Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)  Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) BPP University ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1563251759Untitled-1.jpg

The GDL is the conversion course for non-law graduates, giving you the fundamental legal knowledge and professional skills you need to succeed in your future career as a solicitor or barrister. Non-law (GDL) graduates are often in demand by recruiters as they can offer a diverse range of transferable skills.

Taught by qualified legal professionals, our GDL is designed to help you make a smooth transition into law and enhance your employability.

• Over 60 leading law firms exclusively send their trainee solicitors to study with us**
• Learn from qualified solicitors, barristers and judges who can help develop your legal career and have links to employers
• Explore the areas of law that align to your career goals through our GDL Extra lecture series
• Enhance your legal CV with GDL Skills in Practice workshops and working with real clients through our Pro Bono Centre
• Flexible study to fit your commitments – learn full-time, part-time, online or face-to-face at one of our UK study centres
• Pass our GDL and you are guaranteed a place on our Legal Practice Course (LPC), which offers our Career Guarantee+
• Expert support with training contract and pupillage applications, mock interviews and CV advice from our Careers Service

Educational background

The entry requirements to study the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) at BPP University Law School are:

• 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 a 2:2 honours degree from the UK or Republic of Ireland are required to evidence that they meet the academic entrance requirements of the relevant professional body. This includes applicants with overseas degrees or mature students without an undergraduate degree 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language and you do not hold an honours degree that was delivered in English, you will be required to provide certified proof of ability in written and spoken English to, at least, IELTS 6.5 (overall) or equivalent with a minimum of 6.0 in each module, in addition to the above entry requirements.

How to apply

To apply, please select your preferred intake and study mode. 

We recommend you apply as soon as you are ready – priority is given to applicants who have placed BPP University as their first choice.

The course is mainly assessed via unseen, written examinations. 

• Approximately three quarters of your final award is reserved for your performance in the end of year examinations. 
• The remainder is split between written coursework and multiple choice testing.
• In addition, you must pass a multiple choice test in the English Legal System, graded on a pass/fail basis. 

The pass mark for all assessments is 40%.

Online GDL students are expected to take invigilated assessments in London. You may request to sit assessments overseas or at a regional study centre, though this is not guaranteed and you will need to meet certain requirements. For more information, please speak to our admissions team.

Full-time GDL

On our full-time programme you will receive 21 hours of tuition a week consisting of lectures, tutorials and consolidation sessions, as well as undertaking independent study.

Our offering of online recorded lectures and consolidation sessions gives you flexibility to choose whether to attend at the law school over two, three or four days a week depending on your chosen location and mode.  

Part-time GDL

We offer a variety of part-time timetable options including evening, weekend, day and online study.

• If you start in September, the GDL will take two academic years to complete, finishing in the summer two calendar years after your start date. 
• If you start in January or April, you will be able to complete the GDL in 18 months, or you can request to take an academic break between Years 1 or 2 and complete in two years.