Law Careers
GDL vs PGDL: What Is the Difference and Which Do You Need?
A complete guide to the GDL and PGDL, how they differ, which one law firms fund, and what non-law graduates need to know about the conversion route into commercial legal practice.
EO Careers Team
If you are planning a career in commercial law as a non-law graduate, our Law Careers hub covers qualification routes, practice areas, salaries, and the skills that matter in applications.
If you studied something other than law at university and are now considering a career as a solicitor, you will quickly encounter the GDL and PGDL. They sound similar, they cover broadly similar content, and many people use the terms interchangeably. They are not the same thing, and the distinction matters because which one you need, and which one a law firm will fund, depends on where you are in the qualification process and which route you are taking toward the SQE.
What the GDL is
The Graduate Diploma in Law is a one-year conversion course designed to give non-law graduates the equivalent foundation in law that a qualifying law degree provides. It covers the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge: contract law, tort, criminal law, equity and trusts, land law, constitutional and administrative law, and EU law (or an equivalent public law element following the UK's departure from the EU).
The GDL was the standard conversion route for non-law graduates for decades. Under the old qualification framework, it was the required stepping stone between a non-law degree and the Legal Practice Course (LPC), which was itself the required stepping stone before a training contract. The sequence was: non-law degree, GDL, LPC, training contract.
The GDL is still a valid qualification. Candidates who completed it before or during the SQE transition, or who are studying at providers that still offer it, will find it accepted by the SRA and by law firms. But it is being phased out. As the profession moves fully to the SQE framework, the GDL is being replaced by the PGDL, and most providers have either already switched or are in the process of doing so.
What the PGDL is
The Postgraduate Diploma in Law is the updated version of the GDL, redesigned to align with the SQE framework rather than the old LPC route. It covers the same Foundations of Legal Knowledge as the GDL, but it is structured to prepare candidates for SQE1 specifically, and it integrates the kind of legal analysis and application that the SQE assessments test.
The PGDL is a postgraduate qualification rather than a simple diploma, and it is now the course most large law firms require non-law graduates to complete before starting their training contracts. When a Magic Circle or Silver Circle firm says it will fund your conversion course, it is almost always referring to the PGDL, not the GDL, and the maintenance grants they provide cover the PGDL study period.
In practical terms, the PGDL is what the GDL has become. If you are a non-law graduate starting the process of qualifying as a solicitor now, the PGDL is the course you will take, not the GDL, unless you are in a specific transitional situation where the GDL is still being offered by your chosen provider.
How the SQE changed everything
Before 2021, the route for non-law graduates was clearly structured: GDL to convert, LPC to prepare for practice, training contract to qualify. The SQE replaced the LPC with two centralised assessments (SQE1 and SQE2) that every aspiring solicitor must pass regardless of their background or training route.
This changed the role of the conversion course. The GDL was designed to feed into the LPC. The PGDL is designed to feed into the SQE, with SQE1 preparation integrated into the course rather than treated as a separate preparation stage. The content is broadly similar but the framing, the assessment focus, and the skills being developed have shifted to reflect what the SQE actually tests.
The other significant change the SQE introduced is that the two-year Qualifying Work Experience requirement replaced the training contract as the only formal work experience route to qualification. This means paralegal work, in-house legal roles, and pro bono experience can all count toward QWE, provided a solicitor signs off on the experience. For non-law graduates, this means the conversion course is no longer the gateway to a single prescribed route: it opens into a more flexible qualification pathway.
For a full explanation of how the SQE works and what it requires, see our SQE guide.
Which one law firms fund
Large commercial law firms that offer training contracts to non-law graduates will fund the PGDL, not the GDL, for candidates who have not yet completed a conversion course. If you have already completed a GDL, firms will typically accept it in lieu of the PGDL since the foundational content is equivalent, but for candidates starting fresh, the firm-funded route is the PGDL.
The funding arrangement at most large commercial firms works as follows: the firm pays the course fees in full and provides a maintenance grant to cover living costs during the study year. Magic Circle firms currently offer maintenance grants of around £15,000 to £20,000 per year. The training contract itself then follows after the conversion course and SQE preparation are completed.
Some firms fund the PGDL and SQE preparation as a combined package, working with specific law school providers with whom they have relationships. Others fund the courses separately and allow candidates to choose their provider. When you receive a training contract offer, the funding arrangement will be set out in your offer letter, and it is worth understanding exactly what is covered before accepting.
One practical point: the maintenance grant, while generous relative to typical student loans, is not a salary. It is designed to cover the cost of studying in London (or wherever the law school is based) for a year without working. For candidates with existing financial commitments or dependants, it is worth planning carefully around this period before accepting a firm's offer.
The PGDL in practice: what to expect
The PGDL is intensive. Covering the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge in one academic year, alongside preparation for SQE1, involves a pace of learning that is faster than most undergraduate programmes. Candidates who approach it with the right mindset and preparation, particularly those who have done some background reading on the foundations before the course starts, generally manage it well. Those who arrive expecting it to feel like an extension of their undergraduate experience often find the first term demanding.
The course combines lectures, tutorials, workshops, and self-directed study. Assessment varies by provider: some use exams, some use a combination of coursework and exams, and all include preparation for the SQE1 multiple-choice format. The providers most commonly used by large commercial firms are the University of Law and BPP, though Barbri and other providers are also used. The quality of teaching and the support structures differ between providers and sometimes between campuses of the same provider, so it is worth researching specific locations and reading current student reviews rather than relying on general reputation.
