One year PGDL/GDL or 2 years accelerated LLB course for non-law graduates? Providers comparisons?

[Cafie092333333]

Hi everyone! I am a final year non-law student who is planning to convert to Law. It is a confusing time for non-law students since SQE will fully replace the old route via LPC (LLB->LPC/non-law->GDL->LPC). Although theoretically the SQE replaces both GDL and LPC, and GDL is no longer required for practising as a solicitor in the UK, many law firms still send their non-law grads to take GDL before completing the SQE exams. This leaves two questions for me:

(1) Is it more advantageous for non-law grads, who haven't secured any training contracts, to complete GDL/2-year LLB first before completing SQE?

(2) What are the differences between GDL/PGDL and 2-year accelerated LLB, in terms of studies and employment?

I notice that the University of Bristol provides a 2-year MA Law course (conversion), which in essence seems to have no difference from a 2-year accelerated LLB (except for the titles and entry requirements). For GDL/PGDL, I am more interested in BPP which seems to provide more practical knowledge for a career in corporate law. While for a 2-year accelerated LLB/MA Law (conversion), I am quite interested in UoL and Bristol. Any thoughts on these providers?

 

[Jessica Booker]

1) Only from a knowledge perspective as the 2 year accelerated LLB is covering more content than a PGDL. However, it won't give you a distinct advantage in applying and firms won't really between the two.

2) You'll study more modules on the 2-year accelerated LLB compared to the PGDL which just covers the core legal modules that were required to qualify. There is no difference in terms of employment in the UK.