Ireland, with its lively capital Dublin, is very popular with international students. No wonder: seven of the country’s nine universities are located here. Their study programs are considered to be of very high quality and the tuition fees are moderate compared to other English-speaking countries. These study conditions also benefit law students on a Master of Law course and more and more are choosing to do an LLM in Ireland.
On the one hand, to acquire an internationally recognized degree there and, on the other hand, to acquire business fluent English skills and intercultural skills. After all, these are essential prerequisites for getting started in a major international law firm or a global business enterprise.
An LLM has noticeably gained popularity in Germany in recent years and is particularly valued by employers if it was acquired in English-speaking countries. Ireland has a lot to offer budding lawyers and practicing attorneys as a place to study. As in most Anglophone countries, the LLM has a long tradition in Ireland. Accordingly, the programs there are characterized by their diversity, flexibility and international orientation.
LLM in Ireland: Master types and focus areas at a glance
The LLM in Ireland typically lasts between one and two years, with most universities offering the option of part-time study while working. The programs are characterized by their international focus, attractive to students from all over the world. In addition to the classic LLM General, specializations in the area of International Commercial Law and International Human Rights Law are particularly popular. The number of modules is diverse and ranges from EU Internal Market and Competition Law to International Intellectual Property Law, from International Children’s Rights Law to International Asylum and Immigration Law.
As with other Masters programs, the LLM in Ireland offers the option of completing an LLM by Coursework or an LLM by Research. In the first variant, the study achievements are achieved by attending various events and exams. In the research variant, students write a longer research paper on a specific topic. Some universities also offer LLM programs that combine both types of master’s degree: Here, students attend a certain number of courses and at the end of their studies write a shorter master’s thesis (dissertation).
LLM in Ireland: The Right Time
An LLM in Ireland is particularly worthwhile for young lawyers who have just completed their first state examination:
- It is well suited to the waiting time to between the first state examination and the clerkship bridge.
- The chances of a legal clerkship in a large law firm or in an international company increase enormously.
- The course conveys content that is also relevant for the second state examination.
- The degree can upgrade a rather mediocre exam.
However, an LLM degree also pays off at a later point in time. Since this degree is increasingly well-known in Germany and it is highly regarded, many lawyers decide to acquire an LLM degree even after a few years in their professional life. In addition to additional reputation, this also guarantees a higher salary.
Benefits of an LLM in Ireland
International students of course benefit from the excellent reputation that the universities there enjoy all over the world when studying in Ireland. After all, the Irish study system is based on the established British structure and the universities can easily compete with those of the neighboring country: the programs are accredited, flexible and internationally oriented. Even if students from all over the world flock to the “green island” and you can make many international contacts there: The Irish universities are nowhere near as crowded as those in England or the USA and the application process is not nearly as complex.
During your studies you can not only deal with EU law or international trade laws, but you will also experience the common law system up close. On the one hand, this opens up a completely new perspective on the German legal system and, on the other hand, facilitates interaction with business partners from Anglophone countries in later professional life.
Another advantage: In contrast to a Master of Laws in the USA, New Zealand or Canada, the travel costs and the organizational effort are low. Since Ireland is part of the EU, German citizens can complete an LLM in Ireland without a visa. To learn more about the country of Ireland and continent of Europe, please follow health-beauty-guides. A valid identity card or passport is sufficient for entry. After three months in Ireland, however, you have to get a Residence Permit. A special work permit is not required. This makes it possible, for example, to work part-time during an LLM in Ireland and in this way to finance your studies.
And a foreign health insurance for Ireland is not absolutely necessary, as the German statutory health insurance is also valid there. However, you should have a European health insurance card issued in advance so that there are no problems in the event of illness. Privately insured persons should inquire with their health insurance company which services they will cover for an LLM in Ireland and, if necessary, take out international health insurance.
Requirements and application
Requirements for an LLM study place in Ireland are usually a first degree, i.e. the Bachelor of Laws or the first state examination. Many universities require a certain average grade, in some cases work experience can compensate for a lack of academic achievement. In addition, applicants must have a good command of English, which they can usually prove in a standardized language test such as the IELTS or TOEFL.
Costs and financing options
The tuition fees for the LLM in Ireland are between € 3,000 and € 7,000 depending on the university. In addition, there are the cost of living, for which you should plan around € 650 to € 1,000 per month. As already mentioned, the Master of Laws in Ireland is relatively cheap compared to other countries. Nevertheless, there are costs that are not insignificant and must be covered. There are several options for financing an LLM in Ireland:
- European students can receive BAföG abroad under certain conditions:
- The academic achievements acquired in Ireland are relevant for studying in Germany.
- The applicant takes the LLM in Ireland before the first state examination, which is not necessarily possible at every university.
- Grants
- DAAD
- Academic Foundation of the german people
- Talent advancement organizations and foundations
- Irish University Scholarships
- German and international companies and large law firms
- Education and student loans and education funds such as Brain Capital’s LLM education fund
