Business & Law or BCL UCD

Cherry3417

Hi guys I'm currently in sixth year and I'm pretty torn between these two courses, as I see pros and cons of each and don't know which to put first! I'm starting a new thread as all the current ones on this topic are from years ago and courses obviously change.

I would do the Law with Politics because I'm really interested in current affairs, also it gives me electives so I could keep up my language (Spanish).However I'm not 100% sure I want to be a solicitor and I'm not sure what other jobs you could get from law w pol, unless it was working in an embassy, govt etc but those jobs are few and far between. Basically I don't want to tie myself down to one career, although I am Englishy, analytical person so I feel law really could be for me.

As for Business and Law, obviously it gives you a huge range of options but I'm worried I won't be able to keep up with the maths modules as I do ordinary maths eg data analytics, maths for business etc, as I'm more into the people-y side of business, eg HR. I also worry about the fact that I can't keep up a language, and I've heard the timetable is spread out and really awful.Does the timetable improve as the years go on or is that something you've to put up with?

Commerce would be my third option under those two. I would really appreciate opinions from current students/recent graduates etc from either course as I'm pretty stuck between the two. Thank you!

robman60

I was in an identical situation when I was in Leaving Cert.

Like you, I would have done pure law but I wasn't sure I would like law fully, even though English and analytical skills were my best asset. I eventually decided against B&L because I had heard a lot of the business modules were pretty poor. I went with Law with Economics in the end as I didn't want to be stuck with just law in case I didn't like it. I didn't see the value of politics in a degree programme.

Now obviously hindsight is 20/20 but the only change I'd make is I'd do pure law or law/politics. Having electives was definitely nice and I did some French in first year. However, I definitely don't regret not doing B&L. I know some corporate partners have said it's an ideal degree for them but it's definitely not to the exclusion of all other law degrees (or even outside law for that matter). Furthermore, most people I know have preferred the law side but they're stuck with all these business modules that they don't particularly like for half their degree. At least for the "law with" programmes it's just 1/3 of your minor.


In conclusion, I can completely empathise with how you feel. It's difficult to know if you'll like law with no similar subject in school (although you'll realise English and good writing skills are a huge asset). Your interests and aptitudes seem very similar to mine when I was in your position so I really think it sounds as if law would suit you. I've enjoyed the course more than I ever thought I would. I think there is no reason for you to put B&L ahead of Law or Law/Pol on the basis you're not sure you'd like to be a solicitor. After all, Law is probably a better "general" degree than commerce unless you have an inclination for the accounting line.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like any further advice or insights.

Cherry3417

Anyone else?

Thanks so much robman60, what a comprehensive reply!

OneOfThem Stumbled

Cherry3417 wrote: »

Anyone else?

Thanks so much robman60, what a comprehensive reply!

More useful than any of the bumpf published by UCD.

Here's Law and Politics
Here's Business and Law

Core modules are mandatory. Stages generally equate to "years"

I do not believe that electives are possible with B&L.

leah22

hi im currently a 6th year student stuck between choosing business and law or international commerce , i love business accounting and economics and my major reason for doing law as i think it will be more employable when i go to get a job secondly if i was to do international commerce would it make a difference if i was to do it i tcd or dcu ? thanks .

Cherry3417

oikle wrote: »

A Business and Law degree is almost always better than a BCL. Employers in corporate law look more favourably on the more commercially savvy B&Ls. If you definitely don't plan on being a lawyer than just do commerce, you'll have more space in your timetable to specialise in your area of interest, but if you want the option upon graduation go for it.

There is a personality difference between B&Ls and BCLs which everyone seems to notice. They seem to draw different types for some reason.

Thank for your reply! I've decided to put the law and business first as I do think I want the option of becoming a solicitor after, what do you mean by personality differences?