The Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at University of Galway provides a rigorous foundation in core areas of Irish and EU law, while giving students opportunities to develop specialist interests, gain practical experience, and engage in international study or work placements. The degree progresses over four years, allowing students to deepen their legal knowledge, develop advanced research and advocacy skills, and tailor their studies to areas they are passionate about.

Year 1 – Foundations of Law
The first year focuses on building core legal knowledge and academic skills. Students are introduced to key areas such as constitutional, contract, and tort law, and develop skills in critical thinking, legal writing, and analysis. The module Understanding the Law supports students in the transition to university-level legal studies.

• Core legal modules in Constitutional, Contract, and Tort Law
• Skills-based learning in legal research, writing, and critical thinking
• Optional  modules such as Family and Child Law, Legal French, Legal German, or Legal Irish (Teanga an Dlí)

Year 2 – Building Legal Skills and Breadth
In second year, students delve deeper into the legal system, including criminal, company, EU, administrative, and evidence law. A key feature of this year is the compulsory Mooting module, where students build confidence and advocacy skills through simulated courtroom exercises. Students also begin to explore optional modules aligned with their interests.

• Core modules in Criminal, Company, Evidence and Administrative Law, and EU Law
• Mooting module developing legal advocacy skills
• Broad choice of  optional modules including Labour Law, Disability Law, and Information Technology Law
• Continue language studies in French, German or Irish, if applicable

Year 3 – Study Abroad or Work Placement
Third year offers a unique opportunity to gain real-world or international experience. For this academic year, students choose between:

• A professional legal placement, or
• Studying abroad at a partner law school in Europe, North America or Asia.

Students studying Legal Irish (Teanga an Dlí) will complete a semester at the University of Galway’s Gaeltacht campus in An Cheathrú Rua and spend the other semester on placement in an Irish-speaking legal environment.

This immersive year enhances both professional and cross-cultural legal competencies and allows students to apply their learning beyond the classroom.

Year 4 – Specialisation and Independent Research
In final year, students expand their knowledge of core professional modules, including Equity Law, Land Law, and Jurisprudence. Students can also shape their own degree by selecting a specialist stream, such as:

• Business and Commercial Law
• Human Rights, Crime and Equality
• International, Comparative and Transnational Law
• Law and Innovation
• Public Law, Risk and Regulation
• Language (Legal French, German or Irish)
• General Law

Students also complete a Guided Research Essay on a legal topic of their choice under the mentorship of an academic supervisor, developing high-level research, writing, and analytical skills. This year prepares students for both professional legal careers and further postgraduate study.

Curriculum Information

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

• Work placement opportunities with top law firms, public bodies, and NGOs including Berwick Solicitors, Blake & Kenny, and Michael Houlihan & Partners.
• Study abroad at leading partner institutions to experience international legal education and broaden your global outlook.
• Learn from world-class lecturers and researchers who shape national and international legal policy.
• Simulated court experience through a dedicated Mooting module, with practical seminars and mock trials in on-campus courtroom
• A variety of attractive scholarships and prizes available to Law students
• Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholarship: Each year, two students are awarded the Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholarship, valued at €7,500–€10,000 over their degree.
• RDJ Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship. Two scholarships available for students under-represented in Law. Includes €5,000 funding over their degree and a work placement in RDJ’s Galway office.
• A range of sponsored, merit-based scholarships are available for law students, aligning with sponsor legal interests and expertise.
• A strong foundation for careers in law and beyond, including opportunities in consultancy, finance, public service, and more.
• National and international summer internship opportunities are available on a competitive basis, such as:

• •          The US District Court Internship (Philadelphia
  •           LA Federal Court Externship ( California)
  •           Suffolk Summer Internship (Massachusetts)
  •           Chief Justice Summer Placement (Dublin)
  •           The Law Library Internship (Dublin)

Graduates of the Law (BCL) programme are well equipped for a wide range of career pathways—within and beyond the legal profession—both in Ireland and internationally.

