Law - LLM

Introduction
The LLM (Master of Laws) is a one-year programme offered by DCU's School of Law and Government. We welcome applicants from Ireland, the EU and the wider world who are interested in deepening their understanding of law in broader social, political and global contexts.

The programme is designed to prepare you for a career in the 21st century workplace, where employers seek adaptable and outward-looking critical thinkers. To this end, the LLM (Master of Laws) offers a range of modules that goes beyond black-letter, formulaic legal study: the programme embraces a socio-legal methodology and has a European and international orientation.

Students can choose to specialise in a particular area of law or can pursue a more general degree (see section below for programme structure and module choice). We offer modules in three broadly discernible areas:

- law and society, ethics, and human rights
- EU, international and transnational law
- institutions, public law and public policy

Programme
Programme Structure and Content
The LLM (Master of Laws) at DCU is delivered as a one-year, full-time programme and also as a two year part-time programme. You'll be on-site for timetabled classes for two or three days a week in each semester (depending on the individual student's module choice): 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after Christmas. Most students are on campus throughout the week: working on assignments, contributing in School research seminars, etc. To complete the program, you're required to write a research dissertation, to be drafted in the summer period. In preparation for the dissertation, you'll have regular supervision meetings as well as occasional collective dissertation initiatives (some students work off site for much of the summer period and are free to do so).

There are two obligatory modules: Legal and Socio-Legal Research Skills and the independent research Dissertation (15,000-20,000 words). Along with these modules, you'll take five optional modules from among those on offer; two in the first semester, and three in the second semester (late January-April).

Programme Aims and Objectives
- To create an authentically postgraduate and scholarly orientation with genuine intellectual depth through a small-group seminar model that promotes more intensive lecturer-student interaction

- To make graduates better problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and more confident advocates, thus preparing them for careers in law, policy, administration, international affairs and related fields

Why Choose DCU?
- a young and innovative university with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research (consistently rated in the 'Top 50 under 50' by the QS World University Rankings)

- an English-speaking, European university engaged with Europe and the broader world, in an English-speaking country similarly engaged and committed

Why Do This Programme?
- a School with an inter-disciplinary research and teaching approach, engaging law and legal doctrine with political science, international relations, sociology, economics and European affairs more generally

- a programme designed to develop the student's critical, analytical and interdisciplinary thinking skills so that they are better positioned for access to, and advancement within, higher-end careers in law and related fields

- a School with active links with major law firms; international and European institutions; NGOs; advocacy bodies and other such potential employers

- an environment that facilitates the student in preparing for a career in academia or research, with opportunities to edit and contribute to academic journals, blogs; organise conferences, and to present academic papers

- runs in conjunction with postgraduate programmes in international relations, public policy, EU law and policy, climate justice, international development

Programme Structure and Content
The LLM (Master of Laws) at DCU is delivered as a one-year, full-time programme. You'll be on-site for timetabled classes for two or three days a week in each semester (depending on the individual student's module choice): 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after Christmas. Most students are on campus throughout the week: working on assignments, contributing in School research seminars, etc. To complete the program, you're required to write a research dissertation, to be drafted in the summer period. In preparation for the dissertation, you'll have regular supervision meetings as well as occasional collective dissertation initiatives (some students work off site for much of the summer period and are free to do so).

There are two obligatory modules: Legal and Socio-Legal Research Skills and the independent research Dissertation (15,000-20,000 words). Along with these modules, you'll take five optional modules from among those on offer; two in the first semester, and three in the second semester (late January-April).

Requirements

General Entry Requirements
For admission to the LLM programme, successful applicants will have:

- Normally have achieved a Second Class Honours Grade One (H2.1) in a primary degree (level 08) in law or an interdisciplinary degree which includes law as a significant component.

- Applicants who have not achieved a H2.1 may apply but applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.

- If an applicant has not yet completed their degree, then a conditional offer may be made on the basis of most recent grades and pending the achievement of no less than a H2.2 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 must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal.

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

Provide a 500-750 word (max) personal statement including:
(i) Why you wish to study this programme;

(ii) What in your record and experience makes you suitable for the LLM programme in particular please state what experience you have in law whether academic, or professional;

(iii) The impact which you expect the LLM would have on your future.

Please also include your CV.

If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link https://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 1st July 2022.
- Closing date for EU applicants is 31st July 2022.

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

All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.

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 (DC662), 2 years part-time (DC661).

Careers
Our graduates have gone on to, or have progressed within, careers in the legal professions (including the bar), academia and research (including a high proportion in funded PhD programmes and research positions), as well as NGOs, advocacy, civil service and public administration. With its internationalist orientation, the LLM (Master of Laws) programme caters well for those interested in access to or promotion within careers in international and European institutions. The programme is designed to make graduates better problem-solvers and more confident advocates: thus it prepares graduates for work as in-house lawyers in companies and organisations, as well as in higher level civil service or bureaucratic careers.

Potential Careers:
The legal professions
Academia or research careers
NGOs and advocacy
Civil service and public administration
European and international organisations