Who Is This Course For? 

Graduates from this programme will have a choice of stimulating career options. The principal focus is on widely-demanded skills in the development of digital tools and workflows, including legal analytics and machine learning, which will open opportunities within legal digital services teams, increasingly important to many law firms. For those with a more entrepreneurial mindset, legaltech firms provide another pathway. Traditional legal careers are also possible, as the programme considers laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation, the AI Act, and the Digital Services Act and students can take optional modules from across the wide range available in the Law School's other programmes. It is well-suited to individuals who are interested in areas such as digital legal services, digital innovation, and access to justice, and who are looking to build or advance careers in law firms, tech companies, policy bodies, or regulatory agencies. 

TA particularly attractive element of the programme is that students can also take optional modules from the School of Business and Economics. Lawyers and legal entrepreneurs are increasingly expected to have business skills and knowledge, so that they can be trusted partners for their commercial clients, and this programme enables that development. In addition, the curriculum includes project-based modules where students collaboratively design and test digital solutions with external organisations, equipping graduates with workplace-ready skills. 

This innovative programme moves beyond the examination of the regulation of technology to foster curiosity about legal futures. Through modules such as 'The Future of Law', students engage with emerging technologies not only as objects of regulation but as catalysts for reimagining how legal services are delivered, legal problems are solved, and justice is pursued in a digital society. Whether you are looking to focus on the future of law, computational approaches to law, or access to justice, the course provides the opportunity to build a strong foundation in law while exploring advanced, topical issues. 

In addition to academic coursework, students will complete a supervised research thesis on a topic of their choice, enabling them to apply legal theory to practical challenges in the digital space, or apply to complete a work placement in lieu of a research thesis.

Programme Structure 

The LLM provides access to leading academic voices, legal technologists, and practitioners at the forefront of innovation. Through course curricula, guest lectures, and public conferences, students can engage directly with people on the cutting edge of the legal industry and gain inspiration for their own projects and career ambitions.

Core modules (70 credits): 

• Advanced Legal Research & Method (10 credits) 
• The Future of Law (5 credits) 
• Design Thinking for Lawyers I (5 credits) 
• Design Thinking for Lawyers II (5 credits) 
• Computation and Law (10 credits) 
• Digital Transformation and Access to Justice (5 credits) 
• Minor thesis or placement (30 credits) 

Optional Modules (20 credits) may include: 

Students can select optional modules from Business Information Systems modules as well as courses offered across the LLM programmes. The School reserves the right to amend or withdraw modules subject to demand and other operational considerations. 

Business Information Systems Modules 

• Business Modelling and Analytics (5 credits)  
• Decision Theory, AI and Analytics (5 credits) 
• Systems Development & Project Management (5 credits) 
• Philosophy of Information and Information Ethics (5 credits) 
• Storytelling through Data Visualisation (5 credits) 
• Data Science and Big Data Analytics (5 credits) 

LLM Programme Modules 

• EU Competition Law (10 credits) 
• Law of International Business Transactions (10 credits) 
• Legal Skills: Commercial Practice, Advocacy and Dispute Resolution (10 credits) 
• Advanced Intellectual Property Law and Development (10 credits) 
• Law and Economics of Corporate Transactions (10 credits) 
• International Civil Litigation (10 credits)  
• International Taxation Law (10 credits)  
• Advocacy and Access to Justice (10 credits)

Pathways and Career Options

Students can choose optional modules freely but some suggested combinations that would prepare for particular careers are:

Legal Technologist	Legal Entrepreneur	Legal Advisor	In-House Commercial & Tech Counsel
Business Modelling and Analytics Decision Theory, AI and Analytics	Business Modelling and Analytics Systems Development & Project Management	Systems Development & Project Management Legal Skills: Commercial Practice	Law of International Business Transactions
Systems Development & Project Management Data Science and Big Data Analytics	Storytelling through Visualisation	Advocacy and Dispute Resolution	Law & Economics of Corporate Transactions Legal Skills: Commercial Practice, Advocacy and Dispute Resolution EU Competition Law

 

• Future-Focused Curriculum: Combines legal study with cutting-edge topics like AI, computation and law, legal design and digital technology together with specialised electives like digital visualisation and digital ethics.
• Research-Led Teaching: Delivered by academic experts from the Technology and Rights Research Cluster, integrating cutting-edge legal and digital innovation research.
• Practice-Based Learning: Involves real-world project partners and case studies, legal tech tools, and simulations to develop practical skills in digital law.
• Industry-Relevant Skills: Builds expertise in legal analytics, design thinking, and digital innovation.
• Workplace Readiness: Prepares students for careers in law firms, tech companies, public bodies, NGOs working on access to justice or to launch their own innovative legal business.
• Collaborative & Research Opportunities: Offers independent research aligned with career interests and fosters a community focused on legal, ethical, and social impacts of digital innovation.

