Course Information
BCL (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Full Time - Undergraduate Studies
CAO Code: DN600
CAO Points Range 2021: 566
Length of Course: 4 Years
Average Intake: 125
O6/H7 in English, Irish, a third language and three other recognised subjects
Why is this course for me?
There’s a natural affinity between the disciplines of law and history. Each is shaped by the other. Important historical events are often interlinked with contemporary legal structures. Legal reform may be prompted by the defining events of the past.
This course allows you to acquire a highly respected degree in law, whilst also pursuing a passion for history and acquiring a deeper understanding of past events that have shaped our current legal system.
KEY FACT: UCD Law graduates have been admitted to study for postgraduate degrees at many prestigious universities, including Cambridge, European University Institute, Harvard, Oxford and National University Singapore.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
BCL (Law with History) graduates can go on to qualify as solicitors and barristers, and pursue law careers in Ireland or abroad. Graduates are also well placed to pursue careers in:
- Legal research
- Politics
- Journalism
- Academia
Relevant graduate study programmes include LLM degrees in:
- International Human Rights
- European Law & Public Affairs
- Legal History
What Will I Study
First & Second Year
First year focuses on core law modules, including:
- Constitutional Law
- Contract Law
- Tort Law
In addition, you are introduced to modern European and Irish history.
In second year, you’ll study:
- EU Law
- Property Law
- Criminal Law
You’ll also engage with international history.
Third & Fourth Year
With a wide choice of law and history modules available, you can pursue your own areas of interest. Modules include:
- Jurisprudence
- Legal History
- Criminology
- Fascism
- Culture & Revolution
You may also be interested in taking modules offered by our Clinical Legal Education Centre (CLEC), such as Advocacy & Mooting, and Law, Ethics & Legal Practice.
You’ll attend lectures and tutorials, in addition to engaging in study and preparatory work.
Assessment includes end-of-trimester examinations, essays and group projects.
For detailed information on subject content click here.
You may be interested in the following Blog posts: Why I chose Law at UCD
International Study Opportunities
Many students apply to spend time abroad during their third year at partner universities in locations that include:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- China
- Czech Republic
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- UK
- USA
Testimonial
“I have loved every minute of my four years studying Law with History, two disciplines that complement each other especially well. I have been taught subjects such as criminal law, company law, and public international law by some of Ireland’s leading barristers and academics and have had a huge range of choice in the periods and places I studied in history, from early modern Asia to twentieth century Europe. UCD’s extra-curricular opportunities are excellent: in particular, I have made many fond memories and friends for life while being a member of the committee of the UCD Law Society and studying on exchange in Sydney, Australia.”
– Helen Brady, Student
