Overview
The LLM (Master of Laws) is a programme offered by DCU's School of Law and Government. It takes one year if you study full-time and two years if you study part-time. We welcome applicants from Ireland, the EU, and other parts of the world who want to learn more about law in its broader social, political, and global contexts.
The LLM programme goes beyond traditional legal studies and uses a socio-legal approach with a focus on Europe and the world.
With the General LLM, you can choose from a variety of courses in different areas of law. You can see more details about the programme structure and course options in the section below.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
Our alumni have successfully built careers in various fields, including the legal profession, academia, and research. Many have pursued funded PhD programs and secured research positions. Additionally, our graduates have found opportunities in NGOs, advocacy, civil service, and public administration.
The LLM programme's strong international focus is ideal for individuals looking to enter or advance in careers within international and European institutions.
The programme is tailored to equip graduates with exceptional problem-solving skills and the confidence to advocate effectively. As a result, it prepares them for roles as in-house lawyers within companies and organisations, as well as higher-level positions within the civil service.
"DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path."
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 8) 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 H2.1 degree. The applicants eventually achieve H2.2 or below will be considered on a competitive basis.
• 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.
Programme Structure
The LLM (Master of Laws) programme at DCU can be completed in one year if you study full-time or two years if you study part-time. For the most part, you will be on campus for scheduled classes two or three days a week during each semester. This amounts to 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after the Christmas break.
During the week, many students spend time on campus working on assignments and participating in research seminars in the School. To finish the programme, you will need to write a research dissertation, which is done during the summer.
You'll have regular meetings with a supervisor to help you with your dissertation, and there are also some group initiatives. Some students may choose to work off-campus during the summer.
There are two required courses: one on legal and socio-legal research skills and the other on the independent research dissertation, with a maximum word count of 15,000 words.
In addition to the core modules, you will choose five optional courses from the ones available, with two taken in the first semester and three in the second semester (from late January to April).
Students have the choice between 5 alternate pathways : We offer a general LLM, plus four specialisms in European Law; International Human Rights Law; Public Law; and Policing, Crime and Security.
Programme Aims and Objectives
- Help students analyse important topics across a range of different fields.
- Establish a truly postgraduate and scholarly approach with meaningful intellectual depth using small-group seminars to encourage more in-depth interaction between lecturers and students.
Enhance graduates' abilities to solve problems, think critically, and become more effective advocates, ultimately preparing them for careers in law, policy, and business.
- Legal and Socio-Legal Research Skills
- Dissertation
- Contemporary Legal Issues in Commercial Practice
- Law, Ethics and the Person
- EU Institutional Law
- EU Competition Law and Policy
- Judges and Judging
- Principles of Public International Law
- International Law and Conflict
All optional modules will be offered, subject to staff availability and student demand in any year.
- European Employment Law
- Climate Change Law
- EU Banking and Finance Law
- Race, Minorities and Indigenous in International Law
- EU Trade Law and Policy
- European and International Human Rights Law
All optional modules will be offered, subject to staff availability and student demand in any year.
- This programme is offered by a School that embraces an interdisciplinary approach, combining law and legal principles with fields such as political science, international relations, sociology, economics and European affairs.
- The programme is specifically designed to enhance students' critical, analytical and interdisciplinary thinking skills, positioning them for successful careers in higher-level positions within the legal and related fields.
- The School has strong connections with major law firms, international and European institutions, NGOs, advocacy organisations and other potential employers, increasing the opportunities for practical experience and networking.
- The environment is conducive for students aspiring to pursue careers in academia or research, providing chances to edit and contribute to academic journals, blogs and present academic papers.
The programme is closely aligned with other postgraduate programmes in areas like international relations, public policy, privacy, climate change, and international development, offering a comprehensive educational experience in these interconnected fields.
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application:
• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation if applicable.
• 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 2025
- Closing date for EU applicants is 30th August 2025
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.
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 Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2025
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.
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