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MDX Dubai’s LLB Honours Law Programme, with Criminology and International Relations Specialisms

  • Monday, 12 August 2024

The School of Law at Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai is distinguished by its cutting-edge research and esteemed scholars who bring a world-class wealth of knowledge and international experience to the classroom. A career in law offers ambitious graduates excellent salary prospects and fast progression. You will be challenged to think beyond the textbook, analysing legal principles and applying them to practical situations, assessing competing arguments and selecting the best approaches. 

The LLB Honours Law Programme offered in Middlesex University Dubai was launched in September 2014 and stands out as being the only face-to-face British Qualifying Law Degree currently offered in the UAE. The LLB Honours Law degree satisfies the requirements of the UK professional bodies, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board, to enable graduates to proceed to the professional exams, Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Courses.

Why Study an LLB Law Programme at Middlesex University Dubai?

Law is one of the most popular academic disciplines in the world. With the opportunity for high salaries, job stability, respectable status and a continuing global demand, a law career is a top profession that many aspire to achieve. 

One of the main reasons people study law is that it is a fascinating and broad discipline. Almost everything we do is governed by one law or another, from buying items online to publishing something via the internet, a law will need to be followed and adhered to. Law also enables you to better understand human behavior and wider societal issues. 

Law is the ideal academic path for people who enjoy solving difficult riddles and seemingly impossible challenges. Lawyers must deal with complex ethical, philosophical, and moral problems frequently throughout their careers without bias or judgement. Although a competitive industry, the rewards are well worth it.  As a law student, you will develop demonstrable critical thinking and decision-making skills. You can apply them to improve your personal relations, manage your finances, and even start a personal business.

If you choose to study at MDX Dubai, you will work alongside a faculty with extensive experience and expertise in legal research, teaching and practice. You will be involved in international mooting and MUN competitions and participate in field visits to international organisations while gaining exposure to the Department’s extensive network of industry partnerships.

Our LLB Law Programme 

The  LLB Law Programme has a three-year duration, with an annual September intake. During year one you will focus on the English Legal system, and the role of the legal profession in the English legal system. You will be equipped with legal terminology that will lay solid foundations in your law knowledge and an understanding of the tools used to analyse legal texts and arguments.

As you move through the programme, you will be introduced to several specific laws such as criminal law and employment law. Theories of international relations will be covered, allowing you to gain an insight into law outside the British system, thus giving a global perspective. As you progress, you will delve into key theoretical ideas and debates in criminology. For those of you interested in mooting and advocacy, you will have the opportunity to develop skills in the preparation and delivery of written and oral arguments in mock trial proceedings.

The programme also touches on equity and trusts, where you will be furnished with a historical account of the principles of equity from the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery, and the application in modern law is explored. You will dive into land law giving a critical understanding of the law in the context of dealings in land.
Are you more interested in specific elements of the law for your future career? Well, the LLB Honours Law programme can be studied in isolation, or combined with Criminology or International Relations depending on your area of interest. 

LLB Law with Criminology 

If you want to study the law with a clear focus on criminal behaviour and the justice system, our LLB Honours Law with Criminology programme lets you study the core modules of the LLB Honours Law programme whilst specialising in the intricacies of criminal law. 

The field of criminology covers a broad range of topics including crime theory, crime prevention, types of crime, victimology and penology and offers a vast selection of career role opportunities. MDX Dubai is internationally known for both our law and criminology expertise – and our LLB Honours Law with Criminology course puts you at the heart of legal innovation. The degree is recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board, and our course provides you with the intellectual knowledge and transferable skills that correspond to the first stage of professional legal education.

Follow a similar structure to the LLB Honours Law programme, equipping you with the solid foundations in law and relevant terminology, before moving into the specialisation of criminology. Areas of criminology such as deviance, violent crime and criminal justice will be presented across global contexts.

LLB Law with International Relations 

Offering yet another specialisation pathway for the LLB Honours Law programme, the MDX Dubai  LLB Honours Law with International Relations programme offers a look into international law. 

International relations is the study of challenges that go beyond national boundaries, and the resulting conflicts or attempts at cooperation. It addresses how states manage in our interconnected world, looking at state power, democracy and justice in comparison to other nations, and refers to problems like war, climate change and global economic inequality. 

Studying on this programme gives you an opportunity to complete a qualifying law degree while locating law in the turbulent, rapidly changing world of international relations as well as fulfilling the requirements for those of you who wish to train towards general legal practice. It is especially suitable for those interested in pursuing a career within one of the many kinds of multilateral organisation to be found in increasingly globalised societies (e.g. political, diplomatic, regulatory, campaigning, service-providing, health, trade and other agencies, NGOs and charities).

The programme will follow a similar structure to the LLB Honours Law programme, providing an excellent basis of understanding in the key principles and theories, before shifting focus onto several International Relations specific modules; looking at global geopolitics which encompasses socio-economic issues of war and conflicts, global reforms and climate law which addresses climate change along with its associated worldwide impacts. 

