Key Info
Bachelor of Arts in Law and Accounting
About you
You have an interest in both law and accounting and would like to pursue both subjects at University. You like reading, and have an analytical mind. You like to solve problems, and are inquisitive. You are also self-disciplined and motivated. Designed as a joint honours degree, the BA in Law and Accounting offers you a full law degree and full accounting degree. Because at this stage, you may not know what career you would like to pursue, the BA Law and Accounting degree allows you to pursue either career, while using skills from both disciplines to enhance your chosen professional career path.
Why study Law and Accounting at UL?
Within the business world a strong legal background assists the work of many accounting specialists. Equally, a firm grounding in all aspects of accounting, including taxation, deepens the lawyer’s understanding of business transactions. The course reflects a demanding, broad and practical programme of study which will provide you with a firm foundation in both law and accounting. The combination allows you to make your choice of profession when you have a better knowledge of your strengths and of the law and accounting disciplines.
What you will study
The programme is four years in duration. During the first four semesters, in addition to studying the core subjects of Law and Accounting, you will also study Economics, Taxation and Mathematics. In semester 2 of 3rd year, an eight-month period of Cooperative Education provides you with an opportunity to apply the theory you have acquired in a practical work environment. You return to campus at the beginning of Year 4 and continue with your studies in the core subjects of Law and Accounting. In each of these final two semesters, you will choose five modules from a variety of subjects to maximise your exposure to either Law or Accounting, or any combination of both disciplines that suits your needs. You also have the opportunity to undertake a Final Year Project, which is a research project on a topic of your choosing.
Exemptions
Exemption is granted to students who hold an honours Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accounting as follows:
The Law Society of Ireland
The Bachelor’s degree in Law and Accounting covers the core subjects required by the Law Society of Ireland Final Examination, Part I.
The Honorable Society of King’s Inns
The Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accounting may constitute an approved law degree for the purposes of taking the entrance examination of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns if students have studied Jurisprudence and Administrative Law, along with the core law modules in this programme. NOTE: As exemptions are under continual review, please contact the School of Law at UL for the most recent information.
Accounting Exemptions
Exemption is granted to students who hold an honours Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accounting as follows:
Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)
CA Proficiency 1 (CAP1): Graduates with a minimum 2.2 award will, under certain conditions, be exempt from CAP 1.
CA Proficiency 2 (CAP2): No exemption
Final Admitting Exam (FAE): No exemption
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Fundamentals: Exempt from 7 out of 14 papers
Professional: No exemption
Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA)
Foundation 1: Exempt from all 3 papers
Foundation 2: Exempt from all 4 papers
Professional 1: Exempt from 2 out of 6 papers
Professional 2: No exemption
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in Ireland (CIMA)
Certificate in Business Accounting: Exempt from all 6 papers
Managerial level: Exempt from 2 out of 6 papers
Strategic level: No exemption
Institute of Taxation in Ireland (ITI)
Income Tax Fundamentals: Exempt Financial Reporting & Tax Accounting
Fundamentals: Exempt
Law Fundamentals: Exempt
Capital Gains Tax Fundamentals: No exemption
Part 2: No exemption
Part 3: No exemption
This information applies to 2019 graduates. Graduates of Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accounting are not in any way prejudiced by virtue of their joint degree, and get the same exemptions as any graduate with a degree in Accounting.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
What you will study
The programme is four years in duration. During the first four semesters, in addition to studying the core subjects of Law and Accounting, you will also study Economics, Taxation and Mathematics.
In semester 2 of 3rd year, an eight-month period of Cooperative Education provides you with an opportunity to apply the theory you have acquired in a practical work environment.
You return to campus at the beginning of Year 4 and continue with your studies in the core subjects of Law and Accounting. In each of these final two semesters, you will choose five modules from a variety of subjects to maximise your exposure to either Law or Accounting, or any combination of both disciplines that suits your needs.
You also have the opportunity to undertake a Final Year Project, which is a research project on a topic of your choosing.
