This image shows two male students in the moot courtroom
DC232

Bachelor of Civil Law - BCL

Course Details

CAO Code:
DC232
Course Type:
Undergraduate
NFQ Level:
8 - Please see www.qqi.ie for further information
Delivery Mode:
Full-time
Minimum Points
489
Duration
3 or 4 Years
Phone:
+353 (0) 1
700 6471

Do you enjoy problem solving and want to know more about the role law plays in the regulation of society? 

 

Overview

Overview Icon

Are you interested in law and the legal process? Do you want to develop essential and practical skills in analysis, presentation and research? The Bachelor of Civil Law - BCL degree at DCU suits analytical problem solvers who want to understand the role law plays in regulating social systems and to engage critically with the possibilities of law reform.

Develop practical skills

The BCL degree focuses on experiential learning and developing practical legal skills while also providing you with opportunities to engage with industry and the wider legal profession.

In particular, the Moot Court module gives you the chance to practise your court-room skills and gain a real insight into law in action. DCU has its own Moot Court room which is where you will participate in mock trials and practise skills such as advocacy, presenting evidence or cross examination. 

Becoming a solicitor or barrister

DCU’s BCL degree will prepare you for a career as a lawyer, including as a solicitor and barrister. The skills you develop will also be helpful for a range of careers outside the legal professions. This BCL is an approved degree for King’s Inns.

Three of four year degree

You can complete the BCL degree in three years, or choose to take an extra year either to study abroad or complete an INTRA placement.

DCU People

Careers & Further Options

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Careers

Our BCL (Law and Society) degree gives you the foundations you need to pursue a career as a solicitor or barrister.

During your degree you will have the opportunity to study core modules to prepare for the entrance exams to the Law Society as a trainee solicitor or to help you qualify for entrance to the Barrister-at-law degree at King’s Inns.

This degree is highly regarded by all employers and other career paths are open to you as well beyond the legal profession such as journalism, politics, public service and working for private corporations. Every organisation is faced with legal requirements and complexities that require the knowledge, skills and critical thinking from BCL graduates like you.

  • Legal profession 
  • In-house legal advice
  • Mediation
  • Governance
  • Data compliance and control
  • Regulatory bodies
  • Statutory bodies
  • Journalist/Commentator
  • Not for profit sector
  • International and European institutions
Solicitor
Barrister
Paralegal
Legal Advisor
Politician
Civil Servant
Auditor
Risk Analyst
Policy Manager
Researcher
Regulator

DCU Careers Service

DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.

DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.

Go to our Careers site to find out more about career planning, our mentorship programme, skills development and online resources for students when working on CVs and making

 

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements Icon

There are no additional entry requirements for this programme apart from the general entry requirements for admission to the university.

There are no additional entry requirements for this programme apart from the general entry requirements for admission to the university.

Please visit our Admissions webpage for details on course requirements or how to apply to DCU.

 

Please visit our QQI FET webpage for details on DCU courses, open days, campus tours or school visits.

 

To apply to DCU, please visit www.cao.ie.

 

Applicants that have completed at least one year of study at NFQ Level 6, 7 or 8 at another institution may apply to continue their studies on a similar programme at DCU. There should be substantial overlap in content between the two programmes to be considered for a transfer. Results and other supporting documentation must be submitted to CAO by the closing date of 1st July. This is a competitive application process for a small quota of advanced entry places. Offers are made on a rolling basis until all places are filled. Early application is advised. Please note: Applicants should also consider applying through the appropriate route for first year entry to the programme they are interested in. This application process is only for advanced entry.

Additional Criteria

Bachelor of Law Requirements: Due to professional body recognition, applicants must have completed an identical suite of modules in their first year, to be considered for year 2 of BCL. The application must be supported with details of the modules studied and results. Priority will be given to applicants presenting a First Class Honours or Equivalent in their first year results. 
 

International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.

Course Structure

Course Structure Icon

 Throughout your learning we teach you to question how law affects society so that you gain a critical perspective at all stages of this degree. 

