The criteria for admission to this programme is as follows:
• An approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (2.1, Level 8) in law, or an inter-disciplinary degree in which law was a major component.
• Applicants awarded a Graduate Diploma in Law may be considered but will be admitted only where they demonstrate a strong academic performance in both the undergraduate degree and diploma.
• In exceptional circumstances, an applicant holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than an approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (H2.1) standard may be considered where they have relevant professional experience in law.
• All applicants, whose first language is not English, must present one of the following qualifications in the English language. IELTS (6.5 overall), TOEFL (8) and Pearson PTE (61).
• International students should refer to the country specific information section of the International Office website.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than an approved Second-Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (H2.1) standard may be considered where they have relevant professional experience in law.

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.

An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

Next start date September 2026

This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Graduates of the LLM General are equipped with the advanced legal knowledge, critical thinking, and analytical skills sought after across a wide range of sectors. The flexible structure of the programme allows students to tailor their learning to align with specific career aspirations, making them highly adaptable in a competitive job market.

Graduates are in demand across sectors including legal, government departments and public bodies, NGOs, advocacy organisations, international institutions, corporate legal departments, compliance roles, legal consultancy, and policy analysis. Typical roles include legal advisor or associate in law firms, policy or legal analyst in think tanks or government, in-house legal counsel, legal researcher or academic assistant, and legal officer in NGOs or intergovernmental organisations. Career progression paths may lead to senior legal counsel, partner, or policy lead roles, as well as specialised positions in international law, human rights, environmental law, or corporate regulation.

The programme also offers strong preparation for students pursuing PhD study or academic careers in law. Throughout the course, students develop key employability skills, including advanced legal research, writing, and reasoning; cross-border legal analysis; and the ability to critically evaluate complex legal issues, all of which are highly valued by employers.

With the growing need for professionals who can navigate legal systems across jurisdictions, the LLM General prepares graduates for emerging roles in global legal services, tech regulation, and transnational governance.