Overview
Are you interested in law and the legal process? Do you want to develop essential and practical skills in analysis, presentation and research? The Bachelor of Civil Law - BCL degree at DCU suits analytical problem solvers who want to understand the role law plays in regulating social systems and to engage critically with the possibilities of law reform.
Develop practical skills
The BCL degree focuses on experiential learning and developing practical legal skills while also providing you with opportunities to engage with industry and the wider legal profession.
In particular, the Moot Court module gives you the chance to practise your court-room skills and gain a real insight into law in action. DCU has its own Moot Court room which is where you will participate in mock trials and practise skills such as advocacy, presenting evidence or cross examination.
Becoming a solicitor or barrister
DCU¡¯s BCL degree will prepare you for a career as a lawyer, including as a solicitor and barrister. The skills you develop will also be helpful for a range of careers outside the legal professions. This BCL is an approved degree for King¡¯s Inns.
Three of four year degree
You can complete the BCL degree in three years, or choose to take an extra year either to study abroad or complete an INTRA placement.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
Our BCL (Law and Society) degree gives you the foundations you need to pursue a career as a solicitor or barrister.
During your degree you will have the opportunity to study core modules to prepare for the entrance exams to the Law Society as a trainee solicitor or to help you qualify for entrance to the Barrister-at-law degree at King¡¯s Inns.
This degree is highly regarded by all employers and other career paths are open to you as well beyond the legal profession such as journalism, politics, public service and working for private corporations. Every organisation is faced with legal requirements and complexities that require the knowledge, skills and critical thinking from BCL graduates like you.
- Legal profession
- In-house legal advice
- Mediation
- Governance
- Data compliance and control
- Regulatory bodies
- Statutory bodies
- Journalist/Commentator
- Not for profit sector
- International and European institutions
DCU Careers Service
DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.
Entry Requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this programme apart from the general entry requirements for admission to the university.
There are no additional entry requirements for this programme apart from the general entry requirements for admission to the university.
Please visit our Admissions webpage for details on course requirements or how to apply to DCU.
Please visit our QQI FET webpage for details on DCU courses, open days, campus tours or school visits.
To apply to DCU, please visit www.cao.ie.
Applicants that have completed at least one year of study at NFQ Level 7 or 8 at another institution may apply to continue their studies on a similar programme at DCU. There should be substantial overlap in content between the two programmes to be considered for a transfer. Results and other supporting documentation must be submitted to CAO by the closing date of 1st July. This is a competitive application process for a small quota of advanced entry places. Offers are made on a rolling basis until all places are filled. Early application is advised. Please note: Applicants should also consider applying through the appropriate route for first year entry to the programme they are interested in. This application process is only for advanced entry.
Additional Criteria
Bachelor of Civil Law Requirements: Due to professional body recognition, applicants must have completed an identical suite of modules in their first year, to be considered for year 2 of BCL. The application must be supported with details of the modules studied and results. Priority will be given to applicants presenting a First Class Honours or Equivalent in their first year results.
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.
Course Structure
Throughout your learning we teach you to question how law affects society so that you gain a critical perspective at all stages of this degree.
Mix of core and optional modules
This three-year (or four- year if you choose Erasmus or INTRA placement) course consists of a mixture of compulsory and optional modules. In Year 1, all modules are compulsory. In Years 2 and 3, there is greater flexibility with a chance for you to specialise in areas of interest to you. This means in addition to core modules, you will also choose from a range of optional modules. For your final year, you also have the option to complete a written dissertation - this is your final project that showcases all you¡¯ve learned and the research skills you have acquired over the course of your studies.
On this degree you will:
- Understand the critical socio-legal perspectives embedded within the delivery of all law subjects
- Enjoy small group teaching, delivered by highly qualified, committed law lecturers with strong research expertise
- Cover all foundational law subjects and some additional subjects not usually found on undergraduate law degrees
- Build transferable skills, including research techniques, and oral and written communication proficiencies
Observe another legal system
The Bachelor of Civil Law - BCL is normally a three-year course. However, you can opt to study abroad in one of our partner universities in Belgium, China, Poland, Scotland, Spain, or the USA. This is an excellent opportunity to experience life in another country and to study another legal system. After you complete the year abroad, you will do the final year of your degree at DCU in Year 4. (The option to study abroad is offered on merit once you fulfil the criteria.)
Legal placements
A further option is to spend your third year completing an INTRA placement, after which you will complete the final year of your degree in DCU. We have placement opportunities with law firms, corporations, multinational companies and public bodies in Ireland. This is a great opportunity to enhance your employability and develop your talents. This option is competitive and subject to the availability of placements. For more information, visit our INTRA office.
What Will I Study?
While content of the course may change over time, these modules are indicative of what you will be studying in each year.
- Foundations of Law and Legal Research
- Constitutional Law
- Law of Torts
- Advanced Torts
- Advanced Criminal Law
- Critical Approaches to Law
- Public International Law
- Introducing Law
- The Law of Contract
- European Union Law
- Moot Court
- Family, Law and Society
- Advanced EU Law
- Advanced Contract Law
- Advanced Contract Law
- Healthcare Law and Society
- Property Law
- Company Law 1
Optional Modules:
- Law and Dispute Resolution
- Advanced Property Law
- Company Law
- Optional study year abroad / INTRA
- Jurisprudence 1 and 2
- Genetics, Law and Society
- Technology Law and Society
Optional modules:
- Administrative Law
- Employment Law
- Equity
- Property Law 1 and 2
- Company Law
- Law of Evidence
- Trusts Law
- Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law
- Climate Change Law
- Advanced Company Law
- International Trade Law
- Dissertation
- Uaneen Award: DCU¡¯s Leadership and Engagement Module
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
Applicants presenting EU School Leaving/FETAC Level 5 examinations: Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February or 1st May
To apply for this programme:
Candidates should apply directly here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
Please provide
- Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
- If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis up to 1st July. All Non-EU candidates are advised to apply early, as places are limited.
All mature applicants apply through the CAO by 1st February. For further information and for special application procedures for mature students, please click here
Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 5th of November to 1st July.
Please see Application Procedures or E-mail ugadmissions@dcu.ie.
Candidates submitting EU examination results are required to apply through the CAO at www.cao.ie
Candidates submitting non-EU examination results are required to apply directly here
Life On Campus
Many of our law students get involved with societies at DCU such as the Debate Society, the FLAC Society (Free Legal Aid), the Dublin Law and Politics Review , ELSA (European Law Students Association) and the Law Society.
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick¡¯s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus ?ireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick¡¯s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O¡¯Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick¡¯s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire¡¯s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU¡¯s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ¡®Leadership Lab¡¯, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU¡¯s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn¡¯t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ¡®Clubs & Socs¡¯ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU¡¯s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU D¨®chas ?ireann, the university¡¯s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland¡¯s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick¡¯s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick¡¯s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Can I become a barrister or solicitor with the BCL degree?
Our BCL (Law and Society) degree gives you the foundations you need to pursue a career as a solicitor or barrister. During your degree you will have the opportunity to study core modules to prepare for the entrance exams to the Law Society as a trainee solicitor or to help you qualify for entrance to the Barrister-at-law degree at King¡¯s Inns. This is the only law degree at DCU that is an approved degree for Kings Inns. But all of our other law degrees at DCU equip you for Law Society exams.
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
´ó·¢ÌåÓýÔÚÏß_´ó·¢ÌåÓý-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.
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