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Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) at The University of Law - UCAS

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

If you’re looking to make the change into legal study and already have an undergraduate degree in another discipline then our PGDL is your pathway into legal practice. In an increasingly competitive legal job market, many employers value the combination of a non-law undergraduate area of expertise combined with the solid grounding in core legal principles and legal skills. Through studying another degree subject, and building your career in another discipline, you will have gained many transferable skills. By choosing law at a later stage, you are showing motivation and determination to pursue a new career. Why choose this PGDL conversion course?

  • Learn to think like a lawyer and develop practical legal skills through practical workshops and problem-based learning.
  • Be ready to progress your legal training – go on to study the SQE1 Preparation Course and develop the skills required to answer SQE1 style legal knowledge questions or progress onto our LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) or Bar Practice Course (BPC).
  • Stand-alone Skills & Behaviours module – designed to focus on key skills and behaviours necessary for practice as a solicitor or barrister.
  • The Law of Organisations module focuses on company and partnership law- ideal preparation for your late studies and practice.
  • With one of the largest legal careers services in the UK, ULaw gives you the support and opportunities you need to make the best start in your legal career.
  • Taught by qualified lawyers, with lectures and practical workshops to develop your legal skills, so you’ll know what to expect in a real-life work environment.
  • Flexible study - We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why we offer a wide range of study modes (full-time, part-time, on campus, online) across our courses to provide you with the greatest choice and flexibility you need to succeed in your studies.
  • We have a vast network in the legal industry and deliver training to 91 of the top 100 law firms, with exclusive relationships with 61 of the top UK law firms and many of the most prestigious US firms.
If you choose to progress onto study one of our SQE courses or BPC, you will also benefit from our excellent employment and pupillage rates:
  • 94% of postgraduate students in employment were in Highly Skilled Occupations 15 months after graduating (2019/20 Graduate Outcomes data). Contains HESA Data © HESA 2022 (www.hesa.ac.uk).
  • 96% of BPTC full-time UK graduates were in further study or employment, including pupillage, 15 months after graduating (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes data). Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2023
  • Want to progress on to solicitor training, but not sure if this course is right for you? Download our free guide, An SQE Course for Everyone, to find your path to becoming a solicitor.
Important Information Progression for full-time PgDL and MA Law (Conversion) students Due to the projected end date of our full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PgDL) and Master of Arts in Law (MA Law Conversion) courses, you may not be eligible to commence our Bar Practice Course (BPC), LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) or SQE1 Preparation Course in September 2024 and January 2025. Please note: If you require a visa to study in the UK and wish to progress on to one of our on-campus vocational courses, please refer to our UK visa requirements page for information about applying for a Student Route visa.

Modules

Required pre-course study The English Legal System & Constitutional Law (including EU Law) module requires 25 hours of pre-course study, through guided units with all materials provided online. Modules You will learn the essentials of the key foundation areas of law that align to the Solicitors Regulation Authority specification of Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) for the SQE. In each area, you will develop a practical and functional understanding of the foundations of English & Welsh Law, and core analytical and practical legal skills. English Legal System and Constitutional Law (including EU Law) (15 credits) Tort Law (15 credits) Contract Law (15 credits) Criminal Law (15 credits) Administrative Law and Human Rights (15 credits) Land Law (15 credits) Equity & Trusts (15 credits) Law of Organisations (15 credits) Skills and Behaviours (non-credit-bearing) This course develops the key intellectual and personal skills required by lawyers, alongside skills required to pass professional examinations for qualification as a solicitor or barrister. In all modules there is a focus on combining knowledge and understanding of core areas of law with the ability to analyse, evaluate and form critical judgements about the law. Study is centred on practical activities that enable students to learn by doing. Workshops involve students completing further practice based tasks, including an application of Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) to Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs). Alongside academic modules, students will engage in a Skills and Behaviours module, which allows you to recognise and develop key professional and personal attributes necessary to thrive as a lawyer in a work environment, and to manage your career.

Assessment method

All modules will incorporate 40% examination by Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs) to support any future progress onto SQE1 assessment. The other 60% will vary according to the module. These will include: online open book examination coursework oral presentation.


Entry requirements

An undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline (or equivalent). For full entry requirements, visit: https://www.law.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/entry-requirements/


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £14300 Whole course
International £14300 Whole course
England £14300 Whole course
Northern Ireland £14300 Whole course
Scotland £14300 Whole course
Wales £14300 Whole course
Channel Islands £14300 Whole course
Republic of Ireland £14300 Whole course

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

ULaw are offering a £500 Postgraduate Award to students studying at Newcastle University and a £1,000 Postgraduate Award to students studying at our Nottingham Campus. Dependant on start date. Terms and conditions apply. If you’re a ULaw alumnus, you may be eligible to receive our £500 General Alumni Discount. We also have a range of scholarships and bursaries available which make studying with us more affordable than ever.
Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) at The University of Law - UCAS