NFQ Level 8, Major Award

Entry to the BCL (Hons) (Clinical) is via BCL (Hons) (Law (Pathways)). All students will be registered for the Law (Pathways) programme in the first instance. At the end of First Year, Law (Pathways) students can apply to transfer to the BCL (Hons) (Clinical). Transfer is dependent on students achieving at least a 50% average in their First Year Examinations and is subject to a competitive process which will include an interview.

First Year - BCL (Law (Pathways))

First Year consists of core modules to the value of 50 credits and elective modules to the value of 10 credits. In order to be admitted to the First University Examination in Law, a student must have satisfactorily attended prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.

Second Year - BCL (Clinical)

Second Year consists of core modules to the value of 35 credits (or 25 credits if LW1106 and LW1107 have been selected in First Year) and elective modules to the value of 25 credits (or 35 credits if LW1106 and LW1107 have been selected in First Year). In order to be admitted to the Second University Examination in Law a student must have: (a) passed the First University Examination in Law; and (b) subsequently satisfactorily attended prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.

Third Year - BCL (Clinical)

There are two possible paths in Third Year of BCL (Hons) (Clinical). Students in this programme must complete either one or two approved clinical work placements, either nationally or abroad, with an appropriate legal body or organisation. Each placement is of 12 weeks duration and must be completed on a full-time basis. Registration for the Final Year BCL (Hons) (Clinical) programme at UCC must directly follow Third Year.

Path 1

Students must take prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits. Students on this path complete two approved placements.

Path 2

Students must take prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits. Students on this path complete an approved placement in one semester and undertake taught modules in UCC in the other semester.

Fourth Year - BCL (Clinical)

Fourth Year consists of core modules to the value of 25 credits and elective modules to the value of 35 credits. In order to be admitted to the BCL (Hons) (Clinical) Degree Examination, a student must have: (a) passed the Third University Examination in BCL (Hons) (Clinical), and (b) subsequently attended in a satisfactory manner, for at least a full academic year, prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.

Workload Guideline

Where a programme contains elective modules it is recommended that students do not take any more than 40 credits in any semester. Students are therefore advised to choose their modules so that the workload is evenly spread throughout the year.