Law (BCL), Criminology and Criminal Justice

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Further Education
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
Find Out More

Entry Points (2023)

534

Course Overview

The four-year Bachelor of Civil Law (Criminology and Criminal Justice)is a unique degree offering in Ireland for students with an interest in both law and the fields of criminology and criminal justice. Students have the opportunity to combine the study of a full undergraduate law degree with an additional specialisation that focuses on the causes of crime and the operation of the criminal justice system. Students will have access to world-class academics that specialise in the fields of criminal law, criminal justice, criminology, psychology and human rights.

Students complete all the modules required to support them to undertake the entrance exams for the Law Society of Ireland, should they wish to qualify as a solicitor. Students who wish to qualify as a barrister will have the option of taking all modules required by the Honourable Society of King’s Inns.

Graduates of this programme will be well positioned to pursue careers as barristers or solicitors specialising in criminal law or working with the agencies and organisations of the criminal justice system.

Professional Work Placement or Study Abroad

In year three of this course students will have the opportunity to spend the academic year completing professional work placement or studying abroad. Students will have the opportunity to apply for a professional work placement in a leading law firm or organisation that specialises in criminal justice. Students on placement will be able to see the criminal justice system in action, thereby supplementing their academic education with practical experience. Students can take advantage of our links with leading international universities to spend a year studying abroad. We offer study abroad opportunities in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, China, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, India, Poland, The Netherlands, Spain and the United States of America.

Note: Students who choose the optional specialist stream in Legal Irish will spend year three divided between one semester studying at NUI Galway’s Gaeltacht campus in An Cheathrú Rua and one semester of professional work placement in an Irish-speaking legal environment.

What is Criminology?

Criminology is the study of why people commit crime. Criminology deals with one of the major social issues of our time - crime and punishment. It first emerged as a distinct discipline in the late nineteenth century with the aim of discovering the cause or causes of crime. Criminologists study questions that give us an insight into a wide range of issues about offending behaviour. For example:

Why is it that men commit more crime than women?
What factors influence a criminal to desist from committing further crime?
Why does it appear that society is more concerned with the crimes of the powerless rather than with crimes committed by the government, by white-collar executives, and by corporations?
Are some people ‘born criminal’ or do social and environmental factors have a more influential impact on a person’s likelihood of committing crime?

Modern criminologists concern themselves with many other related issues such as punishment theory, sentencing policies, penal practices and institutions (such as imprisonment and probation), policing and crime control. The study of criminology introduces students to some key elements and thinkers of the Western World. Philosophers and sociologists have informed the development of various theories on criminology and why people commit crime. Criminology also has a practical application and there are many instances where criminological studies have been applied in criminal justice policy and practice.

What is Criminal Justice?

Criminal Justice is the study of how a society prevents, detects, prosecutes and punishes crime. The criminal justice system is vast and incorporates policing, prosecutions, trial by jury, sentencing and imprisonment.

Studying criminal justice gives us an insight into the operation of the criminal justice system and how decisions are made at various stages of the process. Concepts such as the right to silence, the right to a fair trial and trial by jury are fundamental to the operation of our criminal justice system.

The criminal justice system is complex and some of the key issues that require consideration include the following:

On what basis are the Gardaí entitled to make an arrest and what consequences, if any, should flow from making an “illegal” arrest?
Is trial by jury, twelve people randomly selected, the best method of deciding the factual question of guilt or innocence?
Should a victim of a crime have input when sentencing an offender or is the punishment of an offender a matter solely for a judge to decide?
If a person is eligible for parole but they present a risk of reoffending, is it justifiable to further detain them on the grounds of public protection?

The study of criminal justice offers students the opportunity to engage with debates on contemporary issues of crime and justice. Students will examine trends in crime and disorder and analyse these in the context of broader social values.

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Dr Diarmuid Griffin, Programme Director and Lecturer

Diarmuid is the Programme Director of this degree and he teaches Criminal Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice on the programme. Diarmuid’s research focuses on homicide and life imprisonment. His recent book, Killing Time, attracted widespread public attention when it was published in 2018 and his work has been used by judges in the Supreme Court as well as in the Dáil and the Seanad. Diarmuid gives workshops and seminars in prison to offenders that are serving sentences of life imprisonment.

Listen to a podcast of Diarmuid talking about life imprisonment here.

Tom O’Malley, Senior Lecturer and Barrister

Tom O’Malley lectures a range of subjects relating to criminal justice, evidence and sentencing at NUIG and is a leading expert in sentencing and sexual offences in Ireland. He was recently asked by the Minister for Justice and Equality to chair a review into the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences. The Minister for Justice described the review as an important step in ‘ensuring that victims of sexual violence will not be further traumatised by the trial process, and that perpetrators of such serious crimes can be held to account’. Tom is also a barrister-at-law and has been legal counsel in a number of important criminal law and sentencing cases. He recently acted on behalf of the State in a Supreme Court case that set out new sentencing guidelines in homicide cases.

