BCL (LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY) (LWC)

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Qualification
Bachelor Of Civil Law Degree
CAO Points
400
CAO/MU Apply code
MH502
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

Choose the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree if you would like to study a three-year degree in law combined with one other subject - in this case criminology.

This degree is accredited by the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, and we are one of the few universities in Ireland to offer the option of studying law with criminology as part of an accredited law degree.

Students have the option of taking a four-year degree with a work placement or study year abroad (subject to availability), thus combining what they learn in university with insights into industry (legal or commercial) or another culture.

Our law students are offered unparalleled flexibility and choice. Students who successfully complete first year can choose from the following options:

  • continue in MH502 BCL Law and Criminology degree
  • transfer into the second year of the LLB degree (MH501)
  • transfer into the second year of the BA Criminology degree (MH504)

Through studying Criminology, students examine the causes of crime and society’s reaction to criminality. Faculty include leading international experts in the field with research interests in policing, restorative justice, gender, ethnicity, human trafficking, victimology, terrorism, and mental health.

This is a unique interdisciplinary programme offering perspectives from:

  • sociology
  • psychology
  • anthropology

Students acquire a thorough grounding in the fundamental areas of legal study including:

  • foundational legal principles
  • legal systems
  • the role of Irish, European, and international law

Course structure

Duration: 3 years (Bachelor of Civil Law) or 4 years (BCL International)

Law is taken jointly with Criminology for the 3 years of the programme, with a wide range of legal and criminological subjects being studied.

First year

  • You will take 30 credits of Law, 15 credits of Criminology, and 1 Arts subject (or Critical Skills)
  • Students who successfully complete the first year of the programme have the option of transferring into the second year of the LLB programme (MH501) or the second year of the BA Criminology (MH504).

Second year and Final year

  • Continue with 30 credits of Law and 30 credits of Criminology in each of second and final year
  • You may apply to complete a work placement year, or to study abroad, after second year, and graduate after 4 years. Students who opt to spend a year studying abroad are awarded a BCL (International) degree. The University will support you in the search for a placement job; however, the process is competitive.

Transfer option into this degree from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.

Year 1

LW1CF15 - Criminology

Credits: 15  |  Compulsory

Criminology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW166

7.5

1

Y

LW165

7.5

2

Y

LW1F30 - Law

Credits: 30  |  Compulsory

Law modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW158

5

2

Y

LW152

5

1

Y

LW157

5

2

Y

LW155

2.5

1

Y

LW156

2.5

2

Y

LW153

2.5

1

Y

LW151

5

1

Y

LW177

2.5

2

Y

AC1F15 - Accounting

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Accounting modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AC152

7.5

2

Y

AC151

7.5

1

Y

AN1V30 - Anthropology

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN169

7.5

2

Y

AN167

7.5

1

Y

AN170

7.5

2

N

AN171

7.5

1

N

CN1F15 - Chinese Studies For Non Beginners

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Chinese Studies For Non Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CN181

7.5

1

Y

CN182

7.5

2

Y

CL1F15 - Classical Studies

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Classical Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GC151

7.5

1

Y

GC152

7.5

2

Y

CS1F15 - Computer Science

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Computer Science modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CS181

7.5

1

Y

CS182

7.5

2

Y

EC1F15 - Economics

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Economics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC103

7.5

2

Y

EC101

7.5

1

Y

EN1V30 - English

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

English modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EN106

7.5

1

N

EN107

7.5

2

N

EN101

7.5

1

Y

EN102

7.5

2

Y

FN1F15 - Finance

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Finance modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC103

7.5

2

Y

EC101

7.5

1

Y

FR1F15 - French For Non-Beginners

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

French For Non-Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR181

7.5

1

Y

FR182

7.5

2

Y

KD1V30 - International Development

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

International Development modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

KD156

7.5

2

Y

KD158

7.5

2

N

KD159

7.5

1

N

KD157

7.5

1

Y

MP1F15 - Mathematical Physics

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Mathematical Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MP110

