Full Answer
Can I receive postgraduate government funding for the GDL?
Unfortunately, you cannot receive postgraduate government funding for the GDL, or the LPC or BPTC. There are, however, a number of sources you can try out to gather at least part of those funds.
Do you have to pay for the GDL?
Smaller firms don’t always have the resources to pay GDL costs and may only recruit those who have already done the GDL and LPC. Most big London firms will pay for the GDL. If you have got a training contract already, and aren’t going to have your GDL paid for it’s not the end of the world.
Where can I get a GDL loan?
All mainstream banks should offer the loan. You can do the GDL part time over two years at pretty much all of the institutions. Why not take advantage of this? You can get a part time job and if you’re lucky enough to be able to live at home you should be able to (at least) break even financially every single month.
Where can I get funding for my GDL and LPC courses?
There are, however, a number of sources you can try out to gather at least part of those funds. If you’re one of those lucky souls that manage to secure a training contract before you embark on your GDL, in many cases your law firm will pay your fees for both your GDL and LPC courses.
Is the GDL free?
The GDL fees will be an unavoidable cost to consider. Law study doesn't come cheap, and the GDL alone can cost £7,500 to £11,650. Yikes. Unfortunately, you cannot receive postgraduate government funding for the GDL, or the LPC or BPTC.
How much does a GDL cost UK?
According to The Lawyer Portal, the cost of the GDL course is around £5,000-£12,000, but this might be higher or lower depending on the institution. Unfortunately, you cannot use a student loan to fund the GDL, but many institutions offer GDL scholarships, which will help reduce the cost slightly.
Is it hard to get a GDL?
Essentially, you'll be condensing three years worth of LLB course content into just ten months, so yes, the conversion course is likely to be difficult! Passing it takes huge commitment and academic talent, so graduating with the qualification is a great achievement.
Do law firms pay for law school UK?
The majority of firms that offer to cover the cost of the GDL are large, London-based, commercial law firms. For instance, all of the Magic Circle law firms cover the cost of the GDL, as well as a maintenance grant between £6,000 and £8,000.
Can I get student loan for GDL?
Unlike with an undergraduate or masters degree, unfortunately, you can't use student finance for GDL courses. However, there are alternative ways to fund your course.
Is GDL being scrapped?
After September 2021, the GDL will cease as a qualification route and you'll need to take an SQE1 preparation course. For non-law graduates, qualifying under the new system may look something like this: study for a three-year non-law degree. take an SQE1 preparation course.
Can I become a solicitor with a GDL?
To become a solicitor, you must: Complete the one-year Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), or the Law Conversion Course after finishing a non-law degree; Complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) once you've finished your GDL.
Which is harder GDL or LPC?
Star Member. Compared to the GDL, I found the LPC a lot easier as it's less theoretical and more practical so to score well you just need to focus on applying the law to the facts in front of you.
Can you become a barrister with GDL?
The Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) is a postgraduate course, ideal for anyone who did not complete an undergraduate LLB degree who is looking to progress into a career in law. Upon completing the PGDL, you will be eligible to continue training as a barrister or solicitor in England and Wales.
Does a training contract pay for GDL?
From the moment you're offered a training contract with us, you can expect support, opportunity, responsibility and variety. We'll sponsor you while you study for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and/or the Legal Practice Course (LPC), as well as cover your fees and provide you with a generous grant.
Is there a bursary for law?
LegalWise Bursary 2021 – 2022 LegalWise is providing a bursary for the members and their children for the academic year 2022. Through this bursary, the company provides monetary as well as mentorship assistance to students and thus, enables them to study in the fields in which LegalWise needs to recruit.
Is a law degree worth it UK?
A law degree is a great qualification to obtain employment – law graduates have the 6th highest employment rate - and bear in mind up to 60% of all law graduates chose to use their law degree to gain jobs other than in the legal profession.
What is a career development loan?
A career development loan. A career development loan is a special loan which you only need to pay back once your course is finished. This means you don’t get charged interest while you’re on the course. However as soon as your course ends you need to start paying back the money to the bank.
Is it expensive to get a GDL?
Paying for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) can be very expensive. But it’s a necessary step if you want to become a solicitor or barrister without an undergraduate LLB degree.
Do you have to pay a penny for GDL?
Some mean you don’t have to pay a penny, others mean you have to pay the full fees plus interest. The fees of the GDL depend on the institution you’re going to study at. If you want to know about some of the course costs, go here.
Do you need to budget for GDL?
Remember you need to do some proper budgeting for the GDL. It’s not just the course fees you need to think about but also the following:
Will London firms pay for GDL?
