Kara Sears
Aspiring lawyers in the UK who have not studied law at the undergraduate level can pursue a law conversion course. The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a one-year full-time course that fits three years' worth of legal knowledge into one year. The GDL is being phased out and replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). New law conversion courses include the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) and MA Law. The University of Law (ULaw) offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) conversion course that teaches students to think like lawyers and prepare for life in legal practice. Nottingham Law School also offers a conversion course for non-law graduates, providing the foundation of legal knowledge and skills required for further legal training.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) / Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) / MA Law |
| Course Duration | 1 year full-time / 2 years part-time |
| Course Cost | £5,000-£12,000 (may vary across universities) |
| Funding Options | Scholarships, awards, discounts, and bursaries |
| Teaching Methods | Lectures, practical workshops, online, part-time, full-time |
| Institutions | ULaw, Nottingham Trent University, Newcastle University, Nottingham Campus, CUHK |
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What You'll Learn
The University of Law (ULaw)
Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)
The PGDL is a law conversion course for non-law graduates. It covers SQE1, LLM, and BPC, which are all necessary qualifications to become a solicitor or barrister. The course teaches students to think like lawyers and prepares them for the realities of life in legal practice. The PGDL offers students the chance to make the transition into legal study with support and guidance from experienced lecturers. The course covers the academic law necessary for converting to law and focuses on key skills and competencies crucial for development as a lawyer. The course is taught by qualified lawyers through lectures and practical workshops, so students will know what to expect in a real-life work environment.
MA Law (SQE1)
The MA Law (SQE1) is a law conversion course for non-law graduates at the master's level. It is designed for students who want to gain a legal qualification at the master's level. The course teaches practical legal skills of analysis and critical evaluation, alongside transferable skills such as research and presentation skills. The MA Law (SQE1) includes the SQE1 Preparation Course, which will prepare students for the SQE1 assessments. The course is taught by qualified lawyers through lectures and practical workshops, so students will know what to expect in a real-life work environment.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of Law offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to make studying more affordable. For instance, the university offers a £500 Postgraduate Award to students studying at Newcastle University and a £1,000 Postgraduate Award to students studying at the Nottingham Campus. ULaw alumni may be eligible to receive a £500 General Alumni Discount.
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Nottingham Trent University
If you are interested in pursuing a career in law but do not have a law degree, a law conversion course could be the perfect option for you. Nottingham Trent University, through its Nottingham Law School, offers conversion courses specifically designed for non-law graduates. These courses provide the necessary foundation of legal knowledge and skills required for further legal training.
Nottingham Law School offers both full-time and part-time courses. The full-time course lasts 9 months, while the part-time course is 18 months. The school also offers a solicitor route for non-law graduates, which involves 18 months of full-time or 36 months of part-time learning. Successful completion of this course enables graduates to be called to the Bar and proceed to pupillage.
The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a common law conversion course offered by many universities, including Nottingham Trent University. This course is typically a one-year full-time programme or a two-year part-time programme. It provides students with the equivalent of three years' worth of law knowledge, preparing them for a career in law. The GDL is being phased out due to the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). However, Nottingham Trent University continues to offer the GDL during the transitional period.
The University of Law (ULaw) offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) as a law conversion course for non-law graduates. The PGDL is designed to teach students to think like lawyers and prepare them for legal practice. It replaces the GDL and provides a foundation for the pathway into practice. ULaw offers a range of study modes, including full-time, part-time, on-campus, and online options. They also provide scholarships and bursaries to make studying more affordable.
In addition to traditional conversion courses, Nottingham Law School offers an LLM (Masters in Law) award through distance learning. This programme allows students to "top-up" their professional legal qualifications. The course fees for distance learning are £3,885 per year for UK students.
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Newcastle University
The University of Law offers the following law conversion courses:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)
- MA Law (SQE1)
- MA Law (Conversion)
The PGDL is a law conversion course for non-law graduates. It teaches students to think like lawyers and prepares them for life in legal practice. This course serves as a foundation for the pathway into practice and allows students to progress to the SQE1 Preparation Course and LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) to qualify as a solicitor or the Bar Practice Course (BPC) to qualify as a barrister.
