The full time Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) study programme at Kaplan Law School is a 36-week course which covers the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge required for a GDL qualification by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The
GDL course outline falls into three parts:
GDL Course Outline part one
Your GDL studies start with an induction programme giving an introduction to English Legal Method and Legal Research. There are the two foundation elements for your GDL qualification: understanding how the English legal system works and being introduced to the skill of legal research and the resources on offer.
GDL Course Outline part two
The main GDL teaching programme covers the following seven GDL subjects and a research project:
- The Law of Contract
- The Law of Tort
- Land Law
- Equity & Trusts
- Criminal Law
- Constitutional and Administrative Law
- EU Law
The research project is carried out in your 2nd term. Firstly, you choose a topic from a choice of essay titles which you study independently and then submit a 5,000 word research project. This relates to an area of law outside the GDL studies curriculum. You write your project under the guidance of a supervising tutor who has either practised or has an academic interest in the area you choose.
There are also optional modules you can add to your GDL studies in Business Enterprises, opportunities to join a Debating Society or a Mooting Society and the chance to gain ‘hands on’ experience in the Kaplan Legal Advice Clinic
GDL Course Outline part three
The end of the Gradate Diploma in Law (GDL) course is primarily taken up with revision and examinations. We also use this final part of the course to draw together the inter-relationship between subjects. You will meet with your personal tutor to discuss your approach to the assessments and your plans.
In addition to feedback in the GDL small group sessions, we will provide you with mock examinations in each GDL subject, as well as formative In Course Assessments (ICAs) in a selection of subjects, from which you will receive further feedback. This provides you with plenty of tailored feedback on your GDL studies to prepare you for the GDL qualification end of year assessments.
Please read our How will I study? section to find out more about our GDL teaching methods.