Law Dual Degree – BCL/Maîtrise
Law Dual Degree - BCL/Maîtrise (NFQ Level 8)
Course Video
Curricular information is subject to change.
Open AllThe BCL/Maîtrise dual degree in UCD Sutherland School of Law is unique in Ireland. The degree is four years in duration, the first two are spent in UCD and the final two at a leading law school in France. The BCL/Maîtrise is aimed at highly motivated and ambitious students. Graduates of the programme are uniquely placed in the employment marketplace due to the exceptional range of legal and linguistic skills that they will have acquired.
The BCL/Maîtrise is one of two French Law Courses offered by Sutherland School of Law, the other being the BCL (Law with French Law) on the previous page. All students interested in the French Law Courses enter the BCL (Law with French Law) degree in first year. Both degrees offer the exciting opportunity for immersion in two of the world’s major legal systems, the common law and the civil law. A deep knowledge of civil law is invaluable to graduates who choose to pursue careers with organisations of the European Union or have ambitions to work in international law firms.
During their first year, students of the BCL (Law with French Law) degree may apply to enter the BCL/Maîtrise in second year.
Places are open to students who have achieved good grades in Level I of BCL (Law with French Law) and are keen to pursue this dual degree option. The major difference between these two degrees is that the BCL Maîtrise allows students to undertake two degrees: a degree in Irish law from UCD and a degree in French law, the Maîtrise en Droit, from either the Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II) or the Université Toulouse 1 Capitole.
The two years in France correspond to: Year 1: “licence” (L1), Year 2: “Maîtrise” (M1 or “Master 1”) which is considered to be a Masters level course in France.
All French law modules studied at UCD are taught through French.
First Year
In first year, you study the BCL (Law with French Law). Students achieving the highest grades at the end of first year then have the option to apply for interview to enter the BCL/Maîtrise, or to continue with the BCL (Law with French Law).
Second Year
In second year, you will study other core Irish law modules: Property Law & Criminal Law. You will also advance your French language training and continue to study French Private Law and French Public Law.
Third Year
You will spend your third and fourth years in one of our two partner universities. The subjects studied are determined by those institutions.
– Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II) [see www.u-paris2.fr]
– Université Toulouse 1 Capitole [see www.univ-tlse1.fr]
For detailed information on subject content click here.
Key Fact:
The BCL/Maîtrise degree appeals to students who wish to pursue a career as a barrister, solicitor or French avocat, as well as to those who aspire to practise in the domains of International and European Law, or in governmental or international institutions.
You may be interested in the following Blog posts: Why I chose Law at UCD
Graduates of the BCL/Maîtrise obtain a dual qualification which allows them to progress to professional legal training in Ireland or France. Graduates are particularly well placed to pursue careers with international law firms, EU and international organisations, diplomacy and government departments, or Non-Governmental Organisations. Recent graduates have secured roles with the Department of Foreign Affairs and with International Courts.
“Studying the BCL/Maîtrise in UCD has been an extremely rewarding experience. The unique programme provides the perfect path into practicing law whether in Ireland, France, or internationally. By acquiring in-depth knowledge of both the common law and the civil law legal systems, you are developing your legal skills and learning about two different cultures, which offers opportunities for internships in a diverse range of law firms. Also, the flexibility of my timetable encouraged me to get involved in student life: I am the current auditor of UCD’s Arab Society, a cultural society. Getting involved is crucial to develop your interpersonal skills and to make memories from the best years of your life!”
Celine Dakik, Student
UCD Sutherland School of Law
Belfield, Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 716 4110
Email: law.students@ucd.ie
