1. Study
2. Undergraduate
3. Courses
4. Law and Irish

About This Course

Fact File

• Title

  Law & Irish

• Code

  CK304

• College

  Business and Law

• Duration

  4 years

• Teaching Mode

  Full-time

• Qualifications

  BCL (Hons)

• Fees

  EU State Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,138 See Fees and Costs for full details.

• Entry Requirements

  1 x H3, 1 x H5, 4 x O6/H7; other language, H3 in Irish. See Requirements for full details.

• CAO Points

  2022: 552

• CAO Points Range

  552-625

Course Outline

This course is the only one of its kind in Ireland. The BCL (Law and Irish) degree will introduce you to a variety of diverse and stimulating topics combining the best aspects of a law degree together with study of the Irish language, literature, culture and institutions. It will also develop your analytical and interpretative skills.

Given the role of the modern law degree, the BCL (Law and Irish) places a growing emphasis on developing not just your knowledge but also your skills base. You are required to take 60 credits in each academic year, combining compulsory and elective modules in law and Irish, and including a skills module.

You will also have the opportunity to study some law modules through the medium of Irish.

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Core Modules in First Year

GA1003 Bunstaidéar ar Theanga agus ar Chultúr na Gaeilge (15 credits)
GA1030 Bunreacht na hÉireann (1937): An Leagan Gaeilge (5 credits)
LW1001 Legal Writing (5 credits)
LW1104 Foundations of the Legal System (5 credits)
LW1112 Constitutional and Institutional Law of the European Union (5 credits)
LW1153 Criminal Law (10 credits)
LW1154 Law of Contract (10 credits)
LW1164 Dlí Bunreachtúil: Institiúidí an Rialtais (5 credits)

 

Course Practicalities

This course involves a combination of lecture hours, tutorials/guided study, language classes, language labs, oral practice sessions and reading hours in the library.

Typically, you will have about 12 contact hours during the academic week with further study time in the library.

Most of the law classes are delivered in English, with some in Irish, and various Irish-language options combine to give a rounded bilingual legal education.

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment including essays, case notes etc.

The skills modules are assessed on a pass/fail basis and include group work, presentations and oral advocacy. These are usually undertaken in English, with some options available in Irish.

Who teaches this course

The BCL (Law and Irish) degree is taught by the expert and dedicated staff of the Law Department and the Department of Modern Irish. They include internationally recognised experts in child law, medical law, environmental law, family law, criminal justice and human rights law, and all aspects of the Irish language.

Why Choose This Course

• The course is the only one of its kind in Ireland to combine law and the Irish language
• Students are given a unique opportunity to study traditional law modules through Irish, which is only available at the UCC School of Law
• It is a joint honours degree course, which means it qualifies both as a law degree for entry into professional training courses and for entry into the HDip, which allows graduates to become second-level teachers
• Graduates are uniquely prepared to enter traditional law careers as well as a range of options in Ireland and abroad
• The work placement element gives students real-life work experience at the coalface of the legal and language sectors
• The opportunity to study abroad gives students the chance to see the relevance of the Irish language and culture, in settings as far apart as Montana and Germany.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

You will have the opportunity spend Year 3 abroad or on a work placement.

Placement opportunities are available in prestigious Institutions such as the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Attorney General’s Office, legal translation projects, as well as with large law firms and other practitioners.

You also have the opportunity to study abroad at the Law School at the University of Montana, which includes assisting with teaching Irish to US students and working in the federal court system in the United States as a judge’s intern.

Skills and Careers Information

As a joint honours degree, the BCL (Law and Irish) equips graduates for a wide range of careers.

The traditional route for a law graduate is to undertake professional training and qualify as a solicitor or barrister and this course prepares students for entry to these professions. Other options are available to law graduates, including careers in banking, accounting, taxation, insurance, IT, teaching, journalism and the media, which may require further academic and/or professional training.

BCL (Law and Irish) students also develop a strong foundation in legal research and writing, advocacy and legal reasoning. These are transferable skills which are attractive to employers in a wide variety of professions and industries.

You can graduate with a broad-ranging general degree or can opt to tailor your subject choices to specialise in areas such as international law, business law, human rights law, the Irish language etc.

You will also have key Irish-language skills, making you particularly well suited to working in the European Union institutions.

Requirements

Leaving Certificate entry requirements

At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H3 in Irish, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

English	Irish	Other Language
O6/H7	H3	O6/H7

Mature applicants

Find out about the mature entry requirements here.

Other qualifications: EU/EFTA/UK students presenting an alternative school-leaving qualification (e.g. A-levels or International Baccalaureate) or QQI/FE course should visit our EU/EFTA/UK Applicants pages for further information. 

Fees and Costs

Course fees include a tuition fee, student contribution fee and capitation fee. The state will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student Contribution and Capitation Fees are payable by the student. In 2022/23 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €138.

Please see Fees Office for more information.

How Do I Apply

EU applicants

Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.

Mature applicants

Application is made through the CAO and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.