PGDL Online Course

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The Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) is an excellent option for individuals who wish to fast-track their legal careers but have completed a non-law undergraduate degree or an LLB law degree from outside England and Wales. While the LLB Law program in the UK typically lasts three years, the PGDL can be completed in just one year on a full-time basis, or over two years if studied part-time.

The PGDL serves as a law conversion course, covering the essential foundations of legal knowledge required for non-law graduates to enter both the solicitors’ and barristers’ professions. This program prepares students for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) or the Legal Practice Course (LPC) for aspiring solicitors, as well as the Bar Practice Training Course (BPTC) and pupillage for those wishing to become barristers.

If studying full-time, students can expect approximately 45 hours of lectures, tutorials, and self-study each week, culminating in a three-hour final exam for each subject. The core subjects included in the PGDL program are:

• Contract Law
• Criminal Law
• Equity and Trusts
• European Union Law
• Land Law
• Public Law
• Tort
• Company Law

Online PGDL vs In-Person PGDL

The entry requirements, course content, and fees for online Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) courses are generally similar to those of on-campus courses. However, there are differences in terms of convenience and the level of interaction with the course, peers, and lecturers that should be considered before applying for the online PGDL. Below, we outline the advantages and disadvantages of the online PGDL format.

Benefits of Studying the PGDL Online

There are several benefits to taking a PGDL distance learning course, including:

1. Qualifying as a Lawyer from Anywhere: You can become a qualified lawyer in the UK while living or working from home or abroad, saving both money and time on relocation.
2. Access to Online Learning Resources: You’ll always have online access to learning materials, allowing you to review subjects you find challenging as many times as necessary, especially if you’ve missed any lectures or classes.
3. Self-Paced Learning: You have the independence to create a study schedule that meets your individual needs, allowing for a more personalized learning experience.
   1. The reduced commuting time enables you to balance your studies with other activities, such as exercise, work, and volunteering.
4. More Time for Preparation: You’ll have increased time to study and prepare for your lectures and classes.

Disadvantages of PGDL Distance Learning

The convenience of distance learning comes with certain drawbacks. One significant disadvantage is the loss of extracurricular activities that require physical attendance, such as pro bono projects or society events. Additionally, there is often a lack of interpersonal communication with peers and lecturers; messages sent via email and group chats on platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp cannot fully substitute for face-to-face interaction. Many students also face difficulties in maintaining concentration, leading to increased procrastination when studying from home, especially during prolonged screen time. Furthermore, there is limited individual attention and feedback from instructors, and contacting professors and administrative support can be challenging, as it may take time for emails to be answered when in-person visits are not possible. Finally, internet connectivity issues can further hinder the study process, creating additional obstacles for learners.

Advantages and Disadvantages of in-person PGDL

The in-person PGDL has the converse advantages and disadvantages to those of the online PGDL.

Online PGDL Providers in the UK

Provider	Location	Fees	Full-Time/ Part Time	Course Start Dates	Entry Requirements
BPP University	Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, London, Manchester	Full-time & Part-time: £9,661 (Birmingham, Bristol and Cambridge), £9,538 (Manchester and Leeds), £11,938 (London, Online)	Full-time, Part- time	September, January , and May	2:1 or equivalent
University of Central Lancashire	Preston	Full-time £8000 per year, Part time £4250 per year	Full-time, Part- time	September, January	2:2 or equivalent. May be considered without degree
University of Law	Bristol, Exeter, Birmingham, Guildford, Reading, Chester, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Nottingham	Outside London -£9,850, London - £12,250, Hong Kong -HKD $100,000	Full-time, Part- time	October, May	2:2 or equivalent
Leeds Beckett University	Leeds	£8,500	Full-time, Part- time	September , January	2:2 or equivalent
Northumbria University	Newcastle upon Tyne	UK and EU - £8,720, International Fee -£8,720	Full-time	September	Honours Degree, may be considered without degree
Nottingham Trent University	Nottingham	Full-time (9 months) -£8,890, Distance learning (2 years) - Year 1-£4,445, Year 2: £4,445*	Part-time	September	2:2 or equivalent
University of Wolverhampton	Wolverhampton	UK- £7800 per year, International fee- £13950 per year	Part-Time	September	A degree

Online PGDL Funding

There are various options available for financing your PGDL studies. These options include:

• Law school scholarships
• Loans
• Law school flexible pricing structures
• Inns of court scholarships
• Law firm sponsorships

Law School Scholarships

BPP University PGDL Scholarships

The institution offers a number of scholarships for PGDL students, including BUT not limited to:

University of Law PGDL Scholarships

Nottingham Trent University

NTU awards Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) scholarships worth up to the value of half the tuition fee.

Loans

The Student Loans Company offers a Postgraduate Loan of up to £11,222 for students applying through Student Finance England for a PGDL course that starts after August 1, 2020. To be eligible, students must be either UK nationals residing in England or Wales or EU nationals residing in England on the first day of their first academic year. Additionally, they must have lived in the EEA for the preceding three years.

Alternatively, many high-street banks and financial companies also provide loan options. Lendwise is a specialist UK education finance platform that focuses on postgraduate loans and professional qualifications. Another option is Future Finance, which offers flexible student loans for university ranging from £2,000 to £40,000.

PGDL Sponsorship via Law Firms and Inns of Court

If you’re pursuing a career as a solicitor and secure a training contract before your studies, your law firm may cover your Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) costs. Some firms might even reimburse you retrospectively if you’ve already started the course.

For those aiming to become a barrister, the four Inns of Court offer scholarships for both the PGDL and the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). To qualify for a scholarship, you must demonstrate intellectual ability, motivation for a career at the Bar, interpersonal skills, and financial need.

Law School Flexible Pricing

It is worth noting that BPP and the University of Law offer the option to pay your PGDL costs in instalments by direct debit, making it easier for students to fund their course through lower installment amounts.

For example, the University of Law offers different payment arrangements:

• Single payment;
• Two instalments: one in September, one in January;
• Four instalments: one in September, one in December, one in February and one in May;
• Ten instalments: between September to June