Apply

To apply to this course, click on the relevant Apply Link below

Non-EU Applicants

• Law and French, 4 Year(s) Full Time, Closing Date: 30/JUN/2013

Mature Student - Supplementary Application Form

Read the information about how to apply as a mature student, then select the link below to complete the TCD Supplementary Application Form for mature students.
• Law and French, 4 Year(s) Full Time, Closing Date: 08/FEB/2013

Overview

With continuing European integration and an increasing globalisation of legal matters, there is a need for lawyers with a trans-national education. The Law and French degree course satisfies these needs as students graduate with a grounding in Irish law, fluent in a second European language, with a thorough knowledge of the legal system of France and a real insight and knowledge of the general culture, political, economic and sociological make-up of France. Far more is involved than simply attaching a language component to a law degree. Students study French law, both constitutional and civil, in their first two years. These modules are taught and examined through the relevant language. The language component of each programme is integrated and language skills are developed in the context of studying the general, as well as the specifically legal, culture of the country concerned. Each programme is taught over four years with a compulsory year abroad.

Is this the right course for you?

In addition to a desire to study law, you will need a specific and strong interest in the general culture, legal, political, economic and sociological make-up of France. You should also have the ability to become fluent in the relevant language.

Visit the Law School

• If you are considering studying for a Law degree at Trinity College but want to be sure, you are most welcome to attend lectures. If you would like to avail of this opportunity, to come in and discuss your options with a member of staff, or to visit the Law School we would be happy to meet you. Please contact us by e-mail (see below) to arrange a visit.

Did you know?

• Trinity College's School of Law is ranked 1st in Ireland and 51st in the World in the 2011 QS World University rankings of law schools.

Course content

In the Freshman (first two) years you will study a variety of legal modules, see below. In each semester, you will have two Irish law modules, with three hours of lectures in each per week. These lectures are complemented by compulsory law seminars (4 per module) and modules in legal skills in the Junior Freshman (first) year and mooting (mock trials) in the Senior Freshman (second) year. Law and language students also study the constitutional and civil law of their chosen jurisdiction. Students also take integrated modules on language and civilisation, covering aspects of sociology, legal systems and politics.

Junior Freshman modules

• The Irish legal system (including Legal skills)
• Contract law
• Constitutional law 1
• Criminal law
• French language
• French civilisation and legal methods
• French constitutional law

Junior Freshman Law and French students study French constitutional law and French legal methods through French as well as French language and civilisation. These two integrated modules comprise of lectures, tutorials, and listening comprehension work. They cover language, French society and the French legal system.

Senior Freshman modules

• Law of tort
• Land law
• Private law remedies (including Mooting programme)
• Equity
• French language
• French civilisation
• French civil law

Senior Freshman Law and French students study French civil law (including property, contract and tort) through French. In their integrated French language and civilisation modules, they focus on French politics and the integration of the themes studied in the first two years.

The Sophister years

The Junior Sophister (third) year is spent studying legal or related subjects in a French or German university. The results obtained studying abroad constitute a substantial part of your final degree grades.

In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year, you select 40 ECTS (credits) worth of modules from approximately thirty options. See TR004: Law for details of possible modules. Students who wish to continue their studies with the professional bodies may also take Freshman modules in place of a Sophister module if required by the particular professional body. In addition, you will engage in language and oral work and project/report writing. Students may choose from a number of options to take the place of a law module, including a Broad Curriculum module, a research dissertation or a module offered by the relevant language department.

Senior Sophister Law and French students study French translation, Report writing and Oral French in addition to their law modules.

Assessment

A combination of assignments and aural, oral and written examinations is used. There is a strong element of continuous assessment in language and French law subjects.

Career opportunities

The increasing Europeanisation of legal practice means that graduates of the law and a language degree programme have much to contribute to the legal and other professions in Ireland, as well as enjoying career opportunities in Europe. In addition to careers in the legal profession, Law and French graduates also find employment in business, journalism, accountancy, banking, insurance, politics, foreign affairs and diplomacy and public services.

Law degrees and professional qualifications

No law degree entitles a person to practise law as a solicitor or barrister. If you wish to go on to obtain a professional qualification, the governing bodies for the profession require that you study certain specific modules in your primary law degree. These modules are taught as compulsory modules during the Freshman years and/or as optional Sophister modules. The School of Law's five undergraduate law degree programmes enables students the opportunity to study all modules required by the Irish and English professional bodies.

Students contemplating a career as a barrister will need to continue their studies with the Honorable Society of the King's Inns. To qualify as a barrister, law graduates must complete the one-year degree course with the King's Inns before 'devilling' with a qualified barrister for a year. Further information on becoming a barrister is available from www.kingsinns.ie

Prospective solicitors must undertake the professional training programme for solicitors delivered by the Law Society of Ireland (www.lawsociety.ie).

Separate requirements apply in Northern Ireland. Prospective barristers should consult the Under Treasurer, The Inns Court of Northern Ireland (www.barlibrary.com), while prospective solicitors should consult the Secretary, the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland (www.lawsoc-ni.org).

In view of rapid changes relating to the rules of entry into professional study, all students are advised to maintain regular contact with the relevant professional bodies so that they are aware of any new requirements coming on-stream.

Further information

www.tcd.ie/Law
Tel: +353 1 896 1125 / 1278
law.school@tcd.ie


Specific Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate	HC1 French
Advanced GCE (A-Level)	Grade C French

Student Profile

Ellen Travers

Student life in Trinity is great'€Š What I love about Trinity is that even though there are huge numbers of students, it still has the atmosphere of a small college with a real community feel to it, a community which is situated in the heart of Dublin so if ever we feel the need to venture outside Trinity's walls, nothing is far away. However why would you want to venture outside when there is a great variety of sports, voluntary work and societies covering pretty much everything from astronomy to yoga. The Law aspect of the course allows those who are aspiring Ally McBeals to pursue a wide range of law subjects. While in first and second year there is no choice of subjects, by the time you've discovered what areas interest you (be that how to discredit witnesses in a trial, who and how to sue when you've suffered emotional distress or injured a limb, or even who is liable for injuries on a sports field) in third and fourth year there is a pretty wide range of subjects available. The French part of the course gives a good insight into French culture, society and politics as well improving your language. Even though we are blessed with relatively few lectures the independent research which is required takes a little getting used to! The year spent abroad is one of the highlights and I'd highly recommend it. My year in Bordeaux allowed me to study another legal system first hand and experience a completely different lifestyle.