Law - European Law & Policy

Introduction
The EU is an increasingly important policy and legal actor. EU action cuts across virtually every policy field including security, economic policy, migration, human rights and the environment. In response, DCU has established the Masters in European Law and Policy, an innovative programme which will equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to navigate and address diverse challenges from Brexit to the migration crisis.

A broad curriculum will familiarise students with the legislative and institutional structure of the European Union and the operation of EU law while equipping students with core skills of public policy design and analysis. Core modules include Law & Politics of Brexit, one of the first modules of its kind on the island of Ireland, as well as optional modules that focus on key policy areas such as migration, the environment, and EU foreign policy. A special effort is made to integrate legal and public policy skills and to consider law in light of policy requirements and the role of law in shaping and implementing policy.

DCU is home to the Brexit Institute, Europe's first and Ireland's only centre designed to analyse the legal, political and economic impact of Brexit from both a research and a policy perspective. It is also home to the BRIDGE Project, a Jean Monnet Network funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ programme. Students on this programme will benefit from the very close links between our teaching faculty and these high level initiatives.

Programme
Programme Structure and Content
The Masters in European Law and Policy is designed to integrate legal and policy analysis and to equip students with complementary knowledge and skills across both fields. It is designed to ensure students have a comprehensive grounding in both EU law and policy analysis while allowing for some specialisation in either law or policy through optional modules and the dissertation topic.

In the first semester you will study three core modules covering EU Institutional law and policy analysis alongside a research skills module specifically tailored to the needs of legal policy analysts. The second semester allows students to deepen their knowledge of key fields while maintaining an inter-disciplinary approach. Students choose three optional modules dealing with specific areas of law and policy. Students must choose at least one law and one policy based module. Finally, students will be expected to complete a dissertation in either law or public policy under the supervisor of an expert member of faculty.

- Gain expertise on the European Union and its role in law and policy making today

- Join the growing number of policy makers and legal advisors working for public bodies, including the state, international and European institutions or as a legal or policy specialist in the private or NGO sector, navigating EU law and policy and engaging

- Gain insight into the interaction of law and policy and their mutual influence

- Increase your expertise in specific fields of European law and policy

- Internships/work placements available on a competitive basis as part of an optional professional development module

Course Life
Why DCU?
- Draw on expertise across Ireland's most innovative university

- Study at the home of the Brexit Institute, Ireland's leading centre for the analysis of Brexit related law and policy

- Small class sizes with a diverse student body.

- Interactive, problem-based teaching style.

- Accessible lecturers with real expertise in their disciplines.

- Links to employers and a network of alumni.

Why do this programme?
Gain expertise on the European Union and its role in law and policy making today

Join the growing number of policy makers and legal advisors working for public bodies, including the state, international and European institutions or as a legal or policy specialist in the private or NGO sector, navigating EU law and policy and engaging with the law and policy making process

Gain insight into the interaction of law and policy and their mutual influence

Increase your expertise in specific fields of European law and policy

Internships/work placements available on a competitive basis as part of an optional professional development module.

To view the current course structure, please visit the Provider's website.

Requirements

General Entry Requirements
For admission to the MA in in European Law and Policy programme, successful applicants will have:

- A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.1 or above) or equivalent.

- Applicants with the equivalent of a H2.2 in a related discipline with relevant work experience may also be considered.

- If the applicant has not yet completed their degree than a conditional offer may be made on the basis of most recent grades and pending the achievement of a H2.1 degree.

- Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.

- International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.

NEXT STEPS

Make an Application
To apply for this programme:

All applicants should apply through https://dcuie.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/.

Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.

All applicants should also provide a 500-750 word (max) personal statement including:

(i) Why you wish to study the programme;

(ii) What in your record and experience makes you suitable for the MA programme;

(iii) The impact which you expect the MA programme would have on your future careers.

Please also include your CV.

If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.

Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.

Application Deadlines:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:

- Closing date for non EU applicants is 16th July 2021.
- Closing date for EU applicants is 15th August 2021.

Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.

Queries:
Queries from EU applicants should be directed to postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie.

Queries from non EU applicants should be directed to international.office@dcu.ie.

1 year full-time (DC697), 2 years part-time (DC698).

Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2022.

Careers
The Masters in European Law and Policy is designed to equip participants with a range of legal and policy related social science skills with specific reference to the European dimension of law and policy. Participants will graduate with a comprehensive knowledge of EU law and processes and public policy design, implementation and evaluation. Graduates will be equipped to engage in legal and policy advice and analysis across a wide range of fields impacted by European law and policy. Internships/work placements available on a competitive basis as part of an optional professional development module.

Possible Careers:
Legal policy advisor
Policy maker
National or European public servant
Lawyer and legal advisor *

*The Masters in European Law and Policy does not qualify an individual as a legal practitioner in Ireland or elsewhere. Further professional qualifications are required.