University College Cork

Develop advanced expertise in family law through a taught postgraduate programme at University College Cork, combining doctrinal study with clinic-based learning. You will examine how law regulates family relationships, protects rights within the family, and responds to changing social realities. Duration: Typically 1 year (confirm the exact study period in the programme calendar). Credits: Programme credit requirements apply (confirm the total credits/ECTS on the programme page). Delivery: Postgraduate study at University College Cork (confirm campus/format details on the official programme website). Language of instruction: English. Start dates: Check the programme website for the next intake. Tuition fees: Fees vary by student category; confirm current tuition on the programme website. Assessment: Coursework and clinic-based learning; final assessment requirements are set by the School of Law. Progression: May support progression to related postgraduate pathways (e.g., postgraduate diploma/LLM options) subject to meeting the required academic standard. Programme Structure (indicative) Core modules/courses may include:

• Comparative Family Property Law
• The Family and the Law
• Legal Regulation of Cohabitation and Emerging Family Forms
• Family Law Clinic
• Mental Capacity Law

Learning approach

• Taught lectures and seminars to develop doctrinal understanding and comparative legal analysis.
• Clinic-based learning to build practical skills in legal research, case assessment, and professional communication.
• Applied study of how family law interacts with capacity and decision-making frameworks.

Capstone/final assessment

The final assessment format is determined by the programme regulations. Confirm whether the programme includes a dissertation, capstone, or final written examinations on the official curriculum page.

Academic requirements

GPA Your GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a number that indicates how well or how high you scored in your courses on average. Usually a GPA scales between 1.0 and 4.0, however different countries and universities can have different grading systems.

Upper Second Class

English requirements

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120

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OR

90

PTE Academic PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) is a language test that enables students to demonstrate their writing, listening, speaking, and reading skills when applying to study in English. The score refers to a total score which ranges between 10 and 90.

63

Schedule a PTE test!

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140

IELTS The International English Language Test System (IELTS) tests your English-language proficiency on a scale of 1 – 9. The score refers to the combined average score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading).

6.5

Other requirements

General requirements

• Hold a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours Law degree (NFQ, Level 8).

or

• Have other relevant third-level educational qualifications and/or professional experience that, in the opinion of the School of Law, qualifies you under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to undertake the Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Family Law.

Note: Applicants may be asked to provide supporting documentation (e.g., transcripts, degree certificates, and a CV) as part of the admissions review. Confirm required documents and deadlines on the programme website.

Check for any work restrictions

After completing your studies, you may be eligible to apply for a post-study work permission/visa (where available) depending on your nationality and the immigration rules in force at the time you apply.

Key points to check:

• Eligibility: You must have successfully completed the programme and meet the minimum conditions set by the Irish immigration authorities.
• Timing: Applications are typically made after graduation and within the required application window—check current deadlines.
• Duration: The permitted stay/work period varies by programme type and policy updates; confirm the expected duration on the official government guidance.
• Work restrictions: Some permissions allow employment without a separate work permit, while others may require specific conditions (e.g., job type, hours, or registration). Always verify the exact restrictions that apply to your case.

For the most accurate guidance for University College Cork graduates, consult the official Irish immigration/work permission information and the programme’s international student support resources.