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Graduate Diploma in Law

Key information

Duration of programme:
Full-time - 1 year (classes scheduled on 2 days a week)
Part-time - 2 years (classes scheduled for 1 day a week)
Distance learning learning - 2 years part-time

News: Course Director Odette Hutchinson wins Law Teacher of the Year 2013

Start date: September 2013

Fees: The following apply to UK, EU and International students, and include textbooks, course materials and examination fees:

  • 2013 Full-time students: £6,650 per year
  • 2013 Part-time students: £3,325 per year
  • 2013 Distance learning students: £3,325 per year

You can pay your fees in full at the beginning of the programme, or choose to pay by interest free instalment. Contact us for more information gdladmissions@aston.ac.uk

Apply now:


Contact details:
Aston Business School Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0) 121 204 3200
email: gdladmissions@aston.ac.uk

The Graduate Diploma in Law

If you are interested in a career in law and you have a degree or management experience, then the Graduate Diploma in Law is the fastest way to complete the academic stage of training in order to become a practising solicitor or barrister.

The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), also known as the Common Professional Exam (CPE), is a conversion programme enabling:
  • graduates in any non-law subject
  • overseas law graduates
  • those holding non-qualifying law degrees
  • non-graduates/mature students with significant vocational/professional experience
to convert to a career in law. 

After completing the GDL/CPE, students intending to become barristers can progress to the Bar Practice Training Course (BPTC) before starting as pupil barristers; students intending to become solicitors progress to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) before starting as trainees.

The Aston Law GDL can be studied:
  • Full-time – over one year (classes timetabled two days a week)
  • Part-time – over two years (classes timetabled one day a week)
  • By distance learning/blended learning – over two years.
These pathways are flexible and you can transfer between study modes, allowing you to fit the course around your work and other commitments.

 

Modules

Our GDL is carefully designed to equip students who have little or no prior knowledge of law with the knowledge and skills necessary to progress and successfully complete the course.

The first module you will study at Aston Law is Introduction to Law and Legal Research (ILLR), which examines the English legal system and basic legal research skills. You will then proceed to the core law modules.

There are seven foundation modules prescribed by the professional bodies (the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Council).  These modules are taught using a highly effective combination of lecturers, tutorials and workshops. 
  1. Contract Law
  2. Law of Torts
  3. Criminal Law
  4. Public Law
  5. Law of the European Union
  6. Land Law
  7. The Law of Equity and Trusts

You will also undertake an extended essay as part of your studies. The Legal Research Essay will help you develop professional legal skills and research skills. 

Exemptions from GDL modules

In certain circumstances it may be possible to obtain exemption from a particular core module or modules, for example if you have previously studied law at undergraduate level or if you have a Scottish law degree.

You will need to contact the relevant professional body to request an exemption certificate.

If you think that you may be eligible for exemption please contact us at gdladmissions@aston.ac.uk and we will be happy to offer guidance.

There are many benefits to studying the GDL in a university environment, particularly when the institution concerned has an international reputation for outstanding teaching and research. The law is constantly evolving and our teaching at Aston Law is informed by rigorous research and scholarship. This means that our experts are always ready to inform you about the latest legal developments and their significance in practice.

Aston Law comprises a specialist group of academics based at the internationally acclaimed Aston Business School. With a record of outstanding teaching and a proven track record of providing commercially intelligent legal education, our student-centered staff are passionate about their subjects. Our academic staff are researchactive, editing and contributing to some of the leading professional and academic journals, as well as writing some of the most popular student textbooks on the market!   


The experienced teaching team here at Aston Law includes, leading academics, solicitors, barristers and senior teaching fellows. All Aston Law students are allocated a personal academic mentor to support their academic progress and career aspirations. We combine all the benefits of a traditional, research-led university with the commercial and flexible insights of a private sector provider, making Aston Law the best of both worlds.

Our range of flexible study modes will enable you to fit your studies around your work and other commitments.

As an Aston Law student, you will have access to our dedicated, award-winning Careers Service, consistently ranked in the top 10 in the UK.  With an outstanding record of employability (over 87% of graduates in graduate employment after six months), we have the facilities, experience and time to support you and your career aspirations.  

Many employers will sponsor students through the GDL and LPC/BPTC, paying fees and offering a contribution towards living expenses. Check with your employer to see what funding may be available.

