Start Date: September

Length of Programme: 1 year Full-Time / 2 year Part-Time

Mode of Study: Study in the UK

Benefit from our Career Guarantee

If you start your PGDL and go on to study our LPC or BTC you'll benefit from our Career Guarantee.

If you don't get obtain a training contract or pupillage within six months of completing your LPC* or BTC** you can study another qualification at BPP for free.

Preparing you for practice

The BPP University PGDL is designed to help you make a smooth transition from being a non-law graduate into a career in law. We don't just give you an excellent qualification, we give you an insight into life in practice, so you enter the next stage of your training more informed, more prepared and more effective, and able to demonstrate a higher competency when applying for training contracts and pupillages.

Once you have successfully completed your PGDL exams, you have the opportunity to specialise or develop an understanding in alternative areas, take two extra modules and you could graduate with a Graduate LLB (Hons) awarded by BPP University.  The Graduate Diploma in Law is awarded by BPP University and is recognised as completion of the academic stage by the SRA and BSB.

When you have passed your PGDL, you're guaranteed a place on our LPC, the next step to becoming a solicitor. Or you can apply for our BTC, the next step to becoming a barrister. 

How the programme is taught

We assume you have no prior knowledge of law when you start your PGDL, so you get a full induction programme and a high level of support from day one. This includes outstanding learning materials and online resources. All study materials are included in the fee. All lectures and resources have online equivalents.

You'll be taught by our experienced legal professionals and academics with time split evenly between tutorials and lectures as well as regular consolidation sessions and a wealth of online resources. For full details view our Locations tab.

What you will experience in the classroom

BPP University's ethos is learning by doing. Classes are designed with an interactive focus, based on discussions, debates and resolving practical case studies. You will learn the academic knowledge, but as importantly you will learn how it's applied in practice, with a logical approach, presenting your arguments persuasively and in a structured manner.

You will study up to 21 hours a week consisting of live and online lectures and classes dependent on location and start date. Tutorials are taught in groups of around 18 students, giving you a high level of student/tutor contact time.

All our students also have a Personal Tutor and access to a Student Advisor, should you need any guidance or additional support outside of class time.

Independent research essay options

We offer a wide range of titles, and will always consider individual topics suggested by students. Current options include intellectual property, succession, company law, family law, housing law, medical law and public international law.

Study Options

Personalise your PGDL timetable

BPP gives you more control over the way you study with face-to-face, online distance learning, or a combination of both available. Classes are offered morning, afternoon, evening and weekends. Face-to-face PGDL classes are taught on two set days per week during the core teaching term, at the following centres, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge and Liverpool.

You can start in January or September. For full-time study, both options take nine months. Or if you choose part-time and start in January, you'll finish in 18 months – ready to start the LPC or BTC in September. If you start part-time in September the programme takes two academic years.

Optional modules

With the BPP PGDL, you're given access to an unrivalled range of additional modules, designed to get you ahead and give you the edge in interviews. Highlights include:

• Company law module
• Further specialist law modules – start specialising early in areas such as Intellectual Property or Public International Law, so you can demonstrate more expertise than other graduates.
• Professional Skills modules developed with leading city firms – Featuring areas like legal writing and legal research
• Mandarin Chinese – Gain an insight into the language used in one of the world's most important markets with free Mandarin Chinese lessons (London only).

Specialist careers advice

From the moment you accept your place until you secure your first legal position, you can use our careers service. With our one-to-one support, we aim to give you the edge when it comes to getting a training contract or pupillage. You'll have everything from access to our vacancies database to advice on filling out application forms, intensive interview coaching, employer research and networking opportunities with top firms.

Part-time PGDL

Our part-time programme is designed to fit around your other commitments such as work and family. BPP offers a variety of part-time modes:

• Evenings: taught between 6.00pm and 9.00pm. Each module is taught by a one-hour tutorial per week. All our lectures are recorded and made available to students online for flexibility of study
• Weekends: one Saturday every fortnight, consisting of tutorials. Lectures delivered online
• Day: taught on one half-day per week from 9am - 1.30pm in year 1 and from 9am - 2.40pm in year 2. Lectures are delivered online
• Distance learning: weekly online lectures and tutorials with optional face-to-face tuition.

Modules

You must complete all compulsory modules. Elective modules will run subject to demand and may not all be available in all locations on all courses.

Term 1

Compulsory

Strategic Business Leader (30 credits):  An innovative case study module on governance and making strategic decisions. By using real-world scenarios students will develop a blend of technical, professional and ethics skills in the evaluation and presentation of their responses.

Elective - Choose one from two modules (30 credits)

Advanced Financial Management: Gives an understanding of what is expected of a senior financial executive regarding the financial management of an organisation.

