GDIPL Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Graduate Diploma
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
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UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Why Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies at UEA?
This programme is for non-law graduates interested in pursuing a legal career. An intensive programme, it allows graduates from other disciplines to study the foundational elements of a law degree in one year.
Why choose UEA
- Convert to law: Study the key foundational elements of a law degree
- Feel supported: Join a medium-sized law school and become part of a welcoming and supportive community
- Experiential learning: Take part in our extra-curricular activities, such as the mooting and negotiation competitions
What is the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies?
On this one-year intensive programme, you will study the foundation subjects of a law degree, such as Criminal Law and Constitutional Law, while developing your legal research, reasoning and writing skills.
The course will be taught through one-semester modules that combine lectures and seminars. Additionally, you will complete a research project that allows you to develop your skills whilst researching a topic that interests you.
Alongside classes, you will have the opportunity to build your experience through a wealth of extra-curricular activities. You might choose to volunteer with our award-winning Law Clinic or to sharpen your advocacy and negotiation skills in our legal competitions.
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Careers
Career Pathways
With a GDIPL Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies, you could pursue include:
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Legal Practice (solicitor, barrister, paralegal)
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Other law related careers (NGOs, international organisations, in-house compliance, legal researchers, police)
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Public Sector (Civil Service Fast Stream, local government, politics, education)
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Financial Services (tax, banking, insurance, investment, accountancy)
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Management and human resources (typically through graduate recruitment schemes)
Career Support
Employability is a key focus of UEA Law School. You will receive assistance from our Employability Directors, who offer one-to-one support and run events, including talks with alumni and other legal professionals. You can also gain experience by volunteering in our award-winning Law Clinic or by taking part in one of our legal competitions, such as the mooting and negotiation competitions.
After the Course
If you are aiming to qualify as a barrister or solicitor, you will need to complete additional study after the course. Please see the website of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (www.sra.org.uk(opens in a new window)) and the Bar Standards Board (www.barstandardsboard.org.uk(opens in a new window)) for information on qualifying as a solicitor or barrister.
You’ll be supported by our Career Central(opens in a new window) through and after the course.
Study and Modules
Structure
The course commences with an induction programme, which will introduce you to legal skills and to the English Legal System.
Across the year, you will study the foundation subjects. Each of these will be covered in semester-long modules, taught in either autumn or spring.
You will also write a research project in an area that interests you, completed under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Past projects have been drawn from a range of subject areas, including medical law, human rights law, commercial law, international law, family law and media law.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
You can generally expect to have two hours of lectures per week for each module. During lectures, the lecturer will outline the subject's structure, highlight key issues, and encourage critical thinking.
Additionally, each module typically includes a two-hour seminar every other week, which provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the subject through critical discussions and debate. For these small-group sessions, you will be assigned materials to read independently and questions to prepare ahead of class.
Assessment
You will be assessed predominately by examinations. You will also have the opportunity to submit non-assessed assignments during the year to practice your writing skills and to receive feedback.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject except Law (if a UK degree). Law studied overseas is OK.
- Additional Entry Requirements
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) specifies eligibility requirements for the GDL. All applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet these eligibility requirements and are advised to consult the website prior to applying:
Bar Standards Board- https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
Applicants who have studied in the UK/Republic of Ireland should normally hold a good first degree in any subject, excluding Law. Applicants who have studied outside of the UK should have the equivalent of a good first degree in any subject.
Please note that all students must attend the induction programme.
Special entry requirements
We welcome applications from students with non-standard degrees (i.e. a degree that is awarded without classification) or overseas degree holders of a standard equivalent to a 2:2. Such applicants must, however, note the following -
Applicants in this category wishing to qualify as a barrister
Any applicant who has a degree other than a UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate degree at 2:2 level or above and who wishes to qualify as a barrister will need to apply to the BSB for a Certificate of Academic Standing. This includes applicants with overseas undergraduate degrees and applicants with non-standard UK / Republic of Ireland Degrees. Details of the process are available on the BSB website. Although we do not make admission to the GDL conditional upon having a Certificate of Academic Standing, it is important to note that such candidates will not be able to use the GDL as a step towards qualifying for the Bar unless prior to admission to the GDL they have obtained the Certificate of Academic Standing from the BSB. It is their own responsibility to do this. Admission to the GDL does not imply either that the BSB's requirements as regards a Certificate of Academic Standing are met or that successful completion of the course will count towards qualification as a barrister if the student in question has not obtained a Certificate of Academic Standing as outlined above.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject except Law (if a UK degree).
- Additional Entry Requirements
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) specifies eligibility requirements for the GDL. All applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet these eligibility requirements and are advised to consult the website prior to applying:
Bar Standards Board- https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
Applicants who have studied in the UK/Republic of Ireland should normally hold a good first degree in any subject, excluding Law. Applicants who have studied outside of the UK should have the equivalent of a good first degree in any subject.
Please note that all students must attend the induction programme.
Special entry requirements
We welcome applications from students with non-standard degrees (i.e. a degree that is awarded without classification) or overseas degree holders of a standard equivalent to a 2:2. Such applicants must, however, note the following -
Applicants in this category wishing to qualify as a barrister
Any applicant who has a degree other than a UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate degree at 2:2 level or above and who wishes to qualify as a barrister will need to apply to the BSB for a Certificate of Academic Standing. This includes applicants with overseas undergraduate degrees and applicants with non-standard UK / Republic of Ireland Degrees. Details of the process are available on the BSB website. Although we do not make admission to the GDL conditional upon having a Certificate of Academic Standing, it is important to note that such candidates will not be able to use the GDL as a step towards qualifying for the Bar unless prior to admission to the GDL they have obtained the Certificate of Academic Standing from the BSB. It is their own responsibility to do this. Admission to the GDL does not imply either that the BSB's requirements as regards a Certificate of Academic Standing are met or that successful completion of the course will count towards qualification as a barrister if the student in question has not obtained a Certificate of Academic Standing as outlined above.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in Reading/Writing and 5.5 in Listening/Speaking).
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £11,500
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International Students: £25,000
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees(opens in a new window) for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for the Diploma are made through the centralised Central Applications Board.
Tel: +44(0)1483 451080.
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.
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with the Admissions Office prior to applying please do contact us: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.