With our modular structured study pattern, you can focus on key areas each semester and complete exams as you go, instead of all at the end of the year.
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GDL
Graduate Diploma in Law
The GDL is specially designed as the conversion course into legal study. It is the pathway into practice for non-law graduates. If you have completed an undergraduate degree in a non-law field and want to study law at a postgraduate level you’ll first need to complete this conversion course. With a modular structure, our GDL offers you a great chance to make the transition into legal study with excellent levels of support and guidance from our experienced, professional tutors.
Key Facts
Entry requirements
An undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline (or equivalent).
Full requirementsLocations
Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Guildford, Hong Kong, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Nottingham, Online (Hong Kong), Reading, Sheffield and OnlineSTUDY ONLINE
If you’re looking for a more flexible approach to your studies, why not consider our online study option?
Course Details
GDL
If you’re looking to make the change into legal study and already have an undergraduate degree in another discipline then our GDL is your pathway into legal practice.
Many employers favour GDL students in an increasingly competitive legal job market. Through studying another degree subject, and building your career in another discipline, you will have gained many transferable skills. By choosing law at a later stage than some others, you are showing motivation and determination to pursue a new career. Employers actively seek candidates with these benefits.
When you study the GDL with us you will:
- Learn to think like a lawyer and develop practical legal skills through small group workshops and problem-based learning
- Be ready to complete your legal training and go on to study the LPC or BPC
- Explore an area of law that interests you via your own Research Project or our unique Law of Organisations module
- Spread out your study and exams with our structured modular study pattern, so you can focus on key areas each semester and complete exams as you go, instead of all at the end of the year
- Enjoy flexible study – choose to study full-time or part-time at one of our locations nationwide, or online
- Receive access to our award-winning careers support to help you with your training contract and pupillage applications
- Be taught by qualified lawyers, with lectures and practical workshops to develop your legal skills
Whether you choose to progress onto the LPC or BPC, you will benefit from our excellent employment and pupillage rates -
- 95% of our 2017/18 full-time, UK, LPC graduates have secured work or further study within fifteen months of successfully completing this course (based on Graduate Outcomes data).
- 59% of our full-time UK/EEA BPC students graduating in 2018 secured a pupillage (based on student data collated September 2020). Previously the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).
What is modular study?
Our GDL is modular. This means that you complete the exam for each module at the end of the semester while the information is still fresh in your mind, similar to how you might have done for your undergraduate degree.
Successful completion of the GDL then qualifies you to proceed on to the LPC or BPC to qualify as a solicitor or barrister, respectively.
Important Information
Progression for full-time GDL and MA Law students starting in September and January
Due to the projected end date of some of our courses, you may not be eligible to commence the Bar Practice Course (BPC) or Legal Practice Course (LPC) in September of the same year.
Please note: If you require a visa to study in the UK and wish to progress on to one of our on-campus vocational courses, please refer to our UK visa requirements page for information about applying for a Student Route visa.
Programme Demands
This document explains the demands of the course in order to assess your ability for the course.
Download GDL full-time programme demands ➔
Download GDL part-time programme demands ➔
Course Structure
Required pre-course study
Before you start your GDL you will need to complete our online pre-course study programme on legal method (approximately 40 – 50 hours), designed specifically to prepare you for the GDL, so you're up to speed when you arrive.
Introductory module
Ethics and Professional Legal Practice
This module is taken at the start of the course. It includes:
- Insight into the different areas of the legal profession
- Consideration of the role of legal ethics within the profession
- Development of key legal skills and professional attributes required by lawyers
Foundation modules
There are seven key areas of law that you’ll study over the course:
- Public Law
- European Union Law
- Criminal Law
- Tort
- Contract Law
- Land Law
- Equity and Trusts Law
Research Study Options
Choose one:
Research Project
In this module you will plan, research and write an essay, tailored to reflect the area of law in which you intend to specialise. You will have time dedicated in your timetable to undertake this work and detailed guidance on both legal research and legal essay writing skills.
Law of Organisations
This module is for students intending to practise as a solicitor in a corporate law practice and is offered as an alternative to the Research Project module. In this module you will study the principles of contract and corporate law that underpin the creation and running of business organisations. The module will develop your legal research skills through the preparation of a legal report on an allocated problem-based question. On the full-time course, this module will be taught through face-to-face workshops and on the part-time course this module will be studied online.
What about the SQE?
Legal qualification will be changing in 2021. Get the latest insight into how this may affect you.
Find out moreCourse Start Dates
January 2021
-
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
- Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Guildford, Hong Kong, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Nottingham, Online (Hong Kong), Reading and Sheffield
- Part-time: Online (Hong Kong)
- Part-time Evening: Hong Kong and London Bloomsbury
- Part-time Weekend: Hong Kong, London Bloomsbury and Manchester
September 2021
-
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
- Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Guildford, Hong Kong, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Nottingham, Online (Hong Kong), Reading and Sheffield
- Part-time: Online (Hong Kong)
- Part-time Evening: Birmingham, Hong Kong, Leeds, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate and Reading
- Part-time Weekend: Birmingham, Bristol, Guildford, London Bloomsbury, Manchester and Nottingham
January 2022
-
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
- Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Guildford, Hong Kong, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Nottingham, Online (Hong Kong), Reading and Sheffield
- Part-time: Online (Hong Kong)
- Part-time Evening: Hong Kong and London Bloomsbury
- Part-time Weekend: Hong Kong, London Bloomsbury and Manchester
September 2022
-
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
- Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Guildford, Hong Kong, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Nottingham, Online (Hong Kong), Reading and Sheffield
- Part-time: Online (Hong Kong)
- Part-time Evening: Birmingham, Hong Kong, Leeds, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate and Reading
- Part-time Weekend: Birmingham, Bristol, Guildford, London Bloomsbury, Manchester and Nottingham
Online
Study Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) Online starting January 2021, September 2021, January 2022 or September 2022
Study Online
You can also study this course online.
The online version of this course covers the same content as the on campus version, while still offering you the same high level of professional tutor support.
If you’re looking for a more flexible approach to your studies, why not consider our online study option?
open daysUpcoming Dates
Dec 3rd
Studying Law Online – International Student Focus – How does it work?
Postgraduate
13:00 - 14:00
Online
Dec 8th
Virtual Future Student Social, Liverpool Campus
Postgraduate
17:00 - 18:00
Liverpool
Dec 10th
PCLL Conversion Examinations Preparatory Course (PPC) Information Seminar, Hong Kong Campus
Postgraduate
11:00 - 12:00
Hong Kong
next event
0d 15h 21m
Course Information
With so many options for how and where you can study the GDL, you can be sure to find a start date and study option to suit your needs.
With our structured modular study and assessment pattern, your exams are spread out so you can focus on selected modules each semester.
Each module will be assessed through a range of assessments including, Multiple Choice Questions, open and closed book exams, written essays and reports.
Each of our full-time and part-time GDL study options has its own structure, with different assessments to suit.
Employability We Set You Up For Success
We care about your career, which is why we offer support with job applications and other work experience opportunities as soon as you accept your place.
Discover more
Find a career that suits you
Fees and Applying
Applications for this course are now open.
If you’d like to study full-time you can apply through CAB. For part-time study you can apply directly with us.
UK
- January 2021: From £9,700
- September 2021: From £9,850
International
- Hong Kong: From HKD $100,000
With a range of scholarships and bursaries available, studying with us is more affordable than ever.
We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.
