BCL (International)
Why choose the BCL (International) – CK 306?
The BCL (International) is an exciting four year degree which involves combining the core BCL programme with the opportunity to spend the third year abroad at a law school in the US, Europe or China. Established in 2000, it received its first intake on the CAO in 2009.
BCL International graduates are currently working as solicitors in top law firms including A & L Goodbody, Arthur Cox, Mason, Hayes and Curran and Maples. Others have chosen to study further abroad in the US and Europe, to work with bodies like the Human Rights Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs, and to become law lecturers.
International Partners
The following placement options are available:
China
United States
- Brooklyn Law School, New York
- Saint Louis University School of Law, Missouri
- Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia
Europe
- The University of Leiden, the Netherlands
- The University of Oslo, Norway
- Charles University, Prague, the Czech Republic
- University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- University of Helsinki, Finland
Check out their websites or speak to the Director of the BCL (International), Professor Ursula Kilkelly (u.kilkelly@ucc.ie) to see the wonderful opportunities on offer!
BCL (International) students describe their experiences
Hugh McCarthy, BCL International graduate, speaking about his placement at Temple University, Philadelphia
'Experiencing the way that other countries teach and practice law was an eye-opening experience. I had the privilege of representing Temple Rugby Club in the USA Rugby National Championship Final played atStanford University,California. Unfortunately we lost, but the journey to the final was remarkable. I was given the opportunity to travel all across the country. However, I’ve also been diligently attending to my academic work. Templehas such an impressive range of courses on offer and it has certainly opened my eyes to numerous different fields of law. Overall my year has been a steep but rich learning curve beyond what I could have hoped for. I would not have had the chance the embrace these numerous opportunities and benefit from them if it was not for the BCL International programme. I for one certainly could not more highly recommend the programme to prospective students.’
Mario Bilo, BCL International III, currently on placement at ECUPL in China
‘This year I will be going to East China University of Politics and Law inShanghaifor my third year. To tell the truth, I can’t wait. Ever since I made my choice of going toChinathe excitement about the year abroad just kept on growing. I’m very much looking forward to getting to know a new culture, quite significantly different than our European one. It’s going to be a lot of fun discovering the new culture and a different way of life. Already, I’ve got huge plans on travelling aroundChinaduring the Chinese Spring Festival so that I can see as much of this huge country as I can.
I also see this opportunity as a great way to learn the Chinese Mandarin. I’ve started doing it this year in UCC and I have to say it is quite a fun language to learn. While at the start it might seem daunting the language is very much logical and with easy grammar which makes it quite easy. Mandarin seems to be becoming more and more important in the globalised world, already it’s the second most used language on the internet. I think a year spent inShanghaiwill considerably help me to improve my Mandarin.
Of course, not to forget, the law school in ECUPL seems top notch. The courses that they offer range from Marine Law, Family Law, Criminal Law and my own personal favourite Chinese Constitutional Law. I am quite looking forward to discovering the Chinese legal system and figuring out the differences between it and the Irish one.
All in all, September can’t come soon enough.’
Core Modules
The core modules taken over the four years are:
- Introduction to the Legal System
- Constitutional Law (either through English or Irish "Dlí Bunreachtúil")
- Criminal Law
- Law of Contract
- Legal Research and Writing
- Law of Torts
- Law of Property
- Law of the European Union
- Legal Skills and Analysis
- Equity
- Moot Court
- Jurisprudence
(If you are intending on travelling to China for your placement, the study of Mandarin with the UCC Centre for Chinese Studies is also compulsory.)
For more details on module content, please click here.
Elective Modules
A wide variety of elective modules are available to the BCL (International) student, incorporating Law modules as well asmodeuls in the areas of Language (French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese or Irish) and Business (Management and Marketing or Accountancy).
With the variety and range of module options open, the BCL (International) student may graduate with a broad-ranging general BCL (International) degree or alternatively choose to tailor their subject choices towards, for example, International Law, Finanace, Human Rights or Commercial. Please discuss your electives with your personal tutor, especially if you wish to angle your degree and start to specialise in one particular area.
Please see here for a full listing of the options available.
