Graduate Diploma In Law (GDL)

Overview

Our GDL is designed to help you make a smooth transition from being a non-law graduate into a career in law. We don't just give you an excellent qualification, we give you an insight into life in practice, so you enter the next stage of your training more informed, more prepared and more effective, and able to demonstrate a higher competency when applying for training contracts and pupillages.

Who is it for?

Our Graduate Diploma in Law is right for you if you:
• are a non-law graduate
• are an overseas law graduate
• have a non-qualifying law degree
• are a non-graduate with significant managerial experience.

Description

We assume you have no prior knowledge of law when you start your GDL, so you get a full induction programme and a high level of support from day one. This includes outstanding learning materials and online resources all included in the fee. All lectures and resources have online equivalents.

You'll be taught by our experienced legal professionals and academics, with time split evenly between tutorials and lectures as well as regular consolidation sessions and a wealth of online resources. Lectures and consolidation classes are delivered live in Leeds, London and Manchester and online in all other centres. You will study an introduction to the English legal system followed by the seven foundation modules, through a one-hour tutorial and a one-hour lecture per week – plus regular consolidation in each module. 

As a part-time GDL student your modules will be structured as follows:

• Year one: Contract Law, Law of Torts, Constitutional Law
• Year two: Land Law, Law of Equity and Trusts, Criminal Law, Law of the European Union, Independent Research Essay

Whether you're a full-time or part-time student, you can also choose to study our additional optional professional skills modules:

• Legal Research
• Legal Writing

You can also choose from various specialist legal subject modules:

• Evidence and Forensics
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Law
• Law in the City
• Company Law

Requirements

If you're a UK graduate, you'll need a minimum 2:2 honours degree or above in any subject from a recognised UK institution. You are guaranteed a place if your honours degree is a 2:1 or above. Students without a degree from the UK or ROI will also need a Certificate of Academic Standing (COAS).