The MA Law (SQE1) is a law conversion course that includes the SQE1 Preparation Course, which prepares students for the SQE1 assessments.
The MA Law (Conversion) is a Master's-level qualification that allows students to keep their career options open. It provides the option to progress to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to become a solicitor or the Bar Practice Course (BPC) to become a barrister.
In addition to the law conversion courses offered by the University of Law, Newcastle University also has its own qualifying law degree that is professionally accredited. This degree provides exemption from the initial stage of the solicitor and barrister professional examinations for England and Wales. It covers essential foundation subjects in law and offers a range of research-informed modules, such as human rights law, terrorism and counter-terrorism law, public international law, and environmental law.
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Nottingham Campus
The University of Law has a campus in Nottingham that offers law conversion courses. The campus is located in the heart of the city and provides an award-winning legal pro bono service for students looking to enhance their employability. The Nottingham Campus also offers a rich sporting and social life, with societies such as the Commercial Awareness Society, Law Society, Literary and Debating Society, and Bar and Mooting Society.
The University of Law's Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) is a law conversion course that can be studied full-time, part-time, on campus, or online. The course is taught by qualified lawyers and provides students with the legal skills and knowledge required for a career in law. It covers various areas of law, including English Legal System and Constitutional Law, Tort Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law, and Land Law. The University of Law also offers a Master of Arts in Law (MA Law) conversion course, which can also be studied full-time, part-time, on campus, or online. This course is taught by subject matter experts and provides a Master's award, which is highly attractive to employers.
In addition to the University of Law, Nottingham Trent University also offers law conversion courses for non-law graduates interested in becoming solicitors or barristers. The course can be studied full-time for 9 months or part-time for 18 months. Nottingham Trent University is based in Nottingham and offers a range of support services and resources to its students.
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Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a law conversion course for non-law graduates. It is a one-year full-time course (or a two-year part-time course) that provides students with the necessary legal knowledge and skills to pursue a career in law, specifically as a solicitor or barrister. The course is designed for students who already possess an undergraduate degree in a different field of study and wish to transition into the field of law. The GDL is being phased out and replaced by the new law conversion course, the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), due to the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). However, the GDL is still available for the time being, and many institutions continue to offer it during the transitional period.
The cost of the GDL varies across universities, typically ranging from £5,000 to £12,000. Unfortunately, student loans cannot be used to fund the GDL. Nonetheless, many institutions provide GDL scholarships to help reduce the financial burden. The University of Law, for instance, offers a range of scholarships and bursaries, as well as a £500 General Alumni Discount.
The GDL is intended to equip students with the foundational knowledge and skills required for legal practice. It covers various aspects of law, including company and partnership law, and prepares students for the realities of life in the legal profession. The course is typically taught by qualified lawyers through lectures and practical workshops, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the legal field.
Upon completion of the GDL, students must decide whether they wish to pursue a career as a barrister or a solicitor. Barristers specialise in courtroom litigation and advocacy, working independently on different sides of legal disputes. On the other hand, solicitors handle a diverse range of legal matters, including conveyancing and the drafting of legal documents such as wills. The chosen career path will influence the subsequent steps and specialisations.
Nottingham Trent University's Nottingham Law School offers a GDL conversion course specifically designed for non-law graduates. Their course is available in two modes: a 9-month full-time option and an 18-month part-time option. This course enables successful graduates to proceed towards becoming a barrister or solicitor, with further specialised training.
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Frequently asked questions
A law conversion course allows non-law graduates to pursue a career in law. The course equips students with the foundational legal knowledge and skills required for legal training.
The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is being phased out and replaced by the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) and MA Law. The GDL is still available in some institutions due to transitional arrangements.
Many universities in the UK offer the GDL law conversion course, including Nottingham Trent University, Newcastle University, Nottingham Campus, and ULaw.
The cost of law conversion courses varies across universities. According to The Lawyer Portal, the cost of the GDL course is around £5,000-£12,000, but it may be higher or lower depending on the institution.
