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Law (BCL)

BCL (NFQ Level 8)
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This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The UCD Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree enjoys a proud history and an established reputation at home and abroad. The BCL degree allows you to immerse yourself in the study of law, to engage with a range of interesting legal perspectives and to acquire a profound understanding of how law works in theory and in practice.

About This Course

You will attend lectures and tutorials, in addition to engaging in study and preparatory work.

Assessment is through a combination of end-of-semester examinations, essays and group work projects.

Many of our third year BCL students choose to study abroad at our partner universities in:

  • Singapore
  • Milan
  • Toulouse
  • Chicago
  • Utrecht
  • Connecticut
  • Vienna
  • Miami
  • Uppsala
  • Minnesota
  • Stockholm
  • California
  • Exeter
  • Berlin
  • Prague
  • Antwerp
  • Canberra
  • Barcelona

    • As a BCL graduate you are well positioned to pursue a variety of careers. Many graduates go on to qualify as solicitors or barristers who practise law independently, or work in:

  • Law firms in Ireland or internationally
  • Large corporations as in-house lawyers
  • State bodies (e.g. advisory counsel in the Attorney General’s Office)
  • Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
  • EU or other international institutions
  • Legal research
  • Academia

    BCL graduates can also pursue successful non-legal careers, e.g. as diplomats, journalists, broadcasters, authors or researchers, in Ireland or abroad. Graduates can undertake postgraduate law study programmes such as a LLM and/or PhD in their area of interest.

    • Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

    Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

    Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10050 Constitutional Law: Institutional Framework of the Constitution of Ireland Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10190 Negligence and Related Matters Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10270 Civil Procedure Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10340 Contract: Formation Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10420 Legal and Professional Skills Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10470 Comparative Study of Law Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10060 Constitutional Law: Fundamental Rights under the Constitution of Ireland Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10200 Nominate Torts Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10260 Criminal Procedure Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10350 Contract: Vitiating Factors and Remedies Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    		 LAW10360 General Introduction to the Irish Legal System Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		 LAW20090 Company Law I Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		 LAW20330 EU Constitutional Law Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		 LAW20370 Property Law I Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		 LAW20390 Criminal Liability Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		 LAW20170 Company Law II Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		 LAW20340 EU Economic Law Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		 LAW20380 Property Law II Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		 LAW20400 Criminal Offences and Defences Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    (Students should choose 2 options and may choose a further 2 options instead of electives)
    		 LAW30400 Matrimonial Law and Reliefs Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    (Students should choose 2 options and may choose a further 2 options instead of electives)
    		 LAW30440 Environmental Law and Policy Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    (Students should choose 2 options and may choose a further 2 options instead of electives)
    		 LAW30470 International Human Rights Law Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    (Students should choose 2 options and may choose a further 2 options instead of electives)
    		 LAW30310 Law of the ECHR Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    (Students should choose 2 options and may choose a further 2 options instead of electives)
    		 LAW30450 Family and Child Law Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    (Students should choose 2 options and may choose a further 2 options instead of electives)
    		 LAW37460 Planning Law Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    (Students should choose 2 options and may choose a further 2 options instead of electives)
    		 SSCI20030 Building Resilience Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37580 Research Module 10 cr 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  10
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30010 Banking Law Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30060 Equity: History, Doctrines, Remedies Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30070 Evidence - Foundations Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30090 Revenue Law: Introduction to Revenue Law Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30170 Employment Law: the Contract of Employment Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30180 Jurisprudence Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30240 Administrative Law: Grounds of Review Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30400 Matrimonial Law and Reliefs Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30440 Environmental Law and Policy Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30470 International Human Rights Law Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30610 Commercial Law Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30690 Advocacy and Mooting Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30700 The Lawyer, Professional Ethics & Legal Practice Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30730 Public International Law Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30870 Patent Law and Trademarks Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37470 Advanced International Law - The Law of Int Organisations Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37530 Financial Law of the EU Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37560 Social Inclusion Law Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37570 Insolvency Law Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37670 Copyright Law Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37700 Internet Law and Regulation Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30160 Evidence - Practice and Principles Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30190 Media Law Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30230 Overview of Law Relating to Creation and Administration of Trusts Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30290 Administrative Law: Remedies for Unlawful Administrative Action Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30300 Criminology: Criminal Justice and Penology Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30310 Law of the ECHR Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30450 Family and Child Law Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30820 Private International Law Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37430 Jury Trials Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37460 Planning Law Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37590 International Economic Law Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37600 Migration Law Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37610 Medical Law Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37630 Law in the Classroom Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37680 BCL Internship Spring  30
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37710 Applied Legal Skills Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		SSCI20030 Building Resilience Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37580 Research Module 10 cr 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  10
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30010 Banking Law Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30060 Equity: History, Doctrines, Remedies Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30070 Evidence - Foundations Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30090 Revenue Law: Introduction to Revenue Law Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30170 Employment Law: the Contract of Employment Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30180 Jurisprudence Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30240 Administrative Law: Grounds of Review Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30400 Matrimonial Law and Reliefs Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30440 Environmental Law and Policy Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30470 International Human Rights Law Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30610 Commercial Law Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30640 Competition Law in Practice Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30690 Advocacy and Mooting Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30700 The Lawyer, Professional Ethics & Legal Practice Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30730 Public International Law Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30870 Patent Law and Trademarks Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37470 Advanced International Law - The Law of Int Organisations Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37530 Financial Law of the EU Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37560 Social Inclusion Law Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37570 Insolvency Law Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37670 Copyright Law Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37700 Internet Law and Regulation Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30160 Evidence - Practice and Principles Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30190 Media Law Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30230 Overview of Law Relating to Creation and Administration of Trusts Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30290 Administrative Law: Remedies for Unlawful Administrative Action Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30300 Criminology: Criminal Justice and Penology Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30310 Law of the ECHR Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30450 Family and Child Law Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30550 Legal History: The History of Public Law Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30570 Contemporary Issues in Law and Politics Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW30820 Private International Law Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37430 Jury Trials Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37460 Planning Law Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37590 International Economic Law Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37600 Migration Law Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37610 Medical Law Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37630 Law in the Classroom Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		LAW37710 Applied Legal Skills Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
    Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
    		SSCI20030 Building Resilience Spring  5

