Close

BCL (LAW AND ARTS) (LWD)

Qualification : BACHELOR OF CIVIL LAW DEGREE

Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)

CAO/MU Apply code : MH502

CAO Points : 418

Closing Date : 01 July 2025

View QQI details

Degree Overview
>This law degree is accredited by the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. Students receive an excellent grounding in core law subjects, while also retaining the flexibility to customise their own academic path.
>Law is taken jointly with one Arts subject for the final two years of the programme. Students can choose from a wide range of Arts subjects including languages and other areas within the humanities and social sciences.
>The BCL is a three-year degree in law combined with one other subject. While the BCL covers all the core modules of law, you cover less law than on the LLB (MH501), giving you more time to develop expertise in another subject. The main advantage is that it allows you to combine the study of law with the study of another discipline.
>BCL students who successfully complete the first year of the programme have the option of transferring into the second year of the LLB programme (MH501).
>Students may apply to complete a work placement year in a law firm (subject to availability) or a year studying abroad at one of our international partner institutions (subject to availability).

Duration: 3 years (4 years with optional placement or Erasmus/Study Abroad)

Law is taken jointly with one subject for the final two years of the programme. Students can choose from a wide range of subjects including languages and other areas within the humanities and social sciences.

1st year

30 credits of Law with 2 subjects chosen from the BA subject groups which do not include Law. Subject Groups.

2nd and final year

  • Continue in 2nd and 3rd year with at least 30 credits of Law and 30 credits of one of your chosen subjects from 1st year (Critical Skills is only available in 1st year and cannot be taken in 2nd year)
  • You may apply to complete a work placement year, or a study abroad year, after 2nd year, and graduate after 4 years. Students who successfully complete the 1st year of the programme have the option of transferring into the 2nd year of the LLB programme. The University will support you in the search for a placement job; however, the process is competitive.
  • Students who opt to spend a year studying abroad are awarded a BCL (International) degree

Transfer option available into this degree from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.

Course Duration: 3 years (Bachelor of Civil Law) or 4 years (BCL International)

Law - Fergus Ryan - Maynooth University

Head of Department

Department of Law


Department of Motherhood Project


Department of Sexualities and Gender


Department of ALL Institute


Department of Faculty of Social Sciences

Default person profile picture

Academic

Department of Law

Amina Adanan profile

Academic

Department of Law

Default person profile picture

Academic

Department of Law

Law - Sibo Banda - Maynooth University

Academic

Department of Law

Ollie Bartlett - Law -MaynoothUniversity

Academic

Department of Law


Department of ALL Institute

Default person profile picture

Academic

Department of Law

Default person profile picture

Academic

Department of Law

Default person profile picture

Academic

Department of Law

Default person profile picture

Academic

Department of Law

David Cowan - Law - Maynooth University

Academic

Department of Law

Conor Crummey

Academic

Department of Law

Academic

Department of Law

Edward Dove headshot

Academic

Department of Law


Department of ALL Institute

Dr David Doyle

Academic

Department of Law

Brian Flanagan - Law

Academic

Department of Law

jiangyuan fu headshot

Academic

Department of Law

Academic

Department of Law

Law - Alice Harrison - Maynooth University

Academic

Department of Law

Academic

Department of Law

Dr Yağmur Hortoğlu  - School of Law and Criminology

Academic

Department of Law


Department of ALL Institute

Orla Kelleher

Academic

Department of Law

Academic

Department of Law

Law - Neil Maddock - Maynooth University

Academic

Department of Law

Default person profile picture

Academic

Department of Law

Academic

Department of Law

Aisling McMahon - Dept of Law - Maynooth University

Academic

Department of Law


Department of ALL Institute


Department of Human Health Institute

John Morrison - Law

Academic

Department of Law

Law - Maria Murphy - Maynooth University

Academic

Department of Law

Default person profile picture

Academic

Department of Law

A profile photo of Cian O Concubhair

Academic

Department of Law

Academic

Department of Law


Department of ALL Institute

Academic

Department of Law


Department of ALL Institute

John Reynolds - Law - Maynooth University

Academic

Department of Law

Sinead Ring - Law - Maynooth University

Academic

Department of Law

cydney sheridan headshot

Academic

Department of Law

Academic

Department of Law

Oisin Suttle - Law - Maynooth University

Academic

Department of Law

Dr Karen Walsh

Academic

Department of Law

Kevin Wozniak

Academic

Department of Law

After Graduation
>Graduates of the BCL will be eligible to take the Law Society’s FE-1 entrance examinations (necessary to access training as a solicitor) and the entrance examinations for the King’s Inns’ Barrister-at-law degree programme (necessary to access training as a barrister).
>Studying law also opens up a whole range of career options in addition to being a lawyer such as careers in: journalism; policy development; business and finance; management consulting; the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sector; and national and international public administration (such as at the EU or UN).
>The School of Law and Criminology offers a wide range of postgraduate study options.

Visit the School website for more information about postgraduate options.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.
Subject Required Ordinary Level Grade Higher Level Grade
Irish Yes O6 H7
English Yes O6 H7
Language No N/A N/A
Math No N/A N/A
Science No N/A N/A

International & EU/EFTA Entry Requirements

Mature Students

Mature Applicants 

Mature aplicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time/flexible degrees the mature age is 21. 

Click here to be taken to our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on that page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability 

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require support for any required written exercise/interview/ online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2025. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.

01 February 2025

Additional Information

Leaving Certificate Applicants 

Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7, O6/H7 in Irish, English. MH502 Round 1 Points 2024: 418

Transfer option available into this degree from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.

HEAR and DARE

DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.

HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.

The Maynooth Education

Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways. 

APPLY TO THE CAO - WWW.CAO.IE

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply.

Categories of applicant:

  • School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
  • Mature students (23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University/part-time degrees the mature age is 21)
  • EU/EFTA/UK students
  • International students (outside the EU)
  • QQI (Further Education) students
  • Transferring students
  • Deferring students
Back to top