One thing the PGDL does not do automatically is develop commercial awareness or firm-specific knowledge. The course teaches the foundations of law and how to apply them, which is exactly what it should do, but the commercial understanding that law firms expect to see in applications is built separately. Candidates completing the PGDL alongside a training contract offer have time to work on commercial awareness during the course year, and they should use it. Candidates completing the PGDL while still applying for training contracts are doing both simultaneously, which requires careful time management.
If you already have a GDL
If you completed a GDL under the old framework, the practical question is whether you need to do anything further before qualifying. The answer depends on where you are in the process.
If you completed the GDL and also completed the LPC, and you are now seeking a training contract or QWE, you are operating under transitional arrangements that the SRA has put in place for candidates who entered the profession under the old framework. You will still need to complete SQE2 (SQE1 is waived for candidates who have completed the LPC under certain conditions) and two years of QWE, but you do not need to redo the conversion course.
If you completed the GDL but not the LPC, your position depends on when you completed the GDL and which transitional route applies to you. The SRA's transitional arrangements are set out on its website and are worth checking directly, because the specifics matter and the rules have been updated since the SQE was introduced.
If you completed a GDL and are now applying for training contracts at large commercial firms, the GDL will be accepted as equivalent to the PGDL for the purpose of the application, and firms will not require you to redo the conversion course.
Choosing a provider
Most large commercial firms have preferred provider relationships with University of Law or BPP, and if your training contract firm specifies a provider, that choice is made for you. If you are self-funding or applying for training contracts before deciding on a provider, the main considerations are location, teaching quality, support structures, and SQE pass rates.
SQE1 and SQE2 pass rates vary by provider, and while they are not the only indicator of course quality, they are a useful data point. The SRA publishes pass rate data by assessment sitting, and law school aggregators and student forums contain more granular information by provider. Pass rates for self-funded candidates (who typically have less structured preparation than firm-sponsored candidates) are generally lower than for candidates whose firms are investing in their preparation.
The location question matters because the PGDL involves a full year of study, and choosing a campus in a city where you can also be building legal connections, attending law firm events, and working part-time if needed affects the overall experience significantly. London campuses offer proximity to the firms you are likely targeting, access to events and networking, and a peer group that is largely aiming for the same commercial firms. Other campus cities are cheaper to live in but offer fewer informal proximity advantages.
Common questions
Does it matter which subject I studied at undergraduate level?
No, in terms of PGDL eligibility. Any undergraduate degree from a UK university (or most international equivalents) qualifies you for PGDL entry. In terms of law firm applications, no, either. Large commercial firms recruit non-law graduates from every degree discipline. For a full discussion of how law and non-law degrees are assessed in applications, see our law degree vs non-law degree guide.
Can I do the PGDL part-time?
Most providers offer part-time options, typically spread over two years. If you are working part-time or cannot commit to a full-time year of study, this is worth exploring. The tradeoff is that the course takes twice as long, which delays the rest of the qualification timeline accordingly.
What if I want to qualify as a barrister rather than a solicitor?
The GDL and PGDL are both accepted as the conversion qualification for the Bar Course (BPC). The GDL has historically been the more commonly used route for bar candidates, and some providers still offer it specifically for this purpose. If you are aiming for the bar rather than a training contract, check which qualification your intended bar course provider accepts. For a full comparison of the solicitor and barrister routes, see our barrister vs solicitor guide.
What does the PGDL cost if I am self-funding?
PGDL fees vary by provider and campus. At major providers in London, full fees are typically in the range of £10,000 to £14,000 for the full-time course. Part-time courses are proportionally priced. Living costs in London on top of this make self-funding the PGDL a significant financial commitment, which is one reason securing a funded training contract offer before starting the conversion course is the preferred path for most candidates.
Do I need to complete the PGDL before applying for training contracts?
No. Most large commercial firms recruit non-law candidates before they have completed the PGDL, on the condition that they will complete it (funded by the firm) before starting the training contract. The application process, including any assessment centres, takes place while you are still in your undergraduate degree or shortly after graduating. You do not need to have started the conversion course to receive and accept a training contract offer.
Ready to take the next step?
If you are a non-law graduate building toward a training contract application, the PGDL is a step along the path, not the starting point. The work of building commercial awareness, researching the firms you want to apply to, and developing the experiences that will make your application specific and credible happens before and alongside the conversion course.
Our how to get a training contract guide covers the full application process for both law and non-law graduates. The Future Trainee Academy covers written applications, psychometric tests, and assessment centres from a recruiter who has interviewed over 10,000 candidates. Free to access.
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Law Careers
GDL vs PGDL: What Is the Difference and Which Do You Need?
A complete guide to the GDL and PGDL, how they differ, which one law firms fund, and what non-law graduates need to know about the conversion route into commercial legal practice.
EO Careers Team
If you are planning a career in commercial law as a non-law graduate, our Law Careers hub covers qualification routes, practice areas, salaries, and the skills that matter in applications.
If you studied something other than law at university and are now considering a career as a solicitor, you will quickly encounter the GDL and PGDL. They sound similar, they cover broadly similar content, and many people use the terms interchangeably. They are not the same thing, and the distinction matters because which one you need, and which one a law firm will fund, depends on where you are in the qualification process and which route you are taking toward the SQE.
What the GDL is
The Graduate Diploma in Law is a one-year conversion course designed to give non-law graduates the equivalent foundation in law that a qualifying law degree provides. It covers the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge: contract law, tort, criminal law, equity and trusts, land law, constitutional and administrative law, and EU law (or an equivalent public