Law
As a law student in UCD, you will learn what laws are, how they work and how they change. Our aim is to inform, inspire and challenge our students. During your degree we will teach you how to develop rigorous research and analytical skills and you will learn to understand academic integrity and ethics.
| 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
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements
O6/H7 in English, Irish, a third language and three other recognised subjects
Law with French Law
Special Entry Recommendations
Students will need a minimum grade H3 in Leaving Certificate French (or equivalent) to take the BCL (Law with French Law) course.
BCL/Maitrise
Special Entry Recommendations
Students will need a minimum grade H3 in LC French (or equivalent) to take the BCL (Law with French Law) course.
*Note: In first year you study the BCL [Law with French Law]; towards the end of first year, students achieving the highest grades have the option to apply for interview to enter the BCL/ Maîtrise or to continue with the BCL [Law with French Law).
Law with Economics
Special Entry Recommendations
It is strongly recommended that entrants to this programme should have at least a Grade of H6 in Leaving Certificate Maths (or equivalent).
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
• To meet minimum entry requirements (matriculation) on the results of the Leaving Certificate, a student must present at least six recognised subjects selected according to course requirements (see Entry Requirements for each course) and must obtain at least Grade H5 in two subjects and Grade O6/H7 in the remaining four subjects.
• A student may normally combine the results of Leaving Certificate examinations obtained in different years to meet minimum entry requirements. This concession applies to to minimum entry requirements registration only; it does not apply to the calculation of points. However, it should be noted that students seeking to enter Medicine must meet the minimum entry requirements, including both Leaving Certificate points and Matriculation, in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate.
Acceptable subjects
All subjects of the current Leaving Certificate examination are accepted with the following exceptions and qualifications:
1. Gaeilge – Bonnleibhéal (Irish – Foundation Level) will not be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes.
2. Mathematics Ordinary Alternative/ Foundation Level will be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes, but not as a substitute for the subject Mathematics in courses for that the subject Mathematics is currently an entry requirement.
Leaving Certificate points are not awarded for either of these subjects.
Applicants presenting Leaving Certificate results from previous years, which include subjects no longer offered should contact www.ucd.ie/askus for advice with regard to acceptability and any exclusions that may apply.
Combination of subjects not permitted
The subject “Physics and Chemistry” may not be presented with either “Physics” or “Chemistry”.
• “Agricultural Economics” may not be presented with “Economics”.
• “Classical Studies” may not be presented with “Latin” or “Greek”
Laboratory science subjects
The following subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate are recognised laboratory science subjects:
• Agricultural Science • Biology • Chemistry • Physics and Chemistry (Joint) • Physics.
For Science (DN200) only, Applied Mathematics, Geography or Computer Science may also be used as a laboratory science subject.
Assessment of applications
Admission to most undergraduate courses is extremely competitive. Entry is based on the points system for students presenting Irish Leaving Certificate examinations.
Notes
• Minimum points requirements can change from year-to-year as they are dependent on demand for each course, as well as the number of places available.
• 25 additional points will be awarded for a grade H6 or better in Leaving Certificate Mathematics, where that subject is one of the six subjects being counted for points purposes.
• Applicants’ performance in the Leaving Certificate examination is scored on their best results in no more than six individual subjects taken in the Leaving Certificate examination of any one year. This does not preclude an intending applicant from taking school-leaving examinations in two or more years. In this event, the choice of year for scoring purposes will be such as to ensure that each applicant is credited with the maximum possible score.
• It is still possible to achieve matriculation and subject requirements over more than one year. However, for admission to Medicine, applicants must achieve both the required subject grades and the points in the same sitting.
• The subjects and combinations of subjects not permitted for matriculation also apply when computing an applicant’s points score.
• The points scores for Medicine are adjusted when combined with HPAT – Ireland. Please see www.myucd.ie/ medicineaddreq
• For scoring of pre-2017 Leaving Certificate examinations, please see www.myucd.ie/leavingcert/pointsscoring
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Grade Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
QQI FET Applicants General Information
22 UCD undergraduate courses from a broad range of courses accept applicants on a competitive basis with appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) qualifications and modules. The minimum requirement is five distinctions in appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) qualifications including components specified for the relevant programme.
