Higher Certificate Legal Studies

Course details

What is this Higher Certificate in Legal Studies Course about?

This 2 year course in Legal Studies will equip students with a broad knowledge of the Irish legal system and of the fundamental legal principles and subjects. There are two broad themes running through the course: Law and transferable Business Skills. Students will take modules on the core law subjects of Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, the Law of Torts, Contract Law, Land Law and Legal Research & Communications. In addition, the course also provides some non-law subjects that are designed to improve students’ IT, communications and office management skills. To this end, modules on IT, Management, Accounting, Marketing and Human Resources Management are provided. Graduates, while having core legal knowledge, will also have an appreciation of a broad range of transferable business subjects and skills, making them ideally placed to either seek immediate employment or to continue further study.

What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

Upon completion of the course graduates may expect work as a legal executive, law clerk or legal secretary. Other options available to a legal graduate include a career in the gardai or defence forces, banking, property management, careers in the public service, insurance, taxation, accounting, IT, security or retail management, etc.

What follow-on study opportunities are available?

Graduates of this course who obtain an overall pass will be eligible to apply to progress to the Honours Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) (CW708) or onto the BBS (Honours)in Business with Law (CW938), both of which are available at IT Carlow.

What subjects will I study?

Year 1

Mandatory Subjects

• The Irish Legal System
• Legal Research & Communications
• Business Law
• Legal Office Skills
• Management
• Business Applications
• Financial Accounting

Year 2

Mandatory Subjects

• Criminal Law
• The Law of Tort
• Principles of Property Law
• Legal Practice & Procedure

Plus any Two Elective Subjects:

• Principles of Marketing
• Human Resources Management
• Constitutional Law

What are the minimum entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate: 5 subjects at Ordinary Level Grade D3 or better.

Subjects required: English or Irish at Ordinary Level Grade D3 or better and Mathematics at Ordinary Level Grade D3 or better.

Mature applicants will be interviewed and assessed on an individual basis.