Home/ Master's Programs/ Master of Private Law Program

Master of Private Law Program

Duration: 1.5 to 4 years
33 Credit Hours
Fall and Spring Semesters
College of Law
Program Type: Master’s Degree
Language of Instruction: Arabic
Apply Online Quick Overview Video

Enhance Your Future with a Master of Private Law

 
image

Welcome to the Master of Private Law Program, an integrated academic track designed to equip you with advanced legal knowledge and analytical skills to excel in civil and commercial transactions, law, and related contemporary contracts and legal relationships.

The Master of Private Law is one of the most prominent legal specialisations aligned with legislative and judicial developments in the UAE and the region. The program provides an in-depth study of Civil Transactions Law, civil and commercial contracts, civil liability, property and real rights, family and personal status, in addition to electronic contracts and commercial arbitration. It combines solid theoretical foundations with practical applications and comparative studies. Students will develop the ability to analyse legal texts, understand their philosophy, interpret them, and apply them to real cases—preparing researchers and practitioners to develop appropriate legal solutions.

The program also sheds light on protecting individual and commercial rights and on regulating transactions between individuals and companies to ensure fairness and balance among the parties to legal relationships. It discusses recent developments in national and international laws and highlights the role of private law in supporting economic and social development. The methodology blends rigorous academic study with applied training through workshops, practical legal presentations, and case studies, qualifying graduates for legal practice, consultancy, arbitration, the judiciary, or joining academia and legal research.

The Master of Private Law responds to current labour-market needs and contemporary legislative developments, preparing legal leaders who possess academic competence and practical experience, and who are committed to the principles of justice and social responsibility. It reinforces the law’s role as a pillar for protecting rights and enhancing transactional stability, consistent with the values and national identity of UAE society.

 

Admission Requirements

 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Law or any other directly related specialisation from an accredited university recognised by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) – Ministry of Education – United Arab Emirates.
  • Students holding a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a field closely related to a Bachelor of Laws from an accredited institution recognised by the CAA may be exempted based on evaluation by the College of Law Council according to their specialisation.
  • Bachelor’s CGPA requirements
    • CGPA 2.5 or higher (out of 4.0): Direct admission.
    • CGPA below 2.5 and ≥ 2.0: The student must complete three preparatory courses with a GPA of at least 3.0.

        *  Note: The Ministry of Education must attest the degrees issued from outside the UAE.

  • Applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency according to one of the following tests (or CAA-approved equivalents):

Score Test Type
4.5 IELTS
450 TOEFL ITP
45 TOEFL iBT
133 TOEFL CBT
B1 Linguaskill
60 UAQU English Proficiency Test

Exemption from English Language Requirements:

• Any other CAA-approved proficiency test.

• Continuing UAQU undergraduates who graduate within one year are exempted from the English proficiency test.

• Or by completing an online or on-campus English preparatory course offered by the University.

 
Program Objectives

Setting clear, direct objectives for the program is essential to its success, in light of periodic assessment and review efforts to measure the extent to which these objectives are achieved.

Below are the common objectives for program students expected to be achieved during the study period. The program seeks to achieve the following general objectives:

  • Analyse and explain the nature of legal facts and acts and their classifications within the framework of private law.
  • Provide innovative legal and judicial solutions both theoretically and practically to issues at local, regional, and international levels.
  • Position the College as a distinguished academic institution locally, regionally, and globally in the field of private law.
  • Develop students’ ability to contribute to legislative development in the UAE’s private law field.
  • Advance scientific research across all branches of private law and enable students to prepare specialised studies.

 

Career Opportunities
  1. Judicial Institutions:
  • Work in the UAE courts as a legal advisor or a judge specialised in civil and commercial cases.
  • Contribute to drafting judgments and legal reports related to commercial and civil disputes.
  1. Law Firms and Legal Consultancy:
  • Provide specialised legal advice to UAE companies and institutions in commercial law, civil law, and family law.
  • Draft complex commercial contracts and agreements and protect clients’ interests in business transactions.
  1. Governmental and Regulatory Bodies:
  • Work in ministries and government departments such as the Ministry of Economy, Securities and Commodities Authority, and Economic Development Departments within legal sections.
  • Follow up on commercial legislation and implement regulations related to company contracts, trade, and investment.
  1. Corporate and Private Sector:
  • Serve as an in-house legal advisor focusing on employment contracts, commercial contracts, and civil/commercial disputes.
  • Contribute to corporate legal risk management and protect corporate interests in local and international business environments.
  1. Arbitration and Dispute Resolution:
  • Work as an arbitrator or assistant arbitrator in national and international commercial arbitration cases.
  • Engage with mediation and dispute-resolution centres to expedite the settlement of disputes between companies.
  1. Academia and Research:
  • Teach at universities and law colleges with a focus on UAE commercial and civil law
  • Conduct legal research and participate in scientific conferences related to the development of the UAE’s commercial legal environment.
  1.  International and Local Organisations:
  • Join international or local organisations of a legal nature, or departments handling civil and commercial rights related to investment and international trade.

