Make a career change that has real impact with this fast-track qualification, paving the way to a meaningful role in society.
Our Graduate Diploma in Law is a conversion course designed to give non-law graduates a route into the legal profession. As such, in just one year, you can achieve an academic legal qualification that will lay down the foundations for a career in law.
Throughout the course, there is a strong focus on both the fundamental knowledge and the practical legal skills you’ll need to pursue a future in the sector. Above all, the course offers a well-rounded introduction to law and a great stepping-stone to further qualifications. From here, you can look ahead to the Bar Training Course to become a barrister, if that’s the career path you want to follow.
Building your legal knowledge
You will study a range of topics covering the core areas of law, from contract law and criminal...
1 year full-time
The law is connected to every issue we face as a society – whether local or global, environmental, political or criminal. Joining the legal sector, whatever the role, offers the chance to make a contribution towards tackling those issues. This course can be your way in, whether you graduated in another discipline or you’ve spent your career in a different profession.
In just one year, you can build the knowledge and skills to achieve an academic legal qualification, preparing the groundwork for a career in a range of legal professions. While you’ll learn about the fundamentals of law, it’s also a course with a focus on the practice of law too.
Before you even start the course in September, we’ll send you an induction pack to help you get started. With a wealth of online resources, you can get a solid introduction to the English legal system, essential research techniques and the systems we use on campus.
From there, you’ll be ready to explore the seven foundations of legal knowledge, from Contract and Criminal law to Equity and Trusts. With our Legal Skills and Practice unit, you’ll then have a chance to bridge the gap between academic studies and professional practice, discovering the realities of applying the law to practical scenarios. Throughout it all you will analyse issues, conduct legal research and sharpen your problem-solving skills, developing the understanding fundamental for a career in law and laying the foundations for future training, potentially toward becoming a Barrister.
Manchester Law School offers the ideal setting. It’s a well-equipped environment, with an impressive law library and a moot court room where you can hone your skills in a realistic environment. We also offer a range of opportunities for developing your interest in law, with a busy programme of guest lectures and events, a Mooting and Advocacy Society, and various pro bono schemes where you can learn real-world professional skills while making a real difference in the community.
Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
You should have an honours degree from the UK or the ROI. We may also consider your application if you do not have a degree, but have appropriate professional experience.
International students with a degree are eligible to apply as long as equivalence to a UK/ROI honours degree can be demonstrated. For further information, please visit mmu.ac.uk/international.
If you have any questions about our entry requirements, please contact our Course Enquiries Team.
Full-time fee: £11,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Full-time fee: £11,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
There are no placement costs for this course.
There are no professional costs for this course.
Optional estimate: £650
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The law school also supplies students with statute books in the requisite subject areas, free of charge. Students may also choose to buy their textbooks. Estimated costs are up to £350 for books.
The University has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, many students choose to buy a laptop. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop. Students may also need to print documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page.
This is a course with a practical focus. From day one, we will encourage you to think and behave like a legal professional, making sure you’re equipped with both the practical skills and legal knowledge to take the next steps in the sector.
While you could look to start a career in areas like policing, criminology and the public sector, this qualification can also be the first step toward further training toward the Bar Training Course, to become a Barrister. If you’re interested in academic research in law, you could also explore the options for masters-level study, such as the LLM.
The law school has close links to the Northern Circuit, ensuring that we can offer the opportunity to make professional connections or even gain some useful experience before you graduate.
To apply for the GDL, you need to submit an application via the Central Applications Board (LawCAB). For guidance on how to make your application, please visit the LawCAB website.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.