7.5

1

Y

MP112

7.5

2

Y

MS1F15 - Mathematical Studies

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Mathematical Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT105A

7.5

1

Y

ST122

5

2

Y

MT112A

2.5

2

Y

MD1FF15 - Media, Film & Cultural Studies

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Media, Film & Cultural Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MD160

7.5

1

Y

MD161

7.5

2

Y

SG1F15 - Medieval Celtic Studies

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Medieval Celtic Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SG151

7.5

1

Y

SG152

7.5

2

Y

MU1V30 - Music

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Music modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MU102A

5

1

Y

MU101A

2.5

1

Y

MU101B

2.5

2

Y

MU153

7.5

1

N

MU154

7.5

2

N

MU102B

5

2

Y

MU1TF15 - Music Technology

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Music Technology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MU159

7.5

2

Y

MU158

7.5

1

Y

NG1V30 - Nua-Ghaeilge

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Nua-Ghaeilge modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

NG154

7.5

1

N

NG153

7.5

2

N

NG151

7.5

1

Y

NG152

7.5

2

Y

PO1F15 - Politics

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Politics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PO151

7.5

2

Y

PO152

7.5

1

Y

PS1F15 - Psychological Studies

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Psychological Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PS150

7.5

1

Y

PS151

7.5

2

Y

SO1F15 - Sociology

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Sociology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SO156

7.5

2

Y

SO152

7.5

1

Y

SPA1F15 - Spanish For Non-Beginners

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Spanish For Non-Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA181

7.5

1

Y

SPA182

7.5

2

Y

ML1SK - Language And Culture

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Language And Culture modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CN171

