National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway - School of Law

NUI Galway

NUI Galway offers a wide range of postgraduate programmes of international standard providing students with opportunities for personal and academic development, as well as giving them the knowledge and skills to pursue successful careers.

Most LL.M. students take one of our one-year taught programmes, but the option of a research degree (normally taking two years) is also available, as is research towards a Ph.D. Research LL.M. students often move to a Ph.D. track if their work is satisfactory.

Master of Laws (LL.M.) General

Students undertaking the LLM (General) will have the flexibility to choose from the range of modules on offer across the School of Law, the Irish Centre for Human Rights and Centre for Disability Law and Policy. Such choice enhances employability as students can select modules that will enable them to pursue their personal career goals.

The LLM (General) is of particular interest to students who wish to gain expertise in a specific area of law without having to limit their options. With the exception of undertaking a module in Advanced Legal Research and Writing, students have flexibility to tailor the programme according to their particular interests and their chosen career path.

Further information is available here.

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International and Comparative Business Law

The LLM in International and Comparative Business Law provides an excellent grounding in business law, for those interested in pursuing a career in legal practice or in the commercial world. Students can choose from a range of modules at an advanced level and tailor their LLM to suit their interests and career pathway. Students will expand their knowledge of business law from a global perspective through lectures, seminars, conferences and opportunities to engage with leading commercial practitioners.

This LLM in International and Comparative Business Law opens access to a global career. An enhanced knowledge of the international business world and its interactive relationship with laws and regulations allows students to develop an exceptional set of skills along with a global outlook. Graduates can consult on business and legal matters to international law firms, multinational professional services firms, in-house counsel with major global firms and more.

Further information is available here.

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law & Conflict

The LLM in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict provides students with a comprehensive insight into global frameworks of human rights protection with the addition of peacekeeping specialisation. This interdisciplinary programme focuses on UN peacekeeping and related operations to provide insights into the peace operations and conflict resolution frameworks.

This unique programme offering combines issues relating to peacekeeping, international humanitarian law, human rights and conflict resolution to prepare graduates for work in the field of international peace operations with international organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and as individual advocates.

Further information is available here.

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Criminal Law

The LLM in International Criminal Law provides students with an advanced understanding of the history, structures, law and practice of the various international criminal tribunals and the International Criminal Court.

Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of international criminal law, its component crimes, substantive law and key procedures. Students will also develop an analytical approach to the relationship between other accountability mechanisms, such as truth commissions.

The LLM in International Criminal Law is of interest to those seeking to learn about the growing field of international criminal justice, the role of the International Criminal Court in international affairs and means for holding to account perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Further information is available here.

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Human Rights

The LLM in International Human Rights provides students with a comprehensive insight
into international and regional legal frameworks of human rights protection. This is an interdisciplinary programme where students are engaged in the practice and public policy context of human rights law on a local, national and international perspective.

This LLM will be of interest to students and practitioners from a range of different fields such as law, social policy, political science, public administration and development. While the programme’s emphasis is on the law and policy of human rights, suitably qualified candidates from non-law backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Further information is available here.

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy

The LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy is the only course of its kind on offer in an Irish university. This unique programme enables students to develop their knowledge of international and regional law, policy and practice as it relates to the phenomena of international migration, human trafficking and refugee law.

Students can combine the study of international migration with specialised modules in international humanitarian law and peace operations, business and human rights, gender and law, child rights, international criminal law, advocacy, activism and strategic litigation, transnational lawyering, post-conflict justice, Islam and human rights.

This programme will be of interest to those who wish to develop specialised legal practice skills in the expanding field of migration and asylum law and human rights. For those already working in the area of international migration/refugee law, you will develop a more solid conceptual and knowledge base to enhance that role.

Further information is available here.

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy

The LLM in International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy is unique in the world as an innovative and internationally focused LLM dealing with the process of law reform in the field of disability. The programme delivers a solid grounding for future practitioners, policy- makers and academics in the field of disability reform.

The introduction of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has resulted in significant changes in the area of disability law and policy. Our graduates will be among the first to be skilled in this growing area of law and policy.

This programme will be of interest to students who have completed a primary law degree, legal practitioners, public servants, disability and human rights advocates and people working in disability services. Graduates have found employment in a variety of areas, including work in the UN, senior legal appointments, as lecturers, solicitors and barristers, in national, regional and international advocacy organisations, in national human rights institutions, as government advisors and with non- governmental organisations.

Further information is available here.

NUI Galway's famed Quadrangle building.

Founded in 1845, NUI Galway is one of Ireland’s leading universities with a growing international reputation as a center of academic excellence.

NUI Galway continuously performs strongly in the QS World University Rankings. It is now ranked in the top 250 in the world’s top 1,000 institutions. This ranking confirms its position among the world’s elite educational institutions, placing it in the top 1% of universities in the world, and in the top 20% in the QS World University Rankings.

