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International Law & Business

MSc (NFQ Level 9)

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

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The MSc International Law & Business is a unique programme offering students, with relevant undergraduate qualifications, the opportunity for advanced study across these two disciplines.  For this programme we accept applications from students who have an undergraduate degree in the areas of law, business, economics and finance. 

If you undertake this Masters you will be studying at one of the Top 100 Law Schools in the World, UCD Sutherland School of Law, plus you will also have an opportunity to study two modules at the world-renowned UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School*.

You will be taught by leading academics where class participation and interaction is encouraged. Our innovative teaching and small class sizes will allow you to develop strong analytical skills, and to hone your written and spoken critical insights. You will be part of the largest and most international university in Ireland, learning from diverse, research-active academics keen to explore with you the intricacies of international law and business.

 

 

 

About This Course

An in-depth knowledge of both international law and business are invaluable to ambitious graduates looking to progress their careers on the global stage. If you undertake this Masters it will equip with a number of key skills, including how to:

  • Apply your knowledge and understanding of international law and business and your problem-solving abilities in diverse environments.
  • Demonstrate specialised knowledge and understanding of international law and business and, fundamentally, the interconnection of these disciplines.
  • Integrate source material from a variety of disciplinary areas to reach reasoned decisions about the relative status of competing claims to knowledge.
  • Unpack complex legal arguments and to render intelligible to a non-specialist audience, key disciplinary insights.
  • Build the intellectual toolkit required to research and write a major dissertation.

Graduates from this programme frequently progress to careers with leading international law firms, with multinational professional services firms, as professional advisers and in-house counsel with major multinational businesses and as entrepreneurs in fields where outstanding knowledge of, and engagement with, international law and business are highly relevant.

Masters students in UCD Sutherland School of Law can benefit from engaging both with the UCD Careers Network and the Head of Career Development in the School.  There are careers events hosted through the academic year and a specific Law Fair every October where Domestic and International Employers come on campus to meet with students.

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
LAW40290 Dissertation Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Choose three Law modules in Autumn Term.
LAW40150 International Competition Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Choose three Law modules in Autumn Term.
LAW40360 Advanced Issues in European Competition Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Choose three Law modules in Autumn Term.
LAW41040 Law and Governance of the EU Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Choose three Law modules in Autumn Term.
LAW41270 Data Protection and Privacy: National and International Perspectives Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Choose three Law modules in Autumn Term.
LAW41450 International Tax Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Choose three Law modules in Autumn Term.
LAW41610 Patent Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Choose three Law modules in Autumn Term.
LAW42000 Copyright Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Choose one law module in spring term
LAW40060 International Commercial Arbitration Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Choose one law module in spring term
LAW40280 Trade Mark Law Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Choose one law module in spring term
LAW41200 Cross-Border Litigation: European and International Perspectives on the Conflict of Laws Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Choose one law module in spring term
LAW41790 Data Protection Governance Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Choose one law module in spring term
LAW42170 Behavioural Laws Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Choose one law module in spring term
LAW42300 Law & Rationality Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:
Choose one law module in spring term
LAW42310 AI Regulation Spring  10

Business Modules for MSc International Law and Business



Students will choose two of the following in the spring term, modules listed may change year to year and places are limited:




  • BMGT43480          Economics of Entrepreneurship

  • BMGT43480          Global Competitive Strategies

  • BMGT45130          Mindfulness & Resilience at Work

  • FIN41090               International Financial Management

  • BMGT45750          Sustainable Production & Consumption

  • MKT40590             Brand Management

  • BMGT45580          Leadership, Organisations & Me

  • HRM40770            International HRM

  • BMGT45460          Decision Making & Negotiations



 


   

Renan Motta | Tax Specialist at Citi, Dublin

I decided to study for the MSc International Law & Business because I wanted to specialise in international law and understand how this field impacts businesses worldwide. Both fields are intertwined and vast. Thus, the interdisciplinary approach of the MSc International Law & Business enabled me to tailor my graduate studies according to my professional goals. The flexibility to choose my optional modules, not only from UCD Sutherland School of Law but also from UCD Smurfit Business School, was a highlight in this programme. Also, the diverse backgrounds of my classmates enriched this academic experience. With a supportive and highly-skilled faculty, I enhanced my knowledge to such a degree that I feel more prepared to advance my career.

For all of these reasons, I fully recommend the MSc International Law & Business programme to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge beyond the traditional studies of international law.

MSc International Law & Business (B438) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 16150
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

***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.

  • Applications are invited from graduates holding an excellent degree (at least 2.1)  in Law or Business/Economics - ideally non-law graduates will have taken some law modules and law graduates will have taken some business/economics modules. 
  • In exceptional circumstances, substantial professional experience within a related field may be regarded by the selection panel as compensating for a lack of an undergraduate degree to the required standard. Such applicants should state clearly in their application why they feel their other qualifications/experience are appropriate for admission onto the programme.
  • Official transcripts must be submitted as proof of examination results by all applicants except graduates of UCD
  • Students of UCD applying for the MSc do not need to supply Transcripts, References or give names of Referees
  • The personal statement is an important component of the application. It should contain information demonstrating your capability to undertake the course successfully. Thus, you should detail your relevant research and practical experience including any publications and major essays/projects.
  • Applicants must nominate two academic referees unless the applicant has been in employment for more than two years, in which case one of the named referees must be an employer. Applicants are required to submit the name, position held, postal address, email address and contact number for the two academic referees.
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 

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.
  • 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.
  • 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/ 
  •  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 indicate any other Masters programmes for which you are applying.
  • 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


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

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
B736
International Law & Business
Master of Science

Full-Time
Commencing January 2025
Graduate Taught
Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
B438
International Law & Business
Master of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
* you can change options at the top of the page