Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) - full-time

Course Programme:


The course is divided into nine modules, made up of seven foundations subjects, a module at the start of the course providing insight into the profession and a choice of module enabling you to study an area of law that you would like to specialise in.


Ethics and Professional Legal Practice module


This unique module taken at the start of the course includes:

• Insight into the different areas of the legal profession
• Consideration of the role of legal ethics within the profession
• Development of key legal skills and professional attributes required by lawyers

Foundation subjects


You’ll then study the seven key areas of law:

• Public law
• European Union law
• Criminal law
• Tort
• Contract law
• Land law
• Equity and trusts

Choose* between one of the following modules:


Research Project module


In this module you will plan, research and write an essay, tailored to reflect the area of law in which you intend to specialise. You will have time dedicated in your timetable to undertake this work and detailed guidance on both legal research and legal essay writing skills.


Law of Organisations module


This module is for students intending to practice as a solicitor in a corporate law practice and is offered as an alternative option to the Research Project module. In this module you will study the principles of contract and corporate law that underpin the creation and running of business organisations. The module will develop your legal research skills in this area resulting in the preparation of a legal report on an allocated problem based question. On the full-time course, this module will be taught through face-to-face workshops and on the part-time course this module will be studied online.


*i-GDL students are required to take the Research Project module.