Focusing on the intersection of technology, law, and regulation, the LLM in Law and Digital Innovation equips graduates for exciting, fast-evolving careers in legal practice, tech industries, public policy, and regulatory fields.

As digital technologies reshape how we work, live, and govern, demand is growing for legal professionals who understand how algorithms and data can be used to provide more effective and less expensive access to justice, how AI and machine learning can support legal practice, and how to think critically about the software and databases that are increasingly marketed towards those working in the law and policy space. This programme equips graduates with the specialist knowledge and practical skills that employers in these sectors are actively seeking.

Graduates of this programme are equipped not only with expertise in law and technology, but with a mindset geared toward innovation, ethical leadership, and adaptability. The LLM in Law and Digital Innovation is ideal for those who are curious about what the legal profession can become and are motivated to play a part in, or perhaps disrupt, its ongoing evolution.

Graduates will be well prepared for roles such as legal technologists, legal practitioners, legal entrepreneurs or access to justice experts. They will be in demand across sectors including legal technology companies, international organisations, law firms, public agencies, and academic research institutions.

Graduates may also choose to progress to PhD-level study in fields such as digital law, law and computation, or AI governance, and ultimately pursue careers in academia or legal research.

The course responds directly to emerging global trends and skills shortages in areas such as artificial intelligence governance, digital legal services, and alternative legal services, access to justice, offering graduates an edge in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

By combining legal expertise with technical awareness, the Law and Digital Innovation LLM offers a future-focused, career-ready education that opens doors to a wide range of impactful and intellectually rewarding roles.

As part of the LLM in Law and Digital Innovation, there will be a limited number of professional work placement opportunities offered on a competitive basis in lieu of a traditional minor thesis.

Placements may be hosted in a range of settings, including leading law firms, technology-focused organisations, or policy and regulatory bodies engaged with digital innovation. The specific placement partners available vary from year to year, reflecting the changing landscape of professional practice in this area. Students are selected on a competitive basis based on their application and interview. Students are also encouraged to self-source suitable placements, subject to approval, in order to broaden the range of experiences available.

During the placement, students will gain practical insights into the interaction between law, policy, and digital technologies, while applying and deepening their legal knowledge in real-world contexts. In place of a master’s thesis, students will be required to submit a written report on their placement experience. This report forms the basis for assessment and ensures that academic credit is awarded in recognition of both the professional and reflective learning achieved through the placement.

• Dr Rónán Kennedy (Programme Director)
• Dr Abigail Rekas (Programme Director)
• Mr Larry Donnelly
• Dr Anatoli Nachev
• Dr Anastasia Griva
• Prof Kieran Conboy
• Dr Michael Lang
• Dr David Kreps
• Dr Mahya Ostovar 

How will I learn?

Students in the LLM in Law and Digital Innovation will engage with a dynamic and future-focused learning environment that blends legal education with real-world applications of digital and technological change.

You will learn through interactive lectures, small seminars, workshops, and peer collaboration, guided by expert faculty who are active researchers in law and digital regulation.

The programme emphasises practical, applied learning. You will explore how lawyers, legal systems and law firms are responding to emerging technologies such as AI, data analytics, and digital platforms. Case studies, simulated legal scenarios, and policy analysis exercises will help you connect legal theory with current developments in digital innovation.

Workshops in legal research, legal analytics, and legal writing will strengthen your ability to construct well-reasoned legal arguments and policy briefings. Group-based tasks and classroom discussion encourage collaboration, while independent projects and your final thesis will foster deep critical reflection and problem-solving. The course is designed to prepare you for high-impact careers at the intersection of law, technology, and innovation.

How Will I Be Assessed?

Throughout the programme, your progress will be assessed through a combination of essays, projects, presentations, and an independent research thesis, designed to support both academic development and practical skill-building. 

1. Taught Modules: Most modules are assessed through written essays. Students are engaging with formative assessments and presentations, where feedback is provided to support continuous improvement. 

 2. Presentations and Class Participation:  Students will have opportunities to deliver presentations and participate in discussions,        helping to develop oral communication and argumentation skills. These components often form part of the continuous       assessment. 

