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Diploma in Arbitration

ProfDip (NFQ Level 9)

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

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Arbitration is a widely used alternative to litigation before the Courts. The use of arbitration is on the increase and the Arbitration Act of 2010 was introduced to make Ireland a world leader in the field of arbitration. The Diploma is the only one of its kind in Ireland and will equip you with the competence required to conduct or participate in arbitrations.

The Diploma in Arbitration is taught by means of lectures and seminars over the course of an academic year. Lectures are held once a week (in January-April) and are supplemented a number of seminars on Award Writing and Arbitration Skills (in June-July). Lectures in the Irish Law and Legal Procedure component for non-lawyers are held on one additional evening per week (January -April). The Programme Commences in January.

About This Course

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
LAW40520 Arbitration Law & Procedure Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
LAW40530 Arbitration Skills Summer  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
LAW40540 Award Writing Summer  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The following module should only be chosen by those that have no previous Law degree/qualification
LAW40550 Irish Law & Legal Procedure Spring  5

The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London, and students awarded the Diploma will be eligible for election to Membership of the Institute (M.C.I.Arb.) and exemption from the Institute’s Fellowship (F.C.I.Arb) and Chartered Arbitrator examinations - credentials which are recognised worldwide. Further details of the Institute's fellowship requirements may be obtained directly from the Institute's website at www.arbitrators.org. Local information may also be obtained from the institute's Irish Branch at Merchants House, 27-30 Merchant’s Quay, Dublin 8, Tel: 01-7079739, e-mail ciarb@iol.ie


The Programme is for Professionals coming in to contact with arbitration. You will be expected to have either a legal qualification or a qualification or experience in a professional practice such as accountancy, architecture, engineering, etc. where arbitration is frequently encountered, such as

  • Practising barristers or solicitors
  • Barristers or solicitors actively engaged in legally connected employment,
  • Graduates holding an approved university degree or law-based interdisciplinary university degree,
  • Persons with other academic and/or professional qualifications and/or such experiences as would satisfy the School that they are able to participate on this course.
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.

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


Applications will be considered from




  • Practising barristers or solicitors

  • Barristers or solicitors actively engaged in legally connected employment,

  • Graduates holding an approved university degree or law-based interdisciplinary university degree,

  • Persons with other academic and/or professional qualifications and/or such experiences as would satisfy the School that they are able to participate on this course.


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Diploma in Arbitration:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt B640
Diploma in Arbitration
Professional Diploma
Part-Time
Commencing January 2025
Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page