Bachelor of Laws (Hons) LL. B - Part-time

Program Overview

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Bachelor of Laws (Hons) LL. B - Part-time

Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Hons) is recognised by the Honorable Society of King's Inns and the Law Society of Ireland. Studying law at undergraduate level has an appeal to any student considering a career in the legal profession. A Bachelor of Laws degree provides a firm foundation for students wishing to qualify as a solicitor or barrister.

The study of law improves and develops the student’s power of reasoning, clarity of thought and the ability to analyse and express complicated ideas. These skills also lend themselves to a wide variety of career options quite apart from private legal practice on completion of the programme.

Aims and Objectives

The objectives of the Bachelor of Laws (Hons) programme are:

• To provide learners with sound educational underpinning which will enable them to acquire a solid grounding in legal principles, the fundamental features of the Irish legal system and general transferable skills
• To equip learners with a fundamental understanding of the core Irish legal subjects to facilitate progression to the professional stage of training in Ireland with the Law Society of Ireland or the King's Inns
• To enable learners to develop a range of transferable skills including the powers of inquiry, critical analysis and logical thinking, initiative, independent learning and commitment to scholarship
• To enable learners to develop a range of graduate skills in preparation for employment in a wide variety of fields and a fundamental understanding of society and of the role of law within society

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Laws (Hons) enables graduates who wish to qualify as solicitors, to sit the Law Society of Ireland FE1 examinations, which are a prerequisite to training as a solicitor. The programme also enables graduates to sit the Honorable Society of King's Inn's entrance examinations the passing of which are a prerequisite for taking the Barrister-at-Law degree.

Delivery

Classes will be delivered through a blended mode, that is, some classes are hosted on-site in person, and others are live-online. The initial classes are hosted on campus, to help learners get settled, before moving online for most of the remainder of the year. On-site classes may be hosted, where required, at any point during the year, and final exams must be sat on site, in fulfilment of the Honourable Society of King’s Inn’s requirements.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for this programme are:

• Leaving Certificate – Applicants must obtain a minimum of 2H5s and 4 O6s/H7s, to include English or another language, or
• FETAC/QQI – A full Level 5 FETAC/QQI Award (i.e. 8 modules) with at least 3 distinctions, or
• A-Levels / GCSE – Applicants must obtain a minimum of 4 GCSE passes at grade C to include Mathematics and English or another language, plus 2 A-Level passes at grade C or higher, or
• BTEC – Applicants must obtain a minimum of a BTEC National Diploma in a cognate area.

For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught through English, evidence must be provided of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, PTE or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.

Mature

All EU nationals aged 23 years before 1st of January in the year of application are classified as ‘mature applicants’. Mature learners can apply directly to the college and will be assessed on basis of age, work experience and educational attainment as outlined in the DBS Quality Assurance Handbook (QAH).

Course Content

Stage 1

• Core Modules:
  • Introduction to Legal Research Skills
  • IT Skills for Law Students
  • Criminal Law
  • Constitutional Law
  • Legal Systems
  • Contract Law

Stage 2

• Core Modules:
  • Mooting and Professional Practice
  • Law of Tort
  • European Union Law
  • Law of Real Property
  • Company Law
  • Commercial Law

Stage 3

• Core Modules:
  • Contemporary Issues in Law (Capstone)
  • Equity and Trusts
  • Administrative Law
• Elective Modules - Choose 3:
  • Jurisprudence
  • Family Law
  • Law of Evidence
  • Employment Law
  • International Law

Teaching and Assessment

The law degree programme is taught mainly through lectures, seminars and workshops, both in person and live-online, with students taking responsibility for a significant amount of study outside scheduled class contact hours. The first-year modules are assessed by way of either 100% continuous assessment, or through an exam worth 60% and continuous assessment worth 40%. In second year, the exam weighting will increase in four of the modules, but is balanced by the inclusion of continuous assessment in each module, while two modules remain 100% continuous assessment. In final year there is a higher emphasis on examination weighting in most modules. A capstone research essay (6-8,000 words) is part of the mandatory modules all learners will undertake.

