Law (BCL)

Course Overview

Law regulates all aspects of society: from marriage and parenting to corporate governance or international relations between countries. To study law is to become aware of one’s legal rights and responsibilities in a variety of contexts, as well as to acquire knowledge and the research, writing and advocacy skills that enable one to argue both sides of a complex situation and devise a pragmatic, client-focused solution.

The four-year Bachelor of Civil Law allows students to focus their studies on the law to maximise their understanding of the legal process. Students can tailor this degree to particular areas of law that interest them. Throughout the programme there is an emphasis on acquiring the fundamental practical skills required of lawyers – legal research, writing, oral presentation and advocacy.

This programme is a full law degree that covers the modules for the solicitor (Law Society of Ireland and barrister (The Honorable Society of King’s Inns entrance exams in Ireland.

Professional Work Placement or Study Abroad

In year three of this course students will have the opportunity to spend the academic year completing professional work placement or studying abroad. Students will have the opportunity to apply for a professional work placement in a leading law firm, a corporate organisation, a public sector organisation or other suitable legal placement. Study abroad is highly recommended for students who choose to study a language (Legal French or Legal German and are encouraged to study in our partner universities in Germany and France. We have also partnered with a number of leading universities in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, China, Finland, Hungary, Italy, India, Poland, The Netherlands, Spain and the United States of America.

Note: Students who choose the optional specialist stream in Legal Irish will spend year three divided between one semester studying at NUI Galway’s Gaeltacht campus in An Cheathrú Rua and one semester of professional work placement in an Irish-speaking legal environment.​

Specialist Streams

In final year students have the opportunity to shape their degree and focus on an area of study that interests them and develop special expertise in their chosen field. Students may choose one of the following specialist streams:

• Business and Commercial Law
• Public Law, Risk and Regulation
• Human Rights, Crime and Equality
• International, Comparative and Transnational Law
• Law and Innovation
• Language: Legal French, Legal German or Teanga an Dlí (Legal Irish
• General

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate including Irish, English, another language and any three other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Graduates of the Law (BCL) programme will be well equipped to pursue professional studies at either the Law Society (solicitor) or the Honourable Society of King’s Inns (barrister). This degree will also provide an excellent platform for graduates interested in further study or working outside of the professions – as more and more areas of life are legally regulated, the comprehensive grounding in the law and legal process that graduates receive during this degree, as well as the skills acquired, should make them attractive to a wide range of potential employers in financial services, consultancy, commerce and industry, social work and the public sector.