BCL LAW AND LANGUAGES

This is a 4-year degree in law combined with French, German, Nua-Ghaeilge or Spanish. On graduation you'll enjoy a range of career options at home and abroad. You'll also boast a unique set of skills that will allow you to work between two legal jurisdictions.

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Qualification
Bachelor Of Civil Law Degree
CAO Points
400
CAO/MU Apply code
MH503
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

The BCL (Law and Languages) is a four-year degree in law combined with French, German, Nua-Ghaeilge or Spanish, opening a range of employment prospects within and beyond Ireland – as a graduate you will have a unique set of skills that will enable you to work between two legal jurisdictions.

This law degree is accredited by the Honorable Society of King’s Inns.

You will receive an excellent grounding in core law subjects, while also developing your linguistic competence and intercultural awareness.

Gain international experience through an integrated study abroad programme at one of our European or international partner institutions.

Source a work placement in a country where your chosen language is spoken - placements are optional and are subject to approval and registration with the University’s Careers and Employability Service.

Depending on your choice of language, the degree includes all the required modules needed for law, and a suite of modules in your chosen European language:

  • modules in French, German and Spanish Law and specialised modules relating to law and the Irish language
  • classes in legal translation and vocabulary
  • additional opportunities to continue the study of other modern languages in first year
  • students taking Nua-Ghaeilge will be expected to combine a Gaeltacht placement or Irish-language work placement of one semester with an Erasmus study placement abroad of one semester in third year.
  • The University will support you in the search for a placement job; however, the process is competitive.

Course structure

Duration: 4 years

First year

  • 30 credits of Law
  • 30 credits of language study
  • Students can choose from French, German, Nua-Ghaeilge or Spanish. French, German and Spanish can be taken at beginners’ or post Leaving Certificate-level. Students who wish to take Nua-Ghaeilge as part of their degree must have at least a H4 in Irish.

Second year

  • Continue in second year with at least 30 credits of Law and 30 credits of your chosen language.

Third year

  • All students undertake a study abroad programme after second year.
  • Students can opt to spend their year studying abroad or a combination of both study abroad and work placement in a country/region where the language they are studying is spoken (not guaranteed, and subject to approval).
  • Nua-Ghaeilge students can opt for time abroad, a semester in the Gaeltacht and/or an Irish language work placement/internship (subject to approval).

Fourth year

  • After spending a year studying or on work placement abroad, students qualify with a 4-year BCL (International) degree.

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

LW1LF30 - Law

Credits: 30  |  Compulsory

Law modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW158

5

2

Y

LW152

5

1

Y

LW157

5

2

Y

LW168

5

1

Y

LW178

5

2

Y

LW151

5

1

Y

FR1LF30 - French For Beginners (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

French For Beginners (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR151L

15

1

Y

FR152L

15

2

Y

FR1LF15 - French For Non-Beginners (Mh503)

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

French For Non-Beginners (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR181

7.5

1

Y

FR182

7.5

2

Y

GN1LF30 - German For Beginners (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

German For Beginners (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GN151L

15

1

Y

GN152L

15

2

Y

GN1LF15 - German For Non-Beginners (Mh503)

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

German For Non-Beginners (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GN181L

7.5

1

Y

GN182L

7.5

2

Y

ML1LSK - 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

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

SPA1L30 - Spanish For Beginners (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Spanish For Beginners (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA151L

15

1

Y

SPA152L

15

2

Y

SPA1L15 - Spanish For Non-Beginners (Mh503)

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Spanish For Non-Beginners (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA181

7.5

1

Y

SPA182

7.5

2

Y

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

Year 2

LW2LDM - Law (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Compulsory

Law (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW295

5

2

Y

LW219

5

1

N

LW263

10

Year-Long

Y

LW291W

5

1

Y

LW291X

5

2

Y

LW216

5

2

N

LW217

5

1

N

LW289

5

1

N

FR2LDM - French (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

French (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR230

5

1

N

FR242

5

1

N

FR247

5

1

N

FR217A

5

1

N

FR281

5

1

Y

FR282

5

2

Y

FR239

5

2

N

FR240

5

2

N

FR253

5

2

N

FR250

5

2

Y

GN2LDM - German (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

German (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GN230

5

1

N

GN213A

5

1

N

GN223A

5

2

N

GN211B

5

1

N

GN221B

5

2

N

GN247

5

1

N

GN219

5

2

N

GN281L

5

1

Y

GN282L

5

2

Y

GN250

5

2

Y

NG2LDM - Nua-Ghaeilge (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Nua-Ghaeilge (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

NG263

5

2

N

NG224

5

1

N

NG211

5

2

Y

NG201

5

1

Y

NG264

5

2

N

NG254

5

1

Y

NG344

5

2

N

NG266

5

2

Y

NG265

5

2

N

NG323

5

1

N

NG257

5

1

N

NG261

5

1

N

NG260

5

2

N

SPA2LDM - Spanish (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Spanish (Mh503) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA225

5

2

N

SPA215

5

1

N

SPA230

5

1

N

SPA235

5

1

N

SPA281

5

1

Y

SPA282

5

2

Y

SPA227

5

1

N

SPA229

5

2

N

SPA216

5

1

N

SPA226

5

2

N

SPA247

5

1

N

SPA247X

5

2

N

SPA244

5

2

N

SPA212

5

1

N

SPA250

5

2

Y

SPA223

5

2

N

Year 3

LW3LDNL - Academic Studies Work/Study Placement

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

FR3DLD - Academic Studies Abroad Lead

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

GN3LDLD - Academic Studies Abroad Lead

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

LW3DNL - Academic Studies Abroad Non-Lead

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

NG3LDLD - Socrúchán Oibre/Staidéir

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

SPA3DLD - Academic Studies Abroad Lead

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Year 4

LW3LDM - Law (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Compulsory

FR3LDM - French (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

GN3LDM - German (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

NG3LDM - Nua-Ghaeilge (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

SPA3LDM - Spanish (Mh503)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

After Graduation

As a graduate of this programme, you are eligible to:

  • take the Law Society’s FE-1 entrance examinations (necessary to access training as a solicitor)
  • take the entrance examinations for the King’s Inns’ Barrister-at-law degree programme (necessary to access training as a barrister)

You will have the opportunity to develop a strong capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as strong linguistic skills and a keen sense of cultural awareness, opening up career opportunities such as in:

  • multinational companies and law firms based in Ireland or abroad; international agencies
  • the public and civil services in Ireland and the EU as legal translators and interpreters
  • various EU institutions who require the services of lawyer-linguists, i.e. European citizens with a degree in law and excellent knowledge of several European languages

Taking a degree in Law and Languages opens up career opportunities with multinational companies and law firms based in Ireland, with international agencies, companies and law firms based abroad, and the public service in Ireland and the EU.

  • Various EU institutions require the services of lawyer-linguists, i.e. European citizens with a degree in Law and excellent knowledge of several European languages.
  • The public and civil services in Ireland and the EU have a need for graduates with strong language skills and a deep understanding of legal procedures and practices to work as legal translators and legal interpreters.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

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

Students who wish to take Irish as part of their degree must have at least a H4 in Irish.

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

Maynooth University School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/school-modern-languages

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