Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL / CPE)

Anthony Hook
“I chose The City Law School as the best place to do the Graduate Diploma in Law, with a reputation recognised in the legal world, the chance to study with excellent students and work under the supervision of some of the most widely respected law professors. The academic support offered is excellent and “City” has all the things you could want from a university.”
Antony Hook

GDL and BVC Student 


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    • Content  Teaching  Assessment  Opportunities  Futures

    Overview   

    The Graduate Diploma in Law is a postgraduate course for non-law graduates intending to start training for a career as a solicitor or barrister. Established in 1976, our Graduate Diploma in Law is one of the oldest and most renowned conversion courses with an unrivalled reputation within the profession.

    Why the City GDL?   

    Our Graduate Diploma in Law enables you to:

    • Study the seven core legal subjects studied on an LLB degree in just one year
    • Satisfy the requirements for the Professional Stage of legal training (LPC / BPTC)
    • Enhance your legal skills, such as mooting, legal research, analysis and advocacy 
    • Gain the necessary "tools" to think, sound and act like a lawyer 
    • Fast track your legal career and build links with both sides of the profession 

    Content    

    The Graduate Diploma in Law teaches you the seven core foundation subjects that you would normally study on an undergraduate law degree in just one year. In addition to the seven foundation subjects, you will also undertake another academic subject - Introduction to Legal Ethics. This subject unique to City allows you to learn about the ethical challenges a lawyer might face once in practice. Instruction in the use of legal materials and in legal research methods (including to how use legal databases) is an integral part of the course. In particular, you will be shown how to use the University's own award winning legal portals Law Bore and LawBore Pro.

    The subjects and assesment are of first degree level and you must be prepared to study a volume of work, which is normally taken by undergraduate students over at least 18 months. 

    Seven foundation subjects:

    • Constitutional and Administrative Law
    • Contract Law
    • Crime
    • Tort
    • Equity and Trusts
    • European Law
    • Land Law

    Additional subject

    • Introduction to Legal Ethics

    Teaching   

    The seven foundation subjects are taught over one year by lectures and tutorials. Each week you will be expected to attend a two hour lecture in each of the seven foundation subjects and in addition a fortnightly tutorial. Lectures and tutorials will occupy 17-18 hours of your study time each week.

    In addition to The City Law School's own lecturers, you will be taught by visiting lecturers from other prestigious universities including, the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.

    Assessment   

    Formal assessment is by written examinations in each of the seven foundation subjects, that take place at the end of the course. To be eligible to sit these examinations you will be required to submit a piece of coursework in each of the foundation subjects throughout the year.

     

    Upon successfully completing the coursework and formal assessment for the course you will be awarded the University's Graduate Diploma in Law.

    Opportunities   

    As a student at City University London you will have unlimited access to the University Centre for Skills and Career Development where dedicated careers advisors will provide you with tailored advice about your career.

    Our strong links with the profession means that we can bring the world of law to you. Throughout the year we organise a variety of events, which give you access to representatives from leading solicitors firms and chambers.


    Mooting is a great way to develop important legal skills such as research and analysis whilst also learning how to structure a legal argument. At The City Law School we run an annual internal mooting competition where students act as a counsel to argue a point of law before a judge.

    Pro Bono is an opportunity to use your time and knowledge to provide legal advice to those who may otherwise not have access to such services. It provides you with invaluable experience and a chance to develop your legal skills further. At The City Law School you will have the opportunity to volunteer to work with one of our Pro Bono volunteering organisations that needs legal assistance.


    Futures    

    Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Law qualifies you to progress onto the Legal Practice Course if you intend to become a solicitor or the Bar Professional Training Course if you intend to become a barrister. City Law School GDL graduates are guaranteed a place on our Legal Practice Course and are strongly encouraged to apply for our Bar Professional Training Course (Please note: The Bar Standards Board does not allow providers to guarantee places on this course).

    As a holder of University's Graduate Diploma in Law you can obtain an LLB degree at City by taking additional course modules by part-time study.