Why Villa College
Studying at Villa College is more than just attending classes and taking exams. Our college experience is designed to be dynamic and engaging, offering a variety of opportunities for students to explore new passions and make lifelong connections.
Our staff are committed to providing a supportive and nurturing environment that allows students to thrive academically and personally. We believe that education should be an immersive experience that goes beyond textbooks and lectures, and our approach to teaching reflects this belief.
At Villa College, we recognise that students have diverse interests and aspirations, which is why we offer a wide range of academic programmes to cater to all these preferences. Whether you are interested in pursuing a degree in business, education, nursing, engineering or any of our other programmes, you'll find that our faculties consist of experts in their fields, dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.
But college life is about more than just academics. We believe that social connections and community involvement are essential to a well-rounded college experience. Villa College is home to students from across the Maldives, and we encourage our students to engage with each other and participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, and volunteer opportunities available through our student communities.
Studying at Villa College means joining a vibrant and supportive community that is dedicated to helping you achieve your academic and personal goals. We invite you to explore and learn more about what we have to offer.
Learning Support
There are several ways in which Learning Support benefits our students. Most activities are online, to enable all our students in different parts of the country to benefit equally.
Academic Writing Workshops
There are two series of workshops offered to students to help students, researchers, and scholars improve their academic writing skills. These workshops cover topics ranging from organising their writing and writing paragraphs, to using correct grammar and vocabulary. The primary objective of these workshops is to provide participants with strategies, techniques, and resources to enhance their writing proficiency and produce high-quality academic papers.
Referencing Workshops
These workshops are held for all new students at the beginning of each semester and provide the necessary knowledge to use proper citations and develop accurately formatted reference lists for their work. These workshops aim to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to accurately and effectively attribute information and ideas borrowed from other authors, avoiding plagiarism and maintaining academic integrity. Additionally, these workshops are available for current students upon request by faculty.
E-Tutes Appointments
These are English tutorials that students can book and attend individually or with classmates to clarify different issues, especially with developing their assessments and other activities. Students can book multiple appointments to focus on specific aspects of their studies, such as developing a presentation or a poster.
VC E-Tutes on Viber
This is a large community in Viber that provides regular updates on grammar, vocabulary and other language-related information to boost their learning experience. There are also quizzes, and inspirational posts to encourage students through their time at college. Many alumni also participate in this community of over 2,500 members.
PAL programme
The VC Peer Assisted Learning programme aims to provide help for new students in their initial semester for difficult modules. The aim is to provide additional support in the selected modules in a relaxed setting. New students are provided support by students who have already finished the difficult modules with outstanding results.
Study Skills Workshops
These workshops enable students to pick up valuable study and life skills that will enable them to be more effective students and perform better in their careers.
Dhivehi Workshops
These workshops aim to provide students with information that will improve their Dhivehi language skills, and they are meant to be useful for both their studies and their jobs.
Dhivehi Tutoring
Students who have difficulties with using Dhivehi effectively in their studies or in speaking can get specific support upon request.
Google Meet 'Walk-In'
All students have the opportunity to log in to these specific time slots on Google Meet as 'walk-ins' to clarify various study-related issues. These are similar to E-Tutes appointments, but they do not require a prior booking.
Learning Support Videos
There are several YouTube videos developed to help students learn more about doing library research, referencing and general academic writing, among other areas.
Industry Engagement
Our faculties also greatly benefit from such collaborative efforts as the training sessions and workshops we receive from our industry partners help us develop our faculty members further as well.
Faculty Advisory Committee
The primary objective of the Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC) at Villa College is to maintain a high level of academic administration that remains current and relevant to changing educational requirements. To achieve this objective, the FAC will actively seek the expert opinions of practitioners and educators in the relevant fields or sectors. The main role of the FAC is to provide guidance and advice to the faculties. By seeking input from these committees, the faculties can ensure that their programs remain up-to-date and of the highest quality, meeting the needs of their students and society and providing them with a competitive edge in their chosen fields.
Networking Breakfast
Our Networking Breakfast is an annual event that brings together the business community and our college to foster collaboration and generate ideas that can benefit our students. The breakfast is held in a relaxed and informal environment that encourages open discussions about potential collaborations and opportunities.
During the event, both parties share their thoughts and ideas about how industry can support our students, and how students can contribute to the growth of the business community. The Networking Breakfast serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices, enabling us to work together towards the common goal of preparing our students for their future careers.
We believe that partnerships with the business community are essential in providing our students with the best possible education and opportunities for growth and are committed to fostering these partnerships by creating a supportive ecosystem that benefits both our students and the wider community.
