The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), formerly known as the CPE or Common Professional Examination, is a one-year full time law conversion course designed for any non-law graduate who intends to become a solicitor or barrister in the UK. The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) course is the stepping stone to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) for those intending to qualify as solicitors or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), formerly known as the Bar Vocational Course (BVC), for those intending to qualify as barristers. The core aim of the GDL qualification is to give you a solid academic foundation in the seven subjects of law covered under the GDL.

Why study a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) at Kaplan Law School?

Our GDL courses are designed to complement the legal knowledge you obtain from our GDL training with an introduction to the practice and business skills you will need in any legal career. We also give you the chance to take part in our Business Enterprises module, mooting, debating, and also hands-on pro bono in our Kaplan Legal Advice Centre.

Additional reasons to join a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) course at Kaplan Law School

• Law Exam Success rates - With a pass rate of over 90 per cent, Nottingham Law School’s GDL course has been adopted by the GDL’s governing body as the framework for other law conversion courses.
• Law Training Quality - Our GDL courses are taught with the same high standards in course design, facilities and professionalism which have gained Nottingham Law’s Legal Practice Course the highest possible rating from the Law Society every year.
• GDL Class sizes - Our focus is on learning in small groups of 10-13 students – our experience shows that is where you learn best.
• Legal Practice-orientated - We see the GDL and LPC/BPTC as a two-year programme, we place the academic subjects into a work related context making students more prepared for practice and making the transition to the next stage easier.
• All students who successfully complete a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) course and continue their legal studies at Kaplan Law School by completing the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) will automatically be awarded an LLB.

Find out more about the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) course outline.

To find out more about our GDL teaching methods take a look at the How will I study? section.

Easier path to practice with Kaplan Law School

We understand that financial constraints can make it harder for students to realise their career goal of becoming a solicitor. That’s why we offer a discount to those who study both the GDL and LPC/BPTC with us.

• If you study the GDL and the LPC, you will pay £20,050. That's a saving of over £1,500.
• If you study the GDL and the BPTC, you will pay £23,000. That's a saving of over £1,500.

This reduction in fees is represented by the appropriate reduction on your LPC or BPTC fees. If you accept your GDL place and leave at the end of your GDL year, the full GDL fees for the academic year 2012/13, being £8,850 remains payable in full.