This article will cover common questions concerning the pricing and funding of the PGDL course.
How Much is the PGDL?
This varies by location, provider and whether you are studying full-time/part-time.
For example, at the higher end of the spectrum, studying the PGDL at BPP University in London Waterloo can be up to £11,938, not including possible additional charges associated with studies. Studying the same course with BPP in Manchester can be up to £9,538.
By way of contrast, studying the PGDL at Birmingham City University costs £5,900 per year for full-time students, or for part-time, £2,000 in the first year, increasing to £4,000 in the second year.
The average cost of a full-time PGDL course is about £8,500.
How to Pay for the PGDL
There are a number of different options for covering the costs of the PGDL. Unfortunately, it is not possible to use student finance for the cost of PGDL courses, as is the case with undergraduate/masters degrees.
Instead, common options include:
- Scholarships (from Law Schools themselves or Inns of Court)
- Flexible pricing structures from Law Schools
- Loans
- Law firm sponsorship
- Financial support from local authorities
- Part-time jobs during study
- Full-time work whilst participating in part-time/distance learning of the PGDL
University Scholarships
There are a number of different scholarship options offered by Law Schools. This article will expand on the options offered by two of the most prominent Law Schools, BPP and the University of Law. However, it is important that these are not the only providers; many universities will offer scholarships for PGDL students, which can be found on their individual websites.
BPP University
BPP’s total scholarship programme fund is around £1 million.
Career Commitment Scholarship
- Amount awarded
- £2000 offered per successful candidate
- Eligibility requirements: can be any one or a combination of the following
- Have to demonstrate evidence of strong aptitude for a legal career
- g. communication, leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, resilience (i.e. through extra-curricular, studies, additional work outside of studies)
- Strong work ethic, i.e. circumstances in which candidate has shown outstanding drive and achievement (either personal, academic or professional context)
Commitment to the legal profession (i.e. relevant work experience, pro bono or voluntary work) - Academic excellence (i.e. candidate has demonstrated grades above and beyond the average standard)
- Personal background; intended by BPP to improve accessibility in the legal profession
Full Fee Scholarship
- Amount awarded
- Total cost of studies
- Eligibility requirements
- Same as Career Commitment Scholarship
Dean of Law School Scholarship
- Amount awarded
- Not stated
- Eligibility requirements
- High-achieving candidates who can demonstrate evidence of outstanding academic excellence alongside strong aptitude and commitment to a legal career
Future Leader Scholarship
- Amount awarded
- Not stated
- Eligibility requirements
- Aimed at candidates who can demonstrate exceptional leadership or innovation ability; must demonstrate the potential to become a future leader within the legal profession
Lord Holmes Scholarship
- Amount awarded
- Not stated
- Eligibility requirements
- Aimed at candidates who can demonstrate an inspiring and unique journey on their career path within the legal profession
- This might include things like outstanding contributions to charitable causes or overcoming difficult obstacles
University of Law
The University of Law’s total scholarship fund is around £2 million.
Set for Success
- Amount awarded
- Full PGDL fees
- Eligibility requirements
- 2:2 degree or above
- Come from a household with an income of £25,000 or less
Choose Law
- Amount awarded
- Full PGDL fees
- Eligibility requirements
- 2:2 degree or above
Law First
- Amount awarded
- £3,000
- Eligibility requirements
- 1st class degree or Distinction at master’s level
The Lord Blunkett Widening Access Awards
- Amount awarded
- £1,000-£3,000
- Eligibility requirements
- 2:2 degree or above
- Come from a household with an income of £25,000 or above
Charles Russell Speechlys Scholarship
- Amount awarded
- £5,000
- Eligibility requirements
- 2:1 degree or above
- Come from a household with an income of £25,000 or less
Nottingham Postgraduate Award
- Amount awarded
- £1,000
- Eligibility requirements
- Candidate must have offered, accepted and been sent confirmation of course place with the university
Inns of Court Sponsorships
Inns of Court will offer scholarships to candidates who can demonstrate overall excellence, merit and motivation to succeed at the Bar. These are highly prestigious and therefore extremely competitive. It is only possible to apply for a scholarship from one Inn. After application, shortlisted candidates will attend a face-to-face interview at the Inn.