Watch Tom give a talk on legal issues arising from the offence of rape at the Citizen’s Assembly here.

Dr Conor Hanly, Lecturer

Conor is a leading expert in the areas of sexual offences and trial by jury. He was the lead researcher in ground-breaking work that examined the low conviction rates for sexual offences in Ireland. The research involved interviews with rape victims and their experiences of the criminal justice system as well as examining files from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and cases before the Central Criminal Court. The research provided an insight into the reality of rape in Ireland and the pervasiveness of ‘real rape stereotypes.’

Read an article by Conor on the issue of anonymity for rape defendants here.

Dr Charles O’Mahony, Head of School and Lecturer

Charles is a leading expert in the area of disability and criminal justice who’s work focuses on defendants and offenders with mental health problems and intellectual disabilities. He has previously worked as the Legal Officer for Amnesty International and as a legal researcher for the Law Reform Commission. He has conducted research on the use of behavioural genetics in the criminal justice system as well as work on issues of criminal responsibility in relation to individuals with disabilities

Read an article by Charles on the institutional abuse of people with disabilities here.

What is Criminology?

Criminology is the study of why people commit crime. Criminology deals with one of the major social issues of our time - crime and punishment.

It first emerged as a distinct discipline in the late nineteenth century with the aim of discovering the cause or causes of crime.

Criminologists study questions that give us an insight into a wide range of issues about offending behaviour. For example:

Why is it that men commit more crime than women?
What factors influence a criminal to desist from committing further crime?
Why does it appear that society is more concerned with the crimes of the powerless rather than with crimes committed by the government, by white-collar executives, and by corporations?
Are some people ‘born criminal’ or do social and environmental factors have a more influential impact on a person’s likelihood of committing crime?

The study of criminology introduces students to some key elements and thinkers of the Western World. Philosophers and sociologists have informed the development of various theories on criminology and why people commit crime. Criminology also has a practical application and there are many instances where criminological studies have been applied in criminal justice policy and practice.

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Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate including Irish, English, another language, and any three other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

4 years

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades (2023)

universityofgalway.ie/alevels

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

1 (More Info)

Closing Date

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

GY254

Course code

Course Outline

Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Year 1 (60 credits)

This year focuses on building skills with strong foundational teaching. The module ‘Understanding the Law’ builds a platform of essential skills and helps students to transition to the expectations of a university degree. In addition to the foundational legal subjects, students will take modules in Criminology and Criminal Justice, building their understanding of the criminal justice system and exploring theories on why people commit crime.

Compulsory Core Modules (50 credits)

Understanding the Law (10 credits)
Contract Law (10 credits)
Constitutional Law (10 credits)
Tort Law (10 credits)
Criminology (5 credits)
Criminal Justice (5 credits)

Optional Modules (10 credits)

Critical Thinking for Lawyers (10 credits)
Family and Child Law (10 credits)
Legal French/ Legal German/ Teanga an Dlí (Legal Irish) (10 credits)

Year 2 (60 credits)

In second year students develop their skills further with modules such as ‘Mooting’ which helps develop communication and advocacy skills. Students will also undertake a series of modules such as Criminal Law, Advance Criminology, Advanced Criminal Justice and Forensic and Abnormal Psychology. These will give students perspectives on the elements of a criminal offence, the operation of the justice system as well as insights into psychology and crime.

Compulsory Core Modules (50 credits)

Criminal Law I & II (10 credits)
European Union Law I & II (10 credits)
Evidence I & II (10 credits)
Advanced Criminal Justice (5 credits)
Advanced Criminology (5 credits)
Mooting (5 credits)
Forensic, Abnormal & Clinical Psychology (5 credits)

Optional Modules (choose two 5 credit modules or one 10 credit module)

Labour Law I (5 credits)
Labour Law II (5 credits)
Industrial And Intellectual Property Law (5 credits)
Comparative Disability Law (5 credits)
Information Technology Law (5 credits)
Legal French/ Legal German/ Teanga an Dlí (Legal Irish) (10 credits)

Year 3 (60 credits)

Customise your experience by choosing either professional work placement or study abroad.

Caithfidh na mic léinn a dhéanann Teanga an Dlí seimeastar amháin ag staidéar ar champas Gaeltachta Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh ar an gCeathrú Rua agus seimeastar amháin eile ar shocrúchán oibre i dtimpeallacht lán-Ghaeilge. (Students who study Legal Irish will spend one semester studying at NUI Galway’s Gaeltacht campus in An Cheathrú Rua and one semester of professional work placement in an Irish-speaking environment.)