Mix of core and optional modules

This three-year (or four- year if you choose Erasmus or INTRA placement) course consists of a mixture of compulsory and optional modules. In Year 1, all modules are compulsory. In Years 2 and 3, there is greater flexibility with a chance for you to specialise in areas of interest to you. This means in addition to core modules, you will also choose from a range of optional modules. For your final year, you also have the option to complete a written dissertation - this is your final project that showcases all you’ve learned and the research skills you have acquired over the course of your studies.

On this degree you will:

  • Understand the critical socio-legal perspectives embedded within the delivery of all law subjects
  • Enjoy small group teaching, delivered by highly qualified, committed law lecturers with strong research expertise
  • Cover all foundational law subjects and some additional subjects not usually found on undergraduate law degrees
  • Build transferable skills, including research techniques, and oral and written communication proficiencies

 Observe another legal system

The Bachelor of Civil Law - BCL is normally a three-year course. However, you can opt to study abroad in one of our partner universities in Belgium, China, Poland, Scotland, Spain, or the USA. This is an excellent opportunity to experience life in another country and to study another legal system. After you complete the year abroad, you will do the final year of your degree at DCU in Year 4. (The option to study abroad is offered on merit once you fulfil the criteria.)

 Legal placements

A further option is to spend your third year completing an INTRA placement, after which you will complete the final year of your degree in DCU. We have placement opportunities with law firms, corporations, multinational companies and public bodies in Ireland. This is a great opportunity to enhance your employability and develop your talents. This option is competitive and subject to the availability of placements. For more information, visit our INTRA office

What Will I Study?

While content of the course may change over time, these modules are indicative of what you will be studying in each year. 

  • Foundations of Law and Legal Research
  • Constitutional Law
  • Law of Torts
  • Advanced Torts
  • Advanced Criminal Law
  • Critical Approaches to Law
  • Public International Law
  • Introducing Law

 

  • The Law of Contract
  • European Union Law
  • Moot Court
  • Family, Law and Society
  • Advanced EU Law
  • Advanced Contract Law
  • Advanced Contract Law
  • Healthcare Law and Society
  • Property Law
  • Company Law 1

Optional Modules:

  • Law and Dispute Resolution
  • Advanced Property Law
  • Company Law

 

  • Optional study year abroad / INTRA

 

  • Jurisprudence 1 and 2
  • Genetics, Law and Society
  • Technology Law and Society

 

Optional modules:

  • Administrative Law
  • Employment Law
  • Equity
  • Property Law 1 and 2
  • Company Law
  • Law of Evidence
  • Trusts Law
  • Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law
  • Climate Change Law
  • Advanced Company Law
  • International Trade Law
  • Dissertation
  • Uaneen Award: DCU’s Leadership and Engagement Module

 

Fees and Funding

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Fees

Student Contribution.
€3,043 per annum
EU Status Fee
€6,679 per annum
Non EU Fee.
€16,000 per annum

How To Apply

How To Apply Icon

Applicants presenting EU School Leaving/FETAC Level 5 examinations: Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February or 1st May

To apply for this programme:
Candidates should apply directly here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.

Please provide 

  • Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
  • If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.  Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis up to 1st July. All Non-EU candidates are advised to apply early, as places are limited.

All mature applicants apply through the CAO by 1st February. For further information and for special application procedures for mature students, please click here

Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 6th of November.

Candidates required to apply through the CAO can apply online at www.cao.ie
 

Life On Campus

Life on Campus

Many of our law students get involved with societies at DCU such as the Debate Society, the FLAC Society (Free Legal Aid), the Dublin Law and Politics Review , ELSA (European Law Students Association) and the Law Society.

 

DCU Campus Glasnevin

DCU Glasnevin Campus

FAQs

FAQ Icon

Can I become a barrister or solicitor with the BCL degree?
Our BCL (Law and Society) degree gives you the foundations you need to pursue a career as a solicitor or barrister. During your degree you will have the opportunity to study core modules to prepare for the entrance exams to the Law Society as a trainee solicitor or to help you qualify for entrance to the Barrister-at-law degree at King’s Inns. This is the only law degree at DCU that is an approved degree for Kings Inns. But all of our other law degrees at DCU equip you for Law Society exams.