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GDL course content and assessment

Getting started

You'll start with an online pre-course study programme on legal method, designed specifically to prepare you for the GDL without the need to attend summer school, so you're up to speed when you arrive.

Preparing for Practice module

A unique module that includes:

problem-based learning to help you think like a lawyer
commercial awareness training
a thorough grounding in company law to develop your business acumen
practice-related activity such as mooting or pro bono work
independent research work and a choice of an academic dissertation or a problem-based report, tailored to reflect the areas of law in which you intend to specialise

Foundation subjects

You’ll then study the seven key areas of law:

Contract law

You’ll deal with how contracts are made, what happens when they work properly and the remedies available when they go wrong. You’ll look at contract issues which are relevant for both the consumer and business client. In practice, whether you are dealing with contracts in the corporate or commercial world you will be applying the basic principles of contract law that you cover on the course.

Criminal law

You probably feel you already know something about criminal law.In fact, the detailed workings of crimes like corporate manslaughter and rape are even more intricate and fascinating than you might have thought. On this course, you'll also grapple with ethical issues, such as whether taking another person's life can ever be justified or excused.

Equity and trusts

On this module you'll deal with: the making of gifts; the creation of trusts;the role of trustees in both the family and the wider commercial context, and the remedies against trustees who commit a breach of trust.

European Union law

In EC law, you'll assess the impact that British membership of the European Community has had on the English legal system.

Land law

You'll study the law relating to the ownership of land, the creation of rights over land such as rights of way and the impact those rights have on the current and future owners of the land.

Public law

This module looks at the relationship between Parliament, the Government and the courts, and between the state and individual citizens.You’ll explore the most important aspects of this relationship, including the principles on which the UK constitution is based.

Tort

Tort simply means "civil wrong" and on this course you will study the various ways in which individuals or businesses seek a remedy (often in the form of compensation) for harm which they have suffered or become liable for damage which they have caused.

Assessment

Regular informal assessments and written and oral feedback from tutors will help you monitor your progress in preparation for the final exams.

Your final result is based on:

a multiple choice examination on legal method
two pieces of independent research: one on foundation subjects and a dissertation or problem-based report on a legal subject of your choice
final examinations in each foundation subject

Find out about learning methods on the GDL