Studying Law in UCD

KieranKennedy · 18-07-2009 7:10pm #1

Hi, I would be very grateful if anyone could provide me with an insight as to what it is like to study law in UCD, or indeed, offer any advice for somebody who is starting a Law degree in the new academic year. For example, what are the lecturers like, how is the social life, how much pressure is there and what is easy and difficult about the course. Cheers, any help much appreciated.

JohnGalt · 18-07-2009 8:52pm

KieranKennedy wrote: »

Hi, I would be very grateful if anyone could provide me with an insight as to what it is like to study law in UCD, or indeed, offer any advice for somebody who is starting a Law degree in the new academic year. For example, what are the lecturers like, how is the social life, how much pressure is there and what is easy and difficult about the course. Cheers, any help much appreciated.

I don't do law but I hear that the course is changing or something next year, not too sure exactly whats going on but it is going to be a 4 year course instead of 3 as far as I know. Also, my two cents is that Law people are dickheads

Tea-a-Maria · 19-07-2009 12:18am

Oy!It is not!I'd like to think that I am neither a snob nor an idiot thank you!Seriously though,the people in law are nice.Granted,there are some tools,but you get that in every course so I wouldn't get put off by that.

I'm just finished my first year of Law with History so I can give you a few tips.:)I didn't do all the same modules as straight BCL people,but I did do Constitutional Law,Contract Law and Tort Law.

If you're thinking of doing law you probably know this already,but the nature of the course is that there are few lecture hours and a lot of reading to do.There's weekly lectures with all the students and then tutorials every two weeks with a smaller group of students.These are really handy for helping you to understand the course material,and I'd strongly recommend you do the reading for them as it'll really stand to you come exam time.

Different people find different areas easy or hard,some areas can be confusing enough and lecturers have a tendency to use a lot of latin legal jargon that you need to pick up.Don't be afraid to ask what stuff means!Lecturers respect people who ask questions.:)A lot of legal principles are just common sense and while there's a lot of case names to remember,it's more important to grasp the legal concept.Lecturers are usually forgiving of forgetting names in first year exams.Each module has a large essay,for the sake of your own sanity,don't leave it until the last minute!:p

At the start of the year,you'll be put into small groups and assigned a peer mentor,an older student who'll show you the ropes.It's a nice way to meet new people.The lectures are very big,so it can be hard to chat to people.Most of my friends I met through on campus or through societies.

The social life can be quite good,the class reps often organise class parties and you can get involved in the Law society too.

The course isn't really that pressurised tbh,as long as you have a bit of willpower and don't leave everything to the last minute.That's easier said than done though!

Apologies for the long post,hope that helps.If you've anyother questions,feel free to ask.:)

_JOE_ · 19-07-2009 12:37am

BellaElla wrote: »

I was actually going to open a thread about this also. UCD is my first choice but I've heard law in D4 is full of snobs and idiots... hope its not true and people are nice!

I did my BCL and Postgrad in UCD and I'm from Tallaght! There will be many people there from all over the country. Granted there'll be the odd one or two and a few more wannabies, but you'll find that 90% of the class will be sound...

And regerding lectures, it's around 14hrs + tutorials of maybe 3 hours + a hell of a lot of preparation and reading...

You'll certainly enjoy the course!

JohnGalt · 19-07-2009 3:54pm

_JOE_ wrote: »

I did my BCL and Postgrad in UCD and I'm from Tallaght! There will be many people there from all over the country. Granted there'll be the odd one or two and a few more wannabies, but you'll find that 90% of the class will be sound...

And regerding lectures, it's around 14hrs + tutorials of maybe 3 hours + a hell of a lot of preparation and reading...

You'll certainly enjoy the course!

Its the 90% that are giving the other 10% a bad name

KieranKennedy · 19-07-2009 6:55pm

Tea-a-Maria wrote: »

Oy!It is not!I'd like to think that I am neither a snob nor an idiot thank you!Seriously though,the people in law are nice.Granted,there are some tools,but you get that in every course so I wouldn't get put off by that.

I'm just finished my first year of Law with History so I can give you a few tips.:)I didn't do all the same modules as straight BCL people,but I did do Constitutional Law,Contract Law and Tort Law.

If you're thinking of doing law you probably know this already,but the nature of the course is that there are few lecture hours and a lot of reading to do.There's weekly lectures with all the students and then tutorials every two weeks with a smaller group of students.These are really handy for helping you to understand the course material,and I'd strongly recommend you do the reading for them as it'll really stand to you come exam time.

