Sun, sea, sand … and law
BPP Law School is to open its virtual doors to the mega-market of Mauritius, the institution has announced.
Officials flagged up a joint venture to launch an online law degree targeted specifically at students on the former Dutch, French and ultimately British colony.
In a statement, the law school — which has about 5,500 UK students — said it had cut a deal with local YK Business School to deliver a law degree course to “enable successful graduates to progress onto professional study and to train as barristers”.
BPP already offers an online LLB, but officials maintain its local deal will add value to Mauritian wannabe barristers.
The law school’s dean and chief executive, Peter Crisp, told Legal Cheek:
Our partnership offers students an opportunity to study for a BPP University LLB degree, taught and examined by BPP University, whilst being able to take advantage of the support that an in-country partner can offer. Support such as study space, libraries, technology, socialised learning with fellow students, and additional pastoral care, careers and teaching support.
Mauritius is home to about 1.26 million people — in other words, the country is marginally bigger than Birmingham. Just how many of that relatively small population will be clamouring for BPP law degrees will be the punt Crisp is taking.
However, he remained confident, saying:
English law qualifications are recognised as part-qualifying in Mauritius. BPP has had many LLB, GDL, LLM and BPTC graduates from Mauritius over the years who have gone on to great success in the local legal community, business and government.
Mauritius currently operates a hybrid legal system, combining elements of French civil code and English common law. The Indian Ocean island gained independence from Britain in 1968.