Cameron Miranda
Law conversion courses in the UK are designed for graduates who did not study law at the undergraduate level but wish to pursue a career in law. These courses cover the seven foundations of legal knowledge and prepare students for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The duration of such courses varies, with accelerated courses that can be completed in one or two years, and graduate law degree courses that take two or more years. The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), a commonly offered law conversion course, can be completed in one year. However, with the introduction of the SQE, the GDL is being phased out by some providers in favour of new law conversion courses such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) |
| Other Names | Law conversion course, Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), Master of Laws (LLM) |
| Purpose | Prepares non-law graduates for legal practice |
| Target Audience | Non-law graduates or law graduates from outside the UK |
| Duration | One year |
| Subjects Covered | Seven foundations of legal knowledge, EU's political institutions, the Court of Justice, key articles and the Law of the Internal Market |
| Skills Developed | Legal analysis, oral argument, writing, critical analysis, research |
| Examination | Undergraduate level with some elements of Masters level study |
| Providers | City St George's, University of London, London Metropolitan University, City, University of London |
| Cost | £5,000-£12,000 (varies across universities) |
| Scholarships | Available from some institutions |
| Alternatives | Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), Master's Law degree (in Northern Ireland) |
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What You'll Learn
The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
The GDL is designed for non-law graduates or law graduates from outside the UK who are focused on developing a professional legal career in the UK as a barrister or solicitor. It provides the necessary academic legal training to prepare students for further vocational training required to enter these professions. The GDL covers the academic stage of training as a barrister in England and Wales, and successful completion of the programme qualifies students for entry to the vocational stage of training.
The GDL is an intensive course that involves work normally covered by undergraduates over at least 18 months. It combines weekly lectures and fortnightly tutorials to ensure comprehensive coverage of the seven foundations of legal knowledge. Tutorials are tailored to small groups and focus on legal analysis, preparation for assessments, and building confidence in legal discussions.
While the GDL is not a mandatory requirement for sitting the SQE examinations, it is advised that non-law students first take a stand-alone law conversion course and then an SQE preparation course to improve their chances of passing.
The GDL is a popular choice for those seeking to pursue a legal career without having studied law at the undergraduate level. It provides a solid foundation in legal knowledge and skills, preparing students well for the next level of vocational training required to become a solicitor, barrister, advocate, or chartered legal executive.
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The Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)
The PGDL is a replacement for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), which has been phased out by some providers due to the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE has changed the way solicitors qualify in England and Wales, removing the requirement for aspiring solicitors to take a law conversion course or have a qualifying law degree. However, for aspiring barristers, a law conversion course covering the seven foundation subjects is still mandatory.
The PGDL is available as a full-time or part-time course, with some providers offering online study options. The duration of the course can vary, with intensive courses in England and Wales packing content into one or two years. The course is typically taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and practical exercises, with access to resources in both hard copy and online formats.
Upon successful completion of the PGDL, students can progress to further qualifications such as the LLM Legal Practice Course (LLM LPC) or the LLM Barristers Training Course (BTC). Students intending to pursue a career as a solicitor or barrister can then continue their legal training, with some opting to remain at the same institution for their subsequent studies.
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Master of Laws (LLM)
The Master of Laws (LLM) is a postgraduate degree designed for law and non-law graduates to enhance their academic legal knowledge. It is a flexible programme that allows students to customise their studies according to their preferred areas of interest. The LLM is not a direct route to qualification as a barrister or solicitor in the UK. However, it can open up a range of career pathways. The University of Law offers an LLM Master of Laws (General) that can be studied online or in person. The online course has multiple start dates, including September 2025, February 2026, September 2026, and February 2027. The in-person course can be studied full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months, with the option of enhanced instalment plans to spread out the cost. The University of London also offers an LLM degree with 33 different areas of specialisation or 68 courses for a general award. This degree can be completed in up to five years, allowing students to continue working full-time. The Cambridge LLM is a nine-month taught master's degree commencing in October and finishing in June. It offers around 30 courses, and students take four courses of their choice.
In terms of the law conversion course, the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is being phased out and replaced by the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) due to the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). As of 1 September 2021, aspiring solicitors are no longer required to take a law conversion course and can sit for the SQE with a degree in any subject. However, a law conversion course covering the seven foundation subjects is still required for aspiring barristers who do not have a qualifying law degree.
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Master of Arts in Law (MA Law)
The Master of Arts in Law (MA Law) is a postgraduate law conversion course for non-law graduates who want to gain a legal qualification at Master's level. It is an internationally recognised qualification that provides a great introduction to law for those who hold an undergraduate degree in another discipline. The course is designed to provide students with the practical legal skills of analysis and critical evaluation, as well as transferable skills such as research and presentation.
The MA Law (Conversion) course qualifies graduates to progress to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to become solicitors or the Bar Practice Course (BPC) to become barristers. The University of Law, which offers the MA Law (Conversion) course, has relationships with top UK and US law firms, providing excellent employment and pupillage rates for its graduates.
The MA Law (Conversion) course is offered in a variety of study modes, including full-time, part-time, on-campus, and online, providing flexibility for students with different circumstances. The course is delivered by qualified lawyers and subject matter experts, who offer strong support to students from the start of the programme.
The duration of the MA Law (Conversion) course is not explicitly stated. However, law conversion courses in the UK can typically be completed in one or two years. The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), which is being phased out, was a law conversion course that typically lasted for one year of full-time study. The new-style law conversion course, the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), also typically takes one year to complete.
It is important to note that the specific duration of the MA Law (Conversion) course may vary depending on the university and the study mode chosen. Prospective students should refer to the specific course information provided by their chosen university for accurate details on the duration of the programme.
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The Legal Practice Course (LPC)
The LPC could be studied full-time, part-time or via an accelerated course, offering flexibility to suit students' needs. It was taught by qualified lawyers with extensive practice experience and provided a wide range of elective modules, allowing students to tailor their learning to their specialist areas of interest.
However, it is important to note that the LPC is being phased out and replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). This change is being gradually implemented by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Students who started their studies after September 2021 will need to follow the new SQE route. Under the SQE, non-law graduates are not required to study a law conversion course, as the only academic requirement is to hold a degree in any subject. Nonetheless, law conversion courses can still be beneficial for non-law students intending to sit the SQE examinations.
For aspiring barristers, a qualification covering the seven foundations of legal knowledge is still required. While the GDL is being phased out, it is available due to transitional arrangements. New entrants will take a new law conversion course, commonly known as the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL).
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Frequently asked questions
Law conversion courses in the UK can be completed in one or two years.
The difference between a GDL and an LLM is your career aspiration. If you want to be a lawyer, you need to complete a bachelor's degree in law or a GDL. If you want to specialise in the legal area of the subject you have studied, then an LLM will enable you to do that.
The GDL is the Graduate Diploma in Law. It is a law conversion course that prepares non-law graduates for legal practice.
The SQE is the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. It is a new qualification route that allows non-law graduates to qualify as solicitors without having to study a law conversion course.
The cost of a law conversion course in the UK varies depending on the institution. The GDL course can range from £5,000 to £12,000, while the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) can cost around £8,000-£15,000.
