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Welcome to University of Galway School of Law

The Claddagh sunset

Photo by Professor Chaosheng Zhang

Discover the perfect destination to begin or advance your legal education. University2024 Law School of the Year of Galway, located in the vibrant cultural heart of Ireland, offers world-class academic programmes, a strong focus on practical experience, and an inclusive, supportive community.

Whether you’re an aspiring undergraduate or an accomplished professional seeking postgraduate opportunities, our School of Law, which has taught law since 1849, provides pathways tailored to your ambitions. With access to expert faculty, global networks, and unique work placement and research opportunities, you’ll graduate ready to excel in the legal profession or beyond. We are home to the Centre for Disability Law & Policy and the world-renowned Irish Centre for Human Rights. We have also been named 'Law School of the Year' at the Dye and Durham Irish Law Awards 2024.Canada flag

Explore our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, meet fellow Canadian students thriving in Galway, and take the next step toward your future in law.

You can check out the 'Global Galway' website for more information about studying in Galway as an international student.

If you wish to contact University of Galway School of Law's postgraduate office, please send an email to our email address: lawpostgrad@universityofgalway.ie 

Scholarships

Scholarships

Information on Scholarships

Scholarships
Why Study in Galway?

Why Study in Galway?

University of Galway is recognised in the top 2% Universities in the QS World University Rankings

Why Study in Galway?

Photos by Professor Chaosheng Zhang

Key Facts

2%

In the Top 2% of universities in the QS World rankings

#1

in Ireland for Sustainable Development (THE World Rankings)

30

Ranked in the Top 30 most beautiful campuses in Europe

Our Courses

Our Bachelor of Laws (LLB) postgraduate taught programme is the most popular law programme amongst our Canadian students. In Canada, an LLB is often called a JD (Juris Doctor). Take the fast track to a career in law with the two-year LLB or study the full suite of optional courses available to you in the three-year (full-time) or four-year (part-time) modes.

Click here for more information about our Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme.

Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate Courses

Explore our Undergraduate Law Courses

Undergraduate Courses
Postgraduate Courses

Postgraduate Courses

Explore our Postgraduate Law Courses

Postgraduate Courses

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I practice law in Canada as a University of Galway graduate?

Graduates of our law degrees listed below who wish to practice in Canada must apply for a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.

Undergraduate Courses:

Postgraduate Taught Course:

The NCA will assess your legal education and experience and tell you what you must do to qualify for Law Society bar admission (these are called “assignments”).

Graduates who receive their Certificate of Qualification from the NCA can apply to bar admission programmes in Canadian common law jurisdictions, including all provinces and territories except Quebec.

We encourage students to monitor eligibility requirements closely, as they may change at any time. Full details are available on the NCA website.

What are the entry requirements for a Canadian student to join an undergraduate programme?

The entry requirements to our four undergraduate programmes listed below can be found on this page. Currently all of the CAO points requirements for these four courses are over 500 points so please refer to the second last column on this page 'Irish Leaving Cert points: 500 to 549'.

Please refer to this page if your first language is not English.

What are the entry requirements for a Canadian student to join a postgraduate taught programme?

Please note that where you see a 2:1 listed as a requirement on the 'Key Facts' section of a postgraduate course page, this is equivalent to a minimum CGPA of 3.3 (using the 4 point scale) or 77%.

Similarly where you see 2:2 listed as a requirement, this is equivalent to a minimum CGPA of 2.8 (using the 4 point scale) or 70%.

Please also note that in certain circumstances where an applicant falls short of the degree result requirement, an approved professional qualification or experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree.

Please refer to this page if your first language is not English.

How do I apply to an undergraduate course?

Applications are now open for our September 2025 undergraduate intake. Offers are made on a rolling basis.

If you are not a European Union resident...
Please refer to the Global Galway undergraduate applications section of our website for more information on how to apply.

You can commence your application here.

Application fee: An application fee of €35 will apply when submitting a Non-EU Undergraduate application to University of Galway (you may apply for up to two programmes).

Documentation Requirements: Please click here for information regarding the required documents for your application.

For students who require a long term study visa, please visit the Irish Immigration website for more information.

How do I apply to a taught postgraduate course?

Applications are now open for our September 2025 undergraduate intake. Offers are made on a rolling basis. You can make your application through the online application system.

Application Fee: The cost of applying is €35. This fee is non-refundable.

Documentation Requirements: Please click here for information regarding the required documents for your application.

For students who require a long term study visa, please visit the Irish Immigration website for more information.

Where can I find information about scholarships that are available to international students?