Most big London firms will pay for the GDL. If you have got a training contract already, and aren’t going to have your GDL paid for it’s not the end of the world. You should be earning a good amount of money as a trainee solicitor so will be able to quickly pay the loan back.
What are scholarships based on?
Many of these scholarships are awarded based on merit. Others are geared towards applicants with specific eligibility criteria, such as international students, or students with a disability.
Can you pay for courses as part of a payment plan?
There may also be the opportunity to pay for some courses as part of a payment plan.
Is the GDL cheap?
The GDL doesn't come cheap—nor is it eligible for the Student Finance graduate loan. So, where exactly are you supposed to get the money from? Fear not—we'll talk you through it.
Can you work part time on GDL?
Many students undertaking the GDL have scraped together the funds through a more than one source, not just one. Some have part-time jobs whilst they study, or else participate in a part-time or distance learning GDL course which enables them to carry on working full time.
Does a law firm pay for GDL?
If you’re one of those lucky souls that manage to secure a training contract before you embark on your GDL, in many cases your law firm will pay your fees for both your GDL and LPC courses.
Who provides funding for GDL and LPC fees with BPP Law School?
Bircham Dyson Bell provides funding for GDL and LPC fees with BPP Law School.
What is the GDL bursary?
Bursaries are available for the GDL, if applicable, and the LPC. Bur saries comprise course and examination fees and maintenance grants of up to £7,000. We request that all our trainees complete their LPC and GDL at BPP law school.
What is linklaters law?
Non-law graduates spend a conversion year at law school taking the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and all graduates complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) before starting their training contracts. The firm meets the cost of the GDL and the LPC and provides a maintenance grant for both.
Do future trainees get paid for GDL?
Future trainees have the support of the firm both personally and financially throughout the GDL and the LPC. We also provide a maintenance grant. The payment of the GDL and LPC course fees are paid in full unless future trainees are more than three months into their course. In these instances we will reimburse them 25% of their fees only.
Does Covington pay for GDL?
Covington will pay tuition and examination fees for both the GDL and the LPC. Maintenance will be paid at the current rate of up to £8,000 per annum.
Do firms pay GDL fees?
Many firms offer to pay their future trainees’ GDL and LPC fees, if they have been recruited while an undergraduate. Some (although not many) will even retrospectively pay those fees if a recruit has already started one of the courses. Additionally, a number of firms will also pay a maintenance grant to students while they are studying the course (s). It may be that when it comes to selecting a firm at which to train, this kind of financial incentive and support is a critical factor. A full list of those firms that offer such benefits follows:
Does Kaplan Law School pay for GDL?
We pay course and examination fees for the GDL and the LPC together with an annual maintenance grant during these courses. Our trainees follow a tailor-made LPC course at Kaplan law school.
Financial support from commercial law firms
Many large and medium-sized commercial firms provide financial support for the LPC, SQE and the conversion courses but to be eligible for this you’ll have to have a training contract lined up with them and attend the institution of their choice.
LPC, SQE and conversion course sponsorship from leading law firms
Ashurst LLP GDL and LPC sponsorship of £8,000 (for study in London) and £7,000 (outside of London)
Financing your legal training to be a high street solicitor
Not every student will secure a training contract with a City, international, US or large regional firm – or want to. Sound financial planning is especially important for those joining smaller firms that cannot afford to pay fees.
Loans and other monetary support for training as a solicitor
If you don’t have large sums of money at your disposal, then there are other means of financing your studies.
What is a CDL loan?
First of all, if the loan isn’t from Barclays or the Co-op then it isn’t really a Career Development Loan (CD L), it’s just a bank claiming there will be no repayments to make while you study. Though that may be the case, it doesn’t mean there is no interest accruing – it could just be piling up, ready to swamp you once your studies finish. A true CDL allows you to borrow up to £10,000, with the interest paid by the Skills Funding Agency while you study.
Do universities have discretionary access to learning funds?
Universities and publicly funded colleges have discretionary access to learning funds available to especially hard-up students .
Do bar students get pupillage?
A hard-working (and extremely lucky) minority of Bar Course students will already have a pupillage lined up. At the more affluent sets, the size of the pupillage award is now comparable with City trainee/NQ salaries. Usually a decent chunk of the pupillage award can be drawn down to cover Bar Course expenses. At the more modest sets there may be no money available for the Bar Course at all. Further information about funding is given in the Bar section of this guide.
Does the University of Law offer scholarships?
Many law schools offer funding. For instance, national provider the University of Law offers various scholarships to those studying the GDL, LPC or the Bar Course. It offers 20 Law First Scholarships worth £5,000 for students about to start a GDL and another ten for those about to start the LPC. Applicants must have or be expected to get a First or a distinction at Master's level and come from a household with an annual income of under £25,000.
