Law - Global Legal Studies

The Postgraduate Diploma in Global Legal Studies is an innovative programme that provides students with a world-class legal education, which is grounded in an appreciation of global social, economic, and cultural contexts and challenges. The increased potential for international elements to any legal issue – from trade and business, to crime, to migration, to information technology, to privacy – has meant that legal graduates need to possess skills that transcend one national jurisdiction. The Postgraduate Diploma in Global Legal Studies imparts just those skills. By taking the Postgraduate Diploma in Global Legal Studies, students will be exposed to a range of areas of legal regulation in a manner that goes far beyond one jurisdiction and will gain critical insights from a range of other disciplines, including politics, psychology, economics, and sociology. The programme facilitates career pathways in law, business, politics, non-governmental organisations, and policymaking bodies at the national and international levels. In addition, certain modules on the programme are run in partnership with leading law firms, offering students the opportunity to apply for work placements at the end of their studies.

Modules focus on three areas:

Global Business (including International Investment Law; World Trade Law; Funds Law);

Social Justice and Human Rights (including International Human Rights Law; Disability Law & Policy; Gender, Sexuality and the Law);

Transnational Regulation (including Information Privacy Law; Information Technology Law; Globalisation, Migration and the Law).

Students may specialise in a particular area or choose modules from different areas.

Students complete a total of 60 ECTS over the course of this programme. There are no compulsory modules; students have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of optional modules. Students must complete 60 taught credits over two semesters.

Not all modules offered will run every year; offerings are dependent upon demand and other potential constraints. Students may choose any combination of modules they wish, however, they cannot take more than 30 taught credits per semester. Some modules will prerequisites attached to them.

Candidates should have a minimum 2.2 grade, honours (level 8) degree in law (a 'licence', an LLB, BCL or equivalent) or in a cognate discipline in the humanities, social and political sciences such as (but not limited to) business, finance, economics, international relations, sociology and political science. This must be a recognised primary degree that is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. A personal statement of up to 1,000 words outlining why an applicant is suitable for the programme should be included as part of an application. This personal statement will form part of the assessment by the Admissions Committee.

These are the minimum entry requirements and meeting these requirements will not guarantee an offer of entry onto the programme. Admission decisions are at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Applications by applicants with other types of diplomas or who do not reach this minimum level of qualifications will be determined by the Admissions Committee in line with the University's policy on recognition of prior experiential learning.

Minimum English Language Requirements

IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
TOEFL (Paper based test): 585
TOEFL (Internet based test): 95
PTE (Pearson): 62

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

The School of Law and Criminology has strong links with law firms, regulators, nongovernmental agencies, and the technology sector. Certain modules on the programme are run in partnership with leading law firms, offering students the opportunity to apply for work placements at the end of their studies. Candidates will also have the opportunity to attend recruitment presentations by prospective employers.

The unique perspectives offered by the programme will be relevant to those seeking to work in the increasingly internationalised field of commercial legal practice, as well as those looking to work in international public and private sector organisations. The insights gained from studying law in a global context will also be of benefit to those seeking careers in areas like financial services, policy-making and business.