GDL full-time Leeds
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What is the GDL?
Sometimes referred to as the Common Professional Examination (CPE), the GDL is a conversion course enabling those holding qualifying non-law degrees in any subject to convert to a career in law. After completing the GDL, intending barrister progress on to the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) before entering the profession as pupil barristers, while intending solicitors progress to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) before entering the profession as trainee solicitors.
BPP’s ‘Distinctive GDL’ is designed to help you make the transition from undergraduate study to the practice of law.
Preparing you for practice
The GDL may be the first experience you have of law, so we have designed a programme offering you both a solid academic grounding and preparation for the realities of legal practice.
We believe that law is not just about learning legal rules. In addition to teaching substantive law, BPP’s GDL develops the essential legal skills of legal analysis, research and presentation while practising the application of law to factual disputes - a skill which is developed through our student-centred interactive tutorials.
Small group sessions reflect realistic legal scenarios and are based on past examination questions. This means that your examination skills as well as your legal knowledge develop as the programme progresses.
Using our first rate library and information resources you will be introduced to the legal research skills essential to any lawyer. By the end of the programme, you will be familiar with both hard copy, library based resources as well as electronic media such as Lawtel, Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis. Our award-winning Pro Bono Centre offers the opportunity to gain experience in using law to help real people solve real problems. Click here for more information.
Our 'Distinctive GDL' is designed to provide you with an excellent foundation for the LPC and BVC and the early years of practice as a lawyer thereafter.
Click Studying full-time at BPP for more information on what it's like to study law full-time at BPP
How is the programme structured?
The programme begins with a two week induction course designed to familiarise non-law students from diverse academic backgrounds with the English legal system and the process of legal reasoning and argument. You will then study the following seven core modules for the rest of the year:
| Modules |
| Contract Law |
| Constitutional and Administrative Law |
| Criminal Law |
| Equity and Trusts Law |
| Land Law |
| Law of the European Union (taught fortnightly) |
| Law of Tort |
In addition you will complete an Independent Extended Essay of 4000 words chosen from a wide range of titles.
How is the programme taught?
Each of the core modules is taught using a one hour lecture and one hour small group session (the latter with a maximum of 16 students) per week. After the lecture you will have at least a week to prepare for the small group session.
Small group sessions are the main focus of the programme providing you with an opportunity to discuss law with your tutor and fellow students and to practise applying the law to realistic examination type problem scenarios.
| One hour of lecture : One hour of small group session = The best ratio of any leading provider |
To help you successfully make the transition from a non-law background our programme includes:
- a legal essay writing class
- a practice examination type essay
- development of examination skills in tutorials throughout the year
- study of real 'good' and 'bad' scripts by previous candidates
- mock examinations in each module
The programme is supported by the BPP manuals provided for each module. These manuals contain a thorough guide to the relevant law, self assessment questions and answers, specific references for further reading, the tutorial questions for the whole year and a past examination question.
In addition to the BPP manuals, within your programme fees you will be provided with a comprehensive range of materials for each subject including:
- a textbook
- a casebook
- a statute book
- access to a wide range of online resources
- a DVD box set containing all lectures
- streamed audio files of lectures for download to your MP3 player
GDL Extra
At BPP you will have the unique opportunity to add a specialist subject to your GDL by participating in ‘GDL Extra’* and choosing to complete one of our specialist short courses. ‘GDL Extra’ is purely optional but it is an option you will not have with any other provider.
The short courses are timetabled to fit round your core studies and GDL workload. They are designed to give you the opportunity to:
- develop a wider interest in law
- fire your enthusiasm by offering you a glimpse into the realities of some fascinating areas of practice
- knowledgeably discuss these areas with prospective employers
Choose one of our three optional short-courses
| Evidence and forensics | Law in the City | International Law |
Forensic science Criminal investigation and profiling |
Company Law – directors duties, shareholder rights, the corporate veil How the City works – the role of lawyers in City businesses |
Foundations and mechanisms – the UN, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court Current Issues – from Darfur to Guantanamo Bay |
Each short-course comprises:
- A series of lectures introducing legal theory and practice
- Lectures from visiting professionals in the field
- A court visit and/or excursion
* GDL Extra modules may occur outside of your usual classroom contact time
Company Law programme
No matter what sort of lawyer you want to be, whether you wish to work for a big commercial firm, a High Street practice, in-house for charity, the government, or as an international lawyer – you will need to learn about Company Law. Companies will be your employers, your clients, your opponents.
