Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)  Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) Birmingham City University ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1533724829Birmingham City University.jpg

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS We normally require a good result in a non-law degree but special provision may be made for legal executives and other mature applicants. If you are in doubt about your eligibility, please contact the relevant professional body. COURSE OVERVIEW The GDL (also referred to as the Common Professional Examination) is a one year full-time law conversion course for graduates of any discipline who do not have an LLB awarded by a University of England and Wales. It is accredited by the Joint Academic Stage Board which represents the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board of England and Wales. Upon completion, you are eligible to undertake the Bar Professional Training Course if you want to qualify as a barrister, or the Legal Practice Course if you want to qualify as a solicitor. If you do not intend to qualify as a solicitor or barrister, the GDL can also be a stepping stone into more advanced legal study at Masters level. We have an established record of providing the GDL and have excellent links with practice. Our innovative approach to legal education is demonstrated by our very successful American legal placement scheme and our active Student Mooting Society. Combining the academic with the practical, you will have the opportunity to work on ?real? cases with ?real? clients. You will have the opportunity to participate in an internship in the USA as part of our unique American Legal Practice option module. We have active student-led Legal and Mooting Societies. Our Student Mooting Society is one of the most successful in England. Our students have reached five finals in the past six years and have regularly beaten teams from some of the country?s most prestigious universities. In the past 10 years, we have beaten eight of the elite Russell Group of universities, including Cambridge, Oxford, Leicester and Warwick. Our first-class facilities include two mock courtrooms and a comprehensive law library (with many resources accessible online). Our GDL is taught by an outstanding team of professional staff with extensive practice experience and a friendly, open door policy giving you all the support you need. We place our students at the centre of everything we do. We also provide the Legal Practice Course (LPC). When our LPC was last assessed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we achieved the highest grade of ?Commendable Practice?, meaning the quality of facilities, teaching and support is second to none. COURSE STRUCTURE Our teaching emphasises participation and student-centred learning. Small class sizes and an ?open door? policy ensure your individual study needs are met. A variety of teaching methods are employed including lectures and workshops. You are also able to take advantage of our video-equipped courtrooms to develop your skills in a realistic setting. Modules The course at all institutions is overseen by the Joint Academic Stage Board (which represents the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board of England and Wales) and is based on eight core modules plus an independent project. You are required to complete the following modules: ? Legal Skills and Research ? Law of Tort ? Law of Contract ? Criminal Law ? Constitutional and Administrative Law ? Law of the European Union ? Land Law ? Equity and Trusts ? Independent project STUDY COMMITMENT Full-time: 12 hours per week class contact time. Part-time: 6 hours per week class contact time. PRIVATE STUDY Full-time: reading and preparation in your own time will be expected of around 12-18 hours per week. Part-time: reading and preparation in your own time will be expected of around 6-9 hours per week. ASSESSMENT Assessment is through a combination of examinations (for all the seven foundation subjects) and some in-course written assessments. FURTHER STUDY Options for further study at our University include: ? Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (LPC) ? LLM International Business Law ? LLM International Human Rights