Graduate Diploma in Law GDL

City, University of London

United Kingdom, London

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Home/United Kingdom/London /City, University of London/Graduate Diploma in Law GDL

City, University of London

United Kingdom , London

Key Facts

Program Level

Graduate Diploma

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

LAGDCPE01

Campuses

Northampton Square

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 14,890 / year

Next Intake September-2026

Graduate Diploma in Law GDL

About

Benefits of this course

You will learn how to directly read case law and build skills in legal analysis, oral argument and writing.

We cover the seven core foundation subjects that are required as part of the academic stage of training as a barrister in England Wales and successful completion of the programme will qualify you for entry to the vocational stage of training.

The course will also provide excellent training for non-law graduates planning to qualify as a solicitor (although it is not designed on its own to prepare you for the Solicitors’ Qualifying Examination).

You are encouraged to consider your reasons for practising law and how you will personally experience value in practise.

Our programme is designed to be accessible and focused on your experience and a seamless transition into law. We offer significant one-to-one support, many opportunities to network and for you to gain the practical experience useful to kick-start your career in the legal profession.

Award

You can select to apply for one of the available exit points for this course.

Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)

Who is this course for?

This programme is designed for non-law graduates or law graduates from outside the UK, who are focused on developing a professional legal career in the UK, either as a barrister or solicitor.

It will provide you with the necessary academic legal training to prepare you for undertaking further vocational training to enter either of these professions.

Designed for individuals who decide to pursue a legal career after completing their undergraduate studies in a non-law discipline, this programme will cover the fundamentals of law including case law, legal analysis and oral argument, as well as an introduction to legal ethics. This course allows progression onto professional training programmes to become either a solicitor or a barrister.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Saudi Arabia

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for the course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Saudi Arabian equivalent required.

The equivalents provided are intended as a guide only and individual applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Saudi Arabian Bachelor degrees are typically accepted with GPA 3.2 out of 4.0 or GPA 4.0 out of 5.0 equivalent to a UK 2:1 (second-class upper) Honours Bachelor degree and GPA 2.4 out of 4.0 or GPA 3.0 out of 5.0 equivalent to a UK 2:2 (second-class lower) Honours Bachelor degree.

Pre-master’s programmes

If you don't meet the entry requirements, please check to see if there is a suitable preparatory programme available for your course at City, University of London. You can explore your options by visiting City's Foundation Programmes page.

Visa requirements

International Students coming to study in the UK may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study. The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:

Students on courses of more than six months
Students on courses of less than six months

For more information see our main Visa page.

English Program Requirements

If you're a national of a recognised majority English-speaking country as defined by the government, or have previously completed a university degree in one, you will not need to prove your knowledge of English to apply for the course.

Please note that if your country is not defined as majority-English-speaking by the government you will need to demonstrate you meet the English language requirements for the course. The requirements for this course are as follows:

IELTS: 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other components.
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: 95 overall with no less than 24 in Writing and Reading, 22 in Listening and 25 in Speaking
LanguageCert ESOL International online: C1 Expert Pass (combined written and oral test)
PTE Academic: 65 or better.

English language programmes

Don't meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

Career

By completing the GDL you will have completed the academic stage of training required to qualify as a barrister in England and Wales and will be ready to progress to the vocational stage of training by taking a course such as our Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme.

The requirements for qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales have recently changed. Whilst it is no longer a requirement to have a UK Law degree or complete a vocational training course to become a solicitor, consultation with law firms suggests that they will still be looking for recruits with this level of training.

The GDL (Solicitor Route )will provide excellent initial preparation for non-law graduates who are preparing for Solicitors Qualification Examination 1 (SQE 1).

It is recommended that it is undertaken in combination with a postgraduate, skills-focussed programme such as our Solicitors’ Practice Programme, particularly if you are interested to also prepare for the Solicitors Qualification Examination 2 (SQE 2).

We hold regular career events where you can network with professionals from leading firms and law chambers.

Gain experience

You are not formally required to secure a placement but we encourage you to gain legal practice experience such as a mini pupillage.

As a City student you will have the opportunity to participate in skills enhancing extracurricular activity such as mooting or pro bono work via our LawIRL (in real life) Programme.