The Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies is an intensive one year course designed to allow non-law graduates to ‘convert' to a law path.  Following successful completion of the Diploma, students are eligible to progress to either the Legal Practice Course for solicitors or the Bar Professional Training Course for those wishing to qualify at the bar. 

Course Structure

Pre-Sessional Induction Programme

This intensive programme introduces students to the legal skills necessary for the study of law, as well as providing them with an understanding of the methods and processes of the English Legal System. The programme is designed to assist students in learning how to "think like a lawyer." It runs full time for two weeks prior to the commencement of the autumn semester. For 2013 entry, the induction programme will commence on Monday 9th September 2013.  Please note that all  students must attend the induction programme and pass a short piece of coursework in order to enter the Diploma course.

Seven Foundation Subjects

The seven Foundation Subjects are each taught as one semester modules in either autumn or spring.

The seven foundation subjects are:

  • Constitutional and Administrative Law
  • Contract Law
  • Criminal Law
  • EU Law
  • Land Law
  • Law of Trusts
  • Tort Law

Students are taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, with two lectures a week and a two hour fortnightly seminar for each subject.

Two of the autumn semester modules (currently Land Law and The Law of Trusts) will be assessed by a mix of coursework and exam, while the remainder of the Foundation Subjects will be assessed by exam only.

Research project

The eighth module is a 4,000-5,000 word research project completed under the supervision of a member of faculty. Each student chooses their own topic which, subject to the availability of supervision, can cover any area of law beyond those taught in the Foundation Subjects. Work on the research project commences during the second semester and is completed in the period after the final examinations finish in late May. Past projects have been drawn from a range of subject areas, including Medical Law, Human Rights Law, Commercial Law, International Law, Family Law, Media Law and Sports Law.

Extra-Curricular activities

The Law School is home to an active student law society and offers a broad range of extra curricular activities. Students may participate in the Mooting and Negotiations Competitions, as well as the recently introduced Client Interviewing Competition. Pro bono activities, offered through the UEA Law Clinic, include Street Law, The UEA Innocence Project and The Humanitarian Law Project, as well as the Free Legal Advice Scheme run in partnership with Norfolk Community Law Scheme.

Qualifying and careers in the Law

Our Graduate Diploma is accredited for the purposes of solicitors' and barristers' academic stage requirements. A member of faculty acts as Director of Careers and works alongside the Law adviser in the University's Careers Centre to offer an Annual Legal Careers Fair and a programme of career focused events. The Law School also runs an internship programme, providing opportunities for work experience in legal environments, including law firms and in-house legal departments.

Fees

Fees for the academic year 2012/2013 were:

Home/EU: £6,000
International: £11,900

For 2013 entry, UEA graduates will receive a 10% reduction in the Diploma course fee.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get any exceptions from modules in the CPE?

The Law Society of England and Wales website has details of exceptions.

Where can I find details of the CPE and also of the LPC?

The Central Applications Board website has a wealth of information on the CPE and also details of all organisations that offer the LPC.

What is the career path to becoming a solicitor or barrister?

The UEA Careers Centre website has information on what you need to do to become a solicitor or barrister. The Law Society of England and Wales website also has advice on becoming a solicitor.

How to apply

Applications for the Diploma is made through the centralised Central Applications Board.
Tel: (+44) (0) 1483 451 080.

Applicants who need to apply for a visa to study in the UK are advised that the process can take up to two months in some countries. Please make sure that applications are submitted to study in good time to obtain a visa.

Further information

We are always happy to answer any questions. Our contact details are below:
Faculty of Social Sciences
Admissions Office (LAW)
University of East Anglia
Norwich, NR4 7TJ

Tel. +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

Visit the Law School

An open evening will be held on 23rd January 2013 and those interested in attending can register at https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/open-days