FAQ – Postgraduate Taught Admissions - School of Law
Where can I apply?
The University’s online application system for academic year 2021/22 will open on 1st November 2020. Please see here for more information.
When is the closing date for applications?
The deadline for applications is 31st May 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We strongly advise applicants to apply as early as possible. Admission to our postgraduate taught programmes will be very competitive and may be subject to early closure as a result.
What are the academic admission requirements?
Admission requirements are available here
What are the English language requirements?
All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not been educated through the medium of English must present one of the approved qualifications in the English language listed here
How much is the application fee?
The online application fee for applications to the University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin is €55 per application. This payment must be made online following the instructions on the application form. The online application processing fee is non-refundable and it cannot be waived. The application will not be officially submitted to Trinity College Dublin until the application fee is paid in full.
Can I apply for more than one programme?
You can apply for more than one programme if you wish. A separate application must be fully complete and application fee paid for each programme. If an offer is extended for each programme applied for, you can only accept an offer for one programme. We therefore suggest you decide which programme you want to follow before you apply and apply for that programme only.
Should I apply as an EU or Non-EU applicant?
EU fees are based on residency. An EU passport or citizenship does not grant automatic entitlement to EU fees. The criteria which must be met to apply as an EU applicant is available here
What documentation is required for my application?
Postgraduate taught applicants must complete the online application form and upload the following supporting documentation (in English language):
- Certified Academic transcript(s) for all completed and current academic and professional courses
- Certified copy of degree certificate(s) for all completed academic and professional courses.
- Two Academic References.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- A recognised certificate of English Language Competency if English is not your first language (see above).
- Applicants are welcome to submit additional documentation for consideration if they so wish.
How do I provide two academic references?
Applicants must provide two academic references in support of their application from, for example, from professors at their undergraduate university.
When completing the online application form, applicants are asked to provide contact details for two academic references. When the application is formally submitted, your nominated referees will receive an automated email from Trinity College, requesting them to complete Trinity College’s reference template and upload the reference directly to your online application.
We suggest you inform your nominated referee of this process. Applicants are welcome to upload previously written references directly to their application, with the consent of the referee. These references should be on official university notepaper, dated and signed by the referee and written within the previous 18 months.
I am in the final year of my undergraduate degree. Can I still apply?
You are welcome to apply while completing your final year of studies. Please provide all transcripts available at the time of application. If your application is deemed suitable for admission, a conditional offer will be provided (subject to final degree results). Your offer will be upgraded to Unconditional when you provide the required official documentation proving you meet the conditions of your offer.
Can I apply without an approved English language qualification?
You are welcome to apply without an approved English language qualification. If your application is deemed suitable for admission, a conditional offer will be provided (subject to obtaining an approved English language qualification). Your offer will be upgraded to Unconditional when you provide the required official documentation proving you meet the conditions of your offer.
I undertook my undergraduate degree through English. Do I still need to provide English language qualification?
Students who have studied their entire undergraduate degree through the medium of English and can provide proof of same from University are exempt from providing further English language certification. When applying, please upload document under the "Proof of English language" section on the application.
Should I provide all my documentation in English language?
All documentation must be provided in English language to ensure the School of Law and the University’s Admissions Team can conduct a full review of your application. If your transcript is issued in another language, you will need to ask your university to provide official version in English language or obtain a copy from a certified translation company.
How long does it take to receive a decision on my application?
The School of Law seeks to review applications within ten working days of completion of application and provision of ALL required supporting documentation. Upon our review, we will return our recommendation to the Admissions team at the University’s Academic Registry. They will conduct a secondary review and verify all documentation and will then return final recommendation to the applicant via my.tcd.ie
How can I check the status of my application?
When the review is complete, the University’s Academic Registry will update your application status via my.tcd.ie. An email will be sent to the email address you provide in your online application alerting you to this update. The School of Law cannot provide information relating to your application status.
I have been offered an Unconditional offer. How do I accept it?
You can accept your offer upon payment of €500 non-refundable deposit via my.tcd.ie. This deposit will be deducted from tuition fees.
I have been offered a conditional offer. How do I accept it?
Please consult your my.tcd.ie portal to determine the condition/s of your offer. Once you have reviewed same, you can accept your conditional offer upon payment of €500 deposit via my.tcd.ie. The deposit is non-refundable. However, if you hold a conditional offer and can provide evidence that you failed to meet outstanding requirements, a refund can be requested from Academic Registry.
I have accepted my conditional offer. How can I progress to an Unconditional offer?
Please upload official documentation which proves you meet the condition/s of your offer to your application on my.tcd.ie. The School of Law and University’s Admissions team will review this documentation to ensure it meets requirements. Your application status will be updated accordingly.
How much time do I have to accept my offer?
Offers are valid for 21 days. They will lapse if not accepted within that timeframe
Is the deposit I paid to accept my offer refundable?
The deposit is non-refundable. If you hold a conditional offer and can provide evidence that you failed to meet outstanding requirements, a refund can be requested from Academic Registry
Is it possible to defer my place to the following academic year?
A limited number of deferrals are permitted annually for each postgraduate taught programme. Requests to defer are reviewed on an individual basis. Applicants who have accepted their Unconditional offer can submit such requests to law.postgraduate@tcd.ie. Requests cannot be considered from applicants who have not accepted their offer and/or who hold Conditional offers.
Can I apply for a scholarship?
Postgraduate Taught students may apply for a number of limited competitively-awarded scholarships annually. Information on scholarships available for 2021/22 will be available at the following websites in due course:
How much are the tuition fees for my postgraduate programme?
Postgraduate tuition fees are listed here
How do I pay my tuition fees?
The University’s Academic Registry administers all matters relating to invoicing and payment of tuition fees. Please visit their website for further details here
I am a non-EU student. How do I pay my tuition fees early so I can apply for a visa?
Applicants who are required to pay fees in advance to support their visa application can do so via my.tcd.ie or by Electronic Funds Transfer. Please see “How do I pay my fees” section here. Please contact your local Irish Embassy for confirmation on the portion of fees you are expected to pay to progress your visa application.
Does Trinity College provide Pre-Master Pathway programmes for English language?
The Centre for English Language Learning and Teaching (CELLT) at Trinity College provides English language support to students through our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programmes. Information on their Pre-Masters Pathway programme and their in-sessional programmes are available here
I would like to apply for student accommodation at Trinity College. How can I do this?
Please visit the University’s Student Accommodation website for information on campus and off-campus student accommodation here
I would like to live in private rented accommodation. Will Trinity College provide assistance?
The Accommodation Advisory Service provides useful information and support to those wishing to wishing to live in private rented accommodation for the duration of their studies here
What supports are available to plan for my future career?
As a Trinity College Dublin student, you have access to information, support and guidance from a professional team of expert Careers Consultants at Trinity Careers Service.
I am an international student. Can I work in Ireland during or after my studies?
The following website provides information for Non-EU students on working in Ireland during and after your studies
Can I practise law in Ireland upon completion of my postgraduate taught degree?
Trinity College Dublin’s postgraduate degrees prepare students not only for life as ‘lawyers’, but also enable them to enter many career fields such as business, journalism, accountancy, banking, insurance, politics, foreign affairs and diplomacy and public services. The skills learned through studying law are useful in all walks of life. A law degree teaches students to think logically and analytically. It also equips students with the ability to carry out research, to apply relevant information to problems, to use language precisely, carefully and objectively.
It is important to note that holding a law degree does not automatically entitle one to practice law. In Ireland there are two legal professionals :- solicitors and barristers. Further information is available here