Bachelor of Arts in Law and Accounting

About you

You have an interest in both law and accounting and would like to pursue both subjects at University. You like reading, and have an analytical mind. You like to solve problems, and are inquisitive. You are also self-disciplined and motivated. Designed as a joint honours degree, the BA in Law and Accounting offers you a full law degree and full accounting degree. Because at this stage, you may not know what career you would like to pursue, the BA Law and Accounting degree allows you to pursue either career, while using skills from both disciplines to enhance your chosen professional career path.

Why study Law and Accounting at UL?

Within the business world a strong legal background assists the work of many accounting specialists. Equally, a firm grounding in all aspects of accounting, including taxation, deepens the lawyer’s understanding of business transactions. The course reflects a demanding, broad and practical programme of study which will provide you with a firm foundation in both law and accounting. The combination allows you to make your choice of profession when you have a better knowledge of your strengths and of the law and accounting disciplines.

What you will study

The programme is four years in duration. During the first four semesters, in addition to studying the core subjects of Law and Accounting, you will also study Economics, Taxation and Mathematics. In semester 2 of 3rd year, an eight-month period of Cooperative Education provides you with an opportunity to apply the theory you have acquired in a practical work environment. You return to campus at the beginning of Year 4 and continue with your studies in the core subjects of Law and Accounting. In each of these final two semesters, you will choose five modules from a variety of subjects to maximise your exposure to either Law or Accounting, or any combination of both disciplines that suits your needs. You also have the opportunity to undertake a Final Year Project, which is a research project on a topic of your choosing.

Exemptions

Exemption is granted to students who hold an honours Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accounting as follows:

The Law Society of Ireland
The Bachelor’s degree in Law and Accounting covers the core subjects required by the Law Society of Ireland Final Examination, Part I.

The Honorable Society of King’s Inns
The Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accounting may constitute an approved law degree for the purposes of taking the entrance examination of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns if students have studied Jurisprudence and Administrative Law, along with the core law modules in this programme. NOTE: As exemptions are under continual review, please contact the School of Law at UL for the most recent information.

Accounting Exemptions
Exemption is granted to students who hold an honours Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accounting as follows:

Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)
CA Proficiency 1 (CAP1): Graduates with a minimum 2.2 award will, under certain conditions, be exempt from CAP 1.
CA Proficiency 2 (CAP2): No exemption
Final Admitting Exam (FAE): No exemption

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Fundamentals: Exempt from 7 out of 14 papers
Professional: No exemption

Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA)
Foundation 1: Exempt from all 3 papers
Foundation 2: Exempt from all 4 papers
Professional 1: Exempt from 2 out of 6 papers
Professional 2: No exemption

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in Ireland (CIMA)
Certificate in Business Accounting: Exempt from all 6 papers
Managerial level: Exempt from 2 out of 6 papers
Strategic level: No exemption

Institute of Taxation in Ireland (ITI)
Income Tax Fundamentals: Exempt Financial Reporting & Tax Accounting
Fundamentals: Exempt
Law Fundamentals: Exempt
Capital Gains Tax Fundamentals: No exemption
Part 2: No exemption
Part 3: No exemption

This information applies to 2019 graduates. Graduates of Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accounting are not in any way prejudiced by virtue of their joint degree, and get the same exemptions as any graduate with a degree in Accounting.

Employability skills from this degree

• Researching, including verbal questioning
• Evaluating, interpreting and explaining complex information clearly
• Analysing, reasoning and critical judgement
• Formulating sound arguments
• Writing concisely
• Lateral thinking and problem-solving
• Communicating confidently and persuasively
• Knowledge and awareness of business organisations
• Attention to detail: ability to draft formal documents with precision
• Numerical and quantitative skills
• Ability to argue your case and to negotiate
• Entrepreneurship and knowledge of global business issues