Our GDL gives you a firm foundation of legal knowledge and an introduction to the legal skills you will need in any legal career.  We encourage a questioning approach to ensure that the thinking behind the legal concepts is fully explained.  The GDL combines academic study with a practical focus.  Our focus is on learning in small groups – our experience shows that is where you learn best.

We recognise that learning seven new subjects from scratch is an arduous process and the way in which it is taught inevitably assists or hinders that process.  The course design combines a variety of teaching methods, emphasising areas of value to take into practice.

Both Large and Small Group Sessions are designed to encourage interactive learning, where students learn by doing in small groups rather than by passive listening in old-style chalk and talk lectures.

Large Group Sessions (LGSs)

We aim to free lectures from the traditional dictation approach by producing much of the core materials used in LGSs in pre-printed handouts to ensure that the volume of work to be covered on the course is digestible.

Small Group Sessions (SGSs)

Small group sessions typically consist of 6-8 students.  Fortnightly SGSs are designed to allow time for consolidation and analysis.  The emphasis on small group work and sub-group work enables us to offer a student-centred approach to learning, with practical scenarios designed to encourage student activity rather than passive listening.  Students get both the benefits of individual tuition and those of group support. 

In-course assessment

Our continuous assessment methods test the ability of students to analyse, research and persuade as well as reinforcing the understanding of topics.

Oral Skills

Lawyers obviously need good debating and mooting skills.  These are required informally throughout the course in tutorials and via informal moots (mock trials).

Click here to find out the GDL Admissions Criteria.