Summary
- Faculty of Education, Law & Social Sciences
- Duration
- Full Time: 1 year
Part Time: 2 years
- Fees
- FT Home Student: £4,900
PT Home Student: £2,460
International: £9,250 per year
Bursaries (fee discounts) are currently available for Birmingham City University graduates (see 'How to Apply ' section for more info). Fees.
Tel:+44 (0)121 331 5640
Email: law@bcu.ac.uk
Overview
The primary purpose of the GDL/CPE is to provide the first phase of legal training for those who want to enter the legal profession as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales, but have not completed a qualifying law degree. However, that is not the only reason that students join the course. For example, the course can also be a stepping stone into more advanced legal study at Masters level.
The course at all institutions is overseen by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and is based on the seven 'foundation' subjects which are seen as essential to your development as a solicitor or barrister. These foundation subjects are Criminal Law, the Law of Torts, the Law of the European Union, Constitutional Law, Trusts and Equity and Land Law. You will also be trained in Legal Skills, Legal Research and the English Legal System and have an opportunity to research an area of the law that particularly interests you.
You will have the opportunity to participate in Legal Mooting/ Debating, which will develop the confidence required to present the results of research in a courtroom and other settings.
The GDL/CPE provides legal training, which although largely academic in nature, also reflects the demands that legal practice will place on that academic knowledge.
You may also have the opportunity to put yourself forward for an internship with a lawyer or law firm in the USA, which could involve assisting with cases on Death Row.
Why study with us?
The Law School at Birmingham City University has an established record of providing the GDL/CPE and its equivalent and boasts excellent links with practice, as evidenced by our programme of careers events and guest speakers.
Both the tutors on the GDL and the Law School and University as a whole provide a supportive atmosphere for you, which we think is really important when students are engaging with legal study for the first time. In addition to individual support from tutors, you will also be able to use the dedicated Academic Skills Centre, which assists students re-engaging with academic study.
The Law School also provides the Legal Practice Course and has recently achieved the highest grade of ‘Commendable Practice’ from the SRA, meaning the quality of facilities, teaching and support is second to none. Should you complete your GDL and LPC with us you will qualify for the LLB Legal Practice award and will be offered a reduction in the LPC fee which currently is 10% of the LPC teaching fees.
Key Facts
- The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), also known as the Common Professional Examination (CPE), is designed for non-law graduates wishing to enter the legal profession. The course satisfies the professional requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for intending solicitors and the Bar Standards Board (BSB) for intending barristers as completion of the academic stage of training.
- To become a solicitor you must complete both the academic stage of training (a qualifying law degree or a GDL course) followed by the vocational stage of training known as the Legal Practice Course (LPC). This must then be followed by a two year training contract in legal practice.
- More information about becoming a solicitor can be found at The Solicitors Regulation Authority and The Law Society.
- To become a barrister you must complete the academic stage of training (which is the same as for a solicitor, above) followed by the vocational stage of training known as the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). Places on the BPTC are extremely competitive and are offered by only a few institutions. This course must then be followed by a year’s period of pupillage, normally in barristers’ chambers.
- For more information visit The Bar Standards Board. For information about pupillages visit: www.pupillages.com
Course Outline
Course Structure
For the first two weeks of the course all new students need to attend the induction sesions, which are designed to intriduce you to the university, the course and to begin your training in Legal Skills, Legal Research and the English Legal System (this is part of the Legal Method module). After the induction period you will then receive weekly lectures and fortnightly seminars in relation to the foundation subjects. Part-time students only do 4 of the foundation subjects in the first year. You will also be required to study an eighth area of law in addition to the foundation subjects, which will involve completion of a project on an area of law that interests you. The focus of the course is upon combining academic study with practical skills, which can then feed into further study on the LPC or BPTC course.
Our teaching emphasises participation and student-centred learning. Small class sizes and an ‘open door’ policy ensure your individual study needs should be met. A variety of teaching methods are employed including lectures and workshops.
You are also able to take advantage of our video-equipped courtrooms to develop your skills in a realistic setting.
Modules
The GDL course is based on the seven foundation subjects laid down by the Law Society and the General Council of the Bar:
- Law of Contract
- Law of Tort
- Criminal Law
- Constitutional and Administrative Law
- European Law
- Land Law
- Law of Equity and Trusts
- Independent Project
Assessments
Assessment is through a combination of coursework and examinations.
Study commitment
Full-time: 12 hours per week class contact time.
