Law with Politics
BCL (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Course Video
Curricular information is subject to change.
Open AllLaw and politics are inextricably linked by the legislative process. This course allows you to obtain a highly respected law degree, whilst also acquiring a deeper understanding of political theory and the political process. Many UCD law graduates have progressed to political careers. Others have become high-profile political commentators.
First & Second Year
First year focuses on core Law modules, including:
- Constitutional Law
- Contract Law
- Tort Law
In addition, you’re introduced to political theory and Irish and international political systems.
In second year, you’ll study:
- EU Law
- Property Law
- Criminal Law
You’ll also take modules that engage with political theory, comparative politics and international relations.
Third & Fourth Year
With a wide choice of law and politics modules, you can choose to pursue your own areas of interest. These include:
- Jurisprudence
- Media Law
- Human Rights Law
- Contemporary Issues in Law & Politics
- Foreign Policy
- Political Economy
- Middle East Politics
Clinical Legal Education Centre (CLEC) modules are also available, including Advocacy & Mooting, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Law, Ethics & Legal Practice.
Law students are often very active in university politics and in the Students’ Union. As a BCL (Law with Politics) student, you may be interested in developing your practical skills through participation in the legal information clinics of the UCD Student Legal Service.
You’ll attend lectures and tutorials, in addition to engaging in study and preparatory work. Assessment includes end-of-semester examinations, essays and group projects.
Internship Module
Students on this degree have the opportunity to apply for an internship in the spring trimester of third year. This is credit-bearing module within a range of organisations that the school has partnered with. (Note: this is an alternative to international study).
For detailed information on subject content click here.
You may be interested in the following Blog posts: Why I chose Law at UCD
As part of your Law with Politics degree you may apply to spend time abroad during your third year at one of our partner universities. Students from this programme have chosen to undertake study in universities in Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, North America and Asia.
BCL (Law with Politics) graduates are well equipped to pursue careers in:
- Legal practice
- Politics
- Broadcasting
- Journalism
- Legislative drafting(e.g.in Office of Parliamentary Counsel)
- Academia
- Non-Governmental Organisations
- Public Service
Relevant graduate study programmes include:
- International Human Rights
- European Law & Public Affairs
- International Relations
“As someone who was always very involved in school, I knew that Law with Politics was the perfect choice for me. It provides me with the support and personal development needed to represent Ireland at an international level and to be an active member of the student activism community. Throughout the last two years, I have had the opportunity to research areas of law that I am passionate about, particularly constitutional law and EU law. I also enjoy the international focus of the politics modules, and seeing how it often links back to my legal studies. The skills development and networking opportunities that I availed of here were invaluable, especially as I come from a non-legal background.”
Aisling Maloney, Student
UCD Sutherland School of Law
Belfield, Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 716 4110
Email: law.students@ucd.ie
