Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
Find Out More

Course Overview

Law impacts on all aspects of life today, and the LLB provides you with an excellent basis for a career as a practising lawyer, as well as in other fields such as administration, business, the media and social work. The LLB is also excellent preparation for work in a legal advisory capacity in the private or public sector.

Two-year LLB

Take the fast track to a career in law with the two-year LLB. View the course outline section for full details.

Course highlights:

Provides a route to qualifying as a lawyer for graduates from any discipline.
Students in the final year of the three year and four year LLB have the opportunity to apply for a clinical placement. A limited number of clinical placements are available with law firms, barristers, and a range of governmental and non-governmental organisations working to promote the public interest.
Skills development is an important element of this programme with a focus on critical thinking, analytical ability and professional writing skills.
Students who take the three year or four year LLB can tailor the programme by choosing modules that interest them or will further their career goals.
The accredited programme offers all the subjects currently required for the entrance examinations to the legal professions (solicitors and barristers) in Ireland.
Moot court provides an opportunity for students to develop skills such as advocacy, research and legal analysis skills.
Expert lecturers deliver this programme. Students also attend guest seminars from prominent practitioners, academics and judges.
Diverse modules range from European Union Competition Law, Intellectual Property Law, Consumer Law to Global Issues in Contemporary Labour Law.
Career support is provided through professional workshops concentrating on students’ CV and interview skills. Careers in Law Week also provides an opportunity to meet partners from leading law firms.‌

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

End-of-term exams and continuous assessment.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

The prerequisite for admission to the LLB Programme is an approved Level 8 degree in any discipline at Second Class Honours level or above (a 2.2 degree). In certain circumstances, an approved professional qualification or experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree. Those holding a relevant practical law degree or who have studied law modules at third level may be granted appropriate exemptions.

Information for University of Galway Students Applying for the LLB

BA (Joint Honours) in Law GY101 and BA CONNECT

BA (Joint Honours in Law) GY101 and BA CONNECT graduates who have passed their final year exams and who have completed 70 credits of law modules can progress to final year of the three-year LLB. Graduates who meet these requirements will be made an offer for the LLB by the School of Law in early summer, so do not need to apply through the online postgraduate application system.

BA Connect graduates with 35 credits of law modules and who have achieved at least a 2.2 grade in their degree may progress into 2nd year of the three-year LLB but will need to apply through the online postgraduate application system.

BA in Human Rights

BA in Human Rights graduates who have completed 35 credits worth of either law and/or human rights modules and who have achieved at least a 2.2 grade in their degree may progress into 2nd year of the three-year LLB but will need to apply through the online postgraduate application system.

BA Government (Politics, Economics and Law)

BA Government (Politics, Economics and Law) graduates with a major in law (70 credits of law modules) and who have passed their final year exams will be admitted directly to the final year of the three-year LLB programme. Graduates who meet these requirements will be made an offer for the LLB by the School of Law in early summer so do not need to apply through the online postgraduate application system.

BA Government (Politics, Economics and Law) graduates with a minor in law (at least 35 credits of law modules) and who have achieved at least a 2.2 grade in their degree are eligible to enter 2nd year of the three year LLB but will need to apply through the online postgraduate application system.

BA (Public and Social Policy)

BA (Public and Social Policy) graduates who have completed at least 35 credits of law modules and who have achieved at least a 2.2 grade in their degree are eligible to enter 2nd year of the three-year LLB but will need to apply through the online postgraduate application system.

B Comm

B Comm graduates with 35 credits of Law modules (though not necessarily in the Law stream) and who have achieved at least a 2.2 grade in their degree are eligible to enter 2nd year of the three-year LLB but will need to apply through the online postgraduate application system.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In some circumstances, those with a lower degree grade or who have relevant work experience in the field of law will be considered. Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry criteria are encouraged to contact the programme director to discuss eligibility under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. Such candidates may be interviewed to ascertain their suitability for the programme. Learners may also apply for module exemptions based on prior learning. Further information is available from the Programme Director and on the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning website.

Duration

2 years full-time, 3 years full-time, 4 years part-time (daytime classes only for all programme versions)

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

LLBH-LLB3, 2 years; LLBH-LLB4, 3 years; LLBH-LLB2, 4 years

Course Outline

If you wish to become a solicitor, the LLB covers all the modules examined in the solicitor FE-1 entrance exams at the Law Society of Ireland. If you wish to become a barrister the three and four year LLB is approved by The Honorable Society of King's Inns. In addition, all students are required to take a core module designed to equip them with critical legal research, writing and presentation skills.

