why law at UCC?
Law is a vast and exciting subject that has an impact upon all of life’s choices. UCC presents an array of stimulating and incredibly current degree programmes which both inform and engage the students of the Faculty. The UCC law degree programmes put the student first and are structured to provide scope for each student to tailor their degree content to match their individual needs and interests. The combination of an understanding of the law and the multiple transferrable skills provided by a UCC law degree encourages UCC law students to embrace ever-varying and exciting career opportunities. The Law Faculty at UCC comprises many internationally renowned scholars who continuously influence national and international law and policy. This experience forms the basis of superb research-led teaching and results in an exciting dynamic in the classroom.
Legal Skills
The study of law will introduce you to topical and controversial issues. The skills that you will develop through analysing these issues and through taking our specially designed legal skills modules will equip you for success in any professional career. These skills include the ability to synthesise complex arguments, to propose solutions to difficult problems and to persuasively present your ideas in written and oral form.
“The UCC Law Faculty consistently produces graduates of an outstanding calibre with impressive personal, academic and work-place abilities. This is reflected in our annual recruitment of trainee solicitors from this exceptional pool of graduates. We at Ronan Daly Jermyn place immense value on a law degree from UCC.”
John Dwyer, Managing Partner, Ronan Daly Jermyn
Life at UCC
At UCC you will study in a friendly and supportive atmosphere with the country's best lecturers and tutors to guide you through your subjects. A Personal Tutor will be assigned to assist you during your time at UCC and you will also have the opportunity to get involved in the student Law Society (http://ucclawsociety.com/wp/), which organises debates, the annual conference and publishes the Cork Online Law Review (COLR) (http://corkonlinelawreview.com/). There are also numerous other clubs and societies that students can join.
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Moot Court
The study of law encourages independent thought, and with that comes the desire to test new-found knowledge and skills. The UCC Law Faculty encourages students to speak up and participate in topical discussion and debate. To support the development of both skill and confidence levels, final year law students participate in an annual moot court module, presenting legal arguments to support their allocated issue of law. Students are continuously amazed at their own ability to advocate on behalf of another and become aware of the skills they have developed during their time at UCC, excited by where their outstanding abilities might take them.
Student Placement Programme
To support our students’ future career aspirations the UCC Law Faculty offers a very comprehensive summer placements programme. We have developed links locally, nationally and internationally and endeavour to provide all applicant students with an opportunity to experience an aspect of the legal system during the summer period. Opportunities currently available include work experience with local solicitors and barristers, placements within State bodies and internships within the US courts system.
Career Opportunities
The traditional view of a law degree is that it eventually leads to a career as either a solicitor or barrister. The degree programmes at UCC hugely prepare law graduates for these traditional careers and allow them to excel in their professional lives. To follow such a route additional professional training is required with the Law Society of Ireland or at Kings Inns. However a law degree from UCC opens up a multitude of other career opportunities, and UCC Law Faculty graduates thrive in areas such as banking, accounting, taxation, insurance, IT, teaching, HR, journalism and the media, which may require further academic and/or professional training.
Why BCL – CK 301?
If you choose the BCL degree, you will graduate with a law degree in three years. You will take six subjects each year, giving you the chance to really engage with the course material. Together with the core law subjects, you can pick subjects to suit your interests, exposing you to a variety of perspectives on the law, ensuring that you will graduate with a comprehensive knowledge of legal matters.
Why BCL (Clinical) – CK 305?
The BCL (Clinical) degree is a four year degree, adding one year of placement within the legal system, to your three years of law at UCC. This degree will allow you to gain an understanding of the law in practice; develop your professional, organisational and interpersonal skills; and ultimately add immense value to your CV.
BCL (Clincal) Director: Dorothy Appelbe (d.appelbe@ucc.ie)
Why BCL (International) – CK 306?
The BCL (International) is a four year degree incorporating a year of study abroad at a top Chinese, US or European law school. You will return from your year abroad with your horizons broadened, your CV enhanced and an ability to give your best to your final year at UCC.
BCL (International) Director: Professor Ursula Kilkelly (u.kilkelly@ucc.ie)
Why Law & Languages?
A Law and Language degree will offer you the opportunity to study something new and exciting, law, and something familiar and therefore old, a language you have studied in secondary school. A combined Law and Language degree offers you a step into a new world and improves your footing in an old one.
In order to study one of the languages as part of your Law and Language degree you will have to have studied it at Higher Level in secondary school. You will therefore be familiar with the subject and, if you are interested in pursuing it to third level, enjoy it. The Language part of your Law and Language degree will enhance your language skills through the study of French, German or Irish literature and culture and through the development of advanced oral and written skills in that language. We live in an increasingly global world, a world in which fluency in two or more languages is a significant asset.