• Pathways to becoming a solicitor or barrister: This degree covers the core modules required for the entrance exams to the Law Society of Ireland (solicitor) and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns (barrister), offering a clear route to legal practice.
• Further study opportunities: Graduates may pursue an LLM (Master of Laws) or PhD, with options available at the School of Law in both taught and research programmes. These advanced qualifications can open doors to academia, policy, or specialised legal practice.
• Diverse career options beyond traditional legal roles: As law increasingly influences many sectors, graduates are in demand in financial services, consultancy, commerce and industry, social work, and the public sector.
• Strong foundations for roles in regulation and compliance: With legal knowledge now essential in highly regulated sectors such as healthcare, technology, and data protection, graduates are well placed to work as compliance officers, legal analysts, or policy advisors.
• Growing demand for legal expertise in emerging fields: Law graduates are well positioned to work in tech law, environmental regulation, data privacy, and AI governance, all of which are rapidly growing areas of legal practice.

This degree provides a comprehensive legal education while also building adaptable, high-level skills that make graduates attractive to employers across a wide range of industries.

In Year 3, Law (BCL) students can choose to spend the academic year on work placement or studying abroad.

Study Abroad is optional but strongly encouraged, especially for students studying Legal French or Legal German, who are urged to study in our partner universities in France or Germany to further develop their linguistic skills.

We also offer global opportunities with partner institutions in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, China, Finland, Hungary, Italy, India, Poland, The Netherlands, Spain and the USA. Teaching at these partner universities is delivered through English.

Students will gain insight into different legal systems, strengthen their intercultural skills, and enhance their employability in a global legal market.

Students in the Legal Irish stream will spend one semester at the University of Galway’s Gaeltacht campus in An Cheathrú Rua, and the other on work placement in an Irish-speaking legal environment.

Erasmus+ funding and other supports may be available to help with costs.

In Year 3, students on the Law (BCL) programme have the opportunity to spend the full academic year on work placement or studying abroad.

The work placement gives students the chance to gain real-world legal experience and develop valuable professional skills in a practical setting. Students can apply for placements in a wide range of organisations, including:

• Law firms
• Corporate legal departments
• Public sector bodies
• NGOs and advocacy organisations

Our current work placement partners include leading law firms such as: A&L Goodbody LLP, Matheson LLP, Arthur Cox LLP, McCann FitzGerald LLP, and William Fry LLP. Students have also gained valuable experience with public sector bodies like the Department of Justice and CIE, as well as a wide range of respected regional and local firms including Berwick Solicitors, Cian O’Carroll Solicitors, MacDermott & Allen Solicitors, Fidelma Bane Solicitors, Damien Tansey Solicitors, Dillon Leetch & Co Solicitors, Mac Sweeney & Co Solicitors, Blake & Kenny, Healy Law, Tom O’Regan Solicitors, and Michael Houlihan & Partners.

Placements typically run for the full academic year and are available to all students, subject to a competitive application process. Students are supported in preparing for placement through tailored CV writing workshops, interview skills training, and individualised career advice.

Key benefits of the placement include:

• Applying legal theory in real-world settings
• Developing professional communication, research, and legal drafting skills
• Gaining insight into the day-to-day work of legal professionals
• Building a network of contacts in the legal sector
• Clarifying career goals and interests

Many students impress their host organisations and may be invited back for future employment after graduation.

This hands-on experience gives our students a valuable edge when entering the legal job market or applying for further professional training.

Legal Irish student, will have the opportunity to complete one semester of professional placement in an Irish-speaking setting such as TG4 .

 

The Law (BCL) degree is formally accredited by the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, the institution responsible for the training and admission of barristers in Ireland.

Opportunities presented to graduates
Graduates who meet the entry requirements are eligible to sit the King’s Inns Entrance Examination. Successful candidates may then progress to the Barrister-at-Law professional training course, the final step toward qualification as a barrister in Ireland.

Recognition outside of Ireland
While the accreditation specifically applies to the legal profession in Ireland, the Law (BCL) degree is a common law degree and is widely recognised internationally. Graduates often pursue further professional training or postgraduate study abroad and may qualify in other common law jurisdictions—such as the UK, the USA, Canada, and Australia—subject to local conversion requirements or bar admission processes.