Part-time: 6 hours per week class contact time.
Full-time students attend 10am to 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, part-time students in Year 1 attend 10am to 5pm on Tuesday and part-time students in Year 2 attend 10am to 5pm on Thursday.
There is currently no part-time evening attendance option and we do not offer the course on a distance learning basis. For the 2010 academic year the course will start in the w/c 6th September 2010 and end in mid June 2011.
Independent study
The study of law requires a good deal of reading and independent study and it is your approach to this that will largely shape how well you do. Lectures and seminars are designed to get you looking at the right legal principles and provide feedback on your understanding of them and how they apply. In addition face-to-face teaching time, preparation of seminar tasks and reading around topics are likely to require an additional 24-36 hours as a full-time student and 12-18 hours as a part-time student.
Full-time: reading and preparation in your own time will be expected of around 12-18 hours per week.
Part-time: reading and preparation in your own time will be expected of around 6-9 hours per week.
After your studies
Further Studies
As this course fulfils the academic stage of training to be a solicitor or barrister, graduates will usually progress to either the LPC course (for solicitors) or BPTC (for barristers). The LPC course - in both full and part-time modes - is also offered by the University.
Qualified candidates may also apply for LLM programmes, MPhil or PhD research degrees. Details can be found on the postgraduate section of the website.
Employment Opportunities
The GDL/CPE prepares you for a career in law and equips you with transferable skills to take into the legal profession. Students completing their GDL and LPC at the University will also graduate with a LLB Legal Practice.
Many of our graduates go on to become solicitors, barristers or other law related careers both in private practice or in public sector organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service, local government, watchdog organisations and others.
Many legal sector employers encourage applications from GDL students as, often, they have had more life and work experience than the average law degree graduate and can bring with them knowledge and skills from a different sector.
How to apply
Entry Requirements
The GDL/CPE is primarily aimed at non-law graduates, so a good degree is usually a minimum requirement. We would normally look for a 2:2 classification or above, although we will consider applications from those who fall below this. There are exceptions made to the requirement for a degree for some legal executives and other mature applicants. However, you would need to contact the SRA (if you want to become a solicitor) or the BSB (if you want to become a barrister) for them to make a decision about whether you would be eligible.
Mature applicants with non-standard or Access to Higher Education course qualifications are also encouraged to apply.
Overseas applicants are normally only eligible to do the course on a full-time basis. Applicants who have obtained their undergraduate degree outside the UK are required to obtain a Certificate of Academic Standing from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (for intending solicitors) or Bar Standards Board (for intending barristers) confirming that they are eligible to undertake a GDL/CPE course, and may also require IELTS level 6.5 (see www.ielts.org).
Although we may accept applicants with a third class degree onto the GDL course, intending barristers should note that they will require at least a second class degree in order to obtain a training contract.
Application Details
Full-time through Central Applications Board (CAB).
For part-time please apply direct to faculty. You can apply online or call us for an application form.
The Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences
Birmingham City University
City North Campus
Perry Barr
BIRMINGHAM
B42 2SU
Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7300
Fax: +44 (0)121 331 7316
Email: law@bcu.ac.uk
For general information about applying to study at Birmingham City University, please refer to the Making your Application section.
International enquirers may contact the International Office for further help and advice.
For general information about applying to study at Birmingham City University, please refer to the Making your Application section.
International enquirers may contact the International Office for further help and advice.
Fees Notes
FT Home Student: £4,900
PT Home Students: £2,460
International: £9,250 per year
Bursaries (fee discounts) are currently availaible for Birmingham City University graduates and the current bursary equates to 10% of the course fees. Fees can be paid in instalments.
If you have any queries about our fees please contact the School directly: Tel:+44 (0)121 331 5640 Email: law@bcu.ac.uk
Further Information
The Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences
Birmingham City University
City North Campus
Perry Barr
BIRMINGHAM
B42 2SU
Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7300
Fax: +44 (0)121 331 6622
Email: law@bcu.ac.uk
Jonathan Cooper, Programme Director, email jonathan.cooper@bcu.ac.uk
Jill Molloy, Admissions Tutor, email jill.molloy@bcu.ac.uk
Pauline Schofield, Programme Administrator, email pauline.schofield@bcu.ac.uk
If you want to come and see the University or talk to one of the GDL/CPE tutors then please check the website for details of open days or visit days. It may also be possible to arrange an informal visit by contacting Jonathan or Jill.