Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

2 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

National University of Ireland Galway NUIG

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Galway is an intensive graduate-entry law degree designed for students who want a strong, credible route into the legal profession or law-related careers. It combines core legal knowledge with critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional skills that employers value.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year builds the foundations of legal thinking. You’ll study key subjects such as Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Contract Law, learning how legal systems work and how laws are interpreted and applied. Alongside this, you’ll develop essential skills in legal research, writing, and structured argument — setting you up to think like a lawyer from day one.

Year 2
In the second year, your focus shifts to more complex and applied areas of law, including Company Law, European Union Law, and Tort Law. You’ll sharpen your analytical and advocacy skills while learning how law operates in commercial, regulatory, and cross-border contexts, preparing you for professional training or law-adjacent careers.

Focus areas (in a string):

Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Contract Law, Tort Law, Company Law, European Union Law, Legal Research and Advocacy.

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Strong legal reasoning and analysis, clear written and oral communication, practical understanding of legal systems, ethical awareness, and readiness for professional legal training or law-related roles.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

Covers the core subjects required for progression to professional legal training in Ireland, supporting pathways to become a solicitor or barrister.

Reputation (employability rankings):

The University of Galway is internationally recognised for academic quality and graduate outcomes, with law graduates progressing into legal practice, public service, business, and international careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Galway, studying law goes well beyond lectures and textbooks. The LLB is designed to help you practice law as you learn it — building confidence in legal research, argument, teamwork, and public speaking. You’ll work through real-world legal problems, use professional facilities, and gain exposure to how the legal system operates in practice, not just theory. That practical focus comes together through hands-on experiences such as:

Moot Courtroom Training – You’ll prepare written legal submissions and present oral arguments in a dedicated moot courtroom that mirrors real court proceedings, helping you develop advocacy and courtroom confidence.
Undergraduate Moot Court Module – This assessed module places you in team-based legal simulations where you research case law, draft arguments, and argue cases before academic judges.
Internships and Legal Placements – Competitive opportunities are available with law firms, courts, public bodies, and legal institutions in Ireland and abroad, giving you meaningful professional exposure while studying.
Practical Legal Skills Development – Core modules focus on legal research methods, structured writing, and critical analysis — skills that employers and professional training bodies expect from law graduates.
Law Libraries and Research Facilities – You’ll have access to extensive legal collections and digital research tools within the university’s main library and law-specific study spaces.
Engagement with Legal Institutions – Through guest lectures, workshops, and academic links, students regularly interact with legal professionals and organisations connected to the School of Law.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Galway sets graduates up for strong career outcomes both within and beyond traditional legal practice. Alumni commonly progress into roles such as solicitor, barrister, legal advisor, policy or compliance analyst, reflecting how transferable and respected this qualification is across sectors:

Dedicated career support – Students are supported by the university’s Careers Development Centre, which offers one-to-one career guidance, CV and interview coaching, employer networking events, and law-specific recruitment opportunities.
Strong graduate outcomes – The university consistently reports that the vast majority of graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduating, demonstrating the real-world value of a University of Galway law degree.
Competitive earning potential – Law graduates typically enter professional roles with solid starting salaries, supported by the analytical, research, and communication skills developed throughout the LLB.
Employer and professional links – Through careers fairs, internships, and employer engagement, students build early connections with law firms, courts, public bodies, and regulatory organisations.
Long-term professional value – The LLB covers the core academic subjects required for progression to professional legal training in Ireland, ensuring your degree remains relevant throughout your career.
Wide-ranging career flexibility – Beyond legal practice, graduates move into business, public service, policy, compliance, human resources, and research roles where legal thinking is highly valued.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the LLB, graduates can progress to professional legal training to qualify as a solicitor or barrister, or continue academically with postgraduate law degrees (LLMs) in specialised areas. Many also use the degree as a foundation for advanced study in fields such as international law, public policy, or legal research, keeping long-term academic and professional pathways wide open.