 

 

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify core knowledge and concepts across various branches of private law.
  2. Analyse cases and judicial rulings issued in the field of private law.
  3. Interpret legislative texts of private law across its branches.
  4. Link legal studies in private law to contemporary societal issues.
  5. Conduct in-depth scholarly research in private law.

 

 

Mode of Delivery

The Master of Private Law is offered under the credit-hour system adopted at Umm Al Quwain University. Students are required to attend classes in person on campus and participate directly in the learning process. All students follow a full-time study mode.

 

Program Structure

Umm Al Quwain University – College of Law – awards the Master of Private Law degree after successful completion of thirty-three (33) credit hours distributed as follows:

  • Core Courses: 18 Credit Hours
  • Elective Courses: 6 Credit Hours (two courses)
  • Thesis: 9 Credit Hours
  • Total: 33 Credit Hours
Program Structure
Course Type Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
Core Courses (18 Credit Hours) LAWPR201 Civil Law 3
LAWPR202 Commercial Law 3
LAWPR203 Private International Law 3
LAWPR204 Civil and Commercial Procedure Law 3
LAWPR205 Transactions in Islamic Jurisprudence 3
LAWINT2 Legal Research Methods 3
Elective Courses (6 Credit Hours) LAWPR207 Arbitration in Maritime Trade Disputes 3
LAWPR208 Anti-Trust and Consumer Protection Legislation 3
LAWINT10 Dispute Resolution Arising from the Use of Information Technology and AI 3
LAWPR210 Electronic Transactions Law 3
  (Select two courses only) 6
Thesis LAWPR299   9
Total 33

Master’s Thesis

The student prepares a “Master’s Thesis” on one of the topics of Private Law its rules and issues in Arabic, with an English abstract. A supervisor is appointed from the relevant academic department, and, when needed, a co-supervisor from outside the College of Law may be appointed based on the nature of the thesis. Registration for the thesis is permitted only after completing the core courses (18 credit hours).

General Conditions
  1. The student must complete a total of 33 credit hours (core, elective, and thesis) offered in the program with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
  2. Successfully defend the Master’s thesis (equivalent to 9 credit hours) and obtain a minimum grade of 3.0/4.0 for it.
  3. Thesis registration is not permitted until all core courses prescribed in the program are completed; only one elective course may be registered concurrently with the thesis.
  4. No core course may be registered during intensive semesters.
  5. The minimum period for completing the thesis is nine months from the date of registration.
  6. The College Council approves the thesis plan and appoints the supervisor.
  7. Complete all administrative procedures required at admission.
  8. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 for the program.
  9. The minimum study period is one and a half years, and the maximum is four years.
  10. For the purpose of improving the cumulative GPA, a student may repeat up to two courses during the period of study.

 

Study Plan
  Semester Course Code Course Title Credits
  First Semester
LAWPR201
 Civil Law 3
LAWPR202 Commercial Law 3
LAWINT2 Legal Research Methods 3
        Total 9
  Second Semester LAWPR203 Private International Law 3
LAWPR204 Civil and Commercial Procedure Law 3
LAWPR205 Transactions in Islamic Jurisprudence 3
- Thesis Registration (proposal drafting and literature collection) 0
      Total 9
  Third Semester
(Select two only)		 LAWPR207 Arbitration in Maritime Trade Disputes 3
LAWPR208 Anti-Trust and Consumer Protection Legislation 3
LAWINT10 Dispute Resolution Arising from the Use of IT and AI 3
LAWPR210 Electronic Transactions Law 3
      Total 6
  Fourth Semester LAWPR299 Master’s Thesis (requires completion of 18 core credits) 9
      Total Program Credits 33

 

 

* For inquiries, please contact us via WhatsApp at +971 54 360 6425