Graduate Diploma Law

If you are a non-law graduate looking to enter the legal profession, the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) provides your starting point for graduate legal study. It takes you through the academic stages required to become a barrister or solicitor, before you then go on to either the LLM in Advanced Legal Practice (LPC LLM) or LLM Bar Training Course.

The GDL at UWE Bristol is highly regarded by both branches of the profession, and many solicitors and barristers choose this route into law, building on the knowledge they have obtained in another academic field to establish a successful legal career.

Careers

Studying for the GDL is a stepping stone in achieving a successful career as a solicitor or barrister. Many students who complete the GDL go on to study the LLM in Advanced Legal Practice (LPC LLM) or LLM Bar Training Course to achieve these career ambitions.

Our award-winning careers service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity,and access to employer events.

Watch Sarah's story and find out how studying the GDL and LPC have helped her land her training contract with leading law firm TLT.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

• A non-law bachelor's degree (from a UK university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
• A 'stale' law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
• An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level

If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.