Graduate Diploma in Law

Entry requirements

A degree (in any subject), of at least an upper second-class honours standard, conferred by a institution in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland or by the Council for National Academic Awards. Or, an approved degree conferred by a institution outside the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, and a very good knowledge of the English language.

The rules governing admission to practise law vary from country to country. Before applying, applicants wishing to take the GDL as a step towards becoming a lawyer outside England and Wales are strongly advised to check that these courses are accepted with the appropriate body in the country in which they wish to qualify/practise.

In reaching our selection decisions we will take account of:

• Academic performance
• Evidence of intellectual ability
• Professional and legal work experience
• Personal statement
• Commitment to studying law
• References.

Applicants whose first language is not English should hold the following qualification:

- IELTS: 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other components.

- TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: 95 overall with no less than 24 in Writing and Reading, 22 in Listening and 25 in Speaking

- LanguageCert ESOL International online: C1 Expert Pass (combined written and oral test)

- PTE Academic: 65 or better

Months of entry

September

Course content

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.

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.

From Lord Leggatt of the Supreme Court, to Martha Spurrier, Director of Liberty and Dinah Rose QC the Barrister who helped Julian Assange fight his extradition from the UK to Sweden, our alumni set the benchmark for legal practice across the world. Our academic team is also globally renowned and includes Professor Panos Koutrakos, the Jean Monnet Professor of European Law and Joint Editor of European Law Review, and Professor Martin Dixon, Specialist in Land Law.

Fees and funding

Please visit: https://www.city.ac.uk/prospective-students/courses/postgraduate/law-gdip