Additional requirements post-graduation
In order to practise as a barrister in Ireland, graduates must first pass the King’s Inns Entrance Examination and complete the one-year Barrister-at-Law degree. Admission to the Bar of Ireland is granted upon successful completion of this professional training.

Note: Students intending to pursue a career as a barrister should ensure that they choose the appropriate law subjects throughout the programme to meet King’s Inns requirements.

Some of the lecturers that teach on this course include :

Dr Peter O’Loughlin
Dr Brian Tobin
Dr Rory Kelly
Professor Ciara Smyth
Mr Lawrence Donnelly
Ms Ursula Connolly
Dr Connie Healy
Dr Diarmuid Griffin
Dr Naporn Popattanachai
Dr Rónán Kennedy

The Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at University of Galway offers an academically rigorous and professionally relevant legal education. The programme equips students with a strong foundation in legal principles, critical thinking, and practical legal skills, while also offering transformative opportunities such as Study Abroad and Work Placement.

How Will I Learn?

Lectures and Tutorials – Foundational legal knowledge is delivered through lectures and explored in depth through small-group tutorials that focus on case law, statutory interpretation, and problem-solving.

Legal Research and Writing – Students develop core legal skills in academic and professional writing, legal referencing, and critical analysis.

Interactive Learning – Mooting, negotiation, simulated legal exercises, and optional clinical legal education give students opportunities to practise legal advocacy and real-world legal reasoning.

Study Abroad – In Year 3, students have the option to study abroad at one of our international partner institutions. This immersive experience helps students gain a global perspective on legal systems and enhances their academic and intercultural skills.

Professional Work Placement – Alternatively in Year 3, students may complete a legal work placement with a law firm, corporate legal team, public sector body, or NGO. This practical experience allows students to apply their legal knowledge in a professional setting and build industry contacts.

Technology-Enhanced Learning – Students benefit from access to leading online legal databases, virtual learning platforms, and digital law libraries to support independent study and research.

How Will I Be Assessed?

Examinations – Written exams test students’ legal knowledge, analytical thinking, and written argumentation. For modules required by the legal professions, a two-hour closed-book exam format is required to meet accreditation requirements.

Continuous Assessment – Essays, legal problem questions, presentations, and research tasks provide ongoing feedback and help students develop academic and professional skills.

Legal Writing and Drafting – Students complete assignments such as case commentaries, legal opinions, and statutory analysis to develop clarity and precision in legal writing.

Moots and Oral Advocacy – In selected modules, students take part in moots or oral presentations to refine public speaking and advocacy skills.

Group Work and Reflective Journals — Collaborative projects and reflective tasks help students apply legal concepts and develop teamwork, communication, and self-awareness.

RDJ Scholarship
The University of Galway School of Law has partnered with RDJ’s Galway office to offer the RDJ Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship.

Two scholarships are now available to support students from backgrounds under-represented in the legal profession and to promote greater diversity within the School of Law

Each scholarship is valued at €5,000, and recipients will also participate in a summer work placement at RDJ’s Galway office.

Mooting Success 2024
A standout year for the extracurricular mooting programme, with University of Galway Law teams winning 7 of 8 competitions entered, including victory in the inaugural Nell McCafferty Women in Law Moot (Jenna Smyth & Ruth Collins) and back-to-back wins at the National Moot Court Competition (Jenna Smyth, Colman Monaghan & Patricia Geciova).

Research at the School of Law – University of Galway

The School of Law at University of Galway is a leader for innovative and socially impactful legal research. Its research spans a wide range of themes, supported by several specialised research centres and a strong international network.

Key Research Centres

• Irish Centre for Human Rights: Globally recognised for research in international law, human rights, migration, gender, and climate justice.
• Centre for Disability Law & Policy: Focuses on disability rights, legal capacity, UN and EU law, and reform in support of independent living and de-institutionalisation.
• Centre for Housing Law, Rights and Policy: Addresses legal and policy challenges related to housing and homelessness.
• Centre for Law, Religion and Society: Explores the role of law in religious and ethical contexts.

Research Strengths and Community

The School promotes interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research that informs teaching and contributes to global and national debates. It hosts individual and collaborative projects and publishes the University of Galway Law Review, a peer-reviewed, student-led journal.

