Introduction
The LLM (Master of Laws) 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 deepening their understanding of law in broader social, political and global contexts.
The programme is designed to prepare you for a career in the 21st century workplace, where employers seek adaptable and outward-looking critical thinkers. To this end, the LLM (Master of Laws) offers a range of modules that goes beyond black-letter, formulaic legal study: the programme embraces a socio-legal methodology and has a European and international orientation.
Students can choose to specialise in a particular area of law or can pursue a more general degree (see section below for programme structure and module choice). We offer modules in three broadly discernible areas:
- law and society, ethics, and human rights
- EU, international and transnational law
- institutions, public law and public policy
Programme Structure and Content
The LLM (Master of Laws) at DCU is delivered as a one-year, full-time programme. You’ll be on-site for timetabled classes for two or three days a week in each semester (depending on the individual student’s module choice): 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after Christmas. Most students are on campus throughout the week: working on assignments, contributing in School research seminars, etc. To complete the program, you’re required to write a research dissertation, to be drafted in the summer period. In preparation for the dissertation, you’ll have regular supervision meetings as well as occasional collective dissertation initiatives (some students work off site for much of the summer period and are free to do so).
There are two obligatory modules:
Legal and Socio-Legal Research Skills and the independent research
Dissertation (15,000-20,000 words). Along with these modules, you’ll take five optional modules from among those on offer; two in the first semester, and three in the second semester (late January-April).
Programme Aims and Objectives
- 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, policy, administration, international affairs and related fields
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 universityengaged with Europe and the broader world, in an English-speaking country similarly engaged and committed
Why Do This Programme?
- a School with an inter-disciplinary research and teaching approach, engaging law and legal doctrine with political science, international relations, sociology, economics and European affairs more generally
- 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 and related fields
- a School with active links with major law firms; international and European institutions; NGOs; advocacy bodies and other such 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; organise conferences, and to present academic papers
- runs in conjunction with postgraduate programmes in international relations, public policy, EU law and policy, climate justice, international development
For more information, see: https://www.dcu.ie/courses/postgraduate/school-law-and-government/llm