Knowledge of the law is an asset in our ever-more complex world. Law is a diverse and exciting subject that touches on our everyday lives in many ways. It regulates our relationships with one another, with society and with the government. It also governsIreland’s relationship with the rest of the world. Because law has an important role to play at all these levels it is a fascinating, challenging and often controversial subject to study.
Why BCL (Law and French) – CK 302?
The BCL (Law and French) is a four year degree, jointly taught by the Law department and the French department. Your time at UCC will involve the study of law together with the study of French literature, language and French legal institutions. The year abroad provides you with the invaluable opportunity to study and experience the legal system of another jurisdiction and will strengthen your command of the French language.
BCL (Law and French) Director: Dr Bénédicte Sage-Fuller (b.sage@ucc.ie)
Why BCL (Law and Irish) – CK 304?
The BCL (Law and Irish) is unique to UCC and is a four year degree. It is jointly taught by the Law department and the Irish department. In addition to studying legal subjects, you will study Irish literature, language and the interaction between Irish law, history and culture. The third year is spent on placement working with one of the following:
- Irish-based institutions including the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Courts Service, RTÉ, Údarás na Gaeltachta
- Institutions including the Welsh National Assembly and the European Parliament
- The District Court of Montana and the University of Montana, USA
BCL (Law and Irish) Director: Seán Ó Conaill (s.oconaill@ucc.ie)
Jennifer Hourihane, BCL (CLinical)
My third year at UCC began in a Cork law firm (Ronan Daly Jermyn) working in litigation - an element of the law in practice that simply cannot be grasped from academic course modules. From meeting clients to attending court I got to experience the working day of a solicitor and got a glimpse of how the courts system works. After Christmas I packed my bags (and snow boots!) to move to Luxembourg to begin my second placement with the law firm Bonn Schmitt Steichen. Here I worked in a diverse environment with lawyers from every corner of the globe. I gained an active insight into the international corporate world, while living and working in a foreign country. This was certainly a second term with a difference! All of this inspired me for my final year of study and brought my career aspirations into focus. I believe choosing the BCL Clinical has provided me with a perfect springboard to kick-start my career in law.
Kieran O’Sullivan, BCL (Clinical)
“The greatest benefits you will get from the programme are the ones that you least expect. The workplace experience gives you an opportunity to test your aptitude for a career in law. What is more, I have developed the skills and self confidence that will further my career prospects in a truer way than I had anticipated.
Feena Tobin, BCl (International)
My time as a UCC BCL (International) student incorporated a year at Charles University in Prague which was certainly the highlight of my degree. Upon realising that I was not interested in pursuing a professional legal qualification, and given that I had my own Irish radio show on Cork Campus Radio, I decided upon the slightly alternative career path of broadcasting. I discovered a course in Broadcasting in Irish, run by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge (NUIG), based in Carraroe Co Galway. I had a great year and studied Media Law as one of my subjects which was a nice continuation of my law studies! I am now about to commence a training scheme in Belfast in TV Production in Irish, and will be based with the BBC NI. My UCC law degree has contributed greatly to my knowledge of current affairs and international issues, both of which are hugely relevant to broadcasting. The year abroad particularly helped me to decide upon my future plans and undoubtedly, the extra year as an undergraduate was of great benefit to me. Beir bua éinne atá ag smaoineamh faoi chéim sa dlí.
Aoife Horgan, BCL (Law and French)
Owner Operator of PR Boutique, PR Firm. Dublin
Having completed my degree in Law and French in UCC, I went on to achieve a Masters in Marketing from the UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business. I then worked in marketing for Friends First and Coty and using my varied experience, set up a public relations company specialising in fashion and beauty, The PR Boutique. I currently look after a range of international and Irish clients including Rimmel, Sally Hansen, Sunshimmer, Dublin Festival of Fashion and Trilogy skincare.
My work is very diverse and ranges from managing press launches and organising photoshoots to co-ordinating interviews with celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Beyoncé Knowles and I find that the skills I learned in law have helped me to succeed in my chosen field. Law gives you an excellent foundation that will benefit you in any career path, it is a highly regarded discipline which gives you the edge in an increasingly competitive job market.
James Creedon, BCL (Law and French)
Journalist and News Reader, France 24, Paris.
James works for the international News TV station France24 as a news reader and journalist and is based in Paris. James hosts the popular daily reviews of the French and International press each morning as well as contributing to the website.
“Having a degree in Law and French has proved invaluable to me as a journalist. I am able to apply my legal education to breaking news stories as well as being in a position to use my french every day.”
For further information please contact
Anne Wallace,
College of Business & Law (Rm 2.03 Comm.)
University College Cork,
Cork
Tel: (+353) 21 420 5102
email: a.wallace@ucc.ie
