University of Islamic Sciences Malaysia

Overview of Master of Comparative Law in University of Islamic Sciences Malaysia Malaysia

This is a unique programme designed to encourage comparative researches in law. Comparative method is essential as a legal methodology in research. It allows better understanding of the laws under comparison as well as instructional guidance and lessons that one jurisprudence could learn from the other. In line with this, Masters of Comparative Law (MCL) offered by the faculty encourages rigorous comparative research of different jurisprudences in specific research topics. Although the focus of the faculty is comparative researches between Shariah and law, other comparisons are welcomed subject to the availability of expertise in the faculty.

Similar to other masters program in the faculty, the candidates are expected to build on the skills and knowledge in law that they have developed during undergraduate degrees. The candidates will be supervised by an appointed faculty academic member(s) in the relevant field. The supervisors will guide the candidates on the skills needed in conducting independent research in order to produce sound research on the research subject.

The candidates will undergo a process of qualifying test (QT) before a special committee formed by the faculty to obtain approval on the area and title of the research. The acceptable languages for the submission of thesis is either English or Arabic, words being not exceeding 50,000 words. To be eligible for an MCL qualification, the candidates have to successfully go through a viva-voce, examined by at least two examiners, one of whom is an external examiner.

The faculty takes pride in the diversity of the faculty members’ area of interest in law.  Candidates of this programme may benefit from the research areas. Areas of research include, but not limited to, the following:

Constitutional Law
International Law
Human Rights
Law of Evidence
Law of the Sea
Criminal Law
Law of Tort
Cyber Law
Aviation Law
Law of Contract
Company Law
Banking and Finance Law
Usul Fiqh
Qawaid Fiqhiyyah
Maqasid Shariah
Islamic Constitutional Law
Islamic Evidence
Islamic Criminal Law
Islamic Family Law

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME 

The course is designed to enable students:

1. To apply advanced comparative knowledge in specific areas of law;
2. To develop an advanced level of comprehension,  analytical thinking, comparative methodology and research skills in law;
3. To utilise the advancement of ICT in comparative legal research and the development of business opportunities in the field;
4. To utilise effective communication and to lead and engage in academic discourses;
5. To acquire interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives in addressing legal issues;
6. To synthesise and promote Islamic, ethical and professional values in legal researches.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1. A relevant bachelor’s degree with honours with a minimum CGPA of 2.75/4.00 or equivalent from the University or any other institutions of higher learning recognised by the Senate; or
2. Other qualifications equivalent to a bachelor’s degree with honours AND relevant professional work experience; or
3. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent with minimum CGPA of 2.50/4.00 and not meeting CGPA of 2.75/4.00, can be accepted subject to rigorous internal assessment; or
4. In case the CGPA does not meet the requirement of 2.50/4.00, the selection will subject to a minimum of 5 years working experience in relevant field.
5. The number of credit hours for the relevant bachelor’s degree and advanced diploma shall be as follows: (a) bachelor’s degree ≥ 120 credit hours (b) advanced diploma ≥ 90 credit hours

Note: 1-year work experience is equivalent to 0.05 CGPA

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

An applicant shall show evidence of proficiency in the English language based on the following criteria: 

1. TOEFL minimum score of 180 (computer-based) or 64 (internet-based); or
2. IELTS minimum score of Band 5; or
3. MUET minimum score of Band 3; or
4. graduated from institutions that use English as the main medium of instruction, AND will be required to seat for University English Proficiency Test (UEPT) with minimum score of Band 3; or
5. graduated in the field of Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL), English Language Studies (ELS) and equivalent from a university recognised by the Senate; or
6. a native speaker of English.

(2)  Research-mode applicant who intends to write his/her thesis in Arabic will be required to fulfil the criteria as follows:

1. TOEFL minimum score of 150 (computer-based) or 52 (internet-based); or
2. IELTS minimum score of Band 4; or
3. MUET minimum score of Band 2; or
4. UEPT minimum score of Band 2.

(3)  An applicant who does not fulfil any of the criteria under (1) & (2) will be allowed to register conditionally and is required to fulfil any of the criteria under (1) or (2), within 12 months (for Master’s students) and 24 months (for Ph.D. students).