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PGDL
Postgraduate Diploma in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (PGDL) - (conversion)
Join the largest community of postgraduate law conversion students.*
Our Postgraduate Diploma in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (PGDL) is a law conversion course that teaches you to think like a lawyer and prepare for the realities of life in legal practice. This course replaces our Graduate Diploma in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (GDL) and provides the foundation for the pathway into practice for non-law graduates who want to progress onto the SQE1 Preparation Course, and our LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) to qualify as a solicitor or the Bar Practice Course (BPC) to qualify as a barrister.
Our PGDL conversion course offers you a great chance to make the transition into legal study with excellent levels of support and guidance from our experienced, professional lecturers. Not only will you learn the academic law necessary for converting to law, but you will also focus on key skills and competencies crucial for your development as a lawyer.
*Central Applications Board (Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½CAB) 2024
Key Facts
Entry requirements
An undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline (or equivalent).
Entry requirementsLocations
Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading, Sheffield and OnlineStudy online
If you're looking for a more flexible approach to your studies, why not consider our online study option?
Course Details
Postgraduate Diploma in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (conversion)
If you’re looking to make the change into legal study and already have an undergraduate degree in another discipline then our PGDL is your pathway into legal practice.
In an increasingly competitive legal job market, many employers value the combination of a non-law undergraduate area of expertise combined with the solid grounding in core legal principles and legal skills. Through studying another degree subject, and building your career in another discipline, you will have gained many transferable skills. By choosing law at a later stage, you are showing motivation and determination to pursue a new career.
Why choose this PGDL conversion course?
- Learn to think like a lawyer and develop practical legal skills through practical workshops and problem-based learning.
- Be ready to progress your legal training – go on to study the SQE1 Preparation Course and develop the skills required to answer SQE1 style legal knowledge questions or progress onto our LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) or Bar Practice Course (BPC).
- Stand-alone Skills & Behaviours module – designed to focus on key skills and behaviours necessary for practice as a solicitor or barrister.
- The Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ of Organisations module focuses on company and partnership law- ideal preparation for your late studies and practice.
- With one of the largest legal careers services in the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½, UÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ gives you the support and opportunities you need to make the best start in your legal career.
- Taught by qualified lawyers, with lectures and practical workshops to develop your legal skills, so you’ll know what to expect in a real-life work environment.
- Flexible study - We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why we offer a wide range of study modes (full-time, part-time, on campus, online) across our courses to provide you with the greatest choice and flexibility you need to succeed in your studies.
- We have a vast network in the legal industry and deliver training to 91 of the top 100 law firms, with exclusive relationships with 61 of the top Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ law firms and many of the most prestigious US firms.
If you choose to progress onto study one of our SQE courses or BPC, you will also benefit from our excellent employment and pupillage rates:
- 94% of postgraduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes data). Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2024 ().
- 93% of BPC graduates in work were in highly skilled employment, including pupillage, 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes data). Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2024.
Not sure if this course is right for you? Download our free Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Conversion Guide to discover everything you need to know about how to transition into the legal field.
Important Information
Progression for full-time PgDL and MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (Conversion) students
Based on the projected end dates of our full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (PgDL) and Master of Arts in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Conversion) courses, find out if you are eligible to commence our , or in January 2025.
Progression information - law conversion to SQE & BPC courses âž”
Please note: If you require a visa to study in the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ and wish to progress on to one of our on-campus vocational courses, please refer to our Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ visa requirements page for information about applying for a Student Route visa.
Course Structure
Required pre-course study
The English Legal System & Constitutional Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (including EU Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½) module requires 25 hours of pre-course study, through guided units with all materials provided online.
Modules
You will learn the essentials of the key foundation areas of law that align to the Solicitors Regulation Authority specification of Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) for the SQE. In each area, you will develop a practical and functional understanding of the foundations of English & Welsh Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½, and core analytical and practical legal skills.
- English Legal System and Constitutional Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (including EU Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½) (15 credits)
- Tort Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (15 credits)
- Contract Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (15 credits)
- Criminal Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (15 credits)
- Administrative Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ and Human Rights (15 credits)
- Land Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (15 credits)
- Equity & Trusts (15 credits)
- Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ of Organisations (15 credits)
- Skills and Behaviours (non-credit-bearing)
This course develops the key intellectual and personal skills required by lawyers, alongside skills required to pass professional examinations for qualification as a solicitor or barrister.