The programme is offered during daytime hours and may be taken over:

Two years, full-time (120 credits)
Three years, full-time (180 credits), wide range of optional modules
Four years, part-time (180 credits), wide range of optional modules

The three year and four year versions of the programme give students the opportunity to tailor their studies to their own requirements, by choosing from a wide range of optional modules.

Module details for the two-year programme ‌

Module details for the three-year programme

Module details for the four-year programme

Detailed descriptions of modules can be found below.

Curriculum Information

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

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Required LW3120: Understanding the Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required LW301: Criminal Law I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required LW262: Tort - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required LW118: Contract - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required LW117: Constitutional Law - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required LW3121: Critical Thinking for Lawyers - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Required LW304: Criminal Law II - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Year 2 (60 Credits)

Year 3 (60 Credits)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Many of our graduates today run successful practices as solicitors or barristers. Other graduates have found employment and advanced their careers in a variety of areas, such as administration, financial services, business, the media, policy development and social work. We have successful alumni in all walks of life all over the world.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

On the successful completion of this programme students will have:

Developed skills needed for sustained critical reflection.
Enhanced skills in the area of problem solving through engagement with difficult legal questions.
Enhanced skills in research, communication, and innovative thinking.
Critiqued key concepts and debates in law and policy, nationally and internationally.
Critically reasoned through identifying the general principles that connect legal problems and thereby evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of arguments.
Employed legal concepts and ideas in analysing fundamental issues in the world today.
Communicated difficult ideas in a clear and persuasive manner, while listening to others and understanding different points of view.
Built complex arguments, which are persuasive through rigorous research to constructing conclusions in a sound and cogent manner.
Developed an understanding of the relevance of law and policy in diverse areas of public life.
Looked at problems from diverse points of view, including the ability to argue for or against a particular interpretation of legal rules.
Identified a problem and formulated questions relevant to clarifying an issue or a set of issues.

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,890 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€7,750 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€17,500 p.a. (€17,640 p.a. including levy) 2024/25

LLBH-LLB2 (4 Year) (EU): €5,750 p.a. (€5,855 including levy) 2024/25

LLBH-LLB4 (3 Year) (EU): €7,500 p.a. (€7,640 including levy) 2024/25

Find out More

Dr Rónán Kennedy (Programme Director)
E: ronan.m.kennedy@universityofgalway.ie

Queries about this and other postgraduate programmes in the School of Law can also be directed to lawpostgrad@universityofgalway.ie.

What Our Students Say

Caitlin Cardill | Associate, Nelligan O'Brien Payne LLP, Ottawa

After visiting Ireland on vacation, I was drawn to the culture. Being a student at the time, the ocean-side city of Galway was of particular interest to me with its unique character, charming people and lively way of life. With an interest in a career in law, I was pleased to learn about the postgraduate Bachelor of Laws program at University of Galway, where a few of my friends had attended. It came as no surprise that the University offered a supportive and engaging environment that turned out to be one of the most valuable experiences in the pursuit of my legal career. One of the most significant factors for me was the level of passion that each professor brought to their teaching and their genuine desire to see each student succeed. I completed my degree and proceeded to be called to the Bar of Ontario, in Canada. I am now working as an associate for a firm in Ottawa. My professors and experiences at University of Galway have played a significant role in the strong basis I now have for the practice of law.

Conor Stitt | Public Policy Manager with Facebook

I studied Legal Studies and I. T. as part of my BA degree, graduating in 2012 and the LLB programme, graduating in 2014. My career since my studies started with students' unions where I was a Vice President/Education officer with NUI Galway Students' Union and Vice President with USI. I then went on to work in the Oireachtas as a policy advisor with TDs and Senators and recently, I've joined Facebook working with the EU Affairs team on online safety and content regulation.  Studying law in NUI Galway taught me how law, when effective, can shape our society to deliver justice and fairness. The appreciation of meaningful law, instilled by my lecturers, provided me a depth of respect that I applied to laws I could influence within the Oireachtas.  I distinctly remember studying IT Law as part of my LLB degree learning of the challenges of regulating the Internet across jurisdictions and many of those challenges remain today. The interest I gained in learning about this is what motivated me to move my career to tech years later. 

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.

Natalie Dillon | LLB graduate

Following my Arts degree I was unsure of what career path to choose. As I have always had an interest in Law and how it works I chose the LLB. The programme is well structured and the quality of teaching is outstanding. The genuine interest lecturers have in the subjects they teach translates into very engaging and informative lecturers which encourage students to think critically about issues, an invaluable tool in any area of life. Completing the NUI Galway LLB programme was fundamental to my choice of pursuing a career in law.

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