Law Dual Degree – BCL/Maîtrise
Law Dual Degree - BCL/Maîtrise (NFQ Level 8)
Course Video
Curricular information is subject to change.
Open AllThis degree is one of two French Law Courses offered by Sutherland School of Law, the other being the BCL (Law with French Law). All students interested in the French Law Courses enter the BCL [Law with French Law] 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.
Towards the end of first year, the students who have achieved the highest grades in Level I of the BCL [Law with French Law] will have the option to apply for interview to enter the BCL/Maîtrise. The BCL/Maîtrise is an intensive dual degree aimed at highly motivated and ambitious students.
The major difference between the two Programmes is that the BCL/Maîtrise allows you to undertake two degrees: a degree in Irish law 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 Maîtrise en Droit (or Master 1) is considered to be a Master’s level course.
Two years (third and fourth) are spent at either Paris II or Toulouse 1.
All French law modules studied at UCD are taught through French.
First Year
In first year, you study the BCL [Law with French Law] (see opposite page). 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]
Sample Law (Dual degree-BCL/Maîtrise) Timetable (.pdf)
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: uglaw@ucd.ie
