GDL full-time Manchester
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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-programmes
| 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-programme 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.
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.
GDL students guaranteed a place on BPP's LPC
Because of our close links with the leading law firms in the country, competition for places on our LPC is intense.
As part of the service we provide to our students, graduates from our GDL are guaranteed a place on our Legal Practice Course.
Our GDL graduates can also apply to join BPP's Bar Vocational Course.
Manchesters’ legal market
Manchester is one of the largest legal and commercial centres in the country with law firms and legal employers that are key players in the legal services market. Whether you arte interested in corporate and commercial work, clinical negligence or criminal law, you will have an opportunity to train in firms with leading national and international reputations.
There is a true sense of community amongst the local professions and the ties and connections you form at law school can be maintained and strengthened by a membership of organisations such as the highly successful local Trainee Solicitors and Young Solicitors Groups and the BPP Alumni.
BPP’s Law School in Manchester
Situated in the heart of the city centre, within five minutes’ walk of the train station and main shopping areas, BPP’s Law School in Manchester is a newly renovated historic building equipped to the highest standard with hi-tech teaching aids, learning resources, comfortable classrooms and common rooms.
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 Graduate Diploma in Law, 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 Manchester. Click here for a list of all forthcoming careers and information events.
