PGGDPLAW - Graduate Diploma in Law

The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a graduate course for students with a good degree in any subject – and from any country – who wish to embark on an accelerated study of the Foundation Subjects in Law which are typically taught on an undergraduate LLB. In one year full-time, or two years part-time, they can reach the same standard of knowledge and expertise as someone on a three year full-time law degree, covering the subjects previously recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board as the basis of a Qualifying Law Degree, and which are still considered to be the foundations for a career in the legal sector. (The accredited course from the SRA and BSB which led to the award of the GDL was known as the Common Professional Examination.)

On graduation with the GDL, students will be able to top it up to an LLB (Hons) by undertaking an additional dissertation module. This will be of particular interest to students who want to practise outside England and Wales, as the LLB title is internationally recognised as an undergraduate law degree, usually giving access to various vocational law courses and professional exams.

The teaching and learning strategy is predicated on the Education for Social Justice framework, and does the following:

• Mix academic and practice based activity as appropriate
• Make effective use of learning technologies and blended learning
• Embrace student diversity
• Encourage widening participation
• Offer learning support where necessary

Teaching and learning embody a model of critical reflection in which students are encouraged to build on existing knowledge and experience and reflect on their application in ‘real’ settings.

• Teaching seeks to involve students as active participants;
• Learning opportunities seek to reflect the needs of the diverse student body, which may include a significant proportion of mature students, students from non-UK academic backgrounds, students who have been out of the educational system for a period since graduating, as well as those with significant experience of work in a legal environment;
• Assessments are aligned with the course learning outcomes and principally require the application of knowledge to solve practice based problems.

The course is taught by a combination of lectures and seminars.

Lectures build upon the students’ pre reading. Lecturers explain complex areas of the law and help to place issues within the context of legal practice. Lecturers are encouraged to deliver the lectures in a questioning and interrogatory style.

The seminars following on from the lectures are usually held in the following teaching week to allow students time to prepare and reflect. The seminars are predominantly practical, transactional and student led. The activities therein build upon the pre-reading, the lectures and WebLearn learning resources.

Students will generally be expected to prepare the seminar in advance. Students will develop their understanding of a topic through practical activities such as role-plays, drafting, advocacy and research where possible, if this is commensurate with the subject matter, if it helps achieve the learning outcome and where there is a sound pedagogical rationale for doing so.

The course is designed to provide graduates in subjects other than English law with the academic stage of training traditionally needed to embark upon the vocational law courses to qualify either as solicitors (via the Solicitors Qualifying Examination) or barristers (via any of the Bar Training Courses). The course is recognized within the English legal professions as equivalent to an LLB (Hons).

Although the SRA and BSB no longer validate the GDL/CPE and the LLB, these courses are still recognized by many solicitors’ firms as an important part of legal training; and it is still required by the BSB that prospective barristers have undertaken either an LLB or GDL course before embarking upon the Bar Examinations. The GDL remains therefore a key part of the landscape of professional legal training for graduate students who have not undertaken a traditional law degree.

In addition to offering the academic stage of legal training through the seven ‘foundations of law’ modules, the course offers students the chance to extend their practical skills of legal research and critical analysis; and also to conduct doctrinal research in an area of legal practice which is of particular interest to them, through an extended essay module which aims to do the following:

• Stimulate and develop an awareness and understanding of current/critical developments within a chosen area of legal practice;
• Develop in students an awareness of research methodologies and an ability to develop research strategies appropriate to the academic and professional requirements of the area of study;
• Enable students to apply academic understanding and research techniques to the analysis of policy and practice within the chosen legal field leading to the production of a dissertation;
• Develop the skills necessary to enable the student to produce a well-written, well-referenced discursive, critical and evaluative dissertation.

1. Our graduates will have the confidence needed to take leadership decisions in challenging situations. (QAA i, ii, vi, vii, viii and xi)

2. Our graduates will possess the necessary communication skills that will help them adopt a global and multicultural perspective in their professional context. (QAA xi and xii)

3. Our graduates will be cognisant of the effects of the social and environmental effects of their decision, and will remain active citizens of the places they live and work. (QAA iii, iv, viii and xii)

4. Our graduates will demonstrate application of creative thinking skills to practical problems, and possess the analytical and organizational skills to translate creative ideas to operational solutions. (QAA i, v, vi, vii, viii, ix, x and xi)

5. Our graduates will have sufficient knowledge in the core discipline areas included in their courses of study. (QAA iii, iv and v)

6. (University Learning Outcome): Our graduates will demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline.

Law
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/sbs/sbs-law-23.pdf?sfvrsn=c271a881_4

Assessments reflect the Module Learning Outcomes and seek to facilitate the development of critical reflection and employability skills, and which enable students to succeed both on the course and in graduate employment.

(a) Summative Subject Assessments

The range of assessment methods to be employed on this course reflects the range of skills required by the discipline of law and the standards expected. They will include unseen examinations, essays and problem question coursework, independent research papers and multiple-choice tests. An assessment strategy has been designed to ensure a reasonable spread of contributory summative assessment.

