Program Overview

Graduate Diploma in Law (Graduate Diploma)

The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a conversion course designed for individuals who have graduated in a subject other than law and wish to pursue a legal career. This program enables students to study the core academic modules of a law degree in one year.

Why Study This Course

The GDL allows students to study the structure and doctrines of the legal system in England and Wales, as well as the seven core (foundation) subjects of a law degree: contract law, criminal law, equity & trusts law, EU law, land law, public law, and tort law. The course strikes a balance between learning essential legal principles and developing the reasoning and analytical skills of lawyers.

Admissions Criteria

To be considered for the GDL program, applicants must meet the following entry requirements:

• A 2:2 UK honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree
• A copy of the degree certificate and transcripts
• A copy of the IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent
• Evidence that the applicant has applied for a Certificate of Academic Standing from the Bar Standards Board (if planning to qualify as a barrister) if the applicant is applying with a non-UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate degree or non-standard qualifications
• A personal statement outlining commitment to the legal profession, general work experience (if any), and reasons for wanting to study the GDL at Cardiff University
• At least one academic reference outlining the applicant's suitability for the program

Course Structure

The GDL course is a full-time, one-year program. The course structure includes:

• Modules in Contract, Crime, and EU Law, as well as Equity and Trusts Law in term one
• Modules in Contract, Land Law, Public Law, and Tort in term two
• An extended essay set in a legal area outside these modules
• A short test on the basics of the English and Welsh Legal System (EWLS) within the first few weeks of the course
• Intensive teaching sessions to ensure all students can tackle the EWLS test with confidence

Core Modules

The core modules for the GDL program include:

• English and Welsh Legal System (0 credits)
• Extended Essay (10 credits)
• Criminal Law (20 credits)
• Equity and Trusts (20 credits)
• EU Law (20 credits)
• Land Law (20 credits)
• Public Law (20 credits)
• Tort (20 credits)
• Contract (30 credits)

Learning and Assessment

The program uses a range of teaching methods, including:

• Tutorial-type sessions
• Teamwork-based exercises
• Extensive reading and listening to lectures
• Carrying out legal research and grappling with problems and essay questions
• Closed-book examinations on each of the seven foundation modules and the English and Welsh Legal System test
• Summative assessment of outcomes and the ability to learn independently and transfer skills from one area to another through the extended essay

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the GDL program are:

• ｣11,950 for home status (Year one)
• ｣24,700 for overseas status (Year one)
• A deposit of ｣1,000 is required for overseas students

Career Prospects

The GDL program enables students to qualify as a barrister or solicitor. The program includes the core subjects needed to progress to a Bar Training Course (BTC) or to take a preparation course aimed at GDL and law graduates to qualify as a solicitor through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The School of Law and Politics has strong connections with local firms and Chambers, providing opportunities for students to network and explore future career options.