7.5

1

N

CN172

7.5

2

N

FR171

7.5

1

N

FR172

7.5

2

N

GN171

7.5

1

N

GN172

7.5

2

N

SPA171

7.5

1

N

SPA172

7.5

2

N

SK1US2 - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK105X

7.5

2

N

SK105Y

7.5

2

N

SK1USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1051

7.5

1

N

SK1061

7.5

2

N

SK2USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1052

7.5

1

N

SK1062

7.5

2

N

SK3USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1053

7.5

1

N

SK1063

7.5

2

N

SK4USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1054

7.5

1

N

SK1064

7.5

2

N

SK5USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1055

7.5

1

N

SK1065

7.5

2

N

SK6USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1056

7.5

1

N

SK1066

7.5

2

N

SK7USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1057

7.5

1

N

SK1067

7.5

2

N

Year 2

LW2CDM - Criminology

Credits: 30  |  Compulsory

Criminology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW225

5

2

N

LW292

5

2

N

LW226

5

1

N

LW224

5

1

Y

PO205

5

2

N

LW272

5

1

N

LW229

5

2

N

SO240

5

2

Y

LW273

5

2

N

KD217

5

1

N

LW269

5

2

Y

LW227

5

1

Y

LW270

5

1

N

PO304

5

1

N

LW2CMI - Criminology

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

Criminology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW224

5

1

Y

SO240

5

2

Y

LW269

5

2

Y

LW227

5

1

Y

LW2DM - Law

Credits: 30  |  Compulsory

Law modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW295

5

2

N

LW268

5

2

N

LW263

10

Year-Long

Y

LW291W

5

1

Y

LW291X

5

2

Y

LW267

5

1

N

LW290

5

2

N

LW257

5

1

N

LW223

5

2

N

LW2MJ - Law

Credits: 40  |  Compulsory

Law modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW295

5

2

N

LW268

5

2

N

LW263

10

Year-Long

Y

LW253

5

1

Y

LW259

5

1

Y

LW291W

5

1

Y

LW291X

5

2

Y

LW267

5

1

N

LW290

5

2

N

LW257

5

1

N

LW223

5

2

N

Year 3

LW3CMI - Criminology

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

Criminology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW315

5

2

N

LW364

5

2

N

LW390

5

2

N

LW330

5

1

N

LW362

5

1

N

LW329

5

2

N

LW398

5

1

Y

LW328

5

2

N

LW387

5

2

N

LW386

5

1

N

LW380

5

1

N

LW382

5

2

N

LW3CDM - Criminology

Credits: 30  |  Compulsory

Criminology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW370

5

Year-Long

N

LW315

5

2

N

PS349

5

1

N

LW364

5

2

N

AN346

5

2

N

LW390

5

2

N

PO311A

5

1

N

LW330

5

1

N

LW362

5

1

N

LW329

5

2

N

LW398

5

1

Y

LW328

5

2

N

SO348

5

1

N

LW387

5

2

N

LW386

5

1

N

SO324

5

1

N

LW380

5

1

N

LW382

5

2

N

LW3MJ - Law

Credits: 40  |  Compulsory

Law modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW385

5

1

N

LW325

5

2

N

LW326

5

1

N

LW396

5

1

N

LW322

5

1

N

LW395

5

1

N

LW393

5

1

N

LW365

5

2

N

LW394

5

1

N

LW388

5

2

N

LW364

5

2

N

LW320

5

1

N

LW375

5

1

N

LW397

5

1

N

LW384

5

2

N

LW354

5

1

N

LW358

5

2

N

LW360

5

2

N

LW317

5

2

N

LW392

10

Year-Long

Y

LW318

5

2

N

LW391W

5

1

Y

LW391X

5

2

Y

LW323

5

1

N

LW349

5

2

N

LW3DM - Law

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Law modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW385

5

1

N

LW325

5

2

N

LW326

5

1

N

LW396

5

1

N

LW322

5

1

N

LW395

5

1

N

LW393

5

1

N

LW365

5

2

N

LW394

5

1

N

LW388

5

2

N

LW364

5

2

N

LW320

5

1

N

LW375

5

1

N

LW397

5

1

N

LW384

5

2

N

LW354

5

1

N

LW358

5

2

N

LW360

5

2

N

LW317

5

2

N

LW392

10

Year-Long

Y

LW318

5

2

N

LW391W

5

1

Y

LW391X

5

2

Y

LW323

5

1

N

LW349

5

2

N

After Graduation

Graduates of this degree enjoy a range of career options:

  • graduates are eligible to take the Law Society’s FE-1 entrance examinations (necessary to access training as a solicitor)
  • graduates are eligible to take the entrance examinations for the King’s Inns’ Barrister-at-law degree programme (necessary to access training as a barrister)
  • graduates with an interest in law can broaden their career prospects into the criminal justice world, opening potential careers in the Gardaí, security services, data analytics, probation, the prison service, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector and research institutes.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7, O6/H7 in Irish, English.

O4/H7 Mathematics also required if taking the BCL Law and Accounting stream within MH502.

DARE

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is an alternative entry route to third level education for school-leavers whose disability affected their second level education.

HEAR

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a pathway to third level education for school-leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information on these access routes.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.

Entry requirements table

Subject

Required

Ordinary Level Grade

Higher Level Grade

Irish

Yes

O6

H7

English

Yes

O6

H7

Language

No

N/A

N/A

Mathematics

No

N/A

N/A

Science

No

N/A

N/A

* This course requires 4 additional subjects.

  1. EU / EFTA Applicants - Further information can be found by navigating to our EU/EFTA applicant information page.
  2. International Applicants - International (Non-EU) applicants for undergraduate programmes submit their application online via our online application portal. Applications open on 14th October 2026 and close on 1st July 2027. For further information, please navigate to our International applicant page.

Mature applicant information

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry.

For part-time degrees the mature age is 21.

Visit our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on this page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) and require support for any required written exercise/interview/online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2027. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

Visit the Access Office for more information on available supports and required documentation.

Mature applicant deadline: 01 February 2027

Transfer option into this degree from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.

How to apply

Apply online to the CAO (Central Applications Office)

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are.

Categories of applicant:

  • School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
  • Mature students (23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry/21 years if part-time)
  • EU/EFTA/UK students
  • International students (outside the EU)
  • QQI (Further Education) students
  • Transferring students
  • Deferring students

Learn more about undergraduate applications and access routes.

Got a question about this course?

Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/law

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