DCU Law School Introduces Year-Long Work Placement

DCU School of Law and Government in Dublin has announced formal incorporation of internship/placement programme into its Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree. The Law (BCL) internship programme runs officially for the full academic year, from September to April each year, with many students being kept on after this period.

The programme is optional for students and takes place in year three of their degree.

Following the year-long placement in the workplace, the student then proceeds into their fourth and final year. There are 20 students on the programme this year, working across a wide mix of law firms including corporate, general practice and human rights law, accountancy and finance, and company secretarial firms.

The students have also been placed in in-house legal departments as well as with bodies such as the Policing Authority. 

According to Dr. Aisling de Paor, co-ordinator of the Graduate Law Mentorship Programme, the number of placements for the coming academic year will be doubled following wide interest in the programme from employers in the legal field. 

The internship/placement option is an addition to the BCL degree at DCU, with an aim to enhance the experience of students in learning practical legal skills and developing commercial and societal awareness.