Different people find different areas easy or hard,some areas can be confusing enough and lecturers have a tendency to use a lot of latin legal jargon that you need to pick up.Don't be afraid to ask what stuff means!Lecturers respect people who ask questions.:)A lot of legal principles are just common sense and while there's a lot of case names to remember,it's more important to grasp the legal concept.Lecturers are usually forgiving of forgetting names in first year exams.Each module has a large essay,for the sake of your own sanity,don't leave it until the last minute!:p

At the start of the year,you'll be put into small groups and assigned a peer mentor,an older student who'll show you the ropes.It's a nice way to meet new people.The lectures are very big,so it can be hard to chat to people.Most of my friends I met through on campus or through societies.

The social life can be quite good,the class reps often organise class parties and you can get involved in the Law society too.

The course isn't really that pressurised tbh,as long as you have a bit of willpower and don't leave everything to the last minute.That's easier said than done though!

Apologies for the long post,hope that helps.If you've anyother questions,feel free to ask.:)

Thanks a lot, very insightful. What is the Law society like? Is their much socialising within the class or do people generally make friends outside the group? Also, is it easy to get by in law by doing very little work most of the time and doing a whole lot of work when the time comes?

Tea-a-Maria · 19-07-2009 7:12pm

Well,the lawsoc has a reputation for being a bit cliquey..I got involved in it through debating,which is quite fun and useful if you want to develop public speaking skills.They organise a lot of debates and guest speakers too,which usually involve a few drinks after!

As for socialising,basically you decide.Most people are in the same boat and if you strike up a conversation with someone,they'll more often than not be friendly.Like I said,class parties and trips are a good way to get to know your class.Not that I can really talk much on this,I missed out on all this because I was 17 for most of the year.As a result,I made friends elsewhere.It's up to you really.

While you could slack off a bit during the year,I really really wouldn't advise it.In all honesty though,it really isn't too hard to keep up.If you make most of your lectures and tutorials and pay a bit of attention you'll be fine.Lecturers cover alot of material in one lecture so it's very easy to fall behind.Also,you get easy marks for attending tutorials so it's worth your while.They're also a good place to meet fellow classmates.

Also,John Galt,shut the f*ck up,you clearly have no idea what you're on about.

KieranKennedy · 19-07-2009 7:20pm

Tea-a-Maria wrote: »

Well,the lawsoc has a reputation for being a bit cliquey..I got involved in it through debating,which is quite fun and useful if you want to develop public speaking skills.They organise a lot of debates and guest speakers too,which usually involve a few drinks after!

As for socialising,basically you decide.Most people are in the same boat and if you strike up a conversation with someone,they'll more often than not be friendly.Like I said,class parties and trips are a good way to get to know your class.Not that I can really talk much on this,I missed out on all this because I was 17 for most of the year.As a result,I made friends elsewhere.It's up to you really.

While you could slack off a bit during the year,I really really wouldn't advise it.In all honesty though,it really isn't too hard to keep up.If you make most of your lectures and tutorials and pay a bit of attention you'll be fine.Lecturers cover alot of material in one lecture so it's very easy to fall behind.Also,you get easy marks for attending tutorials so it's worth your while.They're also a good place to meet fellow classmates.

Also,John Galt,shut the f*ck up,you clearly have no idea what you're on about.

Cool. You seem to know what you are talking about. How about we meet up at the start of term and we can talk about this over coffee?

Jev/N · 19-07-2009 8:16pm

KieranKennedy wrote: »

How about we meet up at the start of term and we can talk about this over coffee?

:P swit swoo!

Time Magazine · 20-07-2009 9:18am

KieranKennedy wrote: »

How about we meet up at the start of term and we can talk about this over coffee?

What do you say if we go out on a date? Have some chicken, maybe some sex... You know, see what happens.

KieranKennedy · 20-07-2009 2:44pm

The Economist wrote: »

What do you say if we go out on a date? Have some chicken, maybe some sex... You know, see what happens.

Yeah....whatever dude, I am a sexual (secsewal) tyrannosaurus

JohnGalt · 20-07-2009 3:12pm

Tea-a-Maria wrote: »

Well,the lawsoc has a reputation for being a bit cliquey..I got involved in it through debating,which is quite fun and useful if you want to develop public speaking skills.They organise a lot of debates and guest speakers too,which usually involve a few drinks after!

As for socialising,basically you decide.Most people are in the same boat and if you strike up a conversation with someone,they'll more often than not be friendly.Like I said,class parties and trips are a good way to get to know your class.Not that I can really talk much on this,I missed out on all this because I was 17 for most of the year.As a result,I made friends elsewhere.It's up to you really.

