Undergraduate International Applicants apply here.

Postgraduate International Applicants apply here.

UCC School of Law is an elite Law School and with programmes that showcase the School’s internationally renowned expertise, reputation and research impact.​ An original faculty of University College Cork, which is ranked the top university in Ireland for research impact (THE Rankings) and UCC School of Law boasts Ireland’s most successful graduate research programme in Law. ​​

Our Research Centres and clusters, including the new Centre for European Integration, contribute to national and international debates through cutting-edge interdisciplinary research that enhances the School’s international reputation for excellence in the fields of Children’s Rights and Family Law, Criminal Justice and Human Rights, Law and the Environment, and Sports Economics and Law, shaping a just society.​​ Our seven LLM programmes available at the School build on the expertise and reputation of its researchers, offering students a world-class postgraduate education. Each of our forward-looking postgraduate programmes are open to graduates from other disciplines who hold relevant professional experience, which helps create a dynamic classroom environment that encourages independent thinking.​​

The School’s programmes foster the development of transferable skills valued by employers; such as research, advocacy and communication,​ critical analysis, accuracy and attention to detail. The opportunities to participate in our real-world programme clinics and practice-oriented workshops adds to students’ diverse learning experiences.​​ The School’s global reputation is reflected by the growing international student body and the corresponding development of specialist programmes for visitors from China, Vietnam, Europe, North America, Africa and India, with the option to acquire a two-year visa through the third level graduate scheme.​​

UCC is the top third-level institution in Ireland for Graduate Employability. Graduates of the School have gone on to prestigious careers in the legal professions, including the judiciary, the civil service, in non-governmental organisations, in industry and in international institutions including the EU and the UN.​

 All Scholarships and Prizes

For Undergraduate Queries: lawundergrad@ucc.ie

For Postgraduate Queries: lawpostgrad@ucc.ie 

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“Moving from Chile to Ireland to pursue the LL.M. in Environmental and Natural Resources Law at University College Cork was one of the most challenging decisions I have ever made. It meant leaving behind everything familiar to embrace a new culture, a different language, a different climate and, ultimately, a completely new way of seeing the world.

I arrived in Cork as a lawyer determined to deepen my knowledge, but I left with something far more valuable: a different way of thinking about the law.

One moment from the programme has stayed with me ever since. During one of our classes, a professor told us: “Never stop questioning the law. A good lawyer is not the one who simply follows the rules, but the one who constantly reflects on them with a critical mind.” Those words continue to guide my professional life. They remind me that our responsibility is not only to understand the law, but also to question whether it is truly serving the society and environment it seeks to protect.

Beyond the classroom, learning alongside classmates from different countries and legal traditions taught me that the best ideas emerge when we are willing to listen, challenge our own assumptions and learn from one another. My dissertation, comparing the environmental regulation of salmon farming in Chile and Norway, reflected that international perspective and reinforced my commitment to advancing more sustainable legal solutions.

Yet, what I cherish most about my time at UCC is the life I built beyond my studies. Cork welcomed me with extraordinary warmth. What began as an unfamiliar place gradually became a second home, filled with lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. Returning to Chile and later having the privilege of representing UCC at the Irish Education Fair in Santiago, only reaffirmed how grateful I am to have been part of this community.

UCC gave me an outstanding legal education, but it also gave me something less tangible and equally important: the confidence to think critically, the courage to embrace new perspectives and a place that, no matter how far away, will always feel like home”.

''The UCC School of Law is a brilliant opportunity to develop, both academically and personally. I came to UCC from Germany in September 2024 with a rather rigid idea of how law is taught. Large lecture theatres, lots of students, a great deal of dry material to study and hardly any personal contact with the lecturers. It was at the UCC School of Law that I discovered that studying law can be quite different. At the time, I was very interested in an LLM programme. I eventually chose Cork because of the beautiful campus, the charming city and, in particular, the opportunity to pursue the General LLM.

