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Law  (LWS6)

BCL (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Law
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Bachelor of Civil Law
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Assoc Professor Liam Thornton
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 55
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 50
Stage 4: 50

Curricular information is subject to change.

The UCD Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree examines the role law plays in societies. In completing your UCD BCL degree in our world class diverse law school, you will assess how law operates within domestic, European and international spheres. You will gain key legal skills and develop your ability to think logically and critically on the most pressing legal issues of our time. You will have an unrivalled opportunity to explore areas of law that you have a particular interest in. Enjoying an excellent reputation throughout the globe, the UCD BCL degree will enable you to carve your own career path across multiple arenas.

This programme is for students who wish to study the law of Ireland and acquire a profound understanding of how law works in theory and practice, both in Ireland and elsewhere. The programme enables students to proceed to professional training as lawyers in Ireland and elsewhere but also provides knowledge, skills and experience applicable in a wide variety of careers.



We aim for students to be active, autonomous learner, who are conscious of the social, cultural and political dimension of the law, as well as having the academic basis for a successful career in law and more widely applicable knowledge and skills.



We strive for a learning environment that encourages students to work individually or as part of a team, so that they can develop their own and others' leadership, teamwork and communication skills. Small-group teaching, online collaboration and practice-based learning are key elements of this.



To these ends the programme uses teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as tutorials, seminars, supervised academic writing, work placements and simulations of professional practice.


1 - demonstrate specialised, detailed knowledge and understanding of the legal systems of Ireland and of the European Union.
2 - apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to their specific work or vocation in the field of law.
3 - gather and interpret the relevant data from a variety of sources, both legal and factual, to inform judgments on problems within the major branches of law.
4 - make their own judgments, including the capacity to reflect on relevant political, social economic, historical, or ethical issues associated with law.
5 - to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions, considering the importance of legal arguments in public policy debates, in an accessible and intelligible manner to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
6 - realise those learning skills that are necessary for them to continue to undertake further study with a high degree of autonomy.
7 - identify, in the field of legal scholarship, the relevant sources of law and commentary upon and analysis of it and to frame their own original legal arguments.

Third year BCL students are offered the widest range of study abroad opportunities. In a globalised world, spending a period studying abroad allows you to immerse yourself in another legal system and culture and potentially hone language skills to a level of professional competency. If you choose the UCD BCL degree, you will have the opportunity to apply to study in almost 50 different universities throughout the world. They include Erasmus (EU) exchanges to many European universities, plus locations in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Asia.

Internship Module Students on the UCD BCL degree can apply for an internship in the spring trimester of third year. This module partners with a wide range of corporate, commercial, civil society and human rights organisations to enable students to put their legal knowledge and skills into action. International study and internship are based on competitive application. The internship module is alternative to international study.

UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.

At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.

This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
  • Information & Communication Technology
  • Writing
  • Researching
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Presentations
  • Teamwork
  • Negotiation
  • Networking
  • Creativity
  • Professionalism, e.g. internships, work experience
  • Global awareness
  • Social responsibility
  • Critical thinking
  • Self-awareness


This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
  • Career development initiatives with UCD Careers Network
  • Career and professional development e.g. internships and work placements
  • Cultural awareness, resilience and self-confidence e.g. Study Abroad/ERASMUS
  • Language skills e.g. Chinese and Spanish via UCD Centre for English & Global Languages
  • Social responsibility e.g. UCD In the Community and UCD Volunteers Overseas
  • Enhancing digital literacy skills
  • Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments
  • Development of self-reflection skills
  • Creativity and entrepreneurship e.g. elective modules at UCD Innovation Academy


As a UCD BCL graduate, you will have the skills and aptitude, developed from your studies, you are well positioned to pursue a variety of careers. The possibilities are endless and include for example

  • Practising as a solicitor.
  • Practicing as a barrister.
  • Working within large law firms and corporations nationally or internationally.
  • Obtaining a position as a civil or public servant.
  • Within the European Union and other international organisations such as the United Nations, World Health Organisation and the World Trade Organisation in fields of law and policy.
  • Advocating for law and policy reform within human rights organisations in Ireland, Europe and the world.
  • A legal/social policy/equality academic.
  • A journalist, a diplomat, a broadcaster

The list goes on.

As a UCD BCL graduate, you also have an opportunity to choose further postgraduate study, at Masters (LLM) or PhD (doctorate) level in Ireland, Europe and throughout the globe.

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
 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.
LAW30300 Punishment and Penal 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.
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.
LAW37520 International Family 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.
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.
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.
LAW37730 Food 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.
LAW37760 International Refugee 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.
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.
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.
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.
LAW30330 Employment Law: Employment Rights 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.
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.
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.
LAW37620 Law and Hate 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.
LAW37720 Advanced International Law: Current Issues Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 9 of:
Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
LAW37740 Victims and Victimology 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.
LAW30300 Punishment and Penal 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.
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.
LAW37410 Human Rights Education Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
LAW37520 International Family 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.
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.
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.
LAW37730 Food 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.
LAW37760 International Refugee 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.
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.
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.
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.
LAW30330 Employment Law: Employment Rights 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.
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.
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.
LAW37620 Law and Hate 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.
LAW37720 Advanced International Law: Current Issues Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
LAW37740 Victims and Victimology Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 9 of:
Choose ten of the following, or nine if you select LAW37580, 10-credit Research module.
LAW37750 Financial Services in Ireland 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

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHLAW015 Stage 4 - 50.00%
Stage 3 - 50.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
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