory) is mandatory at a rate of 80%. Students who do not meet this attendance requirement lose the right to sit for the exam in that module and regain this right by making up the deficit in the following academic year.
• To advance to the second year (third semester) of the Master of Science program, the student must have earned a minimum of 30 credits.
• In the autumn session (September), only regular students who have been unsuccessful in the current academic year may sit for exams.
• The autumn session, for students in the final year of the Master of Science program, is conducted as specified in the Faculty regulations.
• The number of possible exams to be retaken in this session is equal to half of the exams of the last academic year. When the number of modules is odd, the number of exam dates is 50% plus one.

1. For regular second-year students (Master of Science), retaking exams for carried modules is done during the following year, in the supplementary sessions (January and April).
2. For repeating students (first and second year), retaking exams for uncompleted modules is done during the following year, in the regular sessions (winter and summer) and in the autumn session of the year in which the student has been declared a repeater.
3. Final-year students (second year) who, at the end of the last exam session, remain with 3 (three) uncompleted modules, have the right to complete them two weeks before the start of the thesis defense session.
4. Final-year students (second year) who, at the end of the last exam session, remain with more than 3 (three) uncompleted modules, complete them in the regular and supplementary sessions of the following year, but not in the autumn session, and defend their thesis in the respective thesis defense sessions of that year.
5. The graduation of Master of Science students takes place in September or October. For students who are unsuccessful in the scheduled defense during the regular sessions, their retake is held after 6 months. For students who do not appear in the regular session announced by the faculty, but who have fulfilled all obligations required by the study program, including the international English language test, the defense is scheduled every two months by the respective faculty.
6. At the end of the study program, the student is awarded the “Master of Science” diploma in the completed study program, signed by the Dean of the Faculty and the Rector of Qiriazi University College. The model and the distinguishing color, as well as the supplement/appendix that accompanies the diploma, are deposited in the Secretariat.