My Experience of Completing the PGDL in a Global Pandemic

What is the PGDL?

The Post-Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) is a conversion course that can be studied following any undergraduate degree. The PGDL is necessary for those coming from a non-law background and once completed, essentially puts students in the same position as those who have studied law at the undergraduate level. This means that after the PGDL students can go on to study the LPC or BTC, or as of recently, the new SQE.

I recently graduated with a History degree and I am now studying the PGDL, hoping to then complete my LPC and secure a training contract. I am completing my PGDL at BPP full-time, which means it will take one academic year to complete, but there are a range of flexible options offered such as studying part-time, with classes taking place in the evenings and at weekends. This is so important for those career changers starting out in their legal education.

The University of Law and many other providers also teach the PGDL or similar GDL. Whilst each provider will have its own style of teaching, the most important thing is that the course is built around the core curriculum and assessment requirements of a qualifying law degree. This means no matter where or how you study the PGDL, you will be on the right path to your future in the legal profession. The PGDL can also be studied as a master’s degree making it eligible for post-graduate funding!

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What is studied on the PGDL and how does it work?

The PGDL I am studying at BPP has a modular structure. This means that we study four core modules each semester and complete assessments for these modules at the end of the semester. Semester one is made up of Public Law I, Tort, Contract and Company. In semester two we move on to study Public Law II, Criminal, Land and Trusts. In my experience, this modular structure has been really beneficial, allowing me to focus properly on the modules at hand and avoid feeling too overwhelmed with the intense content! On the full-time PGDL this content equates to four, two-hour long workshops a week, accompanied by an average of around 30 hours per-week of preparation reading, pre-workshop tasks and post-workshop consolidation activities. Following this, assessment for the modules take various forms, including timed multiple-choice questions and long-form problem questions, to essay-based coursework and oral submissions. As I’m sure you have gathered from this description of the course, it is a lot, and it is hard. The PGDL is an intensive course, and it requires a big commitment in terms of time and effort. I think it is hugely important to be aware of this before embarking on the course, do your research before applying and aim to be as prepared as possible. Whilst the course is intense, it is manageable, and a successful outcome is very achievable. The main piece of advice that I would give to anyone considering the course is good time management and organisational skills are crucial.

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More than just an academic course

Obviously, the main aim of the PGDL is to equip non-law students with the necessary academic and educational requirements to progress into the law. However, there are also a lot of other aspects to the course and opportunities available alongside studying. Alongside the four core modules each semester, I also study a ‘foundational legal skills’ module which is purposely designed to provide students with skills directly applicable to life as a legal professional. This includes legal research and writing, oral presentation skills and problem solving. This focus on these much-needed skills is even more important for those of us without an existing legal background. BPP also provide a wide range of careers-based services and opportunities. Throughout the academic year I have volunteered with the family department of the university’s legal advice clinic. This has given me the opportunity to gain some legal work experience, developing crucial skills and building my CV, whilst also being part of a pro-bono clinic actively helping those struggling to find legal advice and support. The careers service also run frequent workshops that focus on helping students with their legal CVs, cover letters, training contract applications and much more. Other informative events about more specific legal sectors also take place, I recently attended a really insightful Human Rights Roundtable event that discussed the obligation we have to help refugees. There really is something for everyone to learn from and enjoy, and even in the pandemic, the university has managed to keep all of these events running smoothly!

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Challenges created by the pandemic

Speaking of the pandemic, my experience studying the PGDL was obviously impacted by the situation we’re currently living in. As has been the experience of almost all university students this year, all of my teaching has taken place online. This has posed challenges that I’m sure we’ve all been struggling with, for me, the online learning has made it more difficult to motivate myself and stay focused during long online workshops. My exams also took place online and getting to grips with this new way of being assessed on top of remembering masses of content and exam technique has not been easy. However, all of the teaching staff at BPP have been incredibly supportive throughout this and have done everything in their power to ensure things run smoothly. They have also been really good in providing well-being support in what is a highly stressful time, they constantly remind us all that completing a course of this intensity in these circumstances is something to be very proud of. One of the biggest challenges I have faced this year is that I did not get to meet any of my fellow PGDL students and with the academic year soon coming to an end, it’s possible I never will. Getting to know my classmates through breakout rooms and a Whatsapp group chat definitely wasn’t the plan but I’m grateful for the support this provided, nonetheless.

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My top-tips for anyone studying the PGDL

To summarise my experience of the PGDL, I would say it has been really difficult but also incredibly interesting and rewarding experience. I am proud of what I’ve achieved through this course in such a short space of time, and I am exciting to embark on my LPC with both my fellow PGDL graduates and other law degree graduates! If I were to offer any words of wisdom to those thinking about doing their PGDL, it would be this –

• Organisation and time management are absolutely crucial.

• You will 100% not be the only person finding it hard, talk to your peers and tutors if you need help!

• Take advantage of the opportunities your PGDL provider is offering, there is so much more to the experience than just the academic course.