爱尔兰国立高威大学

The Law & Human Rights programme is an innovative and unique programme – the first of its kind in Ireland. It offers students the opportunity to combine a full undergraduate law programme with the study of human rights.

Students on the programme will be challenged and engaged by a rich curriculum of core and optional law modules. Students will be trained in key legal skills such as written and oral advocacy; and they will be educated in the principles, theories and doctrines of human rights law and practice.

Every student is given the opportunity of work placement or study abroad. Work placement in a leading law firm, a corporate firm or a public sector organisation exposes students to application of the law which will supplement the academic legal education with practical exposure. Study abroad at partner institutions around the world provides students with experience of a legal education in an international setting and a different perspective on the law.

Students on this degree will be able to take French or German as part of their degree. These language options demonstrate the School of Law's commitment to ensuring that graduates will be prepared for the globalised nature of law in the twenty-first century.

Further Education

Students who complete the BCL will be well-positioned for legal professional practice courses at the Law Society of Ireland (solicitor) and the Kings Inns (barrister).

Study will also be eligible to qualify to practice law in certain US states, including New York (provided they the Bar Exam) and in England and Wales.

The School of Law offers a range of master’s degrees in law (LLMs) for students who wish to enrich their legal education. These include: (i) LLM (General); (ii) LLM in International and Comparative Business Law; (iii) LLM in Public Law; and (iv) LLM in Comparative Disability Law and Policy.

The Irish Centre for Human Rights also offers a range of master’s degrees in human rights: (i) LLM in International Human Rights, (ii) LLM in International Criminal Law, (iii) LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy, and (iv) LLM in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Law (BCL) and Human Rights programme will be well prepared to work in international human rights law, policy or legal practice. Graduates will have the foundation necessary to pursue opportunities with international organisations, United Nations bodies or developmental agencies.

As this is a full undergraduate law degree graduates can also pursue professional qualifications with the Law Society (solicitor) and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns (barrister). The Irish Centre for Human Rights has a global network of alumni working in human rights, providing excellent links and supports for our students.

Work Placement

Students will be given the opportunity to engage in work placement in the third year of the programme. The course will offer some international work placements through its partnerships with international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other human rights bodies.

Study Abroad

There are exciting study abroad opportunities for students on this course through Erasmus and international exchange programmes. If you choose to study a language, you can use the study abroad option to improve your linguistic skills. You will also have the option to study abroad through English. We have partnership opportunities in Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Hungary, France, Germany, Spain, the USA, China, Australia and Canada.