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BCL (LAW AND ARTS) (LWD)

Qualification : BACHELOR OF CIVIL LAW DEGREE

Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)

CAO/PAC code : MH502

CAO Points : 432

Closing Date : 01 July 2024

View QQI details

This law degree is accredited by the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. 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 study of another discipline.

  • Law is taken jointly with one subject for the final two years of the programme. Students can choose from a wide range of subjects including languages and other areas within the humanities and social sciences. 
  • Students receive an excellent grounding in core law subjects, while also retaining the flexibility to customise their own academic path.
  • Flexibility and choice: BCL students who successfully complete the first year of the programme have the option of transferring into the second year of the LLB programme (MH501).
  • Students may apply to complete a work placement year in a law firm (subject to availability) or a year studying abroad at one of our international partner institutions.

Duration: 3 years (4 years with optional placement or Erasmus/Study Abroad)

Law is taken jointly with one subject for the final two years of the programme. Students can choose from a wide range of subjects including languages and other areas within the humanities and social sciences.

1st year

30 credits of Law with 2 subjects chosen from the BA subject groups which do not include Law. See BA subject groups table - under COURSE STRUCTURE tab.

2nd and final year

  • Continue in 2nd and 3rd year with at least 30 credits of Law and 30 credits of one of your chosen subjects from 1st year (Critical Skills is only available in 1st year and cannot be taken in 2nd year)
  • You may apply to complete a work placement year, or a study abroad year, after 2nd year, and graduate after 4 years. Students who successfully complete the 1st year of the programme have the option of transferring into the 2nd year of the LLB programme. The University will support you in the search for a placement job; however, the process is competitive.
  • Students who opt to spend a year studying abroad are awarded a BCL (International) degree

Transfer option available into this degree from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.

Course Duration: 3 years (Bachelor of Civil Law) or 4 years (BCL International)

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Students interested in a law career will be in a position to take exams for entrance to the Honorable Society of King’s Inns in order to begin training as a barrister and are eligible to progress to take the Law Society of Ireland’s FE1 examinations to begin training as a solicitor.

  • Studying law also opens up a whole range of career options outside of being a lawyer such as journalism; policy development; business and finance; management consulting; the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sector; and national and international public administration (such as at the EU or UN).
  • The School of Law and Criminology offers a wide range of postgraduate study options from Criminology to International Business
    Law. Departments offering Arts subjects typically provide postgraduate opportunities at Master’s and Doctoral levels.

Visit the Graduate Studies website for more information about postgraduate options.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.
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 aplicants 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. 

Click here to be taken to our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on that page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability 

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any written tests that may be required, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2024 to the Access Office. 

Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline. 

For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.

01 February 2024

Additional Information

Leaving Certificate Applicants 

Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7, O6/H7 in Irish, English. MH502 Round 1 Points 2023: 432

Transfer option available into this degree from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.

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
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