Graduate Diploma in Law  (Full Time)

Length: 1 year

Course overview 

Our Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), also known as the Common Professional Examination (CPE), is designed for non-law graduates (or students with equivalent experience) who wish to study for a legal qualification which can lead them into becoming a solicitor or barrister, as well as into related careers.   

Scales of justice The course can be studied either full-time over one year or part-time (either in the day or in the evening) over two years.   

All three modes of the GDL include the seven foundation subjects in law and a dissertation written on a legal topic chosen by you.   

Throughout the courses you learn, not only a diversity of substantive law, but also how to develop and apply a range of legal skills (e.g. analysis, research, problem-solving, written and oral expression).  The lectures are complemented by small-group work, in which you will be expected to participate actively.  

In all three modes, the GDL is challenging, interesting and valuable.  

Professional accreditation 

Our GDL is fully recognised by the Bar Council, The Law Society as a CPE and the Joint Academic Stage Board. 

Career opportunities  

The professional recognition enables you to go on afterwards to take the Bar Vocational Course to become a barrister, or the Legal Practice Course to become a solicitor; or go on into a number of other careers connected with law, such as banking, commerce, procurement, teaching, probation and social work, and the police.  

The part-time modes enable students to work full-time while studying; and they fit well into the Professional Development Programme of many employers.  

Entry level 

The normal minimum requirement is a Lower Second Honours degree.  However, in keeping with the Widening Participation policy of the University, applications from students without this qualification will be considered, where they have suitable experience, understand the nature and demands of the course, and are likely to be successful.   

International students must be able to prove a good command of the English language before being admitted onto the course.  

Course content  

The course provides a total of 1,620 hours and 120 CATs points at Level H.  Each unit represents 15 CATS points and 210 hours of learning.  After the Induction, the Foundation Subjects are studied in parallel, and the Project is completed by July.

  • Induction: Stage 1 & Stage 2 *
  • Constitutional & Administrative Law
  • Contract Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Tort
  • Substantive EU Law *
  • Equity and Trusts *
  • Land Law *
  • Project *

Part-time students will take Stage 2 of the Induction and the four units marked with an asterisk in their second year.  

Courts Assessment  

Students are assessed by a combination of coursework and examinations.

Attendance  

The full-time and part-time day modes will run across Monday to Friday.  The part-time evening mode will run on Mondays and Thursdays from 6pm until 9pm.

Applications and further information

Applications for the full-time mode must be made through:
The Central Applications Board,
PO Box 84,
Guildford,
Surrey
GU3 1YX
Email: www.lawcabs.ac.uk|
Telephone: 01483 301282.

For applications for the part-time modes and for further information, please contact:  

The School of Law
Southampton Solent University
East Park Terrace
Southampton
SO14 OYN;
Email: fbse@solent.ac.uk|
Telephone: 023 8031 9132.

 

Page was last updated on 06/05/2009 14:21:40