Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
The Graduate Diploma in Law is sometimes referred to as the conversion course for non-law graduates who want to qualify as either Solicitors or Barristers. The GDL satisfies the professional body requirements of the academic stage of training for Solicitors and Barristers.
BPP Law School’s GDL gives you more weekly contact time and more ways to study than any other leading provider. It’s a highly flexible programme, and we’ve created extra optional content (including Company Law) as well as an additional professional skills programme. All designed to polish your performance and boost your prospects.
The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is awarded by BPP University College.
We're a highly respected law school and provide legal training exclusively to over 25 leading law firms.
Programme Details
| Locations* | |||
| Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, Liverpool, London Waterloo and Manchester | |||
| Study Options | Duration | Start date | Fees |
| Full time and part time | 1 year full time 1.5-2 years part time | September, January | 2012-13 from £7,510 2013-14 from £7,750 |
| Delivery Mode | UCAS Code | School | Subject Area |
| Classroom, online, both | N/A | Law School | Law |
| Exemptions | Funding Available | Scholarships | Pathway |
| N/A | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| *Subject to demand. Please note programmes/modes may not run at all locations. | |||
Key Information
- More weekly contact than any other leading provider – up to 21 hours a week (consisting of live and online classes dependent on location and start date - see locations tab below for full details)
- Extra funding available through the exclusive Law Loan, Scholarships and interest free payment plans
- All classes and materials are available online for consolidation and revision catch-up
- Personal tutor support throughout your studies
- Two start dates a year in January or September
- Flexibility when you study- weekdays, weekends daytime or evening (teaching dependant upon location)
- Regular weekly catch-up and consolidation sessions in all subjects
- Refine your core skills further with our additional professional skills programme
- More ways to study choose face-to-face, online or both
- Access specialist careers advice from the moment you accept your place, until you secure your first legal position
- Learn more about the law with our additional specialist law modules
- The Law Loan from Investec Bank is offered exclusively to BPP's full-time Graduate Diploma in Law students who hold a UK passport
Benefit from our LPC Career Guarantee
If you start your GDL in September 2013 or January 2014 and go on to study our LPC you'll benefit from our LPC Career Guarantee.
If you don’t get legal employment within six months of completing your LPC you can study another qualification at BPP, worth up to £16,500*, for free. To find out more please visit: www.bpp.com/LPCCareerGuarantee
Preparing you for practice
The BPP University College 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.
Once you have successfully completed your GDL exams, you have the opportunity to specialise or develop an understanding in alternative areas, Take two extra modules and you could graduate with an LLB (Hons) [GDL Conversion]. The LLB (Hons) GDL Conversion is awarded by BPP University College. The Graduate Diploma in Law is awarded by BPP University College and is accredited by the Joint Academic Stage Board.
More details about the programme can be found in the programme specification handbook.
When you have passed your GDL, you're guaranteed a place on our LPC, the next step to becoming a solicitor. Or you can apply for our BPTC, the next step to becoming a barrister.
How the programme is taught
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. For full details view our Locations tab.
What you will experience in the classroom
BPP University College's ethos is learning by doing. Classes are designed with an interactive focus, based on discussions, debates and resolving case studies. You will learn the academic knowledge, but as importantly you will learn how it's applied in practice, with a logical approach, presenting your arguments persuasively and in a structured manner.
You will study up to 21 hours a week in the classroom environment. Tutorials are taught in groups of around 18, giving you a high level of student/tutor contact time. For full details of lectures, tutorials and consolidation classes view our Locations tab.
All our students also have a personal tutor and access to a Student Advisor, should you need any guidance or additional support outside of class time.
Assessment
The programme is assessed using:
- One examination per module
- One piece of coursework
- Statute analysis test
- Case analysis test
- Multiple choice test on the English Legal System
- Independent research essay
International students with Tier 4 student visas CANNOT study the GDL in our Cambridge or Liverpool study centres
Independent research essay options
We offer a wide range of titles, and will always consider individual topics suggested by students. Current options include intellectual property, succession, company law family law, housing law, medical law and public international law.
