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Masters Common Law

MCL (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The Masters in Common Law is a unique two-year programme offering non-law graduates the opportunity to obtain a law degree.

This conversion degree is for graduates in disciplines other than law who wish to complete a Master's degree in the law of Ireland and acquire a profound understanding of how law works in theory and in practice, both in Ireland and elsewhere. The programme prepares 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 highly active, motivated, autonomous learners, conscious of the social, cultural and political dimensions of the law, who combine the academic basis for a successful career in law with more widely applicable knowledge and skills. The programme makes intensive use of teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as seminar-based teaching and legal writing assessments. 

About This Course

This is an intensive two-year programme which will prepare you to do the following on completion of your studies:

  • Demonstrate specialised, detailed knowledge and understanding of the legal systems of Ireland and of the European Union.
  • Apply your knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to your specific work or vocation in the field of law.
  • 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.
  • Research 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.
  • Identify, in the field of legal scholarship, the relevant sources of law and commentary upon an analysis of it and to frame your own original legal arguments.
  • Make your own judgments, including the capacity to reflect on relevant political, social, economic, historical, or ethical issues associated with law.
  • Realise those learning skills that are necessary for you to continue to undertake further study with a high degree of autonomy.

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.

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 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41890 Advanced Property Law 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41910 Advanced Criminal Law 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41930 Advanced EU Constitutional Law Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41950 Advanced Contract Law 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41970 Advanced Tort Law 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41990 Advanced Constitutional Law 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41880 Advanced Property Law 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41900 Advanced Criminal Law 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41920 Advanced EU Economic Law Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41940 Advanced Contract Law 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41960 Advanced Tort Law 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 1 Students must choose these modules
LAW41980 Advanced Constitutional Law 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 2 Students must choose these modules
LAW41810 Advanced Administrative Law 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 2 Students must choose these modules
LAW41830 Advanced Company Law 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 2 Students must choose these modules
LAW41850 Advanced Equity Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 2 Students must choose these modules
LAW41870 Advanced Evidence 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 2 Students must choose these modules
LAW41800 Advanced Administrative Law 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 2 Students must choose these modules
LAW41820 Advanced Company Law 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 2 Students must choose these modules
LAW41840 Advanced Trusts Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 2 Students must choose these modules
LAW41860 Advanced Evidence 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW37580 Research Module 10 cr 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW30400 Matrimonial Law and Reliefs Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW30470 International Human Rights Law Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW37470 Advanced International Law - The Law of Int Organisations Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW37570 Insolvency Law Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW37670 Copyright Law Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW37700 Internet Law and Regulation Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW40920 Principles of Jurisprudence Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW41270 Data Protection and Privacy: National and International Perspectives Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW41450 International Tax Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW30310 Law of the ECHR Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW30450 Family and Child Law Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW30550 Legal History: The History of Public Law Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW37430 Jury Trials Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW37460 Planning Law Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW37600 Migration Law Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW40060 International Commercial Arbitration Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)
LAW41790 Data Protection Governance Spring  10

Margaret Heavey,
Barrister-at-Law

The Masters in Common Law at UCD is more than a degree and more than a masters. It is a full law degree, pitched at masters level and taught by some of the best law lecturers in Europe. The course work is challenging but the educational supports are terrific, particularly the seminars, which give a more intensive insight into key aspects of the curriculum. Much of the success of the MCL is down to the small class size and the varied backgrounds of participants.

My primary degree was in civil engineering. I commenced the MCL programme having spent more than two decades working in engineering and business. My MCL class included art historians, philosophers and a neuroscientist. Some of my modules were shared with business graduates and legal practitioners. This mixture of experiences, backgrounds and nationalities created a rather unique and dynamic learning environment.

Law reaches into all corners of life. There’s a lot to be said for studying core legal principles from a shared vantage point of diverse life experiences. The MCL offers this and more.

Masters Common Law (B209) Full Time
EU          Year 2 - € 8280 aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 22600 aa
EU          Year 1 - € 8610
nonEU    Year 1 - € 22600

aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
***Fees are subject to change

 

International Student Scholarships (Non EU): UCD offers a number of attractive graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information see International Scholarships. 

EU Student Scholarships: We also offer a number of graduate scholarships for EU applicants. All applicants who apply before May 31st will be included for consideration. Further details at http://www.ucd.ie/law/study/scholarships/

SUSI Grant Funding: Domestic undergraduates who are eligible for government SUSI funding should note that their fees for graduate study may also be covered under the scheme. To check your eligibility please see the SUSI eligibility indicator tool available at this weblink

Further information about SUSI grants and funding is available at this weblink.

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

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.

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

 

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes


Students who have completed or are in final year of a non-law degree (Level 8 NQAI or equivalent) can apply for this programme.



 


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

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B209
Masters Common Law
Masters in Common Law

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
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