UG Prospectus 2025

170 WhyDCU? − Dedicated teamof highly qualified committed law lecturers with strong research expertise − Critical socio-legal perspectives embeddedwithin the delivery of all law subjects − Focus on experiential learning and practical legal skills − Innovativemodules that equip youwith knowledge of cutting- edge issues that are re-shaping the lawand legal profession − Opportunity to study aboard for a full year or on a paidwork placement (INTRA) − Key emphasis placed on important transferable skills, including research skills and oral and written communication skills, at all stages of the course About You Are you interested in lawand the legal process? Do you enjoy problemsolving andwant to knowmore about the role law plays in the regulation of society and how society Influences law? Do youwant to develop important research, analytical and presentation skills? Do youwant to develop practical skills that can be applied in the workplace? Do youwant to learn about the lawand the social forces that affect lawand the legal process, while engaging critically with the possibility of law reform? Additional Requirements The general entry requirements for admission to theUniversity apply (see page 174). Understanding: Civil Law - BCL The Bachelor of Civil Law - BCL at DCU is a cutting-edge law course that will give you an understanding of how the legal process operates and how law influences and is influenced by a diverse range of social forces. It combines innovative teaching of all the foundational law subjects (e.g. constitutional law, contract law, criminal law, etc.), with critical perspectives on the nature of these subjects, on the practice of lawand on thewider role of law in society in the 21st century. The BCL course also focuses on experiential learning and developing practical legal skills, and provides many opportunities for engagement in industry and thewider legal profession. There is a coreMoot Court module, which gives students an in depth and practical insight into law in action. Course Structure The BA covers all foundational law modules and some additional modules not usually found on undergraduate law course. Rather than being stand- alonemodules, the questions of how law affects society arewoven into core law modules. This course consists of amixture of compulsory and optional modules. In Year 1, all modules are compulsory. In Years 2 and 3, there are some compulsory modules but youwill also get to choose froma range of optional modules. In addition to learning core legal rules and principles, youwill learn to reflect critically on how these are shaped and influenced. The coursewill prepare you for a career as a lawyer (including as a solicitor and barrister). The BCL is an approved course for King’s Inns. The skills you developwill also be helpful for a range of alternative legal careers, as well as careers outside the legal professions. Year Abroad This course is normally a 3 year course. However, you can opt to spend an extra year abroad in one of our partner universities in Belgium, China, Poland, Scotland, Spain, or theUSA. This is an excellent opportunity to experience life in another country and to study another legal system. After you complete the year abroad, you will do the final year of your course at DCU. For more information, please visit dcu.ie/placement/study-overseas INTRAWork Placement This work placement will give you a unique opportunity to enhance your CV, increase your employability and apply your knowledge and skills in the real world. This option is competitive and subject to the availability of placements. For more information, please visit dcu.ie/intra For more information, please visit dcu.ie/intra Bachelor of Civil Law – BCL Learn about lawand the legal system, as well as the social forces that affect lawand the legal process