The Bachelor of Shariah and Law programme provides a comprehensive foundation in the fundamental areas of law and shariah which, is required to satisfy the academic requirements of a qualifying degree to train for the Maldivian legal profession.
Students acquire knowledge in Shariah and Law’s core areas in addition to the development of additional soft skills and attributes required to practice law or to seek employment in other related fields. The programme offers students opportunities to build practical skills through participation in a range of extra-curricular activities including mooting, pro-bono work and Law student societies.
Students are challenged to develop their communication, analytical and problem-solving skills through a focus on teaching, practical and experiential activities requiring practical application within the legal arena and elsewhere.
General Entry Criteria
2 passes in A Level/HSC (At GCE A/L, a pass is considered E and above. HSSC pass is considered C and above.) OR
Attainment of a Level 4 qualification in a related field OR
Attainment of a Level 4 Foundation Study Program approved for the specific Diploma program.
Language Requirement
Minimum “C” grade in GCE O’ level English OR equivalent OR
Obtain a pass in an equivalent English Language entry exam provided by Villa College
Alternative Criteria
20 years old, completion of a Level 4 qualification (unrelated), and successful completion of an MQA-approved University Preparation Program OR
20 years old, completion of secondary school, 2 years of relevant work experience, and successful completion of an MQA-approved University Preparation Program AND
The language requirement is described above.
Core Modules
Year 1
Islamic Law of Transactions (Dhivehi)
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence I (Dhivehi)
Criminal Law I (English)
Law of Contract I (English)
Constitutional Law (English)
Law of Contract II (English)
Criminal Law II (English)
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence II (Dhivehi)
A diploma in Shariah and Law will be awarded after the completion of the first year
Year 2
Law of Tort I (English)
Introduction to Jurisprudence (English)
Islamic Family Law (Dhivehi)
Islamic Criminal Law (Dhivehi)
Maldivian Legal System, Legal Method and Reasoning (English)
Land Law I (English)
Law of Tort II (English)
Company Law (English)
Equity and Trusts (English)
Public International Law (English)
Islamic Law of Inheritance (Dhivehi)
Land Law II (English)
Islamic Legal Maxims (Dhivehi)
Evidence and Procedure (English)
Professional Ethics and Legal Practice (English)
Upon successful completion of this programme participants will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of a coherent body of knowledge in the prescribed core areas of Shariah and Law and their underlying principles and concepts and their practical application in practical and social contexts in legal and other arenas;
Demonstrate a strong understanding of the values of justice and ethical practices to be abided by a lawyer in the discharge of his/her role, in addition to displaying academic integrity in academic discourse;
Demonstrate strong analytical and reasoning skills to make appropriate responses to legal issues, and generate appropriate solutions to legal problems;
Demonstrate strong communication skills to effectively and persuasively communicate in Dhivehi and English;
Demonstrate research skills that equip the student to research solutions to complex legal problems using primary and secondary sources of Shariah and Law; and
Demonstrate self-management skills that would equip the student to engage in continuous learning, through reflection on their own learning and skills and identification of gaps in knowledge and skills, in order to update/acquire new knowledge and capabilities through personal and professional development.
Note: The majority of the modules will be offered in English medium while some of the modules of the programme will be offered in Dhivehi. The details are provided in the programme structure.
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