3. Minor Thesis (30 ECTS credits): You will complete a substantial, independently researched thesis on a topic of your choice related to law and digital innovation. Supervised by an academic advisor, this project allows you to demonstrate advanced legal research, writing, and analytical abilities.

4. Placement (30 ECTS) Optional: You will complete a report on your placement. This report forms the basis for assessment and ensures that academic credit is awarded in recognition of both the professional and reflective learning achieved through the placement.

This assessment structure supports the development of high-level skills in legal research, regulatory analysis, digital literacy, and interdisciplinary thinking, preparing you for both professional and academic success.

Explore our News and Events to discover our seminars, research talks, and activities that will expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect you with experts while you studying at University of Galway. 

 

 

The LLM in Law and Digital Innovation is linked to the Technology and Rights cluster in the School of Law. This research cluster examines issues raised by technology and artificial intelligence (AI) including the relationship to access to justice, the vindication of individual rights, freedom of speech, environmental impact and regulation, intellectual property, privacy and data protection, and other issues that impact these areas as technology evolves. The Technology and Rights cluster brings together researchers who explore these questions and engage in scholarship, policy development, and advocacy regarding the adoption of ICT and AI by society, industry, and government. Its members publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals and have also contributed to reports for bodies such as the Oireachtas Library and Research Service, AI4People, EU Audiovisual Observatory, and the Royal Irish Academy. It also has strong connections to the International Future of Law Association.

Course queries: 

ronan.m.kennedy@universityofgalway.ie

abigail.rekas@universityofgalway.ie

Or

lawpostgrad@universityofgalway.ie

Programme Directors:

Dr Rónán Kennedy,  
Senior Lecturer in Law, 

Dr Abigail Rekas,  
Lecturer in Law, 

School of Law,
College of Business, Public Policy and Law
E: ronan.m.kennedy@universityofgalway.ie
E: abigail.rekas@universityofgalway.ie

University of Galway recognises that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences. This is in line with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) goals which aim to recognise all learning achievements by supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Applicants who do not hold the required academic qualifications, but have relevant professional experience in law, legal technology, or digital innovation, may be eligible to apply under the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy. Students may also apply for exemptions from specific modules based on equivalent prior study. Further information is available on the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning website

 

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of technological and other factors shaping innovation and change in legal services
• Analyse complex issues at the intersection of law, technology, and society using interdisciplinary approaches
• Retrieve, interpret, and synthesise digital policy, legal texts, and academic research to develop well-supported arguments
• Apply advanced legal reasoning and ethical considerations to challenges in access to justice, design thinking, and computational approaches to law
• Plan, manage, and execute an independent research project through a supervised minor thesis on a digital law topic
• Reflect critically on the impact of emerging technologies on legal systems, access to justice, and human rights
• Exhibit strong self-direction, time management, and the ability to work independently within dynamic academic and professional environments Develop communication skills tailored to legal, technological, and policy audiences in both written and oral formats.

Candidates must hold at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 1, Level 8 primary degree in in law or in another relevant discipline including business, computer science, or statistics.

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than an approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (H2.1) standard may be considered where they have relevant professional experience in law or in another relevant subject area such as business.

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here. 

English Language Entry Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent. 

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.

 Supporting Documents

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course. 

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Closing Dates 

For this programme, there is no specific closing date for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotes will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle.  

Notes

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
Masters Full Time	1	€8,650		€20,400	€140		€8,790	€20,540
Masters Part Time	1	€4,350			€70		€4,420

For 26/27 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 1.8% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,500 towards your tuition (2026/27).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Fieldtrips 

The LLM includes extracurricular field trips such as visits to Global Legal firm, providing students with real-world insights and enhancing their professional skills. 

There are some minor travel costs attached to participating in extracurricular fieldtrips (approximate cost of €100-200). 

Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships

This scholarship is valued at €1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses. You will be eligible if: 

• You have been accepted to a full-time taught master's course at University of Galway, 
• You have attained a first class honours (or equivalent) in a Level 8 primary degree.  

An application for the scholarship scheme is required (separate to the application for a place on the programme). The application portal for 2025 is now open and available here. Applications will close on the 30th September 2025. Full details available here.  

Global Scholarships

University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. Visit here for schemes currently available.  

School of Law Global Scholarship:  

Eligible postgraduate students can receive a scholarship covering up to 50% off their tuition fees. Full details available here. 

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.  

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