Inner Temple PGDL Scholarship
- Amount awarded
- £10,000 & £7,500 (2x Princess Royal Scholarship)
- The rest are dependent on applicant’s financial situation
- Eligibility requirements
- Intellectual ability
- Motivation to succeed at the Bar
- Communication, teamwork ability
- Financial need is accounted for
Lincoln’s Inn PGDL Scholarship
- Amount awarded
- Dependent on applicant’s financial situation
- Around £5,000 each
- Eligibility requirements
- Intellectual strength
- Motivation to succeed at the Bar
- Communication, confidence and sensibility towards others
- Integrity
Middle Temple PGDL Scholarship
- Amount awarded
- Dependent on applicant’s financial situation
- Not full-fee
- Eligibility requirements
- Intellectual ability
- Motivation to succeed at the Bar
- Potential as an advocate
Flexible pricing structures from Law Schools
These are offered by Law Schools in order to improve accessibility and ensure that students who cannot immediately pay the full fees are accounted for.
PGDL costs are paid in instalments by direct debit.
University of Law offers four different payment plans:
- Single payment
- Two instalments (September and January)
- Four instalments (September, December, February, May)
- Ten instalments (September-June)
PGDL Bank Loans
Many high-street banks will offer graduate loans to recent graduates; this can range from £1,000 to £15,000.
Eligibility for a loan requires an application explaining how the course fits with your future legal career.
Future Finance is a company offering flexible student loans for university between £2,000-£40,000.
Law Firm Sponsorships
Many law firms will sponsor the full PGDL fees as well as the subsequent fees of the LPC. Some firms will even provide maintenance loans for the cost of travel, accommodation and food during studies.
The following are some leading law firms that offer sponsorship and the relative maintenance loans provided:
- Addleshaw Goddard LLP Fees paid where applicable. See firm’s website for details
- Ashurst LLP GDL and LPC sponsorship of £8,000 (in London) and £7,000 (outside London)
- Baker McKenzie LLP Full course fees plus £8,000 maintenance (LPC) and £6,000 maintenance (GDL)
- Bristows LLP Full LPC/GDL course fees and £8,000 maintenance for both courses
- Burges Salmon LLP Full course fees and £7,000 maintenance
- CMS Full course fees and up to £7,500 maintenance (London) and £5,000 (outside London)
- Cooley (UK) LLP Full LPC/GDL course fees and a maintenance grant
- Covington & Burling LLP LPC/GDL course fees and £8,000 maintenance
- Dentons LLP Full course fees plus maintenance grant
- DLA Piper LLP Full LPC/GDL course fees plus up to £10,000 maintenance grant (London) and £7,000 (all other locations)
- DWF LLP Full LPC/Scottish diploma course fees
- Irwin Mitchell Full LPC/GDL course fees plus £4,500 maintenance grant for both courses
- Latham & Watkins (London) LLP Full LPC and GDL course fees and £8,000 maintenance
- Linklaters LLP £10,000 for fees and maintenance
- Macfarlanes LLP Full LPC/GDL course fees and £10,000 maintenance
- Mayer Brown International LLP Full LPC/GDL course fees and £10,000 maintenance grant for the LPC and £7,000 maintenance grant for the GDL in London and £6,500 elsewhere
- Norton Rose Fulbright LLP Full course fees and £10,000 maintenance for the LPC and £8,000 maintenance for the GDL
- Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP Full course fees and a £9,500 maintenance grant for the LPC or £8,000 grant for the GDL
- Osborne Clarke LLP Full course fees and £6,500 maintenance grant
- RPC Full course fees and up to £7,000 maintenance
- Sidley Austin LLP Full course fees and £11,000 maintenance
- Taylor Wessing Sponsors course fees of GDL and MA (LPC with business) at BPP Law School (London); a maintenance grant is provided
- Travers Smith LLP Full course fees and £8,500 maintenance
- Trowers & Hamlins LLP Full LPC/GDL course fees and £7,000 maintenance (London)/£6,500 (regions)
- Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP Full course fees and £10,000 maintenance (LPC) and £8,000 maintenance (CPE)
- White & Case LLP Full course fees plus £10,500 maintenance (LPC) and £7,500 maintenance (GDL)
Local Authority Sponsorship
Some local authorities may provide financial support to candidates. This will depend on individual circumstances and the funds available. It might be worth calling local authorities to find out if this is possible.
Part-time/full-time work
Some PGDL students study their course alongside partaking in part-time work to supplement their funding, such as a couple of days per week. Indeed, some students may even participate in full-time jobs, whilst studying the PGDL part-time and remotely. It is important to consider ability to balance these responsibilities, as well as considering the intensity of the PGDL, before taking on this option.
By Victoria McCarron
