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Graduate DIPLOMA in law
graduate diploma in law
Course overview
- 20-week full-time course
- 40-week part-time course
- Price: £3,250
For graduates from a non-law background, our Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) 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, and gives you everything you need to know and puts you on a level playing field with UK law graduates.
After completing the GDL, you can move straight onto our 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.
During the GDL programme, you’ll develop technical and practical proficiency in relation to six foundation subject areas of Law of England and Wales. The programme begins with a module on the Introduction to Law, which is designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills that underpin, and are applied in, the foundation subjects.
You will then study the following modules:
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law
- Tort Law
- Land Law
- Public Law (inc EU Law)
- Trusts
This Graduate Diploma in Law Programme is built upon and replaces the College's first law conversion course, the Graduate Foundation in Law (GFL) which ran from 2022-2023.
Why study with us
Learning Structure
Guided Learning
The programme is fully online with all the materials you require for each module available on Canvas. You will also receive a hard-copy GDL manual at the start of the programme.
There are introductions within Canvas to guide you through how to set up your profile and how to access the different aspects of the portal.
Each module is broken down into workshop units. You’ll approach each unit in the same way following these steps:
- View the introductory recorded presentation
- Complete the directed reading
- Apply your knowledge from the reading to the case study scenario and identify key legal issues
- Attend the workshop with your subject matter expert
Supervision and Support
We support your learning through the modules in the following ways:
- Town hall meetings for the whole cohort – to orientate you for each week
- Workshops - where you’ll be able to discuss and analyse key legal issues with your peers and a subject matter expert
- Personal Supervisor meetings - the first of which will be scheduled at the start of the programme
Assessment Details
At the end of each module, you will complete two assessments.
For the Introduction to Law module only, this will be comprised of a MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) and SAQ (Short Answer Question) assessment, and a separate assessment on legal research and analysis.
For each of the other six modules, you will have one assessment split into two parts. The two parts are a legal issues assessment and a legal scenario assessment.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COURSE FOR YOU
The Graduate Diploma in Law can be taken across 20 or 40 weeks. The programme content and learning approach is the same, but you can choose the number of hours that you wish to learn each week depending on your circumstances.
- Graduate Diploma in Law Full-time: 20-week
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The 20-week course is considered full-time, as you will be learning on average for 30-35 hours a week. We would recommend this programme if you are able to be a full-time student or work part-time.
If you have other commitments, you will need to review the timetable when it is available a week before the course starts, and plan your learning, particularly the live workshops, into your working week.
As a guide, you will have the following activities across the programme:
- Guided learning throughout each week
- 2 hour live workshops: 2-3 each week on average (three in your first two weeks)
- 30mins Town Hall meetings: 1 every 4-5 weeks
- 5 x 15 mins personal supervision meetings throughout the programme
- Summative Assessments throughout the programme
You can see an example schedule here
Please note, programmes details are developing and can be subject to change.
- Graduate Diploma in Law Part-time: 40-week
From the College's GFL programmes that finished in 2023, the College has a 100% student satisfaction rate with the programme overall, with a recommendation score of 9.5 out of 10.
100% satisfaction levels with workshops
100% satisfaction levels with the 1-2-1 meetings throughout the programme
Course details
Admissions Criteria
- UK undergraduate degree with minimum 2:2 classification or equivalent qualification or experience, OR 3 A-Levels (or equivalent qualification), alongside at least two years work experience in legal services (for example, as a paralegal)
- Applications are still invited from those with a third-class degree, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are applying with a third-class degree, you will be asked to submit a Personal Statement as part of your application, summarising any circumstances which resulted in your degree classification. You may also be invited to an informal interview with our Academic Team to further discuss 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
This programme carries 90 credits at FHEQ level 6. You need to achieve a pass in each of the 7 modules to be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Law.
Course Options
Full-time 20-week course (30-35 hours of study per week, with more hours in the first two weeks)
Part-time 40-week course (15-20 hours of study per week, with more hours in the first two weeks)
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
Go to the Course Schedule for all programme dates.
How to Apply
Applications are open for courses starting in 2024.
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?
- What are the key differences between the GDL and the LLM in Legal Practice?
- Can I take the LLB/LLM top-up after completing your GFL course?
- How do you assess the GDL 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?
Student experiences
Hear from two of our students on our law conversion programme, then the GFL, and their experiences of studying with the College.