DPLP - Professional Legal Practice

Entry requirements

Aberdeen University graduates must have passes in the following:

• Legal System
• Legal Method
• Criminal Law
• Foundations of Private Law
• Contract
• Public Law & Human Rights
• Delict and Unjustified Enrichment
• EU Institutions & Law
• The Law of Property
• Family Law
• Commercial Organisations & Insolvency
• Succession and Trusts
• Introduction to Legal Theory
• Evidence
• Commercial and Consumer Contracts

Admission will be based on and take consideration of:

• Overall class of undergraduate degree
• Marks obtained in the Law Society's professional subjects at first sitting
• Overall number of subjects not achieved at undergraduate level
• Any other qualifications (undergraduate and/or postgraduate)
• Special circumstances
• Possession of a traineeship

Months of entry

September

Course content

The DPLP is a practical transaction-based learning programme that aims to prepare suitably qualified graduates for legal practice in Scotland. Building on our strong links with the legal profession, we see the Diploma as the crucial bridge from your law degree to the world of practice.

The DPLP satisfies the requirements of Professional Education and Training Stage 1 (PEAT 1) of the professional training programme for solicitors in Scotland. Completion of PEAT 1 is required for entry into the legal profession in Scotland. The Diploma is taught over the academic year, across two semesters and classes take place during business hours between 9.00am and 7.00pm. All students must complete and pass the four core courses: Conveyancing, Private Client, Litigation, Business Environment and Ethics, and the reflective diary exercises in semester one before progressing to the elective courses in semester two. The course starts in September with a comprehensive induction programme focusing on skill based exercises including negotiation, interviewing and team working.

In the second semester 4 elective courses are chosen from a comprehensive list (please see course information), enabling you to tailor your study to your interests and needs. Detailed information on the elective courses is provided in November prior to selecting courses.

Across the two semesters the transaction based learning approach enables you to build on your knowledge and skills week by week. The course content is centred around a number of different activities including interactive seminars, role play and group work. The programme structure and exercises seek to replicate real life legal practice to ensure your transition into the working world is as seamlessly as possible.

Information for international students

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169