The General LLM programme I undertook offered a wide range of legal subjects that I had never been able to study in Germany. From Intellectual Property Law through to Introduction to the Law of the Sea and Foundations of International Children’s Rights, I was able to gain insights into a wide variety of legal fields, which has been of great benefit to me in my legal journey.

I particularly enjoyed the practical courses such as Alternative Dispute Resolution and Managing Complex Disputes. These courses give students the opportunity to simulate negotiations, mediations or even a full-scale arbitration in realistic scenarios. For me, as an international student, the chance to discuss legal matters in English was particularly valuable.

“I also really appreciated that the classes were mostly small. This makes it easier to actively participate in class. At the same time, you can build a more personal connection with the lecturers, who are always on hand to offer advice and support.

This personal contact was also evident whilst writing my dissertation. Here, too, your supervisor provides comprehensive support. I received a great deal of support from my supervisor, Seán Ó Conaill, on my dissertation ‘Artificial Intelligence in Sport: A Legal Analysis of Current Regulation, the Impact of the EU AI Act and Future Challenges’, in which I was able to bring together my interests in sport and technological developments.

The School of Law is also the perfect place for international students. People from all over the world come together here, united by a shared passion for law, which leads to an excellent cultural exchange. Thanks to the School of Law, I am delighted to now have friends all over the world who have enriched my life immensely, both in terms of my legal perspective and on a personal level.

Having completed my LLM, I am currently in the final phase of my legal training in Germany. I am gaining a great deal of practical experience at a civil court, at the public prosecutor’s office, in a law firm and at a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad. Through these experiences, I have realised that my time at UCC has also given me a completely different perspective on German law, which I can put to use every day.

I am extremely grateful to UCC for my time there and am looking forward to everything that lies ahead”. 

“Choosing the LLM Environmental & Natural Resources Law at UCC was a turning point in my academic and professional journey.”

My journey into law began with a deep interest in governance, sustainability, and the evolving responsibilities of global businesses. I was drawn to the programme because of UCC’s strong reputation in environmental law and its focus on the intersection of policy, sustainability, and natural resource governance. As an international student, I wanted a course that would challenge me intellectually while giving me the space to explore emerging global issues.

The experience was exceptional. The Law School’s faculty were deeply supportive and encouraged me to pursue ambitious research, which led to my dissertation on ESG frameworks in Indian e‑commerce work that was later recognised with the Southern Law Association Prize. The course and research challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. But each obstacle pushed me to think more critically, and strengthened my analytical skills, broadened my understanding of environmental governance, and gave me the confidence to engage with complex legal and policy questions.

UCC gave me the freedom to explore the intersection of sustainability, governance, and corporate responsibility, and helped me develop the analytical skills I now use every day in my professional life. I now work in governance, quality, and compliance in Dublin in the social housing sector, where I apply the skills I developed at UCC every day. The grounding I received in environmental law and policy continues to shape my professional direction and long‑term commitment to sustainability and responsible organisational practice.

“UCC equipped me with the knowledge to understand environmental challenges and the confidence to help address them.”

''I completed the LL.M. in Intellectual Property and E-Law at the UCC School of Law, and it was a highly engaging and intellectually rewarding experience. The programme stands out for its forward-looking approach to the intersection of law, technology, and innovation, offering specialised legal training for the digital age while covering novel and dynamic issues related to the regulation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, as well as the legal and policy dimensions of the evolving digital economy.

What made this experience particularly valuable was the emphasis on critically engaging with real-world regulatory challenges. The programme encouraged a deeper understanding of how legal frameworks can respond to rapid technological change, while also fostering strong analytical and research skills.

The support and expertise of the academic staff, combined with a collaborative and international learning environment, made this a truly enriching experience. It has significantly shaped my academic and professional interests in the regulation and governance of emerging technologies.

I would highly recommend this LL.M. to anyone looking to develop a strong foundation in technology law and to engage with some of the most pressing legal questions of our time.''