Taught course

Postgraduate Diploma in Law

Institution
Nottingham Trent University · Nottingham Law School
Qualifications
PDip

Entry requirements

Students who enrol on this course will normally be required to have a minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree. However, please also refer to the section on “Recognition of Prior Learning” below.

Applicants should ensure that their referee provides a full reference in support of their application.

Certificate of Academic Standing (CAS)
Anyone with non-standard qualifications may need to obtain a Certificate of Academic Standing (CAS) from the Bar Standards Board before they enrol onto the GDL. Full details of who is required to obtain this Certificate can be found on the Bar Standards Board website. Please be aware that this is a requirement in order to proceed onto the Barristers Training Courses.

Recognition of Prior Learning

NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.

All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process. Please note that if you may be considering applying for the Barristers Training Course (BTC) you will need to consult the BSB if you are asking to be exempt from any of the modules on the BTC.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Why choose this course

This course is designed for non-law graduates interested in becoming a solicitor or barrister. The Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) provides you with the foundation of legal knowledge and skills required for your legal training. For aspiring barristers, it satisfies the Bar Standards Board’s academic requirements to permit you to commence the vocational stage of training (e.g. the Barristers Training Course). For aspiring solicitors, it provides a solid grounding in the fundamental legal knowledge and skills required for key parts of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.

This course provides a thorough consideration of the foundational law subjects, whilst allowing you to keep your options open before deciding which branch of the legal professions (solicitor or barrister) to train for. Beyond the core subjects, you will also have the opportunity to undertake practical experience at an early stage in our award-winning NLS Legal.

You will be taught by our outstanding teaching team, consisting of both experienced legal professionals and leading researchers in Law.

Why study at Nottingham Law School

  • 100% of NTU's research submitted to the Law Unit of Assessment was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of research impact (REF 2021).
  • We have a long-established reputation for delivering excellence in legal education.
  • We offer a multi-award-winning pro bono programme, including NLS Legal.
  • Every student will take part in career enhancing opportunities during the course.
  • We offer excellent career support, through our dedicated Employability team.
  • Lectures and seminars are designed to encourage interactive learning, as our students learn in small groups by supportive teaching staff.
  • You will have a dedicated personal tutor. We get to know our students and support and encourage you in both your studies and in your employment applications at the start of your legal career.
  • We are a full-service Law School. At the end of your PGDL, you will be able to continue your legal training with us, whichever branch of the profession you decide to train for. On the basis of their positive experience, many of our students choose to stay with Nottingham Law School to complete the next stage of their legal training.
  • Scholarships are available.
  • Our summer schools programme will provide you with an insight into international law.
  • You will have all the facilities a large Law School can offer plus the advantages of studying within a university environment which offers an outstanding library, IT support, sports, language and student union services.

For more information please visit the course page.

Information for international students

International qualifications
We accept qualifications from schools, colleges and universities all over the world for entry onto our UG and PG degrees. If you’re not sure how your international qualification matches our course requirements please visit our international qualifications page.

Foundation courses

If you need to do a foundation course to meet our course requirements please visit Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC). If you’re already studying in the UK at a school or college and would like to know if we can accept your qualification please visit our foundation courses page.

English language entry requirements

If English is not your first language you need to show us that your language skills are strong enough for intensive academic study. We usually ask for an IELTS test and we accept some alternative English language tests.

For a list of our language requirements please visit our English language page.

If you need to do a pre-sessional English language course to meet the English requirements please visit our pre-sessional English course page.

Fees and funding

Nottingham Law School offers a number of competitive scholarships, for full details please visit our website.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • PDip
    full time
    12 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    part time
    18 months
    • Distance learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Admissions
Email
enquiries@ntu.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)115 848 2999