While you could slack off a bit during the year,I really really wouldn't advise it.In all honesty though,it really isn't too hard to keep up.If you make most of your lectures and tutorials and pay a bit of attention you'll be fine.Lecturers cover alot of material in one lecture so it's very easy to fall behind.Also,you get easy marks for attending tutorials so it's worth your while.They're also a good place to meet fellow classmates.

Also,John Galt,shut the f*ck up,you clearly have no idea what you're on about.

I saw a law guy pick up and granny and hurl her to a crowd of raving lesbians who instantly began performing untold acts of female indecency on her, and when they were finished they put their lawsoc hoodies back on and joined the guy who hurled the granny for a few coffees.

Time Magazine · 20-07-2009 4:14pm

KieranKennedy wrote: »

Yeah....whatever dude.

You'll fit right in with the Law chaps.

You may want to work on the debating technique though.

siobhank · 22-07-2009 4:13pm

awfully boring, 99 % of classmates are boring, lecturers are without a doubt all boring, add this to a steep climb up a hill in the back of beyond every day to get to lectures and no job prospects when you graduate and I would say... don't do it man!!!
But that's just my experience

on the upside, it's easy peasy to get a good honours degree in and move onto something else if you want to. 10 hours of lectures a week means you basically don't have to show up for a whole lot other than tutorials = more pub time. If the UCD campus if your idea of a buzzing social scene.
Yeah, I'm bitter, shoulda gone to TCD and done the extra year !

KieranKennedy · 23-07-2009 9:03pm

siobhank wrote: »

awfully boring, 99 % of classmates are boring, lecturers are without a doubt all boring, add this to a steep climb up a hill in the back of beyond every day to get to lectures and no job prospects when you graduate and I would say... don't do it man!!!
But that's just my experience on the upside, it's easy peasy to get a good honours degree in and move onto something else if you want to. 10 hours of lectures a week means you basically don't have to show up for a whole lot other than tutorials = more pub time. If the UCD campus if your idea of a buzzing social scene.
Yeah, I'm bitter, shoulda gone to TCD and done the extra year !

Focking hell~!! Seriously?!? That sounds pretty terrible, is it possible that you just had a bad experience? And are the employment prospects really that bad? Surely you can get a job in law if you are qualified in the area, or at least go on to further study at Kings Inns etc in order to improve chances?

Tea-a-Maria · 23-07-2009 9:49pm

I'd beg to differ on some of the points mentioned here!The classmates are not boring,I'd put that down to a matter of personal opinion really.The lecturers are by no means all boring either,I've had some really charismatic and entertaining lecturers in my first year.:D

Also,what 'steep hill up to the back of beyonds' are you talking about?

The employment prospects for law aren't great at the moment,that's true.But bear in mind that it'll be at 4 years before you finish your degree,5 if you do a masters.Then if you choose to go down the route of solicitor or barrister,you have more training to do.So while things aren't great at the moment,circumstances could be very different by the time you're entering the workforce.

siobhank · 23-07-2009 9:52pm

KieranKennedy wrote: »

Focking hell~!! Seriously?!? That sounds pretty terrible, is it possible that you just had a bad experience? And are the employment prospects really that bad? Surely you can get a job in law if you are qualified in the area, or at least go on to further study at Kings Inns etc in order to improve chances?

Think that personally I wasn't suited to UCD. Too many yoh-yohs and Oompa Loompas. Plus the course itself seemed to involve lecturers reading from (their own - compulsory to buy) textbooks. Loved the subject and went on to King's Inns which was fab - small classes, interactive setting, great social life.
But yeah it was 3 years I should really have gone to Cork or Galway for and gotten a proper college experience.

edit: the 'steep hill' was a long mucky walk up to Roebuck Castle, but maybe the lectures are somewhere else now.
My classmates were all tools, TBH! Well, most of them anyway. The country students were great craic.

Tea-a-Maria · 23-07-2009 10:00pm

:DYay boggers!

Most lectures are in the Arts block,but I still have tutorials in Roebuck.I really wouldn't consider it to be on a steep slope,and it definitely isn't the back of beyonds!(Though I was in Merville so I may be biased:P)

siobhank · 23-07-2009 10:15pm

Tea-a-Maria wrote: »

:DYay boggers!

I really wouldn't consider it to be on a steep slope,and it definitely isn't the back of beyonds!:P)

ah, now, here it's steep - done it in the lashing rain after walking from the 46a stop on the N11? Brrr!!!
Was always jealous of those people living on campus

there were four girls in my class - think 'Mean Girls' - who used to do French manicures on each other in lectures. Now, the year I got in the points were fairly steep. I used to stare at them and wonder what 'favours' they gave to get in....

