The City Law School’s GDL is recognised for its academic rigour and practical relevance, making it a respected route into law for graduates from any discipline.
The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) at The City Law School is a one-year conversion course designed for graduates from non-law disciplines who wish to pursue a legal career.
Whether you aim to become a solicitor or barrister, the GDL provides the academic foundation required for professional legal training in England and Wales.
Conversion into legal practice
You’ll study the seven core subjects that form the basis of a qualifying law degree, including Contract Law, Criminal Law, Public Law, and Equity and Trusts. The course also includes a unique module on Law and Technology, introducing you to the role of digital innovation in legal practice. Depending on your career goals, you can choose to study either Advocacy or an Introduction to the Solicitor’s Professional Qualification.
The GDL is taught by experienced academics and legal professionals, with access to specialist resources such as our award-winning legal research portal, Lawbore, and the Community Legal Advice Centre (CLAC), where students gain practical experience working with real clients.
After the GDL
Graduates of the GDL are eligible to progress to the Solicitors’ Practice Programme (SPP), which prepares students for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), or the Bar Vocational Studies (BVS), the vocational stage of training for barristers.