Sometimes if you secure a training contract or other employment after starting the GDL, your new firm/organisation may be willing to refund some or all of the costs you have already incurred.

An excellent place to find more information is www.lawcareers.net

Scholarships and Bursaries

There are a number of bodies that offer sponsorship and bursaries to GDL students. In all cases you will need to fulfill certain predetermined criteria to be eligible for such an award.

The Law Society

The Law Society offers a number of scholarships for the GDL and the Legal Practice Course (LPC). You can find out more at www.lawsociety.org.uk

The Inns of Court

The four Inns of Court provide various scholarships for the GDL and the BPTC. You will need to contact the individual Inns of Court for more information: 

September 2012- June 2013

GDL Induction -  2 - 23 September 2012
Distance Learning Induction - 9 September 2012

First Term - 30 September 2012
Reading Week

Second Term -  6 January to 23 March 2013
Reading Week

Third Term - 4 April to 8 June 2013

Postgraduate Degree Congregation - 26 March

Learning

  • Satisfies the academic stage of training for entry into the legal profession
  • Outstanding research-led, student-focused teaching
  • A comprehensive introduction to the English legal system which assumes no prior knowledge of the law
  • Progress and improve with clear, supportive and detailed feedback
  • A dedicated personal tutor throughout your studies
  • Develop professional skills and commercial acumen in a world class business school

Course structure

  • Study on campus or via distance learning
  • A flexible timetable enabling you to earn while you learn

Facilities

  • Access materials over the internet through online learning tools
  • University library housing the Birmingham Law Society collection

Career & personal development

  • Achieve an excellent foundation for the vocational stage of training and for practice
  • Access to a dedicated and award winning careers service
  • Opportunities for personal support and guidance
  • Gain relevant work experience with one of our local partners
  • An outstanding record of employability which not even Oxford and Cambridge can match!
  • Undertake professional, recognised certifications using the primary legal databases, at no extra cost
  • Participate in mooting and debating competitions and activities
  • Join the Aston Student Law Society and access an exciting range of social and career networking events throughout the year

Jump to:

Entry requirements

Graduates

A degree in any subject from the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.

Overseas Graduates

A Certificate of Academic Standing from the relevant professional body (the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Council) may be required for students seeking entry with an overseas degree. Students will be advised on application if this applies to them. Please contact us for further advice at gdladmissions@aston.ac.uk

Two academic references are also required to support your application.

And:
  • International students whose native language is not English or who have not completed a full degree programme taught in English will also need a TOEFL or IELTS qualification

  • IELTS requirements are: 7.0 overall with no less than 7.0 in Writing and Speaking and 6.5 in Listening and Reading

  • TOEFL requirements are: Paper-based test: 620 with a *TWE of 5.0, Computer-based test: 260 with a *TWE of 5.0 and Internet-based test: 105 with a minimum of 25 in Writing and Speaking and 23 in Reading and Listening

  • Pre-sessional English language programmes are available for good applicants whose English qualification falls just short of these requirements.
*TWE = Test of Written English

Mature Students / Non-Graduates

The professional bodies (Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Council) allow entry to the GDL without an undergraduate degree where the applicant has significant professional / management experience. If you feel that you meet this criterion, you will need a Certificate of Academic Standing from the professional bodies.  We can give you all the advice and support that you need through this process. Contact us at gdladmissions@aston.ac.uk

Learning, teaching & assessment

You will be taught by enthusiastic, experienced and dedicated academic staff, who are research-active. We do not use inexperienced teachers or graduate teaching assistants at Aston Law.

You will master an understanding of the English Legal System and develop legal research and writing skills before moving on to the core law subjects:
  • Contract
  • Tort
  • Criminal
  • Equity and Trusts
  • EU
  • Property
  • Public
You will learn through a series of interactive lectures, seminars and workshops. Many of which will focus on real-life legal problems and cases. Our practical commercial focus will give you an excellent foundation for applying your legal knowledge in practice.  We will teach you to construct persuasive legal arguments and how to present them with impact.

Our highly effective combination of lectures, small group tutorials and workshops are all supported through our online virtual learning environment.
  • We use lectures to deliver substantive material, and you will be provided with recordings of all lectures so you can revisit the material as often as you like.  These recordings are excellent revision tools for your coursework and exams.