Study Options
Personalise your GDL timetable
BPP gives you more control over the way you study with face-to-face, online distance learning, or a combination of both available. Classes are offered morning, afternoon, evening and weekends. Face-to-face GDL classes are taught on two set days per week during the core teaching term, at the following centres, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge and Liverpool.
You can start in January or September. For full-time study, both options take nine months. Or if you choose part-time and start in January, you'll finish in 18 months – ready to start the LPC or BPTC in September. If you start part-time in September the programme takes two academic years.
Please note - If at any point during your programme you switch from full-time/part-time to mixed-mode or online study, you may no longer be eligible for government funding. Also if you change from a 2 year degree to a 3 year degree (or vice versa) or change the speed of your part-time study, you will be required to notify the Student Loan Company as changing modes or the speed at which you complete your studies will have fee or student funding implications.
Study the GDL 100% online
With our high-quality distance learning materials you can study the entire GDL online. Watch or listen to lectures in MP4 format whenever and wherever you want, and log into online tutorials at scheduled times.
In accordance with the General Academic Regulations of BPP University College it is possible to take examinations overseas in an assessment centre approved by BPP University College. For more details please contact admissions.
Although you may opt to study 100% online, we still offer you the reassurance of optional face-to-face tutorials. In London these are run through weekend and/or block sessions at regular intervals over the year.
Optional modules
With the BPP GDL, you're given access to an unrivalled range of additional modules, designed to get you ahead and give you the edge in interviews. Highlights include:
- Company law module
- Further specialist law modules – start specialising early in areas such as Intellectual Property or International Law, so you can demonstrate more expertise than other graduates.
- Professional Skills modules – Featuring areas like legal writing and legal research
- Mandarin Chinese – Gain an insight into the language used in one of the world's most important markets with free Mandarin Chinese lessons (London only).
Specialist careers advice
From the moment you accept your place until you secure your first legal position, you can use our careers service. With our one-to-one support, we aim to give you the edge when it comes to getting a training contract or pupillage. You'll have everything from access to our vacancies database to advice on filling out application forms, intensive interview coaching, employer research and networking opportunities with top firms.
Part-time GDL
Our part-time programme is designed to fit around your other commitments such as work and family. BPP offers a variety of part-time modes:
- Evenings: taught between 6.00pm and 9.00pm. Each module is taught by a one-hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial per week. We run lectures on one evening per week, but all our lectures are recorded and made available to students online
- Weekends: one Saturday every fortnight, consisting of tutorials. Lectures delivered online
- Day: taught on one half-day per week from 9am - 1.30pm in year 1 and from 9am - 2.40pm in year 2. Lectures are delivered online
- Distance learning: weekly online lectures and tutorials with optional face-to-face tuition.
Please note live lectures for part-time programmes are only offered in London (Waterloo). Modes are subject to availability and vary between centres.
Modules
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
Please note that modules run subject to demand, therefore all modules may not run in all locations.
This module introduces you to the law of obligations in the private sphere.
You will learn about:
- What is needed for a contract to come into existence and be enforced
- The content of contracts, including the relative importance of different types of terms and defence mechanisms built into contracts
- Vitiating factors which may undermine the validity of contracts
- What happens when things go wrong
Throughout the module, you will be introduced to the principles of contract law within the context of the socio-ethical and commercial world in which these principles are applied. In particular, the module will aim to develop a commercial awareness alongside knowledge of black letter law, for example the commercial imperatives behind exemption of liability and the concept of shared risk.
Our aim is to equip you with a sound knowledge and skills base, as well as an understanding of the underlying policy issues, to progress onto the professional stage of training and ultimately for practice as a commercial solicitor or barrister.
The syllabus typically includes:
- Introduction
- Offer and acceptance
- Intention to create legal relations
- Capacity
- Consideration
- Promissory estoppel
- Duress
- Terms
- Exemption clauses
- Misrepresentation
- Contracts against public policy
- Mistake
- Discharge
- Remedies
This has recently moved to the forefront of public debate, with the passing of the Human Rights Act of 1998 and the resultant flow of litigation.
