Law - Law Technology & Innovation - LLM

Course Outline

On this LLM programme you will explore the intersections of law, technology and innovation. You will discuss novel and dynamic issues concerning regulation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the legal and regulatory aspects of the digital economy, and human rights in the digital environment.



This a rapidly evolving field, with exciting developments in law, regulation and policy, particularly in the European Union. This programme is open to law and non-law graduates, and will be of interest to those considering careers in the digital economy and the regulation and governance of artificial intelligence.



A shorter Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Law, Technology and Innovation) is also available. Students take 60 credits of taught modules from those on offer for the LLM (Law, Technology and Innovation). The Postgraduate Diploma can be completed over 9 months full-time or 18 months part-time. 



This shorter programme may be attractive to legal professionals and others who may prefer not to make an initial commitment to a full master’s programme. Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma may further progress their studies by completing a 12,500-word research dissertation and graduate with an LLM. 



Exit Awards

Postgraduate Certificate (Law, Technology and Innovation) (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)

Upon successful completion of taught modules to the value of 30 credits that meet the requirements of the Postgraduate Certificate (Law, Technology and Innovation), students may opt not to proceed with the LLM and exit with a Postgraduate Certificate (Law, Technology and Innovation).



Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Law, Technology and Innovation) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Upon successful completion of taught modules to the value of 60 credits, registered LLM (Law, Technology and Innovation) students may opt not to proceed with the programme and exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Law, Technology and Innovation).

Modules

• Full-time: Students take 90 credits: 70 credits of core/taught modules plus 20 credits of elective modules.

• Part-time: Students take 90 credits, completing a total of 40 credits (including LW6574) in Year 1 and 50 credits (including LW6659) in Year 2.



Core Modules (30 credits)

• LW6652 Legal Research Methods and Writing (5 credits)

• LW6659 LLM Dissertation (25 credits)



Taught Modules (40 credits)

Choose at least one of these:

• LW6536 Intellectual Property Law (10 credits)

• LW6657 Law and Policy of the EU Digital Market (10 credits)



And all of these three:

• LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)

• LWxxx Law, Regulation and Emerging Technology (10 credits)

• LW6647 Law and Innovation Clinic (10 credits)



Plus choose 20 credits in total from Lists A and B with a maximum of 10 credits being chosen from List B:



List A: Elective Modules in Law and Technology, Digital Economy, Business Law and Human Rights

• LW2269 Privacy and Data Protection Law (5 credits)

• LW6606 International Human Rights Law (10 credits)

• LW6619 Alternative Dispute Resolution: Processes and Practice (5 credits)

• LW6643 Negotiation and Mediation (10 credits)

• LW6644 Managing Complex Disputes (10 credits)

• LW6650 Contemporary Issues in EU Competition Policy (10 credits)

• LW6657 Law and Policy of the EU Digital Market (10 credits)

• LW6660 Digital Finance and FinTech: Law and Regulation (10 credits)

• LW6662 Law and the Future of Europe: Critical Perspectives Internal Market & Citizenship (5 credits)

• LW6663 Law and the Future of Europe: Critical Perspectives EMU & Governance (5 credits)

• LW6618 Climate Change Law and Policy

• LW6655 Foundations of International Children’s Rights (5 credits)

• LW6656 Contemporary Issues in Children’s Rights (5 credits)



List B: Undergraduate Modules (choose up to 10 credits)

• LW2254 Commercial Law (10 credits)

• LW3316 Financial Services Law and Regulation (5 credits)

• LW3345 Company Law I: Fundamental Concepts and Doctrines (5 credits)

• LW3346 Company Law II: Management, Finance and Insolvency (5 credits)

• LW3347 Contemporary Issues in Corporate Law (5 credits)

• LW3368 Principles of Revenue Law (5 credits)

• LW3369 Income Tax Law (5 credits)



Students may not choose a module from List B if they have already taken that module or equivalent subject matter at the undergraduate level or if it involves a timetable clash.



In order to ensure a reasonable distribution of workload, when choosing modules for all programmes, students should take a balance of credits between Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students who wish to deviate from this rule must seek permission from their Programme Director.

To be accepted on this course you must be approved by the School of Law and must normally:



(a) hold a law degree with Second Class Honours Grade I (NFQ, Level 8)

Or

(b) have such other relevant third-level educational qualifications and/or professional experience as, in the opinion of the School of Law, qualify you under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to undertake the LLM (Intellectual Property and e-Law) degree;



If you are an overseas candidate you are welcome to apply, and your qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis as above.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

You will be examined by continuous assessment throughout the year and your dissertation must be submitted in September. Individual module assessments can be viewed in the Book of Modules.

Credits

Students complete 90 credits over 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time. Students take 60 credits of taught modules and a dissertation on a subject of their choice in the area of IP and/or E-Law as approved by their supervisor. The dissertation is worth 30 credits and is normally 15,000 words in length

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date: 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

Our LLM graduates in (Law, Technology and Innovation) have excellent legal research and writing skills and can pursue careers as solicitors, barristers or in-house lawyers, as well as other roles in technology businesses or in the public sector.