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BCL (LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY) (LWC)

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

Maynooth University is one of the few Universities in Ireland to offer the option of studying law with criminology as part of an accredited law degree. Law is taken jointly with Criminology for the three years of the programme. 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.

  • 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.
  • By studying Criminology, students examine the causes of crime and society’s reaction to criminality..
  • Unique interdisciplinary programme with perspectives from sociology, psychology and economics, as well as law.
  • Leading international experts with research interests in prisons, the death penalty, human trafficking, counter-terrorism and mental health teach on this programme.

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)

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)

Law - Fergus Ryan - Maynooth University

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Options after graduation?

  • Graduates of this programme 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.
  • This programme allows students with an interest in law to broaden their career prospects into the criminal justice world, opening up potential careers in the Gardaí, security services, data analytics, probation, the prison service, 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 Office for further details.

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 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. 

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 and 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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