| Code | LLB |
|---|---|
| Duration | Law Graduate LLB - 1 Year Full-time or 2 Years Part-time; Non-Law Graduate LLB - 2 years Full-time or 4 years Part-time |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time, Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info. |
| Qualifications | LLB |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 |
| 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
Our LLB programme at University College Cork (UCC) is a postgraduate law degree offering a distinct pathway for both Law and non-Law graduates.
Pathway for Law Graduates
If you have already been awarded a law degree our LLB offers you an opportunity to expand your portfolio of legal knowledge across a wider area of law in preparation for a specific practice or for further study.
Our one-year full-time course includes a wide choice of modules which would allow you to choose a combination that best suits your interests. In particular, it offers you an opportunity to study additional fields of law, such as medical law, environmental law or human rights law, which may not have been available to you at the undergraduate level.
Pathway for Non-Law Graduates
If you are a graduate from a non-law discipline the LLB is a two-year postgraduate law degree that offers you sufficient core and optional law modules to undertake, should you wish, professional legal training at the end of the degree. It is designed to ensure that graduates will have strong legal training at the end of their two years of study (full time) along with a suitable critical understanding of core legal issues.
Beyond preparing you for legal professional qualifications, the LLB is also suitable for students who wish to pursue a career in a variety of areas such as business, journalism, civil service/government, and human rights.
Programme Content
Law Graduates
As a student with substantial legal knowledge already, you will be required to take 60 credits during your degree. Only Law of Property is compulsory leaving you with 50 elective credits. However, if you have already studied Property Law, or an equivalent module, you will be free to take the full 60 credits as electives. In addition, you may also seek to study up to 10 credits of LLM modules; permission of the Programme Director and relevant LLM Module coordinator will be required.
You will have the opportunity to widen your legal knowledge in areas such as:
- Commercial Law
- Corporate and Financial Services Law
- Consumer Law
- Immigration and Refugee Law
- Human Rights Law
- Welfare Law
- Medical Law
- Employment Law
- Environmental Law
Non-Law Graduates
The LLB offers non-law graduates an opportunity to pivot towards a career in law. Our 2-year LLB places an emphasis on developing not just legal knowledge but also your skills base. You will be required to take 60 credits in each academic year, which will include a combination of compulsory and elective modules and a skills module.
While we recognise our primary responsibility is to provide legal knowledge, we also aim to ensure that you develop advocacy skills, experience teamwork and gain expertise in legal research, as well as gain a range of transferable skills.
As a non-law graduate, you will take core modules which are the foundation topics required for professional exams such as FE1s and Kings Inn exams. These include:
- Criminal Law
- Constitutional Law
- Contract Law
- EU Law
In addition, you will also have the option to study subjects such as:
- Human Rights Law
- Employment Law
- Environmental Law
- Corporate and Financial Services Law
- Commercial Law
Visit the School of Law page for more information on our school.
See the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of course modules.
Additional Teaching Mode Information
Law Graduate LLB - Part-Time
The part-time option is taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.
Non-Law Graduate LLB - Part-Time
The part-time option is taught during weekday working hours over 4 years.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
This course involves a combination of lecture hours, tutorials/guided study, and reading hours in the library. Lectures generally take place from Monday to Friday. The course offers flexibility in delivery where available, and LLB Students may have the option of attending some of the modules on offer for the evening Law degree which take place from 5–9 pm Monday to Thursday.
Assessment
Written exams take during each Semester. Not all modules will have formal examinations and many modules use other types of assessment. The skills modules are assessed on a pass/fail basis and include group work, presentations and oral advocacy.
Individual module assessments can be viewed in the Book of Modules.
Who teaches this course
The School of Law at UCC has many expert and committed lecturers with expertise across a wide range of areas. For a full listing of school members, see our School of Law page.
Why Choose This Course
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 (2022).
The QS subject rankings identify the world’s leading schools in particular fields, taking into account academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact. The strength of UCC School of Law across these fields has propelled it 75th in the world in the Top 100 for 2022.
Skills and Careers Information
This is a challenging and highly rewarding postgraduate degree course which allows graduates from both law or other disciplines to develop strong legal knowledge and skills in a one or two year period. The majority of students continue from the LLB degree into the legal profession or to more specialised study on one of our LLM programmes and at doctoral level. Our LLB graduates enter a wide variety of careers including the legal profession, academia, banking, public service, the regulatory sector, management and journalism.
Requirements
Candidates must be approved by the School of Law and must normally hold a Second Class Honours in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8).
Applicants meeting the initial entry requirements and who have a Second Class Honours in a primary honours Law degree (NFQ, Level 8) or have equivalent professional qualification/s and experience in law, as determined by the School of Law, should apply for the 60 credit route.
The number of places available in any given year is dependent on resources and all qualified candidates may not be admitted.
The Law School uses a system of offer rounds to facilitate decision-making and early notification to applicants. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Candidates who do not have their final degree marks available may be made a conditional (provisional) offer.
New applications will continue to be reviewed at each round if there are still programme places available.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
Deposits
If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
Fee payment
Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.
Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.
How To Apply
1. Check dates
Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.
2. Gather documents
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online
Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
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
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.
Apply Now