Key Info
Bachelor of Laws in Common and Civil Law
The School of Law is pleased to announce this new programme commencing September 2024. Students will spend their first two years at University of Limerick and their second two at the partner institution, Université de Franche Comté in France. Graduates will be awarded degrees in both common law and civil law meaning they will be well-equipped to work in the legal environments in Ireland and abroad.
About you
If you enjoy working out solutions to problems that occur in everyday life, and you would like the opportunity to live and study at a top university in France as part of your degree, then the LLB in Common and Civil Law will be of interest to you. If you are interested in French and would like to be awarded both an Irish law degree and a French Law degree, then you should consider this course.
Why study Common and Civil Law at UL?
The study of law is an enriching educational experience that provides intellectual stimulation and exposure to decision-making and argumentative skills. The LLB in Common and Civil Law programme provides an opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree in both Common Law (The Irish/UK legal system) and Civil Law (the system used in most mainland European jurisdictions). Graduates can therefore expect to have a wide variety of options open to them upon graduation.
University of Limerick moot court and appellate court facilities are utilised throughout the programme to develop these skills and ensure our students graduate equipped to deal with working in the legal environments in Ireland and France. These skills are of course transferable and of great benefit to those who choose to pursue a career outside of law.
Through enhancing existing links with our partner institution, the Université de Franche Comté, UFR Sciences Juridiques, Économiques, Politiques et de Gestion, University of Limerick can offer students a first-class experience of living and studying in the picturesque city of Besancon while achieving a legal education that opens opportunities throughout Europe and the European Union.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
What you will study
The programme is four years in duration, of which the first two academic years are spent on campus at University of Limerick and the second two academic years are spent at the Université de Franche Comté, Besançon, France. The programme consists of five law modules per semester in each institution. Modules are designed to provide you with a mastery of the discipline of law through the study of the core legal subjects which are considered essential to achieving a recognised bachelor’s degree in each country; e.g. Contract Law, Tort Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Equity and Trusts, EU Law, Land Law, Administrative Law, the Law of Evidence, etc.
A variety of assessment methods are used in each institution, ranging from partaking in a moot (replica) court case, through essay writing, to the more traditional timed examinations.
Exemptions
The Bachelor of Laws (Law Plus) covers the core subjects required for the Law Society of Ireland Final Examination, Part 1, and is an approved degree for the purpose of Rule 4 of the Education Rules of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. The degree is also recognised for admissions to the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queens. Please contact the School of Law, University of Limerick, for further information.
FAQs
The differences between the Common Law system (as operated in Ireland) and the Civil Law system (as operated in most European jurisdictions) stem from the basic sources of law in each jurisdiction. In a Civil Law system, the basic source of law are the ‘Codes’ or lists of laws. These Codes are then applied by a judge to a particular case in the court. Whereas in a Common Law system, the basic source of law is the decision of a judge in a particular case, which is written down and followed in similar cases (the concept of precedent). Although the Common Law system, particularly in Ireland, also incorporates a written constitution and written legislation.
Besides the benefit of being able to progress to professional legal training in either jurisdiction, students also benefit from being immersed in the culture of France, and its legal institutions. Students who study in both systems can apply the knowledge acquired in one system – particularly the transferable skills (legal logic, etc.) – to the other system thus enriching their experience of both systems.
Our partner university teaches some modules in English, and the balance through French. There is no guarantee that any, or all, of a student’s modules will be taught through English.
Yes. As students are admitted to the programme with the intention of spending two years in France, they will require an interest in French and an understanding of the language before being allowed to enrol. Students will then be supported in improving their language skills to the level required for legal study in France.
No; as there are only two years of study in each institution, the modules required for progressing to professional legal education must take priority. Therefore, there is not an opportunity for a cooperative education placement.
As the LLB in Common and Civil Law is a dual degree programme, both institutions award a degree – the student will graduate from both institutions.
Follow-on study
After finishing your Law degree, you may decide to continue your studies and pursue a master’s degree or PhD. Both Universities offer several innovative and interesting postgraduate programmes
Partner Institution
You can find more details on the website of our partner institution, Université de Franche Comté, Besançon including the content they will teach students in year 3 and year 4. This dual degree will also see students from France start their degree at the Université de Franche Comté, Besançon and then complete their studies at UL.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| LA4011 | Introduction to Lawyering 1 | LA4222 | Criminal Law 2 |
| LA4211 | Criminal Law 1 | LA4440 | Constitutional Law 2 |
| LA4430 | Constitutional Law 1 | LA4122 | Contract Law 2 |
| LA4111 | Contract Law 1 | LA4320 | Law of Torts 2 |
| LA4310 | Law of Torts 1 | LA4042 | Administrative Law |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LA4033 | Law of the European Union 1 | LA4044 | Law of the European Union 2 |
| LA4530 | Company Law 1 | LA4540 | Company Law 2 |
| LA4810 | Equity and Trusts 1 | LA4828 | Equity and the Law of Trusts 2 |
| LA4610 | Land Law 1 | LA4620 | Land Law 2 |
| LA4131 | Jurisprudence | LA4040 | Law of Evidence |
Entry requirements
| CAO points history |
576
|
|---|---|
| Minimum grades |
At the time of an offer, an applicant is required to hold the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent), with a minimum of six subjects. Results must include: • Grade H5 (Higher Level)or better in at least two subjects and • Grade O6 (Ordinary Level)/H7 (Higher Level) or better in at least four subjects. Notwithstanding the above, an applicant must have a minimum of an F6 in Mathematics, an O6/H7 in English, and an O6/H7 in another recognized language. Applicants must also have a Grade O6 (Ordinary Level)/H7 (Higher Level) or better in French. Applicants must also hold a grade O6/H7 in Leaving Certificate French (or equivalent) however, a grade of H3 or above in French is recommended. |
| Additional considerations |
Mature Students |
| 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 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 |
| Civic Engagement Scholarship | €1500 | 1 |
| 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 | ||
| Irish American Partnership Access Scholarships | €5,000 | 2 |
| 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
Graduates can progress to professional legal training in Ireland or France. They can also pursue careers with international law firms, the European Union institutions, international businesses, or Non-Governmental Organisations.
Ireland holds a significant position in the global market. Over 10% of our workforce is employed by multinational companies. Many international law firms associated with these companies find Ireland to be an extremely attractive location. Graduates of this course would be well-positioned as potential employees of these firms.