BPP is the only law school to offer an optional Company Law Lecture Programme specially designed for GDL students.
* GDL Extra modules may occur outside of your usual classroom contact time
When will I study?
The
full-time GDL is delivered Monday-Friday with classes held on four days a week.
There are no classes on one day a week which is reserved for private study.
Term dates for 2007 are yet to be set. For your guidance, term usually starts the last week in September.
How is the programme assessed?
The programme is assessed using a combination of coursework, an extended essay and examinations in each foundation module. Feedback is given throughout the programme to help you achieve success and maximise your potential.
| Assessment | |
Coursework Extended essay |
accounting for 25% of the total marks |
Final examinations held in June |
accounting for 75% of the total marks |
What are the admissions criteria?
The minimum admissions requirement is:
- minimum lower second class UK honours degree, or
- overseas graduate issued with a Certificate of Academic Standing (COAS) from the Bar Council or the Law Society, or
- mature non-degree holder with suitable management experience
Priority is given to applicants who have placed BPP as their first choice.
Student from overseas whose first language is not English must demonstrate a sufficient command of English by holding IELTS Level 6.5 qualification (or equivalent).
Mature non-degree holders
The law society allow mature non-degree holding candidates to apply to complete the GDL with the desire of going onto complete the LPC.
They state that all applicants must have:
- Considerable vocational experience at middle management level (minimum 10 years)
- A sufficient standard of education
- Good command of spoken and written English
For further information click here or contact the Law Society on +44 (0) 1527 504433.
GDL students guaranteed a place on BPP's LPC
Because of our close links with the leading law firms in the country, places on our LPC and BVC are very popular.
As part of the service we provide to our students, graduates from our GDL are guaranteed a place on our Legal Practice Course.
For prospective barristers, the Bar Council does not allow such guarantees. However, in the majority of cases we can offer students who successfully complete our GDL a place on our Bar Vocational Course.
What if I am exempt from part of the GDL?
Our GDL offers a high level of flexibility for those who are exempt from parts of the GDL. Such exemptions may be available if, you have a Scottish law degree or have studied a substantial amount of law at undergraduate level.
Part-exempt students may study the remaining GDL modules they require on a full, part-time or distance learning basis, or through a combination of these.
For more information about your eligibility for exemption click here.
Leeds’ legal market
As one of the fastest growing economies in the UK, Leeds draws its strength from its reputable legal and financial services industry.
Leeds is home to a close-knit legal community that boasts numerous law firms ranking amongst the top 10 in the UK with strong national and international reputations and offers the opportunity to work for local government, the Crown Prosecution Service and successful small, medium and niche firms specialising in practice areas from criminal law to media law.
Wherever your legal future lies, Leeds can open the door to a fulfilling and challenging legal career.
BPP’s Law School in Leeds
Situated in the heart of the city, just a five minute walk from the train station and main shopping areas, BPP’s Law School in Leeds is a state-of-the-art building providing high levels of technological facilities, comfortable common rooms and is home to the North of England’s only IP Centre of Excellence, launched in 2006 in conjunction with local firms and chambers.
Click here for a map.
How do I apply?
Applications for the full-time GDL must be made through the Central Applications Board (CAB).
You can apply online for full-time programmes commencing September 2007 from 1st November 2006.
To apply online click here
For further information please contact:
The Central Applications Board
P0 Box 84
Guildford
Surrey GU3 1YX
Tel: 01483 451 080
First round applications open on 1st November 2006 and close on 1st February 2007.
Second round applications open on 2nd February 2007 and close at the start of term in September 2007.
Please note that places at BPP fill up quickly and you are advised to apply as early as possible.
What are the programme fees?
Fees for programmes starting in September 2007 have yet to be set. As a guide the fees for programmes starting in September 2006 are £5,950.
Fees are payable by monthly instalments and include all manuals, textbooks, casebooks, statute books, DVDs and MP3 downloads required for the programme.
Is law for me?
If you are unsure whether a career in law is for you, our popular week-long Summer School gives you an insight into the study and practice of law. Click here to find out more.
Further information & contacts
For further information about the full-time GDL, please contact BPP Admissions:
Tel: 0845 077 5566
Email: lawadmissions@bpp.com
Click here to download a brochure.
Visit us
We invite you to visit our Law School in Leeds. Click here for a list of all forthcoming careers and information events.
