Course Information
BCL (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Full Time – Undergraduate Studies
CAO Code: DN600
CAO Points Range 2019: 521
Length of Course: 4 Years
Average Intake: 125
O6/H7 in English, Irish, a third language and three other recognised subjects
Why is this course for me?
There’s a natural affinity between the disciplines of law and history. Each is shaped by the other. Important historical events are often interlinked with contemporary legal structures. Legal reform may be prompted by the defining events of the past.
This course allows you to acquire a highly respected degree in law, whilst also pursuing a passion for history and acquiring a deeper understanding of past events that have shaped our current legal system.
KEY FACT: UCD Law graduates have been admitted to study for postgraduate degrees at many prestigious universities, including Cambridge, European University Institute, Harvard, Oxford and National University Singapore.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
BCL (Law with History) graduates can go on to qualify as solicitors and barristers, and pursue law careers in Ireland or abroad. Graduates are also well placed to pursue careers in:
- Legal research
- Politics
- Journalism
- Academia
Relevant graduate study programmes include LLM degrees in:
- International Human Rights
- European Law & Public Affairs
- Legal History
What Will I Study
First & Second Year
First year focuses on core Irish law modules, including:
- Constitutional Law
- Contract Law
- Tort Law
In addition, you are introduced to modern European and Irish history.
In second year, you’ll study:
- EU Law
- Property Law
- Criminal Law
You’ll also engage with international history.
Third & Fourth Year
With a wide choice of law and history modules available, you can pursue your own areas of interest. Modules include:
- Jurisprudence
- Legal History
- Criminology
- Fascism
- Culture & Revolution
You may also be interested in taking modules offered by our Clinical Legal Education Centre (CLEC), such as Advocacy & Mooting, and Law, Ethics & Legal Practice.
You’ll attend lectures and tutorials, in addition to engaging in study and preparatory work. A sample timetable can be viewed at www.ucd.ie/myucd/law
Assessment includes end-of-semester examinations, essays and group projects.
International Study Opportunities
Many students apply to spend time abroad during their third year at partner universities in locations which include:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- China
- Czech Republic
- France
- Germany
- India
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- UK
- USA
Testimonial
“I was considering a career in law but also had a passion for history, so Law with History was a natural choice for me. Thankfully the two subjects really complement one another because research and writing skills are fundamental to both.
Some of the highlights of my studies include my Erasmus exchange in Vienna and taking part in the US Court Externship where I worked for a judge in the Federal Court of California for the summer.
During my studies I developed a deep interest in international law, and will commence a Master of International Law at the University of Oxford in October 2019, while I’m currently completing an internship at the Organization for Security and Co-Operation of Europe in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Charlotte Ashmore Graduate