All students commence as BCL (Pathways) students and upon completion of their first year of studies, can apply to transfer to their preferred path for the remainder of their degree. The BCL is a three year programme, the BCL (Clinical) is a four year programme incorporating a placement within the legal system and the BCL (International) is a four year programme where students can study abroad in a partner university for one or two semesters.

This unique structure allows each student to tailor their law degree, maximising the potential and opportunities for all students.

A Law Pathways student at UCC can elect to graduate in three years with a BCL degree, a comprehensive law degree that ensures a critical understanding of the fundamentals of irish and International law, together with exposure to a range of interesting elective areas of legal study. Alternatively, a Law Pathways student can apply for a four year degree path which will include one or two semesters on either a work or study abroad placement.

The BCL (International) is an exciting and dynamic four year degree, offering the opportunity to study at a law school in China, India, the US, Canada or Europe; each study abroad option offers a unique experience to our students and the programme director aims to match your interests with those of our partners to ensure you have the best possible learning experience during your semester abroad.

The BCL is a four year degree that incorporates a unique opportunity to work within the Irish legal system and facilitates students' development of professional, organisational and interpersonal workplace skills. If you gain a place on the BCL (Clinical) pathway, you will have the chance to engage with the law in practice and to understand how it influences and is influenced by real life work placements in a wide variety of areas including Commercial Law, Human Rights Law, Medical Law, Employment Law, and with diverse placement organisations including law firms, NGOs, regualtory bodies, etc.

All Law students are exposed to a broad-ranging general degree or can opt to tailor subject choices to specialise in areas such as international law, business law, human rights law etc. Students will also develop a strong foundation in legal research and writing, advocacy and legal reasoning. These are transferable skills which are attractive to employers in a wide variety of professions and industries.