KieranKennedy · 24-07-2009 7:47pm

siobhank wrote: »

ah, now, here it's steep - done it in the lashing rain after walking from the 46a stop on the N11? Brrr!!!
Was always jealous of those people living on campus

there were four girls in my class - think 'Mean Girls' - who used to do French manicures on each other in lectures. Now, the year I got in the points were fairly steep. I used to stare at them and wonder what 'favours' they gave to get in....

Listen I think the fact that you are complainin' about a walk up a slight gradient is quite telling, you obviously didn't enjoy your time in the course and resultantly have quite a chip on yizzer shoulder. I doubt it is as bad as you are making it out to be. And mean girls are hot, I look forward to bagging half my class if the girls are all of a similar disposition this time around!

IKOS · 25-07-2009 7:57pm

Yep I also find that hill very steep. I think a chair-lift would be in order. The upside of being in the back of beyonds is that there are less arts students roaming around:rolleyes:. It’s a fair walk up a steep hill, that’s usually a deterrent.

woohooo · 10-08-2009 11:27am

Woa results out in 2 days...
I have Law in UCD as my first choice but kinda worried now after reading all that!!!!
I'm a bogger too.. we're not so bad :rolleyes:
Was gonna put down Law and French in Trinity but I dont think I would have got the points and I want to have a life too..
Need some reassuarance here.. its not that boring is it???

lemon_sherbert · 10-08-2009 11:31am

woohooo wrote: »

Woa results out in 2 days...
I have Law in UCD as my first choice but kinda worried now after reading all that!!!!
I'm a bogger too.. we're not so bad :rolleyes:
Was gonna put down Law and French in Trinity but I dont think I would have got the points and I want to have a life too..
Need some reassuarance here.. its not that boring is it???

Don't be worried on the basis of the comments of a few people. I've studied law modules through Business and Law, and though one or two was a little boring, for the most part I find the subjects very interesting. I suppose it depends on where your interests lie, doesn't it?:)

Go in with an open mind and you'll enjoy it, don't worry, and with plenty of time to have a life with few hours in first year.

sipod2007 · 12-08-2009 7:39pm

I'm planning on doing a degree in law in september and i am wondering can anybody recommend any books that i should read to help prepare me for the course?

randypriest · 12-08-2009 8:14pm

sipod2007 wrote: »

I'm planning on doing a degree in law in september and i am wondering can anybody recommend any books that i should read to help prepare me for the course?

Wait until you get into the course and the Lecturer gives you advice on what book to buy or what cases to read. You have very few lecture hours so that you can do that reading and the workload isnt really that great, especially in first year. Take a break until your degree starts and dont stress that you need to read ahead. Just make sure that during the year you go to Tutorials and attend as many Lectures as you can and you will be fine.

Jev/N · 12-08-2009 10:36pm

sipod2007 wrote: »

I'm planning on doing a degree in law in september and i am wondering can anybody recommend any books that i should read to help prepare me for the course?

As mentioned above, don't stress and it's not like secondary! Also I'd avoid getting books in college as much as possible, especially if they are due to be updated as they'll be tougher to sell.

The one book I'd recommend (and it's a pocket-sized book) is Learning the Law by Glanville Williams, preferably the newest edition. It has a good intro into the idea of law and the development of it, but most importantly how law exam questions are asked, both problem and essay, and what the examiner looks for from an answer - I know it might seem stupid mentioning this already but if you know how to listen and condense info in the lectures suited to the exams, rather than taking down everything the lecturer says

I had the book at home for years, won it when I was in TY but never bothered to read it until a few months back and I was sorry I didn't!

Tea-a-Maria · 12-08-2009 11:13pm

Another word of advice,law books are notoriously expensive,so try and get them second hand if you can.Many second years try and sell off books so keep an eye out for ads on billboards around the law building.The Student's Union also has a second hand bookshop.I got most of my books second hand and never had a problem with them.You don't even use them all that often tbh.

sipod2007 · 13-08-2009 2:26pm

Thanks for the info folks!!

--homeslice-- · 17-08-2009 6:56pm

woohooo wrote: »

I have Law in UCD as my first choice but kinda worried now after reading all that!!!!

same here! but i got it, after the massive points drop! c'mon UCD!! can't wait to start! WOOOOOOOOOOO!

woohooo · 17-08-2009 9:37pm

Woo law ucd!! Im so excied I havent been able to sit still all day!!:D

ALincoln · 17-08-2009 9:50pm

Generally it's not necessary to buy law books - they tend to be circa 1000 pages in length. You will probably end up reading 50 pages max out of each one. It's far more economic and directed to photocopy relevant pages.

In addition, the law is updated constantly, and you will be heavily penalised if you provide out dated material in exams/essays. So again, buying a book isn't a brialliant (or even good) long term investment.

Studying Law in UCD

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