Industry Speaker Series
Our Industry Speaker Series is a platform that connects our students with experienced professionals from different industries. Through this series, we aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing our students with real-world insights and perspectives.
The series features sessions hosted by professionals from various industries who share their knowledge and expertise with our students. These sessions are conducted for individual programs as well as programs combined, providing our students with a diverse range of learning opportunities.
Our Industry Speaker Series allows our students to gain a deeper understanding of the practical applications of the concepts and theories they learn in class. It also provides them with networking opportunities and helps them build relationships with industry professionals.
At Villa College, we are committed to providing our students with a holistic education that prepares them for their future careers.
Business Festival
The Business Festival is an event held at Villa College where final year students of the University of West England Business Management programmes get to showcase their business ideas.
As part of the Enterprise Project module, students get to present their pitches in a 60-second presentation to the numerous business professionals invited to the festival from the private sector to judge and give crucial feedback. This allows our students a chance to experience what it is like to be an entrepreneur in the practical setting they envision in their future. The festival ends with the judges selecting the best pitch that they believe is the most commercially viable idea, giving the students a chance to attract potential investors.
This platform also provides employers to showcase their companies, products and employment prospects with students.
Career Fair
The Career Fair held at Villa College, is aimed at bringing employers and job seekers together real-time. As a platform for our industry partners and key employers to meet directly with our students and alumni of various programme backgrounds, it is the ideal place to showcase their companies and provide information on the numerous career opportunities available.
For our students, alumni and even our prospective students, our Career Fair provides an opportunity for them to explore recruitments from potential employers and gain a better understanding of the employment landscape in their field of interest.
Corporate Access to Student Talent (CAST)
CAST is a programme specifically designed to equip Villa College graduates with the skills and talents that are in high demand within the employment sector. Through its unique offerings, CAST also enables organizations to enhance their corporate branding among Villa College graduates and gain privileged access to the rich talent pool available at Villa College.
By forming a CAST partnership, organizations can enjoy unparalleled access to Villa College students and alumni, thereby enhancing their image as a top-tier employer. Furthermore, CAST can aid organizations in identifying and recruiting the most suitable candidates for their specific needs while simultaneously providing Villa College students and graduates with opportunities to engage with potential employers.
The Environment
Solar Energy Project
The commitment to “Do our share for a cleaner air” is the driving force behind Villa College’s initiative to opt for alternative renewable source of energy, through the implementation of Solar Energy Project. A significant milestone achieved through the Solar Energy Project was the approval from State Electrical Company to grant the first Net-Metering approval to Villa College in August of 2017. Additionally, the Ministry of Environment of the Maldives granted the first Carbon Credits to Villa College for the successful implementation and installation of Sola PV Panels on the roof tops of Villa College, QI Campus in Male’, Maldives on 10 July 2019.
The use of solar PV has enabled the college to save 42% on its electricity bill and conserve over 74,000 litres of diesel annually. This demonstrates Villa College's dedication to sustainable practices and its potential to inspire positive change.
No Single-Use Plastic
Villa College has proactively taken steps towards environmental sustainability by implementing a no single-use plastic policy on all its campuses. This initiative showcases the institution's dedication to minimizing its environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. The college has introduced various alternatives, including water filter systems and reusable bottles, to replace single-use plastic. These measures aim to reduce plastic waste and foster environmentally responsible behavior among both staff and students.
Green Campus
Villa College Qasim Ibrahim (QI) campus stands as a testament to its dedication to sustainability and creating a pleasant atmosphere for its students and staff. With its well-maintained orchid gardens, green spaces, and efforts to promote sustainability, QI campus serves as an inspiration for others in creating harmonious and eco-friendly educational environments.
Academic Strength
The college also has a strong reputation for the quality of its programmes and is a member of international quality assurance agencies.
Strong Faculty and Leadership Team
With over 200 full-time employees, with 80% of staff percent being graduates, and 75% of our staff being postgraduates, Villa College is an ideal place for an academic career. Villa College has the highest number of PhD holders under one roof in the country, and more than 17 full-time academic staff hold doctorate qualifications.
The leadership team of the organization are pioneers of the higher education industry in the Maldives, who started their early careers in school settings and established reputations for managing schools well and grew their leadership career in the higher education industry.
Reputation for Quality
Villa College aspires to fulfill its mission in the provision of quality higher education. In this endeavor, Villa College has strived to have our programmes accepted not just by the Maldivian community, but also from international quality and accreditation agencies around the world. Markedly, Villa College was the first educational institution in the country to have become members of not just well-renowned regional professional bodies, but also international ones. Our professional programmes are approved and accredited by their respective global professional bodies as well, and the College is constantly working on having more of our programmes receive accreditation through membership and affiliations.