(b) Formative Assessments

Formative assessment is at the heart of the assessment strategy and learning experience. It is timely, constructive and developmental, and includes formal mocks, individual written tutor feedback (and ‘feed-forward’), detailed examiners’ guidance, peer feedback, oral feedback and self-assessment. Students are provided with formative assessment opportunities throughout the course to ensure they are fully prepared for the summative assessments.

The Law School operates a Pro Bono Clinic in which all law students are invited to participate. The Clinic invites members of the public to seek advice on legal matters, and the students assess them under the supervision of qualified solicitors.

There are links with law professionals which operate mentoring schemes and offer work placements through the University Employability Unit.

Introduction
1. The University’s Graduate Diploma in Law course is designed to provide an academically rigorous programme of legal education to prepare the non-law graduate for entry into the Vocational Stage of training. It will also prepare students for progression to Masters level work or equivalent professional work.

2. The Graduate Diploma in Law is an award conferred at Level 6 by the Postgraduate Subject Standards Board acting as an Awards Board.

3. This course is governed by the University’s Academic Regulations, with approved variations where necessary in order that it should conform to the standard rules and assessment regulations of the Joint Academic Stage Board.
Course structure

4. The Graduate Diploma in Law course shall be based on a teaching year comprising 36 weeks.

5. There will be 10 units of assessment, each worth 10% of the total assessment.

LL3101N Obligations A (Contract)
LL3102N Obligations B (Tort)
LL3103N Public Law A (Constitutional and Administrative Law)
LL3104N Public Law B (European Union Law)
LL3105N Criminal Law
LL3106N Property Law A (Land Law)
LL3107N Property Law B (Equity and Trusts)
LL3108N Extended Essay (Eighth Area of Legal Study)
LL3109N Assessed Essays (Legal Essay Writing)
LL3110N Case and Statute Analysis

6. In addition, students must pass a test on the English Legal System which will be given during the first term. Although students must pass this test to proceed on the course, the mark will not count towards the final grade.

7. Each subject of assessment shall be ascribed to Level 6 Honours level.

Modes of study

8. Students shall be able to study full-time, part-time, during the day and/or the evening. Students may not switch from a part-time to a full-time mode of study more than two weeks after the course has started.

9. Full-time students will take all the subjects in one year.

10. Part-time students will take the following subjects in year one:

LL3101N Obligations A (Contract)
LL3102N Obligations B (Tort)
LL3103N Public Law A (Constitutional and Administrative Law)
LL3104N Public Law B (European Union Law)

They will also take the English Legal System test and write two of the assessed essays.

11. Part-time students will take the remaining subjects in year two.

12. Part-time students may not commence year two until they have passed all the assessments in year one.

Assessment

13. Students shall be assessed in accordance with the University’s Regulations on Assessment and Assessment Boards, varied where relevant by the Joint Academic Stage Board Regulations.

14. There may be a number of items of assessed work for each subject. The course and subject specifications shall include the assessment scheme for each subject and the weighting of each item of assessed work, as approved in accordance with the University’s Quality Assurance Procedures.

15. Students are required to attempt all items of assessed work for each subject. If a student is unable, through disability, to be assessed by the normal methods, under Procedures established on behalf of Academic Board, the Assessment Board may vary the methods as appropriate.

16. The results from each item of assessed work shall be aggregated according to the specified weightings to produce an overall mark for the module. Subject specifications may additionally specify that particular items of assessed work must be passed in order for the subject to be passed. Should an item of assessed work not be submitted or be submitted late without valid mitigating circumstances, a mark of zero will be recorded for that item.

17. On the basis of performance in the approved assessment scheme each student shall be awarded marks reported in percentages. The pass mark for all subjects shall be 40%.

18. Feedback to students shall be reported in percentage marks, with the proviso that such marks are provisional and subject to change, if given before confirmation of marks by the Assessment Board.
Classification of Awards

19. A student must be awarded a distinction where

He/She has passed all elements of the assessments at the first attempt, AND

He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 70%.

20. A student may be awarded a distinction where

He/She has passed all elements of the assessments at the first attempt; AND

He/She has obtained an overall average of at least 70% in at least 50% of the subjects counting towards the final award AND

He/She has obtained an overall average of at least 67%; AND

The Assessment Board considers that it is not inappropriate to award a distinction

21. A student must not otherwise be awarded a distinction.

22. A student must be awarded a commendation where

He/She has passed all assessment at the first attempt, AND

He/She has obtained an overall average of at least 60% in the assessments

23. A student may be awarded a commendation where

He/She has passed all elements of the assessment at the first attempt, AND

He/She has obtained an overall average of at least 58% AND

He/She has obtained an overall average of at least 60% in at least 50% of the subjects counting towards
the final award AND

The Assessment Board considers that it is not inappropriate to award a commendation.

24. A student must not otherwise be awarded a commendation.

25. A student must be awarded a pass where he/she has passed all assessments (at least 40% in each element of assessment), one element of which may have been compensated in accordance with the rules of the Board. A student must not otherwise be awarded a pass.

26. A student who fails an assessment and on resitting the assessment achieves a pass can only be awarded a maximum of 40% for the resit assessment.

