Programme Overview
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a three-year honours law degree offering a traditional, comprehensive legal curriculum composed of core and elective law subjects. As one of the few dedicated law degrees available outside Ireland's major cities, the programme equips students with a sound understanding of the Irish legal system, constitutional frameworks, and the socio-economic influences shaping modern law. It is designed for analytical thinkers who enjoy research, logical reasoning, and creative problem-solving in pursuit of justice and legal resolution.
Professional Recognition & Practical Skills
The LLB at SETU is a fully qualifying law degree approved by the relevant legal professional bodies in Ireland:
- Law Society of Ireland: Graduates are exempt from the Law Society's Preliminary Examination for entry into solicitor training.
- Honourable Society of King's Inns: Approved qualification granting eligibility to sit the Entrance Examinations for the Barrister-at-Law degree course (see www.kingsinns.ie).
- Legal Research & Writing: Embedded practical modules focus on legal analysis, case law synthesis, statutory interpretation, and formal written and oral advocacy skills.
Coursework
The three-year curriculum covers core foundational legal subjects required for professional practice alongside specialized electives:
- Constitutional & Administrative Law: Examining state structures, fundamental rights, judicial review, and the rule of law.
- Contract & Tort Law: Understanding civil obligations, legal liabilities, remedies, and duty of care in private law.
- Criminal & EU Law: Analyzing principles of criminal liability alongside European Union law and its integration into domestic Irish law.
- Legal Research & Advocacy: Developing advanced skills in legal writing, database research, oral argument, and independent legal analysis.
Career Opportunities
Graduates hold a professional, qualifying Level 8 law degree that opens direct pathways to training as a legal professional or pursuing commercial legal roles:
- Trainee Solicitor (via Law Society of Ireland FE-1 examinations)
- Candidate Barrister (via King's Inns Barrister-at-Law degree)
- Legal Executive & Corporate Paralegal
- Regulatory Compliance & Risk Officer
- Public Sector & Civil Service Legal Officer
- Postgraduate Study (LLM Masters Programmes & Advanced Legal Research)
Upon completion of the degree, graduates possess the rigorous intellectual foundation, professional exemptions, and practical research capabilities required to progress directly into legal professional training or high-level corporate and regulatory careers.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Tort Law 1 (M) | Tort Law 2 (M) |
| The Irish Legal System 1 (M) | The Irish Legal System 2 (M) |
| Criminal Law 1 (M) | Criminal Law 2 (M) |
| Constitutional Law 1 (M) | Legal Practice and Procedure (M) |
| Legal Research and Communications (M) | Constitutional Law 2 (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 2
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Contract Law 1 (M) | Contract Law 2 (M) |
| Land Law and Succession 1 (M) | Land Law and Succession 2 (M) |
| Employment Law 1 (E) | Media Law and the Digital Environment 2 (E) |
| Evidence 1 (E) | Evidence 2 (E) |
| Media Law and the Digital Environment 1 (E) | Employment Law 2 (E) |
| Administrative Law 1 (E) | Administrative Law 2 (E) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 3
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| European Union Law 1 (M) | European Union Law 2 (M) |
| Company Law 1 (M) | Equity and Trusts Law 2 (M) |
| Equity and Trusts 1 (M) | Company Law 2 (M) |
| Consumer Protection Law 1 (E) | Jurisprudence 2 (E) |
| Family and Child Law 1 (E) | Consumer Protection Law 2 (E) |
| Jurisprudence 1 (E) | Family and Child Law 2 (E) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
What are the minimum entry requirements?
- 2H5 & 4O6/H7
- English O3/H6
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates who achieve an honours degree will be eligible to apply to study for a research masters at SETU Carlow, or postgraduate opportunities at other higher education institutions.
What exemptions will I receive?
-Notes
-What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
A law degree provides excellent preparation for work in a legal capacity in both the public and private sectors, and most graduates undertake professional training to qualify as a solicitor or barrister. However, there are many other careers for which a law degree is advantageous, such as journalism, business, politics, human resources, mediation, research, policing, and education.
Stories
Course question
Have a question about
this course?
Our team is here to help.
If you have any questions about this course, please get in touch and we'll be happy to assist.