Year 4 (60 credits)

Compulsory Core Modules (45 credits)

Land Law I & II (10 credits)
Equity Law I & II (10 credits)
Company Law I & II (10 credits)
Guided Research Essay (5 credits)
Policing (5 credits)
Victimology (5 credits)

Optional Modules (15 credits)

Applied Legal Theory (5 credits)
Administrative Law I (5 credits)
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Animal Law (5 credits)
Comparative Competition Law (5 credits)
Comparative Disability Law (5 credits)
Environmental Law I (5 credits)
Environmental Law II (5 credits)
Equality and Law (5 credits)
Housing Law and Policy (5 credits)
Industrial And Intellectual Property Law (5 credits)
Information Technology Law (5 credits)
International Trade Law (5 credits)
Jurisprudence (5 credits)
Labour Law I (5 credits)
Labour Law II (5 credits)
Law and Analytics (5 credits)
Lawyering, Technology and Innovation (5 credits)
The Protection of Prisoner Rights under International Law (5 credits)
International Protection of Human Rights I (5 credits)
International Protection of Human Rights II (5 credits)
European Human Rights Law - Systems & Themes I (5 credits)
European Human Rights Law - Systems & Themes II (5 credits)
Legal French/ Legal German/ Teanga an Dlí (Legal Irish) (10 credits)

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Year 2 (60 Credits)

Year 3 (60 Credits)

Year 4 (60 Credits)

Further Education

Graduates of this course may complete further study to become a barrister or solicitor. Graduates will have completed the modules examined in the solicitor entrance exams at the Law Society of Ireland and will have the option to complete the modules required for the barrister entrance exams at The Honorable Society of King’s Inns.

Graduates may also wish to further studies with a master’s degree in criminology, criminal justice, international law or international criminal law. The School of Law offers a wide range of taught LLM programmes and LLM or PhD programmes by research.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Law (BCL), Criminology and Criminal Justice programme will be well prepared to work in policy or practice in the fields of criminal law, criminal justice and international human rights law. Graduates may pursue career opportunities with criminal justice agencies (such as the Gardaí, Courts Service) as well the non-governmental sector, international organisations, statutory agencies and research institutes.

Graduates of this degree will be ready to sit the professional entrance exams for the Law Society of Ireland (solicitor). Graduates who completed the Legal Professions specialised stream will be eligible to sit the professional entrance exams for the Honourable Society of King’s Inns (barrister).

This degree will also provide an excellent platform for graduates interested in working outside of the professions – as more and more areas of life are legally regulated, the comprehensive grounding in the law and the criminal justice process that graduates receive during this degree will make them attractive to a wide range of potential employers in industry and the public sector

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Our students will have the opportunity to gain a professional focus and real world experience through professional work placement. Students gain invaluable experience by putting theory into practice and developing new skills which can support and influence career direction. Students will have a range of CV and interview preparation supports available in advance of their work placement. Current work placement partners include: Gearoid Geraghty & Company Solicitors, the Policing Authority, Irish Penal Reform Trust and the Department of Justice.

Study Abroad

Students can study abroad at partner institutions around the world, giving them the opportunity to experience their academic education in an international setting and to gain a different perspective on law, criminology and criminal justice.

Access to World Class Academics

Our academic staff are nationally and internationally recognised experts in their fields and many are also industry experienced. Our students have access to academics who lead research projects and influence national and international policy making.

National and International Internships

In addition to professional work placement opportunities in third year, students in their final year will have the opportunity to apply for a limited number of national and international summer internships which are offered on a competitive basis.

Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholarship

Students on this course may be eligible to apply for the Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholarship. The Scholarship will support the successful Scholar throughout their degree to a minimum value of €7,500. The scholarship is awarded on the financial need and academic merit of the successful applicants. View full scholarship details.

Mooting

All students will complete the Mooting module and will have access to the NEW state-of-the-art on-campus Moot Court. Mooting is a simulated courtroom experience. The module is delivered through a taught component made up of lectures and an active component where students will participate in practical seminars and a mock trial. Past students described participating in mooting as ‘transformative’.

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€6,593 p.a. (€6,733 p.a. including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€3,593 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€18,500 p.a. (€18,640 p.a. including levy) 2024/25

EU Fees are comprised of Tuition + Student Contribution Charge + Student Levy** €140. **Payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI. Further detail here.

Find out More

Phone: +353 (0)91 492389
Email: law@ universityofgalway.ie

School of Law webpage

School of Law Undergraduate Courses

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FAQs

What Our Students Say

Garda Michael O'Donnell | Garda, An Garda Siochana

Having studied Criminology and Criminal Justice at University of Galway I have gained an extensive understanding of all aspects of the criminal justice sphere. Such knowledge has been hugely beneficial to me in all areas of my work as a member of an Garda Síochána. The course is extremely interesting, delivered to a first class standard, in a friendly and approachable environment. I found it has been fundamental to my career and educational development

Jane Holian | Judicial Researcher, Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

University of Galway is a great place to study criminal law based law subjects, as there is a great faculty for it there. I particularly enjoyed the criminal justice module and found it to be a great basis of knowledge for my work. I'm sure that a law degree that focuses on criminal justice would be hugely beneficial for future graduates applying for judicial researcher roles, or any role that involves research, policy, or going on to further post-graduate study. Studying criminal justice definitely shaped the career choices I've made and made me realise that I was interested in and enjoyed research.