 

Course queries:
law@universityofgalway.ie 

Programme Director(s):

Dr Peter O'Loughlin
peter.oloughlin@universityofgalway.ie

Q: Does your Law (BCL) degree offer the modules for the solicitor and barrister entrance exams? 
A: Yes. The Law (BCL) at University of Galway includes the core modules required for both the solicitor entrance exams (FE-1s) at the Law Society of Ireland and the barrister entrance exams at the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. Students who wish to qualify professionally as a solicitor or barrister will complete the subjects examined by both professional bodies as part of their degree.

Q: Can I practice as a lawyer abroad?
A: Our undergraduate law courses are common law degrees. Many of our graduates have qualified as lawyers in foreign common law jurisdictions – in England and Wales, Australia, Canada and in New York. The entry requirements to practice as a lawyer vary for each country and will usually involve some form of conversion examinations. We recommend that you look at the entry requirements for the country you wish to practice in. 

Q: What is Mooting?
A: Mooting is a mandatory second-year module simulating courtroom experience. Using a hypothetical set of case facts, students learn to identify legal issues, prepare written submissions, and present oral arguments. It includes lectures, practical seminars, and a mock trial. The final moot court competitions are presided over by a sitting member of the Irish judiciary. 

Q: What is the Guided Research Essay in final year?
A: Students complete a Guided Research Essay on a law topic that they are interested in. Students will greatly benefit from the guidance and supervision of an assigned academic mentor who will meet with them to discuss their research essay and provide feedback on their work. 

 

 

Minimum 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.

Alternative Pathways
The Access Centre at University of Galway provides a number of alternative entry routes to undergraduate programmes. See below some useful links:

• QQI/FET/FETAC Places
• Mature Students
• Access and Foundation programmes
• HEAR Scheme
• DARE Scheme

Other Qualifications
If you are a school leaver presenting results other than Leaving Cert results, please review the entry requirements relevant to you:

• A Level students
• International Baccalaureate students
• EU students

For applicants whose first language is not English, it is important to check our English Language Requirements.

Admissions Office
Our Admissions Office provides additional detail relevant to CAO applicants including key dates, FAQs and instructions for non-school leavers.

 

Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.

Mature Applicants
Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry. Further information available here.

QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants page for information on places available and entry requirements,  

 

 

Fees for Academic Year 2025/2026

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
	All	€3,593	€3,000	€19,000	€140	€3,140	€6,733	€19,140

• Most EU students applying through the CAO will be eligible for the ‘Free Fees Initiative’. You can find out more here.
• If you are eligible for a means tested SUSI grant this may cover 100% of this Student Contribution Charge. If you are 100% eligible SUSI will pay the Student Contribution Charge of €3,000 on your behalf. 
• The Student Levy It is payable by all students and it is not covered by SUSI
• Where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing year fees. This applies to non-EU fees.
• You can find additional detail on the Fees Office webpage including FAQs and how fee status is assessed.

Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholarship
University of Galway is delighted to partner with global law firm DLA Piper for the Terence O’Malley DLA Piper Scholarship. The scholarship, which is named after Terry O’Malley, Chairman Emeritus (US), will provide funding to support students in financial need studying at University of Galway School of Law.

The Scholarship will support the successful Scholar throughout their degree to a minimum value of €7,500. The Scholarship is open to applicants who have made a formal application through the Central Applications Office for a first year place on one of the full-time undergraduate designated programmes of study in University of Galway School of Law. Find out more here.

NEW RDJ Scholarship
University of Galway School of Law has partnered with one of Ireland’s leading corporate law firms, RDJ to offer the RDJ Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship. There are two scholarships available that promote diversity within the School of Law by providing financial support to students who are under-represented in the field of law. The scholarship is valued at €5,000 and scholars also have a summer internship opportunity in RDJ’s Galway office. Find out more here.

Application Process
Students applying for full undergraduate degree programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), and who are liable for full non-EU tuition fees, should apply online via Apply to University of Galway. Our application portal opens on the 1^st October each year for entry of the following September.  

Further Information
Please visit the international application webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.