LLM in European Law
The LLM in European Law is a one year full-time and two year part-time 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 engaging with questions about the European Union, its approach to climate change, trade, finance and banking, employment and competition law.
The programme is designed to prepare students for a career in the 21st century workplace, where employers seek adaptable and outward-looking critical thinkers. The LLM in European Law offers deep insights into how the EU institutions function as well as closely examining specific areas of EU law and will provide students the opportunity to greatly develop their ability to analyse how the EU affects broader society.
The LLM in European Law allows students to take a range of modules related to European Law (see section below for programme structure and module choice).
Programme Structure and Content
Programme Structure and Content
-
Students will be on-site for timetabled classes for two or three days a week in each semester (depending on the module choices).
-
Each semester runs for 12 weeks, semester one running from September to December and semester two running from January to April.
-
Students will undertake a research dissertation on a subject related to European Law (subject to approval from the programme chair) which is usually completed during the summer.
-
Students will be supervised in their dissertation work by a member of staff and there will be a collective dissertation workshop after semester two.
-
Students must take Legal and Socio-Legal Research Skills and EU Institutional Law (semester one) plus the independent research dissertation on any subject of EU law (15,000 words).
-
Along with these compulsory courses, full time students choose four modules; one in the first semester, and three in the second semester. In year one, part-time students take the two compulsory modules in semester one and two modules in semester two.
Programme Aims and Objectives
- To facilitate students analysing key issues in modern European law.
- 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 and policy
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 a strong research and teaching focus in EU law as evidenced by our world leading Brexit institute https://dcubrexitinstitute.eu/
- 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.
- A School with active links with major law firms; international and European institutions; NGOs; and other 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, and to present academic papers
- Runs in conjunction with postgraduate programmes in international relations, public policy, privacy, climate change, international development.
Law postgraduates from DCU have established careers in the legal professions (including the bar), academia and research (including a high proportion in funded PhD programmes and research positions). With its European orientation, the LLM in European Law caters well for those interested in access to or promotion within careers with a European focus. 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 other commercial organisations.
Potential Careers
- The legal professions
- Academia or research careers
- NGOs
- Public sector
- EU political and policy organisations
Requirements
For admission to the LLM in European Law 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.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.
- International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about DCU's English language requirements can be found here: https://www.dcu.ie/global