Situated in the heart of Galway, one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, students make up 20% of the population. This youthful energy is reflected in the numerous internationally renowned literary, arts & sporting events that are hosted in the city every year. More information on NUI Galway is available here.

Judges of the Supreme Court during a recent seminar held at NUI Galway

The School of Law comprises of four academic units, the Law School and three world-class research centers: the Irish Centre for Human Rights, the Centre for Disability Law and Policy, and the Centre for Housing Law, Rights and Policy.

Our academic staff are nationally and internationally recognized experts in their fields of research. Their knowledge and experience provides students with a stimulating research-led learning experience.

The School of Law comprises of four academic units, the Law School and three world-class research centers: the Irish Centre for Human Rights, the Centre for Disability Law and Policy, and the Centre for Housing Law, Rights and Policy.

Our academic staff are nationally and internationally recognized experts in their fields of research. Their knowledge and experience provides students with a stimulating research-led learning experience.

We have an established reputation of excellence in public law, commercial law, human rights law, disability law and housing law.

Developing graduate skills and enriching the student experience has always been at the heart of our teaching ethos and law programmes. We offer a diverse range of postgraduate programmes, delivered in a stimulating and supportive environment with exciting opportunities for specialised qualifications, international field trips, internships and legal placements.

There are a variety of extra-curricular activities, such as workshops, seminars and conferences to enhance the student experience and to focus on career pathways and skills. We also engage with the law professions and our community, sharing our expertise and scholarship locally, nationally and globally.

NUI Galway is teaching law since 1849 and we are very proud that our alumni are luminaries in judiciary, government, academia, advocacy, NGO and business. Our alma mater are leading national and international change around law, policy, business, disability and human rights.

If you are considering joining our vibrant student body, please do not hesitate to email us at lawpostgrad@nuigalway.ie. 
To see more of what NUI Galway School of Law can offer you, click here.

Dr Charles O'Mahony Head of School

The School of Law at NUI Galway is a fantastic environment in which to study law. Our LLM programmes allow students to obtain an advanced law degree and facilitate the development of research, critical thinking and presentation skills. All our LLM programmes are research- led and delivered by colleagues who are expert and passionate about their areas of teaching and research.

Welcome message from Head of School:

"I am delighted to welcome you to School of Law, at NUI Galway. We are justifiably proud of our dynamic teaching and student body, our excellence in high quality impactful research and our beautiful campus on the west coast of Ireland. 

Whether you are student considering joining our vibrant student body, an employer or alumnus, a potential PhD student, a researcher or an interested member of the public our website provides information on our law programmes, our staff, our events and our innovative research.

We offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, delivered in a stimulating and supportive environment with exciting opportunities for internships, mooting, clinical placement and international study. We produce high quality, impactful research that engages with current societal problems and challenges.  Our research has been influential in informing law reform and public policy both nationally and internationally."

Dr. Charles O''Mahony

NUI Galway, School of Law alumni enjoy varied and challenging careers. We are proud of all our alumni and the contribution they make to their workplace and society.

Grainne McMorrow, Senior Counsel and Jurist

Grainne is Senior Counsel Adjunct Professor of Law and one the two Irish Representatives on the prestigious Council of Europe Venice Commission for the Protection of Democracy through Law. She graduated from NUI Galway in 1980/83 with a BA LLB and was the Presidents of the Students' Union in 1978/79.

Ms Justice Carmel Stewart

The entry requirements vary for the different programmes. Please consult the web pages for individual programmes for details of entry requirements.

Click here to create an account and make an application. There is no application closing date for our programmes, offers are issued on a continuous basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. 

Click here for details of tuition costs and fees.

Click here for Information on accommodation, including on-campus student residences.

The University's prime location on the banks of the River Corrib provides you with excellent opportunities to take part in all water sports, from rowing to kayaking to canoeing. Wind-surfing, sailing and a swimming pool are available nearby in Salthill, while the mountains and hills of Connemara are easily accessible for those interested in mountaineering, hill-walking and orienteering.

The University's indoor and outdoor Sports and Recreation Centers offer tennis and squash courts, Olympic handball courts, gymnasium, badminton, volleyball and basketball courts, table tennis, boxing, karate and aerobics. Playing fields are available for other sports e.g. hockey, rugby and football, while provision is also made for horse-riding and golf.

"Pleasant is the life of the scholar", says one of Ireland's old bardic poems, and indeed your student life can be greatly enhanced by taking part in some of the many social and recreational activities on offer at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

There are more than 80 societies and 45 sports clubs on campus which cater for a wide variety of interests, so you are bound to find something of interest to you!

The University also houses one of the main musical venues in the west of Ireland - the Aula Maxima recital room hosts a varied programme of internationally renowned classical, traditional and contemporary Irish musicians throughout the year.

Take the fast track to a career in law with the our two-year LLB. Open to graduates from any discipline. The course provides an excellent basis for work in legal practice, administration, business, government, the media and many other areas. Find out more here.