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2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Law - LLM (Law, Technology and Innovation)

Course Fact File

Code	LLMLTI
Duration	1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time, Part-Time
Qualifications	LLM
NFQ Level	Level 9
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	8 September 2025

Course Outline

On this LLM programme you will explore the intersections of law, technology and innovation. You will discuss novel and dynamic issues concerning regulation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the legal and regulatory aspects of the digital economy, and human rights in the digital environment. 

This a rapidly evolving field, with exciting developments in law, regulation and policy, particularly in the European Union. This programme is open to law and non-law graduates, and will be of interest to those considering careers in the digital economy and the regulation and governance of artificial intelligence. 

A shorter Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Law, Technology and Innovation) is also available. Students take 60 credits of taught modules from those on offer for the LLM (Law, Technology and Innovation). The Postgraduate Diploma can be completed over 9 months full-time or 18 months part-time.  

This shorter programme may be attractive to legal professionals and others who may prefer not to make an initial commitment to a full master’s programme. Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma may further progress their studies by completing a 12,500-word research dissertation and graduate with an LLM.  

Modules  

• Full-time: Students take 90 credits: 70 credits of core/taught modules plus 20 credits of elective modules.
• Part-time: Students take 90 credits, completing a total of 40 credits (including LW6574) in Year 1 and 50 credits (including LW6659) in Year 2.

Core Modules (30 credits)

• LW6652 Legal Research Methods and Writing (5 credits)
• LW6659 LLM Dissertation (25 credits)

Taught Modules (40 credits)

Choose at least one of these: 

• LW6536 Intellectual Property Law (10 credits)
• LW6657 Law and Policy of the EU Digital Market (10 credits)

And all of these three:

•  LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)

•  LWxxx    Law, Regulation and Emerging Technology (10 credits)

•  LW6647  Law and Innovation Clinic (10 credits)

Plus choose 20 credits in total from Lists A and B with a maximum of 10 credits being chosen from List B:

List A: Elective Modules in Law and Technology, Digital Economy, Business Law and Human Rights

• LW2269 Privacy and Data Protection Law (5 credits)
• LW6606 International Human Rights Law (10 credits)
• LW6619 Alternative Dispute Resolution: Processes and Practice (5 credits)
• LW6643 Negotiation and Mediation (10 credits)
• LW6644 Managing Complex Disputes (10 credits)
• LW6650 Contemporary Issues in EU Competition Policy (10 credits)
• LW6657 Law and Policy of the EU Digital Market (10 credits)
• LW6660 Digital Finance and FinTech: Law and Regulation (10 credits)
• LW6662 Law and the Future of Europe: Critical Perspectives Internal Market & Citizenship (5 credits)
• LW6663 Law and the Future of Europe: Critical Perspectives EMU & Governance (5 credits)
• LW6618 Climate Change Law and Policy
• LW6655 Foundations of International Children’s Rights (5 credits)
• LW6656 Contemporary Issues in Children’s Rights (5 credits)

List B: Undergraduate Modules (choose up to 10 credits)

• LW2254 Commercial Law (10 credits)
• LW3316 Financial Services Law and Regulation (5 credits)
• LW3345 Company Law I: Fundamental Concepts and Doctrines (5 credits)
• LW3346 Company Law II: Management, Finance and Insolvency (5 credits)
• LW3347 Contemporary Issues in Corporate Law (5 credits)
• LW3368 Principles of Revenue Law (5 credits)
• LW3369 Income Tax Law (5 credits)

Students may not choose a module from List B if they have already taken that module or equivalent subject matter at the undergraduate level or if it involves a timetable clash.

In order to ensure a reasonable distribution of workload, when choosing modules for all programmes, students should take a balance of credits between Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students who wish to deviate from this rule must seek permission from their Programme Director.

Examinations

Presentation of Dissertation/Submission Dates. The dissertation must be submitted for examination at the Winter Board, on a date in September, to be specified by the School of Law upon commencement of the programme.

Exit Awards

Postgraduate Certificate (Law, Technology and Innovation) (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)

Upon successful completion of taught modules to the value of 30 credits that meet the requirements of the Postgraduate Certificate (Law, Technology and Innovation), students may opt not to proceed with the LLM and exit with a Postgraduate Certificate (Law, Technology and Innovation).

Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Law, Technology and Innovation) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Upon successful completion of taught modules to the value of 60 credits, registered LLM (Law, Technology and Innovation) students may opt not to proceed with the programme and exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Law, Technology and Innovation).

Course Practicalities

LLM classes are presented in a seminar format. This participative and interactive format of teaching is suitable for the postgraduate level. Students receive advance reading lists and/or materials for each seminar.  Seminars take place in 2-hour blocks between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. 10-credit modules run for 12 weeks and 5-credit modules run for 6 weeks.

Part-Time 

The part-time option is taught during weekday working hours over two years.

Assessment

You will be examined by continuous assessment throughout the year and your dissertation must be submitted in September. To view individual module assessments in the Book of Modules.

Why Choose This Course

The LLM (Law, Technology and Innovation) is ideal for law graduates who are interested in pursuing careers in the fast-growing areas of law and technology, regulation of artificial intelligence and the digital economy. It is also ideal for suitably qualified graduates from other fields who are interested in exploring the legal, regulatory and compliance aspects of technology and innovation. 

This specialised LLM builds upon the Law School’s considerable research and teaching expertise in the fields of law, technology and innovation. The compulsory modules provide a framework for key concepts and frameworks, and students can then choose additional modules in a range of adjacent fields such as commercial law, human rights law, intellectual property law and environmental law. 

The dissertation allows a specific focus area through advanced research and writing under the supervision of an academic staff member. 

The LLM includes a unique Law and Innovation Clinic module, where students provide legal information to startups on issues such as copyright, data protection and selling online. The clinic is the first such clinic in any Irish university and provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge of these dynamic legal areas to real-life problems faced by businesses. See the Law Clinic page for more information.  

UCC Law School is the Irish Partner in the global Creative Commons movement and a member of the iLINC European Network of Law Incubators, which aims to facilitate the provision of legal information and advice to ICT entrepreneurs and start-ups. 

Top 100 Ranking

UCC School of Law has been ranked among the world’s best Law Schools in the latest QS World University Rankings by subject. 

Skills and Careers Information

Our LLM graduates in (Law, Technology and Innovation) have excellent legal research and writing skills and can pursue careers as solicitors, barristers or in-house lawyers, as well as other roles in technology businesses or in the public sector.

Requirements

To be accepted on this course you must be approved by the School of Law and must normally:

• (a) hold a law degree with Second Class Honours Grade I (NFQ, Level 8); or
• (b) have such other relevant third-level educational qualifications and/or professional experience as, in the opinion of the School of Law, qualify you under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to undertake the LLM (Law, Technology and Innovation) degree;
• If you are an overseas candidate you are welcome to apply, and your qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis as above.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please enter the names and email addresses of two referees. 

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

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