QQI FET General Information Link
Careers / Further progression
Bachelor in Law (Honours) Graduates can then choose to...
Specialise through UCD graduate study
Professional Diplomas in
International Financial Services Law
Professional Regulation
Data Protection Law & Governance
Master of Laws (LLM) in
International Commercial Law
Criminology & Criminal Justice
European Law & Public Affairs
International Human Rights
Intellectual Property & Information Technology
General
Master of Science (MSc)
Environmental & Climate Law
International Law & Business
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Law
European Law & Governance
Shape your career with UCD Law in Ireland or abroad
Law
Solicitor (Ireland, England, NI and India)
Barrister (Ireland, England, NI and India)
In-house Counsel
Avocat (France)
Academia
Business
Corporate Banking
Management
Business Analyst
Financial Services
Data Protection Compliance
Media & Politics
Broadcasting
Press
Political Advisory Roles Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs
Public Policy
Public Service
Research
Non-Governmental Organisations
Education
Further information
UCD has a mature entry pathway for anyone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the proposed year of entry and whose school-leaving qualifications are insufficient for admission. For admission in September 2024, your date of birth must be on or before 1 January, 2001.
How do I apply?
For all full-time and some part-time undergraduate degree courses, mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The application can be completed online at www.cao.ie. For some courses you must also register for a specific test (HPAT and NMBI Nursing/ Midwifery Assessment test) for details of what is required for each course. For most of our courses, the closing date for application is 1 February 2024. Some courses may accept late applications up to 1 May 2024, but this is subject to the availability of places.
What information should I provide?
You should complete the mature section on the CAO form fully, as this is a key part of how we will assess your application. Supporting documents for your qualifications should be sent to CAO as soon as you complete your application. If you wish you can also send an additional statement of interest or CV. Please visit our website www.ucd.ie/maturestudents for further information on application and advice on how we assess applications.
For more information: www.ucd.ie/maturestudents
Other School Leaving Examinations
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Open Learning Entry Route
See www.ucd.ie/openlearning
For the DN600 programmes there are 125 places on offer.
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 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 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
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 2024 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
Law governs many aspects of our lives. It affects many of our day-today interactions, transactions and personal relationships, as well as the fundamental challenges which face our society such as human rights, climate change, migration, international relations, and criminal justice.
As a law student in UCD, you will learn what laws are, how they work and how they change. Our aim is to inform, inspire and challenge our students. During your degree we will teach you how to develop rigorous research and analytical skills and you will learn to understand academic integrity and ethics.
UCD Sutherland School of Law is the first purpose-built university law school in Ireland, offering students the opportunity to learn in an attractive and friendly environment with unrivalled facilities. The UCD School of Law was established in 1911 and is a globally recognised law school, ranked in the top 100 in the international QS Rankings. We count amongst our alumni many leaders in legal practice, the judiciary, business, the media, political life and civil society organisations. For example, the current President of the European Court of Human Rights, Judge Síofra O’Leary, the Chief Justice of Ireland, Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell and the Attorney General of Ireland, Mr Rossa Fanning are all distinguished graduates of our school.
Studying UCD Law
Years 1 & 2
Foundations of legal knowledge and specialist subjects
DN600
Bachelor of Civil Law
BCL Law with Economics
BCL Law with French Law
BCL Law with History
BCL Law with Philosophy
BCL Law with Politics
BCL Law with Social Justice
BCL Law with Irish
All students are offered core law modules and course specific subjects
Core Law Modules
General Introduction to the Irish Legal System
Constitutional Law
Tort Law
Contract Law
Legal and Professional Skills
European Union Law
Criminal Law
DN600 students also take programme specific modules as appropriate, for example in:
Law
History
Economics
Philosophy
French Law
Politics
Irish
Social Justice
Years 3 & 4
Opportunities for internships, international study and specialising
www.myucd.ie/law
UCD Sutherland School of Law
+353 1 716 4110
uglaw@ucd.ie
Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @MyUCD