Law & Irish
This course is the only one of its kind in Ireland. The BCL (Law and Irish) degree will introduce you to a variety of diverse and stimulating topics combining the best aspects of a law degree together with study of the Irish language, literature, culture and institutions. It will also develop your analytical and interpretative skills.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish H3
Other Language O6/H7
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
As a joint honours degree, the BCL (Law and Irish) equips graduates for a wide range of careers.
The traditional route for a law graduate is to undertake professional training and qualify as a solicitor or barrister and this course prepares students for entry to these professions. Other options are available to law graduates, including careers in banking, accounting, taxation, insurance, IT, teaching, journalism and the media, which may require further academic and/or professional training.
BCL (Law and Irish) students also develop a strong foundation in legal research and writing, advocacy and legal reasoning. These are transferable skills which are attractive to employers in a wide variety of professions and industries.
You can graduate with a broad-ranging general degree or can opt to tailor your subject choices to specialise in areas such as international law, business law, human rights law, the Irish language etc.
You will also have key Irish-language skills, making you particularly well suited to working in the European Union institutions.
Tá an cúrsa seo á rith le tacaíocht airgeadais ón Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe and Pobail agus Gaeltachta.
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 1
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
A Personal Statement will be requested from mature entrants to Law & Irish.
This Personal Statement will be available to download and complete from the relevant course page, and applicants will then need to post it directly to the CAO.
Approximate Available Places Overall 16
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
This course is the only one of its kind in Ireland. The BCL (Law and Irish) degree will introduce you to a variety of diverse and stimulating topics combining the best aspects of a law degree together with study of the Irish language, literature, culture and institutions. It will also develop your analytical and interpretative skills.
Given the role of the modern law degree, the BCL (Law and Irish) places a growing emphasis on developing not just your knowledge but also your skills base. You are required to take 60 credits in each academic year, combining compulsory and elective modules in law and Irish, and including a skills module.
You will also have the opportunity to study some law modules through the medium of Irish.
This course is run with the aid of financial support from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
Core Modules in First Year
GA1003 Bunstaidéar ar Theanga agus ar Chultúr na Gaeilge (15 credits)
GA1030 Bunreacht na hÉireann (1937): An Leagan Gaeilge (5 credits)
LW1001 Legal Writing (5 credits)
LW1104 Foundations of the Legal System (5 credits)
LW1112 Constitutional and Institutional Law of the European Union (5 credits)
LW1153 Criminal Law (10 credits)
LW1154 Law of Contract (10 credits)
LW1164 Dlí Bunreachtúil: Institiúidí an Rialtais (5 credits)
Assessment
Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment including essays, case notes etc. The skills modules are assessed on a pass/fail basis and include group work, presentations and oral advocacy. These are usually undertaken in English, with some options available in Irish.
Dr Bernard Long
bernard.long@ucc.ie
+353 021 490 2022
http://www.ucc.ie/en/lawsite/