Villa College has launched three new accredited qualifications through its Faculty of Shariah and Law, combining legal training with political science and international relations.
The programmes are the Bachelor of Shariah and Law with Political Science, the Bachelor of Shariah and Law with International Relations, and a one-year Master of Political Science and International Relations. All three are offered in both face-to-face and e-learning formats.
Both undergraduate degrees are approved by the Bar Council of Maldives and accredited by the Maldives Qualifications Authority, meaning graduates can seek a licence to practise law. The master's degree does not carry a licensing pathway.
Faculty Dean Uza Asna Ahmed said at the launch that the legal field can no longer be treated separately from political and international affairs, and that the new qualifications give students a legal grounding alongside training in politics and diplomacy.
The two undergraduate degrees share a common two-year core covering contract, constitutional, criminal, property and Islamic law, which the college says meets Bar Council licensing requirements. The core also includes employment law and alternative dispute resolution, along with moot court exercises, pro bono work, and the Law Student Society. The college has also brought Street Law, a community legal education programme, into the accredited curriculum.
Students choose a specialisation in the third year. The political science track covers domestic governance, public policy, comparative politics, and public service leadership, and is aimed at careers in public administration, legislative advisory work, and policy research. The international relations track covers foreign policy, counterterrorism and international political economy, including how the Maldives manages its relationships with India and China.
The master's programme runs over three semesters and ends with an independent research dissertation. Modules cover global governance, public international law, diplomacy and international negotiations, security studies and South Asian geopolitics. Entry requires a related bachelor's degree or a Level 8 graduate diploma, with an MQA-approved pre-master's route available for applicants who do not meet those requirements.
Vice Rector Dr Ali Najeeb said the programmes reflect the college's aim of producing professionals capable of working on national and regional challenges across courts, ministries, embassies and international organisations.
Applications are open for the September 2026 intake. Further information is available on the Villa College website or by calling 3303200.