Villa College currently offers franchise programmes from the University of the West of England, which is ranked 21 in the UK by the Guardian League Table and is also a Gold Status university in the UK and Europe teaching excellence framework TAFE. We also have a partnership with Taylor’s University, which is the No. 1 private university in Southeast Asia, ranked #284 in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Multi-disciplinary programme portfolio
Villa College now offers more than 144 academic and professional programmes in its programme portfolio. These programmes traverse many disciplines including disciplines no other college or university in the Maldives is currently offering, such as degree programmes in electric and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering and mechatronics engineering. VC programmes range from certificate level to Masters’ programmes, catering to the needs of every single person from school leavers to parents with an interest in higher education. They also include local (VC own) and reputed international programmes, striking a balance between maintaining identity and giving students a choice of programmes with international flavour.
Partnerships and affiliations
Internationalization is another domain Villa College has successfully embarked upon and to date, we have established and sustained successful collaborative partnerships with world-class international universities and professional bodies. Villa College is proudly affiliated with universities such as the University of the West of England and Open University Malaysia, to deliver world renowned, internationally-recognized programmes to the Maldivian community. Through the exposure we get from such partnerships, we are able to develop our own programmes and the overall operation of the College by replicating international best practices in teaching and learning, and the operation and management of higher education. It contributes to consistently improving all facets of higher education delivery and management of the college. We offer the most number of international academic and professional programmes in the country; hence, we have the most number of students undertaking international qualifications.
At present, the majority of the programmes conducted at Villa College are awarded by the University of the West of England (UWE) and Taylor’s University. The opportunity to pursue an academic degree of a rising university in the UK is appreciated by the students and general public. The academic experiences students gain is similar to those at UWE Bristol itself, and many students regard Villa College as an off-shore campus of the UWE.
Resources and Facilities
Villa College provides modern and well-equipped facilities to enhance the learning experience of our students. Our classrooms are equipped with the latest technology, including multimedia projectors and audio systems, to facilitate interactive learning.
We have computer labs with high-speed internet connectivity, providing students with access to modern software and tools necessary for their coursework. Our art and design lab provides a creative space for students to explore their artistic abilities, while our robotics lab and electrical and mechanical engineering labs offer students hands-on experience in their respective fields.
In addition, our psychology lab and Moot Court, Nursing Lab, Chemistry Lab, Physics Lab, and Biology Lab provide practical learning opportunities for students studying in those fields.
We also offer individual study spaces, group study rooms, and benches throughout the campus, allowing students to study individually or collaborate with classmates as needed. Our canteen offers a variety of food options for students to fuel up during their busy days on campus.
Furthermore, our library provides a vast collection of resources, including books, journals, and electronic databases, to support students' academic pursuits. The library offers a comfortable and quiet environment for students to study and conduct research. With these facilities, Villa College ensures that our students have access to the resources they need to succeed in their academic and personal pursuits.
Unique Learning Experience
At our institution, students are provided with a unique opportunity to pursue Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes from renowned universities in South East Asia and Europe, all from the comfort of their own homes and at an affordable cost. This distinctive setup allows our students to access various online facilities offered by the host universities, thereby providing a global learning experience.
Furthermore, our faculty members are more than just lecturers; they are actively engaged in research, with some of them having established international reputations for their published work.
In addition to traditional modes of instruction, we also emphasize experiential learning and simulations to facilitate a more interactive and engaging educational experience for our students.
Student Support
Counselling Support
Villa College offers a range of counseling services to support students' psychological and emotional wellbeing to aid their academic performance and personal growth.
Our counseling services include individual counseling, group counseling, and peer counseling, all conducted by trained counselors who uphold professional and ethical boundaries in their work. These services aim to promote a safe and supportive environment for students to discuss their concerns and receive guidance and support from trained professionals.
The counseling services provided at Villa College are designed to enhance students' academic and personal growth while ensuring that safe and ethical counseling practices are followed in dealing with students' cases.
Academic Counselling
Our faculties are dedicated to provide the best academic counseling services for the students to help them achieve their academic goals. Faculties focus on creating a positive learning environment, ensuring our students are supported and directed towards a successful completion of their programmes at Villa College.
Villa College offers a wide range of academic counseling to their students which includes, course selection, time management, study skills, test taking strategies and other academic challenges they may face during their journey at Villa College.
Furthermore, Villa College offers prospective students advice and career guidance based on their goals, qualifications, and interests during the application process as well.