Senior Lecturer and Campus Programme Coordinator Samantha Jayne Roberts, has this to say about the programme’s benefits. “Pursuing this dynamic programme is the first step towards a successful career in law. You will receive a world-class legal education guided by our excellent faculty of experienced legal professionals and scholars. We provide a dynamic learning environment that incorporates innovative teaching methods such as moot courts, simulations, and interactive workshops, ensuring you gain practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. With specialised pathways in Criminology and International Relations, you can tailor your studies to your career aspirations. Our unique approach equips you with global perspectives and a comprehensive understanding of the legal system, preparing you for success in the legal profession and beyond.”

Career-Led Education with Industry Exposure

During your LLB Honours Law programme, you will be involved in a range of learning, teaching, and assessment approaches. Such approaches aim to put you at the centre of your own learning. The programme requires active involvement and collaboration with your fellow students, including working and learning as part of small groups. Learning activities may occur both within and outside the classroom. 

You will be supported by technology, and faculty will use existing and emerging tech to engage with you. By engaging with e-learning, you will develop additional skills highly valued by employers. These include working flexibly, communication, understanding of IT, and team working.

Haza Hafis is an LLB Honours Law student, who also studied International Foundation Programme (IFP) with Law at MDX. She said: “Studying the intricacies of law and the legal system that underpins our society at MDX has been a fascinating journey. I'm glad that the International Foundation Programme in Law brought me closer to such an experience and provided me invaluable knowledge for my degree. The course's tailored structure really supports my academic and aspirations. MDX has enabled me to take a significant step into the field of law.”

Our lecturers have extensive expertise in academia and practice, bringing a wealth of international experience, challenging you to think beyond the textbook. Alongside developing a thorough grounding in the core areas of English Law, you will gain the legal skills and academic qualifications to embark on the next stage of training. A law degree is also an excellent platform for entering related professions. 

Furthermore, employability support workshops are offered on campus, at module and/or programme level, to develop and enhance the employability skills of students and graduates. The common career route for LLB Honours Law graduates is that of a solicitor or barrister, but there are many related sectors where a Law degree is also highly desired. These include legal executive, paralegal, community advisory work, or in-house legal departments (including human resources, tax and insurance).

If you are primarily interested in a career in legal practice, this course fulfils the standard undergraduate degree requirement for progressing to professional qualification as a barrister or solicitor. Alongside this established career track, the programme equips graduates with a more nuanced understanding of how organisations and societies manage their interaction in the international arena. On completion of the programme, you are well prepared for pursuing many professional career options in law, as well as careers in multilateral and international organisations and agencies. 

For more information; download our most recent Mooting Society Newsletter and read about all the exciting activity and initiatives our Law students have taken part in recently.

More than Academics: Celebrating the Student Experience

As a Law student, life at the University also offers engaging and enriching extracurricular opportunities. Our sports and social clubs empower you to build confidence and develop leadership and organisational skills, ensuring friendships are formed outside of the classroom. Get involved in events hosted by MDX Dubai, such as International Day, YouthFest talent contest, international trips to destinations such as Japan, Georgia and Italy, student galas and more. With over 30 sports teams and social clubs to choose from there is something for everyone! Our Centre for Academic Success (CAS) is available throughout your studies. Guiding and assisting you on any concerns or questions you may have. We also provide customised support and guidance for those with learning and physical disabilities. Our Inclusion Counsellor ensures that your journey at university is as smooth as possible.

At MDX Dubai, we provide you with the opportunity to transfer your studies to one of our overseas campuses within your second year of study. This allows you to explore a new culture and make overseas contacts while benefiting from the same high quality of teaching that you receive here at our Dubai campus (Dubai Knowledge Park DKP).

Our DKP campus features state-of-the-art classrooms equipped for hybrid learning; labs for Graphic Design, Robotics, Engineering, VR, Cybersecurity, and Fashion Design; and an exciting student recreation centre the MDX Social Hub, which is home to our Dance Studio, Gaming Room and much more. We are also the first UK university in the UAE to have a campus in each of Dubai’s higher education hubs. Our second campus is located in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) and it features a Student Zone, state-of-the-art classrooms, and Innovation and Business Hubs.  

For more information; download our most recent Mooting Society Newsletter and read about all the exciting activity and initiatives our Law students have taken part in recently.

Ensuring Accessible Education

At MDX Dubai we are committed to delivering a high-quality British education that meets market demands. Our students can qualify for various scholarships and professional study grants based on eligibility criteria. Flexible payment plans are offered to make a quality British education accessible to everyone.

Apply for our next intake at MDX Dubai and take the first step towards evolving your career aspirations with a degree that promises both academic excellence and practical industry experience. Join MDX Dubai and become part of an inclusive and diverse community that nurtures growth, innovation, and success. 

Find out more detailed information about the MDX Dubai LLB law Programmes at Law (mdx.ac.ae)