During the study of this module you will become acquainted with the following notable areas:
- Nature of the UK Constitution
- Rule of law
- Separation of powers
- Institutions and mechanics of the state
- Human rights
- Judicial review
Secondly, it is arguably the most lucrative field of practice, particularly given the national obsession with the property market. Finally, study areas such as leases, mortgages and freehold cases involving anything from unscrupulous landlords to family in-fighting undoubtedly give rise to some genuinely interesting cases. Land Law is your chance to find out who really owns what.
In particular, your Land Law studies will take in the following areas:
- Difference between a lease and a licence
- Differences between registered and unregistered land
- Mortgages
- Easements
- Freehold covenants
- Identify which issues require researching when presented with a question topic which is not formally taught on the GDL
- Research different areas of law relevant to a given area of research using a variety of paper and electronic sources
- Identify which primary and secondary legal sources are of relevance to a given area of research and to use them appropriately
- Understand and use the English language proficiently in the context of your analysis of a legal problem
- Read and digest legal materials written in technical and complex language and apply them to the area of independent legal research which you have selected
- Use the skills you develop on the GDL to apply your legal research to a problem or essay question
Many people's first introduction to the legal system is criminal law, whether through reading the true crime stories which frequently dominate the newspaper headlines, or the fictionalised courtroom dramas ever present on our television screens.
Studying Criminal Law, you will now have the opportunity to uncover the reality behind the headlines and dramas. In particular, your criminal studies will include:
- Elements of some of the most prolific offences in our Criminal Justice System e.g. theft
- What happens when criminals fail and the principles behind attempted offences
- What defences may be available to those accused of committing criminal offences
Perhaps few subjects are as dogged by the discrepancy between myth and reality than the law of the European Union. Your study of this subject will examine the origins and nature of laws created by the institutions of the European Union. It will also explore practical concepts which run through European law and affect the way every one of us lives our lives.
In particular, you will study:
- Free movement of people, enabling citizens of the Union to move around Europe unimpeded – to study, work or just reside in any member state
- Free movement of goods
- EU competition law
- Sex discrimination
The study of Tort Law will fairly and impartially examine this growing and controversial area of litigation.
In particular, you will study the following:
- Elements of the tort of negligence
- Clinical negligence
- Employers' liability
- Defamation
The module is designed to provide you with a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of equity, the concept of the trust and their practical relevance. You will study both traditional deed-created trusts and the evolving role of equity and trusts in the commercial context.
The focus of the module is the practical application of this topic to real life scenarios. You will learn how to analyse problems and offer advice on complex legal principles, taking into account commercial factors as well as the relevant legal principles.
This is intended to aid the transition to the professional programmes by giving you greater commercial awareness and ultimately to enhance your prospects in professional legal practice.
The module is split into five parts, comprising the following topics:
Part 1
- Fundamental Principles
- Introduction to Equity
- Introduction to Trusts
Part 2
- Express Trusts
- The Three Certainties
- Formalities
- Constitution
- Secret trusts
- Purpose trusts
- Charitable trusts
Part 3
- Implied Trusts
- Resulting and Constructive Trusts
- Implied Trusts of the Home
Part 4
- Administration of Trusts
- Fiduciary Duties
- Investment and Delegation
- Maintenance and Advancement
Part 5
- Breach and Remedies
- Breach of Trust
- Tracing
- Liability of Strangers
- Equitable Remedies
Entry requirements
UK/EU Students
The BPP University College 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.
If you are a UK graduate, you'll need a minimum 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) 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 an undergraduate degree from the UK conferred by an institution with degree awarding powers in the UK or Republic of Ireland ("undergraduate degree" does not include Foundation Degrees) will also need a Certificate of Academic Standing (COAS) from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or Bar Standards Board (BSB).
