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Civil Law (BCL)

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Entry Points (2017)
430

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Civil Law programme is the traditional law degree, offering a rich curriculum of core and optional legal subjects. All students are encouraged and assisted in acquiring skills in legal analysis, legal research and written and oral communication. The programme seeks to impart a solid grounding in law and the academic foundation necessary to prepare for entry to the legal professions.
 
All core law courses are covered as well as a number of complementary optional courses. It is also possible to study a European language – either French or German. If you have a keen interest in all aspects of the law and you wish to take all the required subjects to study for the legal professions in a single degree, then the BCL is for you. You can focus solely on law subjects or you can combine law and other subjects. You can then proceed to take the entrance examinations to become a solicitor or a barrister.

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate including Irish, English, another language and any three other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Additional Requirements

Duration

3 years

Next start date

September 2018

A Level Grades (2017)

ABB & c(AS) or equivalent combination

Average intake

50

Closing Date

Next start date

September 2018

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

GY251

PAC code

Course Outline

Year 1

  • Constitutional Law
  • Contract Law
  • Law of Torts
  • Irish Legal System
  • Intensive Legal Methods and Research
  • Legal Procedure
  • French/German/Italian or Family Law

Year 2

  • Administrative Law
  • Company Law
  • Criminal Law
  • European Union Law
  • Plus a number of options (subject to availability) including:
    • Health Law
    • Human Rights
    • Housing Law
    • Media Law
    • Entertainment Law
    • Criminal Justice
    • Intellectual Property
    • Law of the Sea
    • Information Technology Law

BCL International - Optional Year

At the end of second year, interested students may opt to join the BCL International Programme, which involves spending third year at a university in mainland Europe.

Final Year

  • Equity
  • Land Law
  • Plus a number of options (subject to availability) including:
    • Disability Law
    • Competition Law
    • Criminology
    • Environmental Law
    • Immigration Law
    • English Land Law
    • Family Law
    • Jurisprudence
    • Evidence

Further Education

Further study can lead to the LLM or PhD degrees. The PhD is undertaken by research and the taught LLM programmes on offer include LLMs in Public Law; Law, Technology and Governance; International Human Rights Law; Peace Operations; International Criminal Law; and Disability Law.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Civil Law degree provides excellent preparation for work in a legal advisory capacity in the private or public sector. Most graduates undertake professional training and qualify as a solicitor or barrister.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

The Bachelor of Civil Law programme provides an opportunity in final year for a limited number of students to participate in a clinical placement. This involves placement in a suitable work situation for eight to ten hours per week over ten weeks.

Study Abroad

At the end of second year, interested students may opt to join the BCL International Programme, which involves spending third year at a university in mainland Europe. These students then return to complete their degree programme in fourth year.

Final year BCL students may apply for one of several fellowships to participate in prestigious summer placements in various locations in the United States, including Boston and Philadelphia. Previous placements have included working with a Massachusetts appellate judge, the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office, and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€6,817 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Tuition

€3,593 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Non EU

€12,750 p.a. 2017/18
EU Fees 2017/18:
- Tuition: may be paid by the Irish Government on your behalf if you qualify for free tuition fees see - free fee initiative.
- Student Contribution: €3,000 - payable by all students but may by paid by SUSI if you apply and are deemed eligible for a means tested SUSI grant.
- Student Levy:  €224 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.

Find out More

The School of Law
T +353 91 492 752
E law@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/law‌‌

What Our Students Say

Kate

Kate Ní Chonfhaola |   BCL

The course offers a broad range of subjects, many of which are optional, and so there is an opportunity to tailor your degree to match your career objectives. The course also caters for those who are unsure of their desired career and offers them the chance to dabble in the various aspects of law. I heard the differing views that my classmates had towards the law and in time, began to notice that my own set of values had formed unknown to me! That is a testament to the style of lecturing in this University, which encourages individual thinking.

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