GradDip in Law - GDL

Program Overview

Law - GDL

Key Facts

• Start dates: September 2025 / September 2026
• Location: Headington
• Course length: Full time: 12 months, Part time: 24 months
• School(s): School of Law and Social Sciences
• Accreditation(s): Bar Standards Board (BSB)

Overview

Join a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) course where you’ll build effective legal knowledge and develop practical legal skills. You’ll be part of a supportive, acclaimed and successful course. You’ll learn from qualified legal practitioners and key international law researchers; with a deep understanding of the subject area and close links to the profession.

You'll develop an awareness of how to apply the law in professional practice. You will also advance your research and professional legal skills. You'll study in small groups and receive expert tuition. You can also join our award-winning mooting and client interviewing teams, to build your advocacy skills.

There's also access to employability and pro bono opportunities - including:

• Solicitor and barrister mentoring scheme
• A court-based family law pro bono project
• Training to work with the death row charity Amicus ALJ.

You’ll gain expert legal knowledge and skills to equip you for the Bar Training Course (BTC) or to start the preparation courses for the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE).

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

• You will normally have a second class degree or above and your application should also demonstrate a commitment to the legal profession.
• All applications are considered on their merits and we'll consider applicants who do not have an upper second class honours degree who can demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a legal profession and have other strengths or evidence of achievement such as awards, scholarships and work experience - paid or unpaid.
• A Certificate of Academic Standing is required for applicants whose intention it is to become a barrister and who do not hold a UK first Degree. Applicants are strongly advised to apply to the Bar Standards Board (BSB) as soon as possible for a Certificate of Academic Standing for the GDL as these can take some time to obtain.
• You can also join the GDL on a training contract or with qualifying work experience. And every year some of our students join us having secured positions with legal firms.

English Language Requirements

• Students whose first language is not English will need A-level English, or an IELTS score of 7.0, including a minimum of 6.5 in each component. This is for all applicants whose first language in not English including those who may have a degree from the UK.

International Qualifications and Equivalences

• Choose country Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei Canada China Cyprus Egypt Estonia France Ghana Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Laos Latvia Lebanon Lithuania Malaysia Morocco Nigeria Norway Oman Pakistan Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore South Africa South Korea Sri Lanka Taiwan Thailand Turkey Uganda United Arab Emirates United States of America Vietnam Zimbabwe Other countries

English Requirements for Visas

• If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.

Pathways Courses for International and EU Students

• We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

• When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Application Process

• Full-time applications: Applications for full-time study are made through the Central Applications Board.
• Part-time applications: Applications for the part-time course are received directly to Oxford Brookes University.

Tuition Fees

• 2025 / 26:
  • Home (UK) full time: £10,300
  • Home (UK) part time: £5,150
  • International full time: £10,800
• 2026 / 27:
  • Home (UK) full time: £10,600
  • Home (UK) part time: £5,300
  • International full time: £11,150

Funding Your Studies

• Financial Support and Scholarships: Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

Learning and Assessment

• You’ll kick off your learning experience with a two-week induction course. This includes a study of the English legal system, legal theory, legal writing and problem-solving. You must pass the induction course before progressing onto the GDL.
• Once on the course, you’ll start building essential legal knowledge and skills immediately. You’ll explore all the core legal subjects, including:
  • criminal law
  • contract law
  • human rights law
  • and constitutional law
• You’ll also be able to carry out a research project in a legal area that interests you - like sports law, intellectual property or workplace rights. You’ll be supported all the way through by a tutor who is an expert in your chosen field, and you’ll start to develop a specialism early, setting you apart from other candidates.
• You’ll also have the opportunity to take part in additional extracurricular activities such as mooting and pro bono to help further your experience.

Study Modules

• Taught Modules:
  • The English Legal System
  • Law of Contract
  • European Union Law
  • Law of Tort
  • Land Law
  • Equity and Trusts
  • Criminal Law
  • Public Law
  • Legal Research Project
• Work Experience:
  • Work Experience (optional)

Research

• You’ll be joining a research-active department. And your tutors are directly involved in shaping the latest legal research and policy. Our research specialisms include:
  • public law
  • international law and human rights
  • employment
  • religion and the law
  • criminal justice
  • IT and the law
• Many opportunities exist for research degrees. And some GDL students progress into research roles after graduation.

After You Graduate

• Career Prospects: When you graduate, you’ll be ready to progress into a law career. You’ll be ready to progress onto the Bar Course, if you want to become a barrister. You’ll also have a strong foundation of knowledge to take the further SQE1 and SQE 2 requirements to then take the Solicitors’ Qualifying Exam (SQE).
• Student Profiles: Read more about our students' experiences on the GDL course.