Non-EU international students
We welcome students from all over the world. For our GDL programme you will need:
- A Certificate of Academic Standing (COAS) from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or Bar Standards Board (BSB) - if you do not hold an undergraduate degree from the UK conferred by an institution with degree awarding powers in the UK or the Republic of Ireland
- If you have completed a degree outside the UK and you do not come from a 'majority English Speaking Country' an IELTS level 6.5 score or equivalent, with a minimum of 6.0 in each area.
Once you are accepted on the programme, we are able to offer specialist support for arranging visas and other matters. If you need help or advice, please call our support team on +44 (0)20 7430 7065.
If you do not hold an undergraduate degree
To apply for a place on the GDL you will need a Certificate of Academic Standing (COAS) from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or Bar Standards Board (BSB).
To find out more about whether you may be eligible on the basis of your professional experience you can:
- visit the SRA website
- call the SRA on +44 (0) 870 606 2555 or email contactcentre@sra.org.uk
- contact the BSB
How to apply
We recommend you apply as soon as you're ready – priority is given to applicants who have placed BPP as their first choice.
- Applications for the full-time GDL must be made online through the Central Applications Board (CAB). CAB applications for January and September 2013 study are open now.
- For our part-time GDL you apply direct to BPP using the part time application form
If you have any questions about your application you can contact Admissions on +44 (0) 845 077 5566 or at admissions@bpp.com
Key dates
September 2013 start
- Applications are now open
- The programme starts during the week commencing 30th September 2013
Students studying online will be required to attend in the UK for all programme examinations except where BPP University College has agreed alternative arrangements with the student prior to enrolment.
Start dates and study locations
You can study your GDL face-to-face at our study centres across the UK. Here you'll find high quality facilities and comfortable classroom environments. View a full list of start dates and locations. Lectures and consolidation classes are delivered online in all centres. GDL September start lectures are all delivered live in Leeds, London and Manchester.
If you prefer to study from home or overseas, you can also choose our Graduate Diploma in Law distance learning option with our high quality online media and materials.
Students studying online will be required to attend in the UK for all programme examinations except where BPP University College has agreed alternative arrangements with the student prior to enrolment.
Study centres in:
- London Waterloo
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Cambridge
- Leeds Whitehall Quay
- Liverpool
- Manchester St James's Building
International students
International students with Tier 4 student visas cannot study the GDL in our Cambridge or Liverpool study centres.
January Start GDL
| Tutorials | Lectures | Consolidation | Revision Lectures | Revision Seminars | |
| Birmingham | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
| Bristol | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
| Cambridge | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
| Leeds | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
| Liverpool | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
| London | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
| Manchester | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
September Start GDL
| Tutorials | Lectures | Consolidation | Revision Lectures | Revision Seminars | |
| Birmingham | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
| Bristol | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
| Cambridge | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
| Leeds | Live | Live | Live | Live | Online |
| Liverpool | Live | Online | Online | Online | Live |
| London | Live | Live | Live | Live | Online |
| Manchester | Live | Live | Live | Live | Online |
Paying for your GDL
Exclusive Law Loan
Investec Bank's Law Loan of up to £25,000 is available exclusively to BPP's full-time GDL students.
Instalment options
UK and EU students can study part or full-time, and we offer several interest free instalment plans to spread the cost of your GDL programme. Download a full list of fees payment plans for 2013 (PDF - 230KB).
View a full list of start dates and locations.
GDL September 2013 start
Full-time and part-time programmes
| Location | Total (inc £250 deposit) |
| Birmingham | £7,850 |
| Bristol | £7,850 |
| Cambridge | £7,850 |
| Leeds | £7,750 |
| Liverpool | £7,750 |
| London (Waterloo) | £9,700 |
| Manchester | £7,750 |
| Distance | £9,700 |
GDL exemptions
| Location | Per Module |
| All Locations | £1,060 |
International students
Our GDL is the same price for international students as for UK and EU students.
Scholarships
BPP welcomes and supports applications for student scholarships. We offer £300,000 of scholarships and discretionary awards for our law programmes.
International students
For more information:
Tel: +44 (0)207 430 7065
Email: internationaladmissions@bpp.com