In all modules there is a focus on combining knowledge and understanding of core areas of law with the ability to analyse, evaluate and form critical judgements about the law. Study is centred on practical activities that enable students to learn by doing. Workshops involve students completing further practice based tasks, including an application of Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) to Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs).
Alongside academic modules, students will engage in a Skills and Behaviours module, which allows you to recognise and develop key professional and personal attributes necessary to thrive as a lawyer in a work environment, and to manage your career.
What about the SQE?
The SQE is being phased in to become the new centralised way to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales
Find out moreCourse Start Dates
September 2025
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Postgraduate Diploma in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½
- Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield
- Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury and London Moorgate
- Part-time Weekend: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham
January 2026
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½
- Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield
- Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury
- Part-time Weekend: London Bloomsbury, Manchester and Newcastle
September 2026
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½
- Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield
- Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury and London Moorgate
- Part-time Weekend: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham
January 2027
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½
- Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield
- Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury and London Moorgate
- Part-time Weekend: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham
Online
Study Postgraduate Diploma in Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (PGDL) Online - (conversion) starting September 2025, January 2026, September 2026 or January 2027
Get to know our lecturers
Hear from our lecturers about what makes law conversion a fascinating path to study leading to a fulfilling and dynamic career.
Watch now
Course requirements
Learn more about how the course is taught and how learning time is distributed by taking a look at our PGDL infographic. You can also look at the course demands document which shows the requirements, prior knowledge and commitments the course will involve.
Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Conversion Courses
Start your legal journey
We offer a number of law conversion courses, which offer you a pathway to progress onto become a solicitor or barrister.
View our law conversion guide to make the best choice for you and your career.
Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Conversion Guide âž”
Will non-law graduates on the SQE pathway be required to complete a conversion course?
Hear from Annabel Hale, Graduate Recruitment & Development Manager at Wedlake Bell.
Study Online
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of a flexible study programme to fit around your other commitments together with the benefit of our expertise, experience and employability focus, why not consider our online study option?
eventsUpcoming Dates
May 14th
Return to Learn
Postgraduate and Undergraduate
18:00 - 19:00
Online
May 15th
Business Masterclass: Sustainability and Business
Postgraduate
12:30 - 13:30
Online
May 15th
Postgraduate Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Open Day: Part Time Focus
Postgraduate
17:00 - 19:00
Online
next event
2d 1h 16m
Course Information
Application and booking deadlines vary by intake - take a look at our key application and enrolment deadline dates for more information.
With so many options for how and where you can study the PGDL, you can be sure to find a start date and study option to suit your needs.
All modules will incorporate 40% examination by Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs) to support any future progress onto SQE1 assessment.
The other 60% will vary according to the module. These will include:
- online open book examination
- coursework
- oral presentation.
- Each taught module comprises of workshops and incorporates streamed lectures or media.
- Class contact time is combined with online tutorials, online Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs) and self-study from study manuals and online research.
- The learning model is based around undertaking activities in the workshops (or equivalent online activities) to develop both knowledge and key skills.
- The Skills and Behaviours module will comprise of workshops spread over all semesters.
Employability We Set You Up For Success
We care about your career, which is why we offer support with job applications and other work experience opportunities as soon as you accept your place.
Discover more
Find a career that suits you
Fees and Applying
If you’d like to study full-time you can apply through CAB. For part-time study you can apply directly with us.
2024/25 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2024)
London: £14,300
Outside London: £11,500
2025/26 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2025)
London: £14,850
Outside London: £11,950
See our full fee schedules here.
Discounts:
We are offering a £500 Postgraduate Award to students studying at Newcastle University and a £1,000 Postgraduate Award to students studying at our Nottingham Campus. Dependant on start date. Terms and conditions apply.
If you’re a UÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ alumnus, you may be eligible to receive our £500 General Alumni Discount.
We also have a range of scholarships and bursaries available which make studying with us more affordable than ever.
We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.
If you are an international student and are coming to the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ to study, then you must apply to the Home Office for a visa. In most cases you will need to obtain a Student Route visa. In order to apply for this visa you must be sponsored by an education provider which is licensed by the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Home Office.
The Home Office has also introduced a Graduate Work visa which allows Graduates to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career in the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ for 2 years post completion of a Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ degree. The Graduate route is an unsponsored visa, meaning students will not need a job offer to apply for this visa.
Please note that the University does not currently provide visa sponsorship to students for part-time study. We also cannot sponsor students for online courses due to Home Office regulations.
