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Graduate foundation in law
For graduates from a non-law background, our Graduate Foundation in Law Programme (GFL) is a uniquely designed law conversion course for those wanting to take the SQE to qualify as a solicitor but do not have a law degree or equivalent experience.
We believe that you don’t need to take a full Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) prior to starting your preparation for the SQE. Our GFL programme gives you everything you need to know in half the time, and puts you on a level playing field with UK law graduates.
The GFL programme has both 20-week full-time or 40-week part-time options, and you can move straight onto a SQE1 preparation course or LLM in Legal Practice at the end. You will also receive a 10% discount on all SQE preparation courses and LLM.
The programme covers six foundation areas of law. The syllabus for each of these six areas is aligned to the Solicitors Regulation Authority specification of functioning legal knowledge for the SQE. In each area, you will develop a practical and functional understanding of the foundations of English & Welsh Law, and core analytical and practical legal skills.
Why study with us
tuition
The College delivered a pilot GFL Programme course in May 2022, this is what the attendees had to say:
- Easy to log on and access the learning portal for the first time
- Found the course user friendly and in plain English, so someone who hadn’t studied law could understand it
- Liked the learning materials and how it was split into sections
- Found it useful to have a written version/transcript of each of the videos available
- Important to have an induction on how to use Westlaw (online legal resource)
- The workshops with supervisors greatly helped the students understand the key legal issues and how to analyse legal information
Course details
Admissions Criteria
- UK undergraduate degree with minimum 2:2 classification or equivalent qualification or experience.
- Applications are still invited from those with a third-class degree, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You may be invited to an informal interview with our Academic Team to determine suitability for admission.
- If English isn’t your first language, English language qualifications equivalent to IELTS at level 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in each component (writing, listening, speaking, reading). You can be exempt from this requirement if you have a qualification which is equivalent to a UK undergraduate degree which was taught in English. Please refer to our Admissions Guidance for full entry criteria details.
Click here to see our Admissions Guidance.
Credits
90 FHEQ Level 6
Please note, there are no awards or qualifications (e.g. Diploma) associated with this programme.
Course Options
Full-time 20-week course (30-35 hours)
Part-time 40-week course (15-20 hours)
Course Fees
£3,250
A deposit is required to secure your place and you can pay via instalments, please see the fee schedule for details.
Once you have accepted your place, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on all preparation courses for the SQE and courses within the Developing Legal Professionals Programme, please see the fee schedule for details.
Timing
The College’s first full-time and part-time Graduate Foundation in Law Programmes will start in October 2022. Go to the Course Schedule for programme start dates.
How to Apply
Applications are open for courses starting in 2022/23.
If you have any questions about your circumstances or the programme, please contact us.
Frequently asked questions
- Does it include an SQE prep course as well or do you need to do it separately?
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The GFL is a separate programme from the College’s SQE prep courses. But it is designed to prepare non-law graduates, or those who have no knowledge of the English & Welsh legal system, for a seamless transition onto our SQE prep courses or LLM in Legal Practice.
- What are the key differences between the GFL and the LLM in Legal Practice?
- Can I take the LLB/LLM top-up after completing your GFL course?
- How do you assess the GFL course? Exam or assignment?
- What is the difference between this and other Masters conversion courses?
- Say you pass SQE1, do you need to secure a training contract in order to pass SQE2?
- Does the qualification allow you to progress to the same extent as a PGDL/law conversion?
- Would the GFL be as attractive to future employers compared to other courses?
- Is the GFL recognised highly amongst lawyers?
- Can I take the Bar courses such as BPC, BTC etc. after completing your GFL course?
- Do all the universities that offer Bar courses accept GFL certificates to take their Bar course?