    SDG4 SDG5 SDG 8 SDG 9 SDG 10 SDG 16

    The UCD Sutherland School of Law is a connected community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all. We work together in a culture of collaboration to support each other to thrive and achieve our full potential, in service of broader societal goals. Through our undergraduate and graduate education, research and external engagement, we aim to ensure that our students, faculty and staff thrive and contribute to sustainable well-being on our campus, in Ireland and across the wider world. Our faculty are globally recognized experts in the fields of Law and Criminology, advancing knowledge through research, engaging with government, business and civil society to enhance our world, and using their knowledge to design and offer cutting edge education within their disciplines of Law and Criminology .   

    The Law degrees at UCD incorporate a diverse range of formal and informal learning opportunities for students, delivered by excellent researchers who are leading their fields globally, and embedding the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDG’s) in their educational activities where appropriate.

    Law governs many aspects of our lives. It affects many of our day-to-day interactions, transactions and personal relationships, as well as the fundamental challenges which face our societies such as climate change, human rights violations and rule of law backsliding. Law students gain a deep understanding of Law and develop real-world skills in research, communication and leadership. By integrating their legal expertise with the goals of sustainable development, our graduates can significantly contribute to advancing these global objectives and creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

    Through learning how policy makers respond to societal challenges, students are equipped to make a difference to the world, affect cultural change, contribute to public service or corporate responsibility to advance the sustainable development goals. The curriculum for our law degrees align with many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in meaningful and impactful ways. The following are the primary areas where there is closest alignment:

    • Quality Education (SDG 4)
    • Gender Equality (SDG 5)
    • Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8)
    • Industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9)
    • Reduce Inequalities (SDG 10)
    • Peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16)

    Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

    UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

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    General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Law (BCL):

    ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
    showAudience-audienceInt LWS6
    Law (BCL)
    Bachelor of Civil Law    		 Commencing 2024/2025 September Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
    Non EU Undergraduates    		 Apply
    showAudience-audienceEU DN600
    Law (BCL)
    Bachelor of Civil Law
    Full-Time
    Commencing 2024/2025 September
    		 Application through CAO Apply via CAO
    * you can change options at the top of the page

    Additional special entry route(s) to Law (BCL):

    These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

    ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
    showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt LWS6
    Law (BCL)
    Bachelor of Civil Law    		 Commencing 2024/2025 September Access Progression Pathway
    Access Progression Pathway
    Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
    If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.    		 Apply
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