  • Our tutorials take place in small groups and provide you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a supportive environment. Tutorials are a great way to get to know our friendly academic staff and other students on the course.  Tutorials most often take the form of a real or hypothetical legal scenario and are frequently based on examination questions. This means that your examination technique, as well as your knowledge of the law, develops as the programme progresses.

  • Workshops can take a variety of formats including mock trials and advocacy exercises, interviewing and negotiating tasks, all of which are an excellent way of putting your legal knowledge into practice.  These sessions are designed to build on your existing skills and help you develop others, which will prove invaluable when you enter the professions.

  • Feedback is critical to any student’s development, particularly where the discipline is unfamiliar. Here at Aston Law you will get plenty of detailed and clear feedback on your knowledge and application of law.  This is done through a number of mediums including oral, written, audio and examination/mock assessment feedback.
At Aston Law we take a student-centred approach to the GDL, and there are lots of opportunities for one-to-one support from the academic staff and support staff.   The Aston Lawyers have an outstanding academic mentoring system, which means that you will have a dedicated member of academic staff, personally supporting you throughout the GDL and helping you realise your career aspirations.

Critically, at Aston Law we know all our students and they know us!

Career opportunities

In addition to support with professional legal skills, legal research, analysis and writing, you will benefit from dedicated support provided by Aston University’s first class careers service, ensuring that you get all the support you need to secure relevant experience and of course your dream job in practice!

Aston University has an outstanding employability record, with over 87% of graduates in full-time employment or education six months after graduating. Not even Oxford and Cambridge can claim this!

Upon successful completion of the GDL, you will be eligible to undertake the Legal Practice Course (LPC) if you wish to train and quality as a solicitor, or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) if your aim is to qualify as a barrister.

Personal development

Our GDL is taught by highly experienced, research active lawyers. As soon as you accept a place on the GDL you will be allocated a personal Academic Mentor who will support you throughout your studies, and during your studies a dedicated careers service will help you with your next step in becoming a lawyer.

Extra Support

  • A dedicated Learning Development Centre to support you in all aspects of your studies, including note-taking, referencing, essay writing, research and support for students with learning disabilities
  • An award-winning dedicated careers service
  • Private student consultations with a member of academic staff for one-to-one support 
  • Free dedicated ‘English Booster Lessons’ for students whose first language is not English (campus-based students)
  • Interactive recorded lectures and tutorials allow you to revisit challenging concepts and areas as frequently as you like – all these materials are compatible with mobile devices, allowing you to learn and revise on the move
  • Regular, clear and detailed feedback enabling you to progress and improve
  • Online skills materials available on the Virtual Learning Environment and in the Induction Pack
  • A timetabled Personal Development Planning module with guest speakers from the leading firms and chambers
  • Integrated commercial acumen and business skills sessions from internationally outstanding business academics.

Facilities & equipment

The Aston University Library houses the Birmingham Law Society collection and has a range of online electronic resources.  You will be taught the foundations of legal research and have the opportunity to undertake a range of professional certifications using the leading law databases such as West-Law, Lawtel and LexisNexis, at no extra cost.  By the end of the programme you will be confident in using both hard copy library-based resources and electronic media like those mentioned above.

Aston Law has a dedicated courtroom for mock trials, mooting and advocacy exercises. More information about mooting >

Our online Virtual Learning Environment is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, provided you have an internet connection!  The learning materials, recorded lectures and workshops are compatible with mobile devices such as the iPhone, iPad and smart phones.

Course director

Odette Hutchinson is a Senior Lecturer in Law and the Director of the GDL at Aston Law. Odette recently won the prestigious Law Teacher of the Year award 2013.
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Ask the Course Director

If you have any questions relating to the Aston Law GDL you can speak directly to the course director by ISM or using Skype.  Simply add gdlcoursedirector to your list of Skype contacts. Download Skype

Teaching staff

Student Profile

Student Profile

Chris Benn

Aston Law student

A significant factor in my decision to choose Aston was that unlike other Law Schools, class sizes of the legal subjects are small, allowing greater interaction with the lecturers.

Read more...
 

ABS rankings

ABS rankings

Relevant Work Experience

Relevant Work Experience

Corporate Law & Governance Blog

Corporate Law & Governance Blog

Read the award winning blog by Robert Goddard, Senior Lecturer at Aston Law

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