Graduate Diploma in Law

Who is it for?

Our students come from leading institutions across the world and from a range of undergraduate disciplines including history, English, mathematics, science and philosophy. This course is best suited to students who are focused upon practice in the UK, either at the Bar or as solicitors. You may use your time on the programme as a means to make that choice.

An above-average proportion of our GDL students go on to become barristers, but the strong grounding in law we offer is valued by committed law students wherever they practice in the end. Our students enjoy the fact that our course is demanding. It has an emphasis upon reading case law directly and developing their skills of legal analysis, oral argument and writing.

Objectives

The City Law School’s Graduate Diploma in Law programme is nationally renowned. Since its inception in 1977, it has trained students at an extremely rigorous level, covering the seven core foundation subjects that are prerequisites for progression to professional legal training. The programme is unique in that it introduces you to legal ethics as well as covering the core content.

You will be encouraged to think about your reasons for practising law, and how you will find value in practice. The course has also been designed to be accessible and student-focussed; at The City Law School we welcome students’ questions and offer significant one-to-one support.

Assessment

Formal assessment is based on mainly upon written examinations held at the end of the course. Formative coursework set throughout the year will help to prepare you for these examinations. You will be awarded City's Graduate Diploma in Law upon successful completion of the relevant examinations in the seven core subjects, English Legal System, Legal Ethics and a research case-study.

Career prospects

By successfully completing this course students are qualified to progress to either of the two professional courses that all UK lawyers are required to take: the Legal Practice Course (LPC) for solicitors and the Bar Vocational Studies Programmes (BVS) for barristers. The School’s graduates are guaranteed a place on our LPC and we strongly advise you to apply for the BVS.

Throughout the year we hold regular careers events for aspiring solicitors andbarristers. At these events, you have the opportunity to network with representatives from a range of leading firms and chambers.