The Law (BCL) and Business degree offers an integrated legal and commercial education over four years. Students gain a full law degree while developing strong foundations in areas like accountancy, economics, digital business, and management. This programme prepares graduates for careers at the intersection of law and business, including corporate law, compliance, consultancy, and public service.

Throughout the degree, students build advanced skills in research, analysis, problem-solving and advocacy, while also developing commercial awareness and practical experience through placement or international study. In final year, students can tailor their degree by choosing a specialist stream aligned with their interests and career goals.

Year 1 – Foundations in Law and Business
Students are introduced to key legal concepts and academic skills while studying business modules. The ‘Understanding the Law’ module helps ease the transition to university-level study.

• Core legal modules in Constitutional, Contract, and Tort Law
• Core business modules: Introductory modules in Financial and Management Accounting
• Skills-based learning in legal research, writing and analysis
• Optional modules in Digital Business, Economics, or a language (Legal French, German, Spanish or Irish)

Year 2 – Developing Legal Skills and Commercial Awareness
Second year deepens students' understanding of both legal systems and business fundamentals. Students complete advanced law modules and take part in ‘Mooting’, a key experiential simulated courtroom learning opportunity that builds oral advocacy skills.

• Core law modules in Criminal, Company and EU Law
• Mooting module to build advocacy and courtroom skills
• Broad range of optional business and law modules
• Continue with optional studies in a chosen language, if applicable

Year 3 – Professional Work Placement or Study Abroad
In year three, students step beyond the classroom to apply their learning in a real-world or global setting. Students choose one of the following pathways:

• Professional Work Placement: Apply legal and business knowledge in a leading law firm, corporate organisation, or public sector body.
• Study Abroad: Spend a year at one of our partner universities in Europe, North America, Asia, or beyond.

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

Year 4 – Specialisation and Research
Final-year students further develop their knowledge of core legal subjects, including Equity Law and  Land Law. Students shape their degree by choosing one of several specialist streams, allowing them to focus on a particular field of interest in law or business. Students also complete Commercial Law and a Guided Research Essay under academic supervision, developing independent research and critical analysis skills.

Specialist Streams:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Digital Business and Analytics
• Language (Legal French, Spanish, German or Teanga an Dlí)
• Law and Innovation
• Legal Professions
• Management
• General

All students take core modules in Equity Law, Land Law, and Commercial Law. The combination of advanced legal education, focused business specialisation, and independent research prepares graduates for professional legal training, business careers, or further study.

Please note: Course structure and module offerings are subject to change.

 

Curriculum Information

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

The Law (BCL) and Business programme offers students the chance to spend Year 3 studying abroad at one of our international partner universities. This is an optional opportunity, but students are strongly encouraged to apply. Places are competitive but widely available across both EU and non-EU destinations.

Where can I go?
You can choose from a wide range of partner universities in Europe through the Erasmus+ programme, or apply for a non-EU exchange in countries like Canada, the US, Australia, India, Brazil, and more.

Partner institutions include:

• McGill University (Canada)
• University of Iowa College of Law (USA)
• University of Technology, Sydney (Australia)
• IE Madrid (Spain)
• University of Göttingen (Germany)
• University of Bologna (Italy)
• University of Toulouse (France)
• FGV Rio de Janeiro (Brasil)
• University of Graz (Austria)
• University of Leuven (Belgium)
• Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest (Hungary)
• Jagiellonian University, Kraków (Poland)

When does it happen?
Students who opt into the International stream complete their third year abroad before returning for final year. The year is assessed on a pass/fail basis.).

Language of study
Many of our partnering institutes offer courses are taught through English. Others destinations offer courses delivered through French and German which support students studying a language to further develop their linguist skills.

Students studying Legal Irish 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.

The Law (BCL) and Business programme offers students the chance to spend Year 3 studying abroad at one of our international partner universities. This is an optional opportunity, but students are strongly encouraged to apply. Places are competitive but widely available across both EU and non-EU destinations.

Where can I go?
You can choose from a wide range of partner universities in Europe through the Erasmus+ programme, or apply for a non-EU exchange in countries like Canada, the US, Australia, India, Brazil, and more.

Partner institutions include:

• McGill University (Canada)
• University of Iowa College of Law (USA)
• University of Technology, Sydney (Australia)
• IE Madrid (Spain)
• University of Göttingen (Germany)
• University of Bologna (Italy)
• University of Toulouse (France)
• FGV Rio de Janeiro (Brasil)
• University of Graz (Austria)
• University of Leuven (Belgium)
• Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest (Hungary)
• Jagiellonian University, Kraków (Poland)

When does it happen?
Students who opt into the International stream complete their third year abroad before returning for final year. The year is assessed on a pass/fail basis.).

Language of study
Many of our partnering institutes offer courses are taught through English. Others destinations offer courses delivered through French and German which support students studying a language to further develop their linguist skills.

Students studying Legal Irish 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.

Skills and benefits
Studying abroad helps build confidence, adaptability, independence, intercultural communication, and global perspective,  all highly valued by employers. You’ll gain experience of another legal and business system, making you more competitive in both local and international job markets.

