Graduate Diploma in Law (Graduate Diploma)

Admissions criteria

This is a conversion course. Conversion courses allow you to study a subject unrelated to your undergraduate degree or current career, and support you with a change of career path. No prior knowledge or degree in the subject is required.

In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements and the Transitional Arrangements set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and submit an application via the Central Applications Board (CAB).

With your application you will need to provide:

1. A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:2 UK honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
2. A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
3. Evidence that you have applied for a Certificate of Academic Standing from the Bar Standards Board (if you are planning on qualifying as a barrister) if you are classed as an Overseas student or are applying with non-standard qualifications.
4. A personal statement which outlines your commitment to the legal profession, general work experience (if any), and reasons for wanting to study the GDL at Cardiff University.
5. At least one academic reference which outlines your suitability for the programme.

Application Deadline

We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications to the CAB open on 1 October and close on 31 July in each application cycle, however, we operate our own deadline of 30 April. If you submit an application to the CAB after 30 April, we will only consider it if places are still available.

Please note that the CAB will only release applications to us once a fully completed application form has been submitted, along with all supporting evidence including references (where required by the CAB), and if the application fee has been paid.

Selection process

We will review your application and make a decision based on all of the following factors:

• if you have met the entry requirements and provided available evidence to support your application (e.g. academic record, references, personal statement)
• your degree of commitment to the legal profession (shown, by example, by placements with solicitors’ firms or equivalent experience)
• general work experience
• reasons for wanting to study the LPC at Cardiff University
• date on which the application is received by Cardiff University
• order of preference of institution
• any extenuating circumstances which may affect your ability to study elsewhere.

Find out more about English language requirements.

Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.

Criminal convictions

You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.

If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:

• access to computers or devices that can store images
• use of internet and communication tools/devices
• curfews
• freedom of movement
• contact with people related to Cardiff University.

Next steps