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Law Dual Degree – BCL/Maîtrise

BCL (NFQ Level 8)
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The BCL/Maîtrise dual degree in UCD Sutherland School of Law is unique in Ireland. The degree is four years in duration, the first two are spent in UCD and the final two at a leading law school in France. The BCL/Maîtrise is aimed at highly motivated and ambitious students. Graduates of the programme are uniquely placed in the employment marketplace due to the exceptional range of legal and linguistic skills that they will have acquired.

About This Course

The BCL/Maîtrise dual degree in UCD Sutherland School of Law is unique in Ireland. The degree is four years in duration, the first two are spent in UCD and the final two at a leading law school in France. The BCL/Maîtrise is aimed at highly motivated and ambitious students. Graduates of the programme are uniquely placed in the employment marketplace due to the exceptional range of legal and linguistic skills that they will have acquired.

The BCL/Maîtrise is one of two French Law Courses offered by Sutherland School of Law, the other being the BCL (Law with French Law) on the previous page. All students interested in the French Law Courses enter the BCL (Law with French Law) degree in first year. Both degrees offer the exciting opportunity for immersion in two of the world’s major legal systems, the common law and the civil law. A deep knowledge of civil law is invaluable to graduates who choose to pursue careers with organisations of the European Union or have ambitions to work in international law firms.

During their first year, students of the BCL (Law with French Law) degree may apply to enter the BCL/Maîtrise in second year.

Places are open to students who have achieved good grades in Level I of BCL (Law with French Law) and are keen to pursue this dual degree option. The major difference between these two degrees is that the BCL Maîtrise allows students to undertake two degrees: a degree in Irish law from UCD and a degree in French law, the Maîtrise en Droit, from either the Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II) or the Université Toulouse 1 Capitole.

The two years in France correspond to: Year 1: “licence” (L1), Year 2: “Maîtrise” (M1 or “Master 1”) which is considered to be a Masters level course in France.

All French law modules studied at UCD are taught through French.

First Year

In first year, you study the BCL (Law with French Law)Students achieving good grades at the end of first year then have the option to apply for interview to enter the BCL/Maîtrise, or to continue with the BCL (Law with French Law).

Second Year

In second year, you will study other core Irish law modules: Property Law and Criminal Law. You will also continue to study French Private Law and French Public Law. In second year, you will study other core Irish legal modules: Property Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts and Administrative Law.

Third Year

You will spend your third and fourth years in one of our two partner universities. The subjects studied are determined by those institutions. • Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II) (see www.u-paris2.fr) • Université Toulouse 1 Capitole (see www.univ-tlse1.fr)

You will spend your third and fourth years in one of our two partner universities. The subjects studied are determined by those institutions. • Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II) (see www.u-paris2.fr) • Université Toulouse 1 Capitole (see www.univ-tlse1.fr)

Graduates of the BCL/Maîtrise obtain a dual qualification that allows them to progress to professional legal training in Ireland or France. Graduates are particularly well placed to pursue careers with international law firms, EU and international organisations, diplomacy and government departments, or Non-Governmental Organisations. Recent graduates have secured roles with the Department of Foreign Affairs and with International Courts.

