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Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL-LLB) (Part-Time)

Graduate Diploma, LLB

Key Features
Fact File

What it's about
Contact

What you do

Where next?

Key Features

A speedy route for non-Law graduates (and others with appropriate qualifications/experience) to gain a Law qualification, and complete the academic stage of legal training in two academic years of part-time study.

On completion of the part time GDL course, it also enables you to progress to the Solicitors' qualifying route, the Legal Practice Course (LPC), or to the Barristers' qualification, the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).

On completion of the part time gdl at Staffordshire University, successful students are awarded the Graduate Diploma in Law and the LLB (CPE) - an award available to entrants to the part time GDL programme starting in September 2008.

Our graduates also get:

Guaranteed LPC place on the Staffordshire University Law School (SULS) Legal Practice Course full or part-time, as you wish (for those progressing to the Solicitor's route)
15% discount from SULS LPC fees
A guaranteed placement with a law firm or other Law 'mentor' as part of the SULS Mentoring Scheme
Superb, purpose built facilities which are centrally located in Stoke on Trent, only five minutes walk from the mainline station on the London/Euston to Manchester line.

What it's about

A speedy route for graduates (and others with appropriate qualifications) to gain two valuable Law awards, the GDL and the LLB (CPE), and complete the academic stage of legal training, in 2 years. This is a much quicker 'route' to obtaining a law award than the LLB which normally takes 3 years (full-time) or 4 years + (part-time).

Note: For the purposes of completion of the academic stage of training, and progression to the vocational stage of legal training, a person who has completed the GDL programme is in the same position as a person with a LLB/qualifying law degree.

What you do

The courses themselves, as mentioned before can be done on a full time, or part time basis to fit arounds students other commitments.

There is a comprehensive induction programme which allows the student to gain an understanding of the English legal system, and introduces essential legal skills.

It then consists of the 'Foundation' subjects, namely:

Tort
Contract
Public Law
Equity and Trusts
Land Law
Crime
EC Law

Students also study elements of one other area of legal studies, the CPE ‘8th subject’, notably Employment Law or Social Welfare Law and Practice; and can study a subject area of their choice. This part of the programme is completed largely by self-managed study and is assessed by a coursework assignment submitted at the end of the year (after the exams have been completed).

Where next?

The Graduate Diploma in Law and the LLB (CPE), both of which which you receive on completing the CPE course, are valuable Law qualifications in their own right, and very helpful for those who wish to go into business or careers where a knowledge of the law is needed.

Completion of the part time GDL course is also the first stage for those seeking a law practice qualification. This route enables you to enter the Solicitors’ and Barristers’ ‘vocational stage’, and subsequent training.

Students completing our part time GDL will be guaranteed a place on the Staffordshire LPC course (full or part-time modes, as they require), or on any appropriate further Staffordshire degree for which they are eligible.

Applicants are asked to note the advice given by the Law Society in the notes and application form for Certificate of Eligibility, and guidance from the Bar. Advice may also be obtained from the professional bodies, i.e. i.e. Law Society/SRA or Bar Council

Fact File

Qualification:	Graduate Diploma, LLB
Faculty/School:	Law School
Location:	Stoke Campus, Worcester College
Course Start:	September
Course Length:	Two academic years (September - June)
Attendance:	Part-time Day-time: attendance with FT 4 subjects a year over 2 years Evening: 4 subjects each year over 2 years. Attendance on up to 2 evenings a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for 3 subjects EU Law: directed & self-managed study until Christmas, assisted by opportunity to attend 4 contact sessions on Wednesday evenings Qualifications Two qualifications on completion of the GDL: Graduate Diploma in Law and LLB (CPE) The LLB* (GDL) is a non-qualifying law degree
Entry Requirements:	Preferably a Second Class Honours degree. A Third Class degree will be considered, especially if there is relevant work experience and aptitude to take the GDL course. Applicants should have regard to guidance from the professional bodies, especially the Bar Council on entry, and progression to the Bar Professional Training Course. Other entry qualifications may be applicable, e.g. ILEX (Legal Executives). Suitable applicants may also be eligible for entry as a 'mature student'. Applicants should have the requisite entry requirements for the course, and for their intended branch of the profession if they intend to use their award to progress to either the Solicitors or Barristers' sides of the profession. They should also obtain confirmation of any subject exemptions that may be available before enrolment. Advice may be obtained from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (www.sra.org.uk) or the Bar Standards Board (www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
Application:	Apply directly to Staffordshire University
Fees and Bursaries:	2012 part-time: £2250 Year 1 - £2250 Year 2 Reduced fee if on on eligible unemployed/disability benefits - Details on request. (Please note: this is not available at Worcester College)