Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 16/04/2024
College College Arts and Law
School Birmingham Law School
Department Law
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title B.C.L. Full-time
Programme Code 830I
Delivery Location Dubai
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 3 Year(s)
Accreditations UAE CAA
Aims of the Programme Overview of the programme and its content

The programme is an undergraduate law degree, with a commercial focus, which aims to introduce students to a wide range of areas of legal knowledge, as well as developing key transferable skills. The modules cover core elements of English Law, but also adopt a broader perspective, to examine law in a wide international context, with a particular focus on the UAE. The programme blends common and civil law elements, to empower students to deal with legal issues in a range of jurisdictions and contexts internationally.

The first and second years are comprised of compulsory modules, seeking to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of core legal areas, as well developing their writing and research skills. In the final year, students can choose from a variety of optional modules, in order to develop more specialised legal knowledge.

Student Skills and Experiences

As well as a strong legal knowledge base, the programme will develop a range of key transferable skills, which are in demand with employers, including teamworking, written and oral communication skills, as well as the key attribute of commercial and legal sector awareness.

There will also be the opportunity for students to engage with a wide range of legally-focussed extra-curricular activities via Birmingham Law School’s CEPLER (Centre for Employability, Professional Legal Education and Research).

Potential Areas of work of further study for graduates

Many graduates of the programme are likely to seek to qualify as lawyers and develop legal careers in the UAE or elsewhere. In terms of international opportunities, the degree will enable students to progress to the next stage of legal training in order to achieve qualification in key jurisdictions such as England & Wales and Canada.

Law degrees are well-respected by a wide range of employers and also provide a foundation for a variety of other careers including Business, Education and Government careers. In terms of further study, graduates might complete the further programmes/exams required for legal qualification worldwide, and might also seek to pursue Masters degrees in fields such as Law or Business.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
The legal rules, principles and concepts of the “core” branches of English and UAE Law, with a particular focus on Commercial transactions, including: Civil rights and obligations (including contract, tort and restitution), Property Law, Equity and Succession, Public Law, Criminal Law, Law of the European Union, Commercial Law, Civil and Islamic Law and International Dispute Resolution.
The main institutions and law-making processes in England & Wales, the UAE and the European Union, particularly focusing on how these apply in the area of commercial law.
The significance of social, political, economic or commercial contexts in which legal rules and principles operate and of ethical issues and dilemmas and legal professional skills which arise for those making law and engaging in legal decision-making.
A range of other areas of law, legal processes and legal techniques (according to the optional modules taken by the student)
According to the module, one or more of the following: lectures; seminars; Canvas; and self-directed reading and thinking; practice written work; peer assessment exercises.
According the module, one or more of the following: formal examinations; course essays/project work; Presentations; group work; reflections on own learning.
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Ability to research, identify and locate a range of legal material relating to the UAE, England & Wales, the European Union and International Law (including legislation, caselaw and academic commentary) using printed and electronic sources.
Ability to analyse legal material in its national context by:
  • bringing together relevant information;
  • understanding judicial techniques of precedent and statutory interpretation
  • bringing together relevant information;
  • understanding judicial techniques of precedent and statutory interpretation;
  • dealing with and applying problem solving skills to complex facts;
  • judging what is relevant or irrelevant;
  • advising on the application of legal rules to facts in real or hypothetical problems;
  • articulating arguments whether in writing or orally in a coherent and logical manner.

Capability to evaluate and discuss law and law-related material in its national context by:
  • synthesising, assessing and critically evaluating arguments;
  • assessing whether significant information is not available or presented in argument;
  • evaluating the impact of law;
  • considering alternative policy options;
  • presenting a reasoned and personal perspective on
  • theoretical and practical issues examined;
  • considering the relevant parts of the law's context.

Oral and writing skills necessary to communicate facts, ideas and reasoned opinions and to offer advice about law.
Some basic skills in numeracy (including scepticism about data and the ability to use numerical/statistical data in argument).
Teamwork skills needed to work effectively as a member of a small group.
Ability to carry out, working independently with limited guidance, research projects (including identifying accurately the issues that require research, compiling bibliographies and using an academic referencing system).
Ability to use basic information technology and specialised legal technical resources for legal research and writing (including word-processing, email, the Internet, electronic databases of legal material).
1, According to the module, one or more of the following: lectures; group seminars; Canvas; and self-directed reading and thinking; and training sessions in the use of information technology for legal research and writing;
2 - 7, According to the module, one or more of the following: lectures; seminars; Canvas; and self-directed reading and thinking; practice written work; peer assessment exercises
8, Ability to use basic information technology and specialised legal technical resources for legal research and writing (including word-processing, email, the Internet, electronic databases of legal material).
1-8: Formal examinations; course essays/project work; presentations; group work; reflections on own learning.

Additionally, for point 6, teamwork may be assessed by group presentations and reflections on the experiences of presenting as a group.

For point 8, informal assessment (not counting towards credit) takes place through written assignments in every module.