A law conversion course, also known as a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Common Professional Examination (CPE), is a postgraduate course designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in a subject other than law but wish to pursue a legal career. It allows graduates from various disciplines to acquire the necessary legal knowledge and skills to qualify as a lawyer in England and Wales.
The purpose of a law conversion course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the English legal system and its principles. It covers core areas of law, including contract law, criminal law, public law, tort law, property law, equity and trusts, and more. The course aims to equip students with the fundamental legal concepts and analytical skills required to interpret and apply the law effectively.
Law conversion courses are typically intensive, full-time programmes that can be completed within one year. Part-time options may also be available, which extend the duration of the course to two years. The curriculum is structured to cover the essential topics and principles of law, often through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and independent study.
Upon successful completion of the law conversion course, graduates are awarded the PGDL, GDL or CPE qualification. This qualification serves as the first step towards entering the legal profession in England and Wales, and beyond. However, it does not in itself qualify individuals to practise law or become a solicitor or barrister. To qualify as a solicitor or barrister, further professional training and qualifications are typically required, such as the SQE or previously the Legal Practice Course (LPC) for solicitors, or the Bar Training Course (BTC) for barristers.
A law conversion course may be combined with SQE, LPC or BTC to become a Master of Laws (LLM) or Master of Arts (MA) qualification. Such combinations require one more year of full-time study or two more years of part-time study. The aim of offering these hybrid qualifications is to facilitate students in securing student loans to finance their legal education because the PGDL, GDL, or CPE alone does not enable them to qualify for such loans.
Law conversion courses provide a valuable opportunity for individuals with non-law backgrounds to transition into the legal field. They enable graduates to gain the foundational legal knowledge necessary to pursue legal careers, whether as solicitors, barristers, legal consultants, or other related professions.