Awarding Body and NFQ Level

This programme has been validated and approved by the Irish state agency, QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland). The programme is positioned at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), a framework for the development, recognition, and award of qualifications in Ireland. The programme is listed on the Irish Register of Qualifications.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Laws degree provides a firm foundation for students wishing to train as solicitors or barristers. Additionally, a law degree is one of the most respected undergraduate qualifications. It opens up a range of career opportunities apart from the practice of the law. Law graduates are employed in a wide variety of areas including commercial industry, social sciences, politics, the media and the public service. A legal education therefore opens more doors than just the practice of law.

Fees

The Course Fees for the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) are €5,500 per annum.

Structure

The evening delivery of this programme undertakes a full-time-equivalent workload, to complete the programme across the same three years as full-time learners, but classes are hosted in the evenings instead, and learners undertake a greater proportion of independent learning.

Student Testimonial

"I chose DBS because they were able to offer a part time law degree in the evening. The lecturers were very approachable - full of knowledge and the online research tools that were made available were excellent.

Since completing my course, I feel more positive about continuing forward in the legal world and having a good basis to complete FE1s."

Vicky Mc Mahon Bachelor of Law (Hons) LL.B

Award Details

• Awarding Body: Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
• Award: Honours Bachelor Degree
• NFQ Level: Level 8
• Award Title: Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
• Award Type: Major
• Duration: 3 Years (3 evenings per week Years 1-2, 4 evenings per week Year 3)

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The Bachelor of Laws (Hons) program is recognized by the Honorable Society of King's Inns and the Law Society of Ireland. Studying law at this level is ideal for students considering a legal career. This degree provides a strong foundation for those wishing to become solicitors or barristers. Studying law develops critical thinking, analytical skills, and clear expression, valuable skills applicable to various careers beyond private legal practice.

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Objectives:

• Provide a solid foundation in legal principles, the Irish legal system, and transferable skills.
• Equip students with core Irish legal knowledge to progress to professional training with the Law Society of Ireland or the King's Inns.
• Develop transferable skills like inquiry, critical analysis, logical thinking, initiative, and independent learning.
• Equip graduates with graduate-level skills for diverse employment and a fundamental understanding of society and law's role within it.
### Professional Accreditation:
• Graduates can sit the Law Society of Ireland FE1 exams, a prerequisite for solicitor training.
• The program also allows graduates to sit the Honorable Society of King's Inn entrance exams, a requirement for the Barrister-at-Law degree.
## Outline: ### Stage 1:
• Introduction to Legal Research Skills
• IT Skills for Law
• Criminal Law
• Constitutional Law
• Legal Systems
• Contract Law
### Stage 2:
• Mooting and Professional Practice
• Law of Tort
• European Union Law
• Law of Real Property
• Company Law
• Commercial Law
### Stage 3:
• Contemporary Issues in Law
• Equity and Trusts
• Administrative Law
• Elective Modules - Choose 3:
• Jurisprudence
• Family Law
• Law of Evidence
• Employment Law
• International Law
## Assessment:
• First-year modules: 60% exam, 40% continuous assessment (some modules entirely through continuous assessment)
• Second year: Increased exam weighting in some modules, balanced with continuous assessment.
• Third year: Higher emphasis on examination weighting in most modules.
• Assessment methods include individual and group projects, essays, presentations, and examinations.
## Teaching:
• Primarily through lectures, seminars, and workshops.
• Students take responsibility for significant independent study.
• All classes delivered online.
## Careers:
• The program provides a strong foundation for aspiring solicitors or barristers.
• The law degree opens doors to diverse careers beyond legal practice, including commercial industry, social sciences, politics, media, and the public service.
## Other:
• The program emphasizes legal research and writing skills, preparing students for further study and professional practice.
• The program features guest speakers and field trips, enhancing learning and engagement.
• Graduates are equipped with transferable skills valuable in diverse professional settings.

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The Course Fees for the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) are €5,500 per annum. For a full list of part-time undergraduate business degree fees click here. You can also contact our admissions team who will also be able to advise on the payment options available to our students. All undergraduate programmes of 2 years or more have been approved for tax relief purposes. Tax relief is granted to Irish resident taxpayers at the standard rate of income tax in respect of tuition fees paid exceeding €2,000 and up to €7,000 for part-time programmes only