Advanced Performance Management: Teaches how to evaluate business performance through the application of strategic management accounting techniques.

Term 2 (12 months programme)

Business Project (assessed in term 4):

• Provides the opportunity to conduct a business project using a variety of information sources and data analysis

• Facilitate the development of problem-solving thinking and behaviour with the ability to manage a project from inception to delivery

Principles of Data Science for Business (15 credits)

• Provide a critical understanding of what data science means in practice, different types of data (e.g. big data or streaming data), and common activities in data science lifecycles
• Explore the breadth and depth of data science, framing the concepts involved with its theory and practice in a set of data science lifecycle patterns used within businesses
• Provide experience of the main techniques and related tools in data science, along with practice phases of the data science lifecycle using statistical models and spreadsheets
• Understand  the ethical and legal challenges raised by data science and practice with tools commonly used in data security

Term 2 (18 months programme)

Professional Development in the 21st Century (15 credits):

This module will help develop a strong sense of self-awareness about your own strengths and weaknesses, both as managers and colleagues. It is focused on the development of specific skills pivotal to successful management practice and effective leadership. These include thinking and decision-making skills, a range of team working and interpersonal skills, as well as skills associated with developing personal effectiveness and credibility at work.

Principles of Data Science for Business (15 credits)

• Provide a critical understanding of what the term data science means in practice, different types of data (e.g. big data or streaming data) and common activities in data science lifecycles
• Explore the breadth and depth of data science, framing the concepts involved with its theory and practice in a set of data science lifecycle patterns used within businesses
• Provide experience of the main techniques and related tools in data science, along with practice phases of the data science lifecycle using statistical models and spreadsheets
• Understand the ethical and legal challenges raised by data science and practice with tools commonly used in data security

Term 3

Compulsory

Strategic Business Reporting (30 credits): Develop the skills needed to speak the language of business, and the ability to explain reports and the impacts of transactions to a variety of stakeholders.

Elective - Choose one from two modules (30 credits)

Advanced Taxation: How to apply relevant knowledge and skills gained from Taxation paper (Fundamental Level) to evaluate the impact of major taxes, focusing on the financial decisions of both individuals and organisations.

Advanced Audit and Assurance: Teaches how to obtain, plan, control and conclude both audit and assurance engagements.

Work Placement or Academic Career Skills (6 months duration from 18 months course)

You only need to do this module if you take an 18-month programme.

Term 4 (12 months programme)

Business Project (from term 2 – 30 credits)

Digital Leadership (15 credits)

• Provide opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of traditional leadership theories and how to adapt for the digital age
• Get equipped with an understanding of the changes affecting organisations due to technology, so you can develop a critical approach to digital leadership and apply this to your own professional development as future leaders and managers

Term 4 (18 months programme)

Business Project

• Provides the opportunity to conduct a business project using several information sources and data analysis
• Facilitate the development of problem-solving thinking and behaviour with the ability to manage a project from its inception to delivery

 

 

 

Entry requirements

Students wishing to study the MSc Accounting and Finance will require:

• A related undergraduate degree (lower second class or higher) that provides eligibility for the ACCA Professional Level exams

OR

• ACCA Knowledge and Skills paper (AB-FM) passes or exemptions

If you have not passed all of the ACCA Fundamental Level, or hold any relevant exemptions, you can enter our MSc Accounting & Finance [ADAF route] at the relevant stage instead.

If a student already has a pass for 1 or more ACCA P-level papers, we will accept them into the relevant term of MSc (consistent with how we treat admissions to our ADAF programme and F-level passes). This pass must have been achieved within 5 years of the start date of the programme.

If you do not meet the entry requirements, but have other qualifications or work experience, get in touch so we can review your options.

English entry requirements for international students

If English is not your first language and you do not hold an honours degree that was delivered in English, you will be required to provide proof of your ability – for reading, writing, listening and speaking in English.

The minimum entry requirements are an overall IELTS of 6.5 or equivalent, with no components lower than 6.0. For details of other accepted qualifications, please click here.

If you have an overall IELTS entry score of 6.0 or equivalent, with a minimum of 6.0 in writing, you will have to attend a Pre-Sessional English course. This will help you achieve the exit score at 6.5 overall - with no components lower than 6.0.

If you have the minimum overall IELTS of 6.5 or equivalent, with a minimum of 6.0 in any component, you will be required to attend our In-Sessional Academic Skills classes. This takes place during the first term of studies at no additional cost.

If you meet the entry criteria but do not have the necessary English language skills, we can offer you a Pre-Sessional English course prior to starting your programme. For further information, please visit our English Language Support section.

 

Fees

Contact us for more information.