Cost and funding
You don’t pay tuition fees to the host university. Erasmus+ students may receive a grant to support living costs, and additional scholarships may be available depending on destination and eligibility.

Legal Irish stream
Students who select Teanga an Dlí (Legal Irish) follow a distinct path in Year 3:

• One semester studying at University of Galway’s Gaeltacht campus in An Cheathrú Rua
• One semester of work placement in a professional Irish-speaking environment

In Year 3, students can choose to complete a year-long professional work placement, gaining real-world experience and valuable industry insight before returning for final year.

Tailored Preparation
Placement preparation begins in Year 2 and includes:

• Advisory sessions in September to explain the process
• A CV workshop in October
• An interview skills workshop in January
• Interviews take place from February to April

Students receive full support from our placement officers to help secure a role that aligns with their career goals.

Placement Partners
We have a broad network of placement partners across law firms, corporate organisations, public sector bodies and more. Current partners include:

• Matheson, A&L Goodbody, Arthur Cox, William Fry, Maples Group
• RDJ, AMOSS Solicitors, Damien Tansey Solicitors, LK Shields, Philip Lee
• IBM, CIE, Irish Water, Coffey Group, Telegael Teoranta
• Alastair Purdy & Co., BSP Luxembourg

What students do
Placement roles vary but typically involve legal research, commercial analysis, compliance work, contract review, or assisting with business operations — offering students the chance to apply theory and develop relevant, job-ready skills.

Benefits

• Gain hands-on legal and commercial experience
• Build a stronger, experience-rich CV
• Develop professional communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills
• Make informed career decisions based on real insight
• Build a network that can lead to post-graduate employment

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The Law (BCL), Criminology, and Criminal Justice 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) Criminology and Criminal Justice 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.

Ms Deirdre Callanan
Prof Csongor Istvan Nagy
Dr Peter O’Loughlin
Ms. Anna-Louise Hinds
Dr Maria O’Brien
Dr Rónán Kennedy
Dr Connie Healy
Ass. Professor Naporn Popattanachai

 

The Law (BCL) and Business degree at University of Galway offers a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment where students gain in-depth knowledge of legal systems and business practices. This interdisciplinary programme equips graduates with analytical, commercial, and problem-solving skills that are valued across professional sectors.

How Will I Learn?
Lectures and Tutorials – Core legal and business concepts are taught through lectures and explored in more depth during small-group tutorials and workshops. These support analytical thinking, case analysis, and the application of theory to real-world scenarios.

Legal and Business Research – Students build essential academic and professional research skills, learning how to access and critically analyse legal texts, policy documents, financial reports, and market data.

Interactive Learning – Activities such as mooting, negotiation exercises, business simulations, and group presentations give students the chance to apply knowledge and strengthen communication, strategy, and advocacy skills.

Study Abroad (Optional) – In Year 3, students may choose to spend a full academic year studying at a partner university abroad, gaining international experience and exposure to different legal and commercial systems.

Professional Work Placement (Optional) – Alternatively in Year 3, students can undertake an eight-month placement in a law firm, business consultancy, financial institution, or public sector organisation. This is a valuable opportunity to apply classroom learning in a practical setting, build a network, and explore career pathways.

Technology-Enhanced Learning – Students benefit from access to digital tools, legal research databases, and online learning platforms to support independent study and professional development.

How Will I Be Assessed?
Examinations – Written exams assess students’ understanding of key principles, as well as their ability to interpret legal and business problems under timed conditions. For modules required by the legal professions, a two-hour closed-book exam format is required to meet accreditation requirements.

Continuous Assessment – Essays, case studies, legal problem questions, presentations, and group projects form part of ongoing assessment throughout the year.

Legal and Business Writing – Assignments such as legal opinions, market analysis reports, reflective journals, and statutory interpretation tasks help students develop clarity, precision, and persuasive writing techniques.

Oral Presentations and Moots – In selected modules, students participate in presentations or moots to build confidence in public speaking, advocacy, and pitching.

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):
Ms Deirdre Callanan
deirdre.callanan@universityofgalway.ie

 

Q: Will this degree allow me to become a solicitor or barrister?
A: Yes. This degree meets the subject requirements set by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority for entry to the Law Society (solicitor route) and is recognised by the Honorable Society of King’s Inns (barrister route), provided the relevant modules are completed.

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. 

Q: What makes this course different from studying just Law or just Business?
A: This course offers the best of both worlds—legal training and business acumen. It prepares graduates to understand both the regulatory and commercial contexts of modern work environments, giving them a competitive edge in multiple industries.

Q: Can I specialise more in law or business as I progress?
A: Yes. The early years build a strong foundation in both law and business. In Final Year, you can choose a specialism to focus your studies and develop deeper expertise. Specialism options include Accounting, Economics, Digital Business and Analytics, Legal Languages (French, Spanish, German, Irish), Law and Innovation, Legal Professions, Management, or a General stream.

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, Mathematics, and another language, and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

athways

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.