Qualification : BACHELOR OF CIVIL LAW DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
CAO/PAC code : MH502
CAO Points : 418
Closing Date : 01 July 2025
Degree Overview
> Law is taken jointly with Criminology for the three years of this degree which is accredited by the Honorable Society of Kings Inns. We are one of the few universities in Ireland to offer the option of studying law with criminology as part of an accredited law degree. Faculty include leading international experts in the field with research interests in policing, restorative justice, gender, ethnicity, human trafficking, terrorism and mental health.
>This is a unique interdisciplinary programme offering perspectives from sociology, psychology and anthropology, as well as law.
>Students acquire a thorough grounding in the fundamental areas of legal study: including foundational legal principles; legal systems; and the role of Irish, European, and international law.
>Through studying Criminology, students examine the causes of crime and societys reaction to criminality.
>The BCL is a three-year degree in law combined with one other subject. While the BCL covers all the core modules of law, you cover less law than on the LLB (MH501), giving you more time to develop expertise in another subject. The main advantage is that it allows you to combine the study of law with the study of another discipline.
Duration: 3 years (Bachelor of Civil Law) or 4 years (BCL International)
A year of study is 60 credits.
Law is taken jointly with Criminology for the 3 years of the programme.
1st year
- You will take 30 credits of Law, 15 credits of Criminology, and 1 Arts subject (or Critical Skills)
- Students who successfully complete the 1st year of the programme have the option of transferring into the 2nd year of the LLB programme
2nd and final year
- Continue with 30 credits of Law and 30 credits of Criminology in 2nd and final year
- You may apply to complete a work placement year, or to study abroad, after 2nd year, and graduate after 4 years. Students who opt to spend a year studying abroad are awarded a BCL (International) degree. (The University will support you in the search for a placement job; however, the process is competitive)
Head of Department
Department of Law
Department of Motherhood Project
Department of Sexualities and Gender
Department of ALL Institute
Department of Faculty of Social Sciences
Academic
Academic
Academic
Academic
Academic
Department of Law
Department of Jean Monnet Chair in EU Law and Fundamental Rights
Department of Centre for European and Eurasian Studies
Academic
| Subject | Required | Ordinary Level Grade | Higher Level Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish | Yes | O6 | H7 |
| English | Yes | O6 | H7 |
| Language | No | N/A | N/A |
| Math | No | N/A | N/A |
| Science | No | N/A | N/A |
International & EU/EFTA Entry Requirements
Mature Students
Mature Applicants
Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time/flexible degrees the mature age is 21.
Mature applicants who have a disability
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require support for any required written exercise/interview/ online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2025. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.
01 February 2025
Additional Information
Leaving Certificate Applicants
Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English. MH502 Round 1 Points 2024: 418
HEAR and DARE
DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.
HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.
The Maynooth Education
Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways.
APPLY TO THE CAO - WWW.CAO.IE
The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply.
Categories of applicant:
- School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
- Mature students (23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University/part-time degrees the mature age is 21)
- EU/EFTA/UK students
- International students (outside the EU)
- QQI (Further Education) students
- Transferring students
- Deferring students