27. An aegrotat pass is not permitted on the GDL

28. A student who has failed more than one assessment will be required to repeat only that assessment (and any other assessment, which the student has failed). He/She will not be required to repeat any assessments, which he/she has successfully managed to complete. In other words, a student will only be required to repeat those assessments which he/she has failed.
Responsibilities of students

29. It shall be the responsibility of students to familiarise themselves with the assessment regulations and with the examination and coursework submission timetables to ascertain when opportunities for assessment arise.

30. It shall be the responsibility of students to submit work for assessment by the specified deadlines and to attend examinations, normally at the earliest opportunity offered in respect of both categories.

31. It shall be the responsibility of students who believe they have valid reasons for absence from an examination or non-submission of an item of assessed work to familiarise themselves with the procedures for making a claim and the circumstances in which they are allowed to do so.

32. It shall be the responsibility of students who believe they have grounds for requesting reviews of decisions of an Assessment Board to submit an application to the Director of Quality and Standards within ten working days of results being issued in accordance with the Regulations governing Appeals against decisions of Assessment Boards.

33. It shall be the responsibility of students to ensure that the work they submit for assessment is entirely their own and that they observe all rules and instructions governing examinations. Any allegation of cheating or other impropriety which might give an advantage in assessment to students against whom allegations have been made shall be considered under the Regulations governing allegations of Academic Misconduct on the part of a student (see Section 10.5*). Any student found to be guilty of academic misconduct shall be subject to the provisions of those Regulations and those of the Joint Academic Stage Board.

Reassessment and retaking

34. A student who is judged not to have passed the English Legal System test on the first attempt shall be given one further opportunity to achieve a pass by the end of the first term of the course. If the student has still not achieved a pass, the student shall fail the course and shall withdraw.

35. A student shall normally be entitled to be reassessed on two occasions in any module other than the English Legal System Test for which a failing mark has been awarded. Reassessment in a module shall mean reassessment in the items which have been failed and shall involve the completion of new tasks.

36. Reassessment shall normally be based on the same principles and requirements as the first opportunity for assessment and shall assess achievement of the same learning outcomes. A student shall not have the right to be reassessed in elements which are no longer current in the course. The Assessment Board may, at its discretion, make such special arrangements as it deems appropriate in cases where it is not practicable for students to be reassessed in the same elements and by the same methods as at the first attempt, subject to the requirements of the Joint Academic Stage Board.

Students must take and pass all the modules by the third attempt to gain the award. There are no interim awards.

Many GDL graduates go on to train as a solicitor or a barrister, and a number of students continue to postgraduate study (typically an LLM). In addition to the general intellectual training that they provide, the GDL gives a preparation for a range of careers. Law graduates are employable not only in the law, but also in a variety of highly skilled and analytical roles in, for example, business, finance, education, public policy, public service and social services in the UK and internationally.

Employability skills are also developed through extracurricular activities including the Legal Employment Club, the Mooting Club, the Pro Bono Clinic and events organised by the Mansfield Student Law Society, the Law School and the Careers Service, together with work experience and networking with other students.

Career management is encouraged through reference to the relevant professional bodies, work experience and careers advice. Guidance and feedback from an individual personal development profile is provided to prepare students for a professional career. Our online vacancy system, Prospects Net illustrates opportunities for part-time, full-time, vacation and voluntary work.

London Metropolitan University Student Services (Careers) has Careers Consultants who are available to see GDL students for advice and guidance about securing legal experience and training contracts to help develop their professional career.

The Careers deliver employability skills training workshops and guest speaker sessions that GDL students can attend in skills such as communication, teamwork, meetings, and project management amongst a range of others.

Careers Consultants also hold individual appointments to discuss individual careers guidance supporting career planning, researching firms for legal experience and training contracts, legal focused CVs, applications in particular also addressing the needs of firms that require competency based evidence, mock interviews for legal experience and training contracts, networking to make an impact including online and so forth.

Students can register with Careers to receive relevant legal and other vacancies, as well as volunteering and pro bono opportunities, through our online vacancy system.

Students can also apply for the Careers Mentoring Scheme, which includes legal professionals.

Students completing the GDL at the University have gone on to work in a variety of law firms and organisations including City law firms, medium sized law firms, High Street firms, in house, for the CPS and not for profit organisations including law centres and advice agencies. Several have gone on to careers at the Bar.

The GDL also provides a good grounding for practice as a paralegal, in local or health authorities, in local or central government, in commerce either in company secretarial/governance/ regulatory areas or if you aspire to being on a board of directors.

On graduation, you'll be eligible to undertake either a Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training course, from there you can proceed either to a training contract with a firm of solicitors or a pupillage in a barrister's chambers.

The Common Professional Exam (CPE) is a well-recognised route to a legal career, and many employers in the legal field actively favour postgraduate students who have a proven expertise outside the area of law.

Success on the CPE will also enable you to apply to take an LLM if you wish to pursue an academic career or simply to expand your legal knowledge.

You will be required to have:

a UK first degree at 2.2 or above. In addition, international qualification holders in subjects such as law, may also be considered.