A variety of scholarships and financial supports are available for international students. Learn more about these funding options to help support your studies.

Where can I find information about accommodation/financial supports?

University of Galway's Accommodation Advisory Service is available to answer all of your accommodation queries and provide you with assistance.

How can I contact University of Galway School of Law's postgraduate office?

Our email address is lawpostgrad@universityofgalway.ie 

Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (GMT).

Testimonials

Brent

Brent Meadows |   Senior Associate from Canada

I obtained my BA in Ottawa and began working with emergency services for the City of Ottawa. I was negotiating contracts and thought my career might benefit from legal training. I learned about University of Galway from friends who had previously studied there. I decided to give it a shot. I obtained my LLB from University of Galway School of Law in 2013. I can certainly say that Galway is a brilliant city, and the professors are excellent. After graduating, I was called to the Ontario Bar in 2015. I am now working at a great firm as a senior associate where I practice personal injury law. I am grateful for my experience in Galway. I also learned how to hit low stingers through the wind and rain on the local golf courses to counter the Atlantic gusts.
Madeleine

Madeleine Moffatt |   Research Assistant from Ontario, Canada

My LLM experience at University of Galway exceeded all my hopes and expectations. The modules I took introduced me to a wealth of course materials I will continue to reference throughout my professional and academic endeavors. My professors and lecturers fostered critical discussions of our course material in class. Speaking with experts and my peers about the course materials provided an enriching learning environment which motivated me to further my education and inspired the contents of my dissertation. I’m grateful for the many skills developed during my studies at the Irish Centre for Human Rights. I’m a more confident researcher and writer thanks to the expert feedback from my professors. As an active member in a campus society, I worked closely with university staff to organize multiple events throughout the year. I felt so supported by staff members from the ICHR, the College of Business, Public Policy and Law, and the Business, Public Policy, and Law, and SocsBox. With the help of my peers and the support of university staff, we were able to plan unforgettable events on campus.
in Connect with Madeleine
Katie

Katie Davis |   LLM (International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy)

My time at University of Galway is one that I’ll never forget. I was always interested in law, but I didn’t complete an undergraduate law degree in Canada, nevertheless the University has options for non-lawyers to complete an LLM in their chosen specialty, so I decided to take the chance and move to Ireland. Completing my LLM in Migration and Refugee Law and Policy at the Irish Centre for Human Rights allowed me to learn from experts in the field, and in small classes and seminars where I could get the most out of my degree. My existing passion for refugee rights only grew during my degree as I was able to conduct research on issues I was passionate about and I had the opportunity to produce a podcast for the Irish Centre on a topic of my choosing. Galway is also a beautiful city and located near to Connemara National Park where I spent every weekend hiking during the semester which only added to my love of the country.
in Connect with Katie
Kirsten

Kirsten Larson |   PhD Candidate in International Human Rights Law

I chose to study at University of Galway because of the ICHR’s outstanding legacy in shaping future leaders in human rights, justice, and policy-making at the international level. The LLM (International Human Rights) offers unique opportunities, such as an annual visit to The Hague to engage with international courts, participation in the International Criminal Court Summer School, and regular seminar series featuring leading experts in international human rights. The transition from Canada to Ireland has been seamless, thanks to the exceptional support provided by the professors, staff, and broader university community. The guidance and mentorship of my supervisors and the faculty at the ICHR have been invaluable in providing me with a high-quality education. Currently, I serve as the team lead and co-producer of the Human Rights Podcast, a platform dedicated to discussing contemporary human rights challenges and amplifying diverse voices in the field. This role has allowed me to combine my academic interests with innovative outreach, further enhancing my communication and organisational skills.
in Connect with Kirsten
Rowan

Rowan Hickie |   Project Coordinator at GlobalChild

During my LLM in International Human Rights, I had the opportunity to learn from incredible professors at the Irish Centre for Human Rights while also exploring various areas of international human rights law. Through the program, I discovered my passion for children's rights which has shaped the trajectory of my career. After finishing my LLM in 2021, I returned home to Canada. I quickly found work as a researcher for the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, where I conducted research on both Canadian and international human rights law. While working at the Centre, I also volunteered with the international children's rights organization GlobalChild on their InspiRights project. After volunteering with GlobalChild for 6 months, I applied for and secured a Project Coordinator position with the organization. In this new role, I will be responsible for coordinating the InspiRights project and preparing academic research papers with the organization's Director. My LLM degree has been instrumental in my career, providing me with a strong foundation of skills and a wide network of peers. I am excited to use the skills I learned during my LLM throughout my career.

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