Law - Common Law

The Masters in Common Law is a unique two-year programme offering non-law graduates the opportunity to obtain a law degree.

This conversion degree is for graduates in disciplines other than law who wish to complete a Master's degree in the law of Ireland and acquire a profound understanding of how law works in theory and in practice, both in Ireland and elsewhere. The programme prepares students to proceed to professional training as lawyers in Ireland and elsewhere but also provides knowledge, skills and experience applicable in a wide variety of careers.



We aim for students to be highly active, motivated, autonomous learners, conscious of the social, cultural and political dimensions of the law, who combine the academic basis for a successful career in law with more widely applicable knowledge and skills. The programme makes intensive use of teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as seminar-based teaching and legal writing assessments.

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:

Year 1 Students must choose these modules

LAW41890 Advanced Property Law 1 Autumn 5

LAW41910 Advanced Criminal Law 1 Autumn 5

LAW41930 Advanced EU Constitutional Law Autumn 5

LAW41950 Advanced Contract Law 1 Autumn 5

LAW41970 Advanced Tort Law 1 Autumn 5

LAW41990 Advanced Constitutional Law 1 Autumn 5

LAW41880 Advanced Property Law 2 Spring 5

LAW41900 Advanced Criminal Law 2 Spring 5

LAW41920 Advanced EU Economic Law Spring 5

LAW41940 Advanced Contract Law 2 Spring 5

LAW41960 Advanced Tort Law 2 Spring 5

LAW41980 Advanced Constitutional Law 2 Spring 5



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:

Year 2 Students must choose these modules

LAW41810 Advanced Administrative Law 1 Autumn 5

LAW41830 Advanced Company Law 1 Autumn 5

LAW41850 Advanced Equity Autumn 5

LAW41870 Advanced Evidence 1 Autumn 5

LAW41800 Advanced Administrative Law 2 Spring 5

LAW41820 Advanced Company Law 2 Spring 5

LAW41840 Advanced Trusts Spring 5

LAW41860 Advanced Evidence 2 Spring 5



Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:

(Choose 20 credits from the following list of options)

LAW37580 Research Module 10 cr 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10

LAW30400 Matrimonial Law and Reliefs Autumn 5

LAW30470 International Human Rights Law Autumn 5

LAW37470 Advanced International Law - The Law of Int Organisations Autumn 5

LAW37570 Insolvency Law Autumn 5

LAW37670 Copyright Law Autumn 5

LAW37700 Internet Law and Regulation Autumn 5

LAW40920 Principles of Jurisprudence Autumn 5

LAW41270 Data Protection and Privacy: National and International Perspectives Autumn 10

LAW41450 International Tax Law Autumn 10

LAW30310 Law of the ECHR Spring 5

LAW30450 Family and Child Law Spring 5

LAW30550 Legal History: The History of Public Law Spring 5

LAW37430 Jury Trials Spring 5

LAW37460 Planning Law Spring 5

LAW37600 Migration Law Spring 5

LAW40060 International Commercial Arbitration Spring 10

LAW41790 Data Protection Governance Spring 10

Admissions are open to graduates (and graduands) with an upper second class degree in a non-law subject or in which law was not a minor. These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested .



Applications for the programme will be made through the University’s on-line application system. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, early application is advised as the course is frequently over subscribed.



Please note: In the event that you are offered a place on one of our programmes, accepting a place is a two part process; as well as submitting an online acceptance, you must also pay a non-refundable deposit. The normal deposit is €500. Your deposit must be received within 15 working days of the date of your offer letter.



International Applicants and students



Students/Applicants requiring information from an International perspective may visit the website https://www.ucd.ie/global/ for information regarding our campus, location of UCD and visa information. Applicants may visit the UCD Fees Website for full information on fees and fee payment methods.



Letter of recommendation



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

2 years full-time.

Commencing September 2025

The Masters in Common Law offers you the relevant recognitions as part of the process of becoming a barrister or solicitor in Ireland. The depth of legal knowledge provided also offers graduates the possibility to pursue careers as in-house counsel in the commercial world.



This degree is an excellent foundation for individuals wishing to qualify as solicitors in Ireland. Full details of the required Law Society Exams (FE-1) required to achieve this qualification are available on the society's website.



The Honorable Society of King’s Inns is the Irish ‘Inn of Court’, training and admitting legal professionals who wish to be awarded the degree of Barrister–at–Law necessary to be called to the Bar by the Chief Justice of Ireland. In order to be accepted by Kings Inn's, it is essential to have studied an approved degree. The UCD Masters in Common Law is one of the Kings Inn’s approved degrees and offers graduates a pathway on the route to qualification as a barrister.



Masters in Common Law students are encouraged to attend the many careers events that take place on campus throughout the year. In particular, the UCD Law Fair in October offers an unrivalled opportunity to engage with future employers, including domestic and international law firms and other employers such as the Department of Foreign Affairs.