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
We only accept applications for our GDL in Hong Kong. Our new conversion course is the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL).
The GDL is specially designed as the conversion course into legal study. It is one of the pathways 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.
International Students: we are no longer accepting applications from people who need a Student Route visa for full-time courses that start before July 2023.
Key Facts
Entry requirements
An undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline (or equivalent).
Full requirementsSTUDY 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 progress to the next stage in your legal studies
- 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
- On completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply and progress onto the PCLL* in Hong Kong
*Entry requirements depend on individual PCLL providers, discretion on acceptance are considered by individual universities. Find out more here: www.pcea.com.hk
We also work with over 90 of the top 100 law firms.
If you choose to progress onto the BPC, you will benefit from our excellent pupillage rate - 52% of our full-time UK/EEA 2018-19 BPC students graduating in 2019 have successfully secured or completed pupillage (based on student data collated summer 2021).
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 next step in your studies, whether you choose the solicitor or barrister route to qualification.
Important Information
Progression for full-time GDL and MA Law students
If you started our full-time Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Master of Arts in Law (MA Law) in September 2021, you should be eligible to commence the Bar Practice Course (BPC) or Legal Practice Course (LPC) in September 2022 on successful completion of your course.
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 Programme Demands - all modes of study ➔
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?
The SQE is being phased in to become the new centralised way to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales
Find out moreCourse Start Dates
September 2022
-
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
- Full-time: Hong Kong
- Part-time: Hong Kong
September 2023
-
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
- Full-time: Hong Kong
- Part-time: Hong Kong
September 2024
-
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
- Full-time: Hong Kong
- Part-time: Hong Kong
Online
Study Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) Live Online starting September 2022, September 2023 or September 2024
Law Conversion Courses
Start your legal journey
We offer a number of law conversion courses, which offer you a pathway to progress onto become a solicitor or barrister.
View our law conversion guide to make the best choice for you and your career.
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
Oct 11th
How to prepare for the PCLL Conversion Examinations (Virtual Event) (Hong Kong Campus)
Postgraduate and Undergraduate
19:00 - 20:00
Hong Kong
Oct 12th
CheekyLittleCareers X ULaw Fireside Chat With Ardil Salem From Hogan Lovells (Virtual Event)
Postgraduate
17:00 - 18:00
Online
Oct 18th
Convert to a Legal Career (Hong Kong Campus)
Postgraduate and Undergraduate
19:00 - 20:00
Hong Kong
next event
10d 23h 18m
Course Information
To get a full picture of how studying this course works during the year, take a look at our course date breakdowns
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 closed and only available at our Hong Kong campus in January 2022.
September 2022
- Hong Kong HKD $106,000
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.
If you are an international student and are coming to the UK to study, then you must apply to the Home Office for a visa. In most cases you will need to obtain a Student Route visa. In order to apply for this visa you must be sponsored by an education provider which is licensed by the UK Home Office.
The Home Office has also introduced a Graduate Work visa which allows Graduates to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career in the UK for 2 years post completion of a UK degree. The Graduate route is an unsponsored visa, meaning students will not need a job offer to apply for this visa.
Please note that the University does not currently provide visa sponsorship to students for part-time study. We also cannot sponsor students for online courses due to Home Office regulations.