UCD Sutherland School of Law

Tel: +353 1 716 4110
e. law.students@ucd.ie

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
 LAW10340 Contract: Formation Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LAW20330 EU Constitutional 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
 LAW10350 Contract: Vitiating Factors and Remedies Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LAW20340 EU Economic Law Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Paris Students choose all 4 modules in Option A
 LAW10300 French Public Law 1(Introduction to French Constitutional Law) Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Paris Students choose all 4 modules in Option A
 LAW10420 Legal and Professional Skills Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Paris Students choose all 4 modules in Option A
 LAW10360 General Introduction to the Irish Legal System Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Paris Students choose all 4 modules in Option A
 LAW10430 French Private Law 1 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Toulouse Students choose all 4 modules in Option B
 LAW20370 Property Law I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Toulouse Students choose all 4 modules in Option B
 LAW20390 Criminal Liability Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Toulouse Students choose all 4 modules in Option B
 LAW20380 Property Law II Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Toulouse Students choose all 4 modules in Option B
 LAW20400 Criminal Offences and Defences Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 LAW20090 Company Law I Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 LAW30060 Equity: History, Doctrines, Remedies Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 LAW30240 Administrative Law: Grounds of Review Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 LAW20170 Company Law II Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 LAW30230 Overview of Law Relating to Creation and Administration of Trusts Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 LAW30290 Administrative Law: Remedies for Unlawful Administrative Action Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37580 Research Module 10 cr 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30010 Banking Law Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30070 Evidence - Foundations Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30170 Employment Law: the Contract of Employment Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30180 Jurisprudence Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30400 Matrimonial Law and Reliefs Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30440 Environmental Law and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30470 International Human Rights Law Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30610 Commercial Law Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30640 Competition Law in Practice Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30690 Advocacy and Mooting Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30700 The Lawyer, Professional Ethics & Legal Practice Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30730 Public International Law Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30870 Patent Law and Trademarks Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37470 Advanced International Law - The Law of Int Organisations Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37560 Social Inclusion Law Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37670 Copyright Law Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37700 Internet Law and Regulation Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30160 Evidence - Practice and Principles Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30190 Media Law Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30300 Criminology: Criminal Justice and Penology Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30310 Law of the ECHR Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30330 Employment Law: Employment Rights Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30450 Family and Child Law Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30550 Legal History: The History of Public Law Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW30570 Contemporary Issues in Law and Politics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37460 Planning Law Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37590 International Economic Law Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37600 Migration Law Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37610 Medical Law Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37620 Law and Hate Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
students from Toulouse should choose 6 options from the list below
 LAW37630 Law in the Classroom Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students from Paris Assas and those transferring from Law with French Law stage 1 must take these 6 modules
 LAW20370 Property Law I Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students from Paris Assas and those transferring from Law with French Law stage 1 must take these 6 modules
 LAW20390 Criminal Liability Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students from Paris Assas and those transferring from Law with French Law stage 1 must take these 6 modules
 LAW27290 French Public Law 2 (Introduction to Administrative Law) Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students from Paris Assas and those transferring from Law with French Law stage 1 must take these 6 modules
 LAW20360 French Private Law 2 Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students from Paris Assas and those transferring from Law with French Law stage 1 must take these 6 modules
 LAW20380 Property Law II Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students from Paris Assas and those transferring from Law with French Law stage 1 must take these 6 modules
 LAW20400 Criminal Offences and Defences Spring  5

This degree was an extremely rewarding experience. The unique course provides the perfect path into practicing law, whether in Ireland, France, or internationally. By acquiring in-depth knowledge of both the common law and the civil law legal systems, you are developing your legal skills and learning about two different cultures, which offers opportunities for internships in a diverse range of law firms. Also, the flexibility of my timetable encouraged me to get involved in student life: I was the senior advisor to UCD’s Arab Society, a cultural society. Getting involved is crucial to develop your interpersonal skills and to make memories from the best years of your life! (Celine is now a Legal Review Analyst with a major Dublin Law Firm).

Celine Dakik, Student

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

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceInt LWS6
Law
Bachelor of Civil Law
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Apply
showAudience-audienceInt LWS6
Law
Bachelor of Civil Law
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Opens 01 Oct 2024
showAudience-audienceEU DN600
Law
Bachelor of Civil Law
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Application through CAO Apply via CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Law Dual Degree – BCL/Maîtrise:

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
Bachelor of Civil Law		 Full-Time

Commencing September 2024		 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
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt LWS6
Law
Bachelor of Civil Law		 Full-Time

Commencing September 2025		 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.		 Opens 01 Oct 2024
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