Masters Common Law

Admissions are open to graduates (and graduands) with an upper second class degree in a non-law subject or in which law was not a minor. These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested .

Applications for the programme will be made through the University’s on-line application system. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, early application is advised as the course is frequently over subscribed.

English Language Requirements

• Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory evidence of competence in written and spoken English, i.e. overall IELTS 6.5 (including a minimum of 6.5 in the reading and writing parts and no part below 6.0) or 90 in the TOEFL iBT (with a minimum of 22 (reading) and 24 (writing) and no part below 20.) The test results must be less than 2 years old.
• Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/
• The School encourages all applicants whose first language is not English to attend the pre-sessional English programme offered by the UCD Applied Language Centre, details of which are available at www.ucd.ie/alc.
• International applicants should visit the UCD International Office website (www.ucd.ie/international) for information regarding our campus, location of UCD, visa information, registration and orientation.

Please note: In the event that you are offered a place on one of our programmes, accepting a place is a two part process; as well as submitting an online acceptance, you must also pay a non-refundable deposit. The normal deposit is €500. Your deposit must be received within 15 working days of the date of your offer letter.

International Applicants and students

Students/Applicants requiring information from an International perspective may visit the website https://www.ucd.ie/global/ for information regarding our campus, location of UCD and visa information. Applicants may visit the UCD Fees Website for full information on fees and fee payment methods.

Letter of recommendation

Taught Master's: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

Research Programmes: A minimum overall score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

IELTS Indicator: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band. This test will be accepted for 2022/23 and 2023/24 intake.

Taught Master's: A minimum score of 100 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

Research Programmes: A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

TOEFL iBT Home: A minimum score of 100 is required with a score of at least 20 in each section.

UCD has approved the use of the Duolingo Test of English (DET) for the 2024/25 intake.
An overall score of 130 will be accepted with no section below 110.

Please note that this does not apply to the CEMS MiM / MSc in International Management. In the case of the CEMS MiM the Duolingo English Test will not be accepted.

The Masters in Common Law offers you the relevant recognitions as part of the process of becoming a barrister or solicitor in Ireland. The depth of legal knowledge provided also offers graduates the possibility to pursue careers as in-house counsel in the commercial world.

This degree is an excellent foundation for individuals wishing to qualify as solicitors in Ireland.  Full details of the required Law Society Exams (FE-1) required to achieve this qualification are available on the society's website. 

The Honorable Society of King’s Inns is the Irish ‘Inn of Court’, training and admitting legal professionals who wish to be awarded the degree of Barrister–at–Law necessary to be called to the Bar by the Chief Justice of Ireland. In order to be accepted by Kings Inn's, it is essential to have studied an approved degree. The UCD Masters in Common Law is one of the Kings Inn’s approved degrees and offers graduates a pathway on the route to qualification as a barrister.

Masters in Common Law students are encouraged to attend the many careers events that take place on campus throughout the year.  In particular, the UCD Law Fair in October offers an unrivalled opportunity to engage with future employers, including domestic and international law firms and other employers such as the Department of Foreign Affairs.