| Semester 1 | |
| AC4001 | Principles of Accounting |
| EC4101 | Microeconomics |
| LA4001 | Legal System and Method |
| LA4111 | Contract Law 1 |
| LA4211 | Criminal Law 1 |
| Semester 2 | Summer | |
| AC4002 | Managerial Accounting | |
| EC4102 | Macroeconomics | |
| MA4302 | Applied Statistics for Accounting | |
| LA4122 | Contract Law 2 | |
| LA4222 | Criminal Law 2 |
| Semester 3 | |
| FI4003 | Finance |
| TX4204 | Capital Taxation |
| LA4033 | Law of the European Union 1 |
| LA4430 | Constitutional Law 1 |
| LA4310 | Law of Torts 1 |
| Semester 4 | Summer | |
| AC4034 | Accounting and Auditing Frameworks | |
| AC4024 | Financial Accounting and Reporting | |
| LA4044 | Law of the European Union 2 | |
| LA4440 | Constitutional Law 2 | |
| LA4320 | Law of Torts 2 |
| Semester 5 | |
| AC4305 | Financial Information Analysis |
| FI4015 | Corporate Finance |
| TX4305 | Taxation Theory and Practice |
| LA4610 | Land Law 1 |
| LA4022 | Commercial Law |
| Semester 6 | Summer | |
| CO4320 | Cooperative Education | |
| Year 4 | Semester 7 |
| Students select 5 modules from | |
| AC4007 | Advanced Financial Reporting |
| AC4417 | Management Accounting 1 |
| LA4810 | Equity and Trusts 1 |
| TX4007 | Taxation for Corporates |
| LA4530 | Company Law 1 |
| BS4447 | Project 1 |
| Semester 8 | Summer | |
| Students select 5 modules from | ||
| AC4418 | Management Accounting 2 | |
| TX4008 | International Tax | |
| LA4828 | Equity and Trusts 2 | |
| LA4620 | Land Law 2 | |
| LA4540 | Company Law 2 | |
| BS4448 | Project 2 | |
| AC4018 | Corporate Transparency and Business Ethics |
Entry requirements
| CAO points history |
433
|
|---|---|
| Minimum grades |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English. In addition, applicants must hold at least an O4/H7 grade in Mathematics. |
| Additional considerations |
Mature StudentsWe welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. |
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
|
How to apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here. |
Fees and funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €5,658 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €5,658 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €5,658 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €16,300 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €16,400 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for this course
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| A & L Goodbody Solicitors Prizes | iPad (or similar tablet PC), €500 | 2 |
| Arthur Cox Valued Participation Prize | ||
| Grant Thornton Award | ||
| Mason Hayes & Curran Solicitors | €500 | 1 |
| Unijobs Scholarship | €2,525 | 2 |
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
Employability skills from this degree
- Researching, including verbal questioning
- Evaluating, interpreting and explaining complex information clearly
- Analysing, reasoning and critical judgement
- Formulating sound arguments
- Writing concisely
- Lateral thinking and problem-solving
- Communicating confidently and persuasively
- Knowledge and awareness of business organisations
- Attention to detail: ability to draft formal documents with precision
- Numerical and quantitative skills
- Ability to argue your case and to negotiate
- Entrepreneurship and knowledge of global business issues
Further study options
- LLM in International Commercial Law
- MBS in Accounting and Finance
- MSc in Financial Services
- Preparation course for FE1 exams for Blackhall Place
- Law Society of Ireland Professional Practice Course
- The Honourable Society of King's Inns Barrister-at-Law degree
Job titles for graduates with this degree
Graduates progressing directly into employment take up a wide variety of roles. The following provides a sample of initial roles listed on the Graduate Outcomes Survey by graduates approximately one year after graduation:
- Assurance Associate
- Audit Associate
- Auditor
- Banker
- Trainee Barrister
- Chartered Accountant
- Financial Adviser
- Financial Analyst
- Operations Executive
- Trainee Solicitor
- Tax Assistant/Associate
- Trial Co-Ordinator
Student Profiles
Jennifer Moran
The Law and Accounting course at UL interested me initially because it offered a 2 in 1 degree which I thought was unique and would give me the edge with employers, rather than a regular business degree. The course does not restrict you to a certain area of law or business - it opens the door to a variety of opportunities and that’s what makes it so different.
Going to EY (Ernst & Young) in Dublin for my Co-op was a brilliant experience as I got exposure to the professional working world and the corporate social life of Dublin. I got the opportunity to intern in two different departments: Wealth and Asset Management and Aircraft Leasing. EY prepared me hugely for my future career in accounting as it tested my ability to adapt to a new environment within a short period which proved to be successful, as I was offered a graduate contract after my 8 months there.
Choosing UL gave me the opportunity to meet new people from around the country by living away from home but still being close to Galway. I have spent four of the best years of my life in UL as an undergraduate and I cannot recommend it enough.
Anita Parker
When my Guidance Counsellor advised me of UL’s strong graduate employment record, I knew this was the course for me. With a good mix of modules between Business and Law subjects, I know I will graduate with the required subjects to take professional exams in either accounting or law.
The course also provides great exemptions - these are of great benefit to those going into the working world as it is one less set of exams to study for, whilst balancing work at the same time. Students wishing to pursue the ACA accounting exams are fully exempt from the CAP1 exams and only have to sit the CAP2 and FAE exams. Not all accounting courses provide full CAP1 exemptions like this UL course does.
The Co-op program here at UL gives students an opportunity to get hands-on experience in the working world. This is a real advantage when applying for graduate jobs, as many courses outside UL do not have this element. As a final year student, I have found that employers from all areas, accounting, law, management consultancy etc. are lining up to employ us. The majority of my colleagues on this course will graduate knowing that they have a job when our carefree UL days are no more.
I did my co-op placement with KavanaghFennell, an insolvency company in Dublin. I decided to do my coop with this firm as I was unfamiliar with the whole area of insolvency and it was such a topical issue at the time. During my placement I worked mainly on receiverships, both corporate and personal. Every day was different; I encountered new issues in every case and I enjoyed this challenge and the opportunity to learn. I received invaluable hands-on experience of dealing with clients, creditors, banks, the Revenue Commissioners and many other agencies.
Since Co-op, I have been accepted into the graduate training program with the accounting firm KPMG. My co-op was of real advantage - being able to discuss my work experience during the interview was of great benefit and no doubt it contributed to me being offered the place. Thanks UL!
