Course summary
Our Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) enables you to gain the legal skills necessary for the best possible preparation in beginning vocational training for a career in legal practice. The GDL teaches you the seven foundations of law as required by the Bar Standards Board for the vocational training for barristers. It also equips you to embark on the necessary preparation for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. You will develop the ability to:
- critically engage with sources of law, including cases, and scholarship from law and related fields
- apply principles of law
- engage in basic legal research using specific legal resources.
- Our Graduate Diploma in Law offers a fast-track route to retrain as a lawyer, with numerous opportunities to network with law practitioners and legal scholars.
- The course will give you plenty of opportunities for professional development and networking, and you will benefit from our vibrant annual cycle of inspiring expert-led public lectures and conferences, in which our research centres and institutes play a key role.
- Birkbeck is a hub of expertise on creative, innovative and critical thinking, and we have a strong tradition of research in the areas of law and criminology. Our academic staff are international authorities in their respective fields.
- Our city centre campus is in Bloomsbury WC1, a lively student-centred place that is home to a number of universities and other colleges of the University of London. You will be able to take advantage of the rich research collections of University of London libraries as well as Birkbeck Library, which has a strong collection in critical, theoretical and interdisciplinary legal studies, including access to key specialist journals and an extensive range of online materials.
- solicitor
- barrister
- policy adviser
- civil servant
- campaigner
- academic.
Modules
For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Assessment method
Assessment consists of quizzes, examinations and essays.
How to apply
International applicants
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
Entry requirements
A second-class honours degree (2:2) in a subject other than law. Applicants with less than a 2:2 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits, and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £5420 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £5420 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £5420 | Year 1 |
Wales | £5420 | Year 1 |
International | £8000 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Birkbeck, University of London
Malet Street
Bloomsbury
London
WC1E 7HX
Course contact details
Visit our course pageBirkbeck Student Advice Service
0203 907 0700