The Graduate Diploma in Law/Postgraduate Diploma in Law/Common Professional Examination (GDL/PGDL/CPE) is a postgraduate law course in England and Wales attended by non-law graduates (graduates with a degree in a non-law discipline or a law degree qualifying for the practice of law) who wish to become a barrister or barrister in England and Wales. [1] The study program thus allows non-legal students to transfer to law after graduation (exceptions exist for non-graduates depending on the circumstances); It is also known as the “Law Conversion Course”. Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the course is designed as an intensive programme covering roughly the same content as an LL.B (Hons) law degree, and the main aim is to enable people with a wider diversity of backgrounds to pursue the legal profession. [2] Before starting a GDL, many providers provide you with a list of reading and learning materials so that you are fully prepared for the start of the qualification. Lawyers work in a variety of contexts and need both the skills you develop in law school and previous facets of your pre-law education and the additional training you receive after law school. A JD is also an incredibly beneficial degree for a variety of other businesses. Our graduates are CEOs, entrepreneurs and legislators, among many others. It`s probably fair to say that fewer science graduates want to become lawyers, so we meet fewer articling students who have studied math or physics, but there`s nothing stopping you from doing those subjects if you want to – most lawyers will probably be secretly impressed with how your brain works. In fact, there are a number of companies that specialize in areas such as healthcare and intellectual property and are actively looking for science graduates. The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Common Professional Examination (CPE) are the qualifications that turn non-law graduates into potential lawyers. Outside of typical legal roles, in-house legal teams are common in most medium and large companies. They are made up of people who handle all legal matters within a company, whether internal (contracts, data breaches, etc.) or external (mergers, acquisitions, legal challenges, etc.).

While companies always work with lawyers and lawyers, having their own team of legal experts with intimate knowledge of the business can only benefit them. Some law students study for four years (instead of three years, although this is usually only the case for students completing a law degree combined with LPC, or for those whose courses involve study abroad), so non-law and law graduates from the same starting year can graduate at the same time. by which the CPE provides the “foundations of legal knowledge”. SQE exam preparation and customer experience with our law conversion courses Unfortunately, postgraduate loans in the UK are not available for GDLs. Only masters are eligible for this form of support. If you want to start your own business, this will help you know the trade laws involved from day one. Those entering the investment world could benefit from a deeper knowledge of the laws that govern what you can and cannot do. Law studies also provide important professional skills that will also come in handy in everyday life, such as report writing, research, and communication experience. You can take the Postgraduate Diploma in Law in England and Wales, but Scotland and Northern Ireland have equivalent qualifications that follow the same principle that non-legal graduates can convert their degree into LLB (Hons): the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a conversion course in law that effectively corresponds to approximately 18 months of undergraduate study in an intensive year. These courses often prepare you for the lawyers` aptitude examination (SQE).

As you might expect, different legal systems operate differently than in the UK, and the qualifications and training they offer vary accordingly. America, Canada, and Australia do not offer a one-year crash refresher course like the GDL, but instead encourage graduates from each discipline to complete the three-year Juris Doctor. Your studies will be supported by a team of dedicated and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion, we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the broader topic. It goes without saying that the field of law is not only huge, but also constantly evolving. New laws and policies often replace old ones, sometimes as a result of research by universities and lobby groups. We have a thriving legal research environment within Birmingham City University that pushes for greater understanding in areas such as American law and legal policy. However, as with the LPC, students who conclude training contracts may be supported by future employers. In addition, many law schools offer part-time courses, so you can combine them with paid employment. This module aims to complement your study of substantive law, encourage you to reflect on the values with which you approach the law, and equip you for the more detailed study of ethics and professional behaviour. Once you start GDL in earnest, you will have an intensive programme of workshops, lectures and independent learning.

You can expect to spend about 45 hours a week studying. The course is usually divided into two terms, each with core modules on areas of law such as: The course covers the basic doctrines in this area and places a strong emphasis on developing analytical skills in the context of real estate. It also aims to provide you with knowledge and appreciation of family and business contexts. Some law students scoff at non-legal students – all we can say is that law firms don`t share this view.