Master of Law in Private Law

  • Total # of Credit hours
    33

Welcome Message

In my name and on behalf of my colleagues who are members of the faculty, I welcome you to the Master's program in Private Law at Ajman University's College of Law.

The Department of Private Law is a cornerstone of the College's graduate studies, aiming to fulfill the College's vision and mission in line with the university's new strategy while upholding its distinguished reputation among national and regional universities. The program is taught by a select group of private law professors specializing in civil law, commercial law, civil procedures, and private international law. They teach with competence and excellence in various programs offered by the department, whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

All faculty members strive to empower students with comprehensive legal knowledge, establishing a scientific legal methodology that combines theoretical and practical aspects to achieve a balance between academic requirements and the practical needs of the job market. This equips graduates with exceptional skills that enable them to easily excel in their professional lives after graduation.

Furthermore, the Master's program in Private Law is committed to serving the community by interacting with various legal authorities across the United Arab Emirates.

Prof. Ahmad fadli

The Coordinator of Master of Law in Private Law

Program Overview

Introduction:

The College of Law at Ajman University was established to serve as one of the leading institutions of legal education at both the local and regional levels and to contribute to the preparation of qualified legal professionals capable of keeping pace with developments in the legal field. The Master’s Program in Private Law was initially approved in 2008, received its final accreditation in May 2016, and its accreditation was renewed in December 2021.

In September 2026, substantial modifications to the program were approved in response to legislative and digital developments and labor market needs, with the aim of enhancing the program’s flexibility, the effectiveness of its learning outcomes, and its academic sustainability. The program was restructured through the introduction of two Concentrations: the Digital Business Law Concentration, which focuses on data protection, smart contracts, electronic transactions, and digital intellectual property; and the Legal Dispute Management Concentration, which covers principles of litigation, alternative dispute resolution, law of evidence, and compulsory enforcement.

The mode of delivery was also updated to a blended learning model, with 40% delivered online, providing greater flexibility for working students without compromising academic quality, while all examinations are conducted face-to-face. Students are given the option to complete either a research thesis or an applied graduation project, according to their academic and professional interests.

The modifications also include reducing the total number of program credit hours from 33 to 30 credit hours and replacing elective courses with focused and structured Concentrations, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the program outcomes and improving its academic and financial sustainability. All new courses have been designed to be delivered by the existing academic faculty without the need for additional resources.

The key substantial modifications are as follows:

  1. Substantially revising the study plan by restructuring the program into two Concentrations.
  2. Changing the mode of delivery to blended learning, with 40% of the program’s credit hours delivered online.
  3. Providing students with the option to complete either an academic thesis or a graduation project.
  4. Reducing the total number of program credit hours from 33 to 30 credit hours.
  5. Revising the course description of Advanced Legal Research Methodology to align with the new program structure, particularly by providing students with the option to complete either a thesis or a graduation project.
  6. Excluding the student’s thesis grade from the cumulative GPA.
Objectives:
  1. To prepare qualified graduates as specialized legal experts in emerging fields such as Digital Business Law and Legal Dispute Management, capable of understanding and effectively responding to emerging legislative and regulatory challenges.
  2. To develop applied legal research skills in a manner that aligns with students’ professional needs and enhances the quality of their intellectual output.
  3. To contribute effectively to supporting UAE Vision 2071 and Emiratization initiatives by graduating specialized national professionals in legal fields of national priority who are capable of serving government entities and the private sector within the digital knowledge economy.
  4. To provide a flexible academic program suitable for working students through the adoption of a blended learning model that balances academic quality with flexibility in time management without compromising direct academic interaction.
  5. To enhance comparative and professional legal understanding by integrating the study of local legislation with the analysis of regional and international legal systems, with particular emphasis on contemporary issues such as data protection, smart contracts, and trusted digital services.
  6. To enhance the program’s regional competitiveness and ensure its academic sustainability through a focused study plan designed in accordance with international best practices and offering high-quality specialized content that meets the expectations of the modern labor market.
 
 Admission Requirements:
  1. Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in Law or its equivalent from a university recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education with a minimum GPA of "very good" (at least 3 out of 4).
  2. Submitting two recommendation letters from professors who have previously taught the applicant during the undergraduate stage.

  3. Passing the TOEFL test with a minimum score of 450 (ITP) or 45 (iBT), or the Academic IELTS with a minimum score of 4.5, or an equivalent score in another approved standardized test such as IESOL with a B1 level, provided that the test certificate is valid at the time of submission.Or by enrolling in the remedial English course (ENG 500 - Pre-Essential English), which is offered over one academic semester, with two contact hours per week, provided that the student passes the course with a minimum score of 80%. (Note: This course is non-credit and serves as an alternative to an English proficiency certificate).

  4. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Law or its equivalent from a recognized university by the UAE Ministry of Education may be conditionally admitted to the Master's program based on the following criteria:
    • For applicants with a cumulative GPA in their undergraduate studies below 3 but not less than 2.5 or its equivalent, the following conditions apply:
      • The student must register for 6 credit hours in thier first semester of enrollment. 
      • The student must achieve a GPA of 3 out of 4 in the registered credit hours.
    • For applicants with a cumulative GPA From From 2.0 to less than 2.5 out of 4 or its equivalent, the following conditions apply:  
      • Study a maximum of nine approved credit hours of remedial courses as determined by the relevant department. These courses are not counted toward the cumulative GPA or the graduation requirements specified in the approved study plan. The duration to complete these courses does not exceed the maximum completion period of the program.
      • The student should complete the remedial courses by the end of the first semester of their enrollment in the program and maintain a cumulative GPA of no less than 3 out of 4.

In both cases, applicants are required to obtain at least the minimum score in one of the recognized English language proficiency tests (TOEFL with a score of no less than 450, IELTS with a minimum score of 4.5, or IESOL with a B1 level), or successfully complete the English remedial course.

If the required scores are not achieved, the student will be admitted conditionally and allowed to register for a maximum of 6 credit hours only during the first semester. The required score must be obtained by the end of that semester in order for the student to continue their studies regularly.

 

Duration:
  • The minimum duration to obtain a Master's degree with all its components (courses and thesis) is two academic years.
  • The maximum duration to obtain a Master's degree with all its components (courses and thesis) is four academic years.
Career Opportunities:
  1. Qualify for a Ph.D. in Law and join the faculty at universities.
  2. Pursue careers in the public prosecution and the judiciary.
  3. Work in the fields of legal practice, legal consultancy, and arbitration centers.
  4. Employment in legal affairs departments of various ministries and institutions.
  5. Join the diplomatic and consular corps.
  6. Teach at training and professional development centers in the legal field.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Master’s Program in Law aims to equip graduates with the following skills and competencies:

Knowledge

  1. Demonstrates advanced and specialized understanding of contemporary private law fields, including Digital Business Law, data protection, smart contracts, and digital trust services.
  2. Applies a comprehensive theoretical and practical approach to understanding complex legal issues and relating them to evolving legislative and social contexts.
  3. Compares local, regional, and international legislation in specialized areas to derive analytical insights that support legal decision-making.

Skills

  1. Produces original research or applied work that demonstrates the ability to think critically and integrate legal knowledge to address contemporary challenges.
  2. Analyzes legal data using advanced research methodologies to develop innovative solutions to disputes or legislative gaps.
  3. Demonstrates proficiency in using modern digital technologies for research, documentation, and professional communication within an evolving legal environment.

Responsibility

  1. Demonstrates initiative and leadership in unfamiliar work environments, with a strong commitment to professional ethics, justice, and responsible collaboration.
  2. Manages continuous self-directed learning and keeps pace with legislative and technological developments to ensure professional competence and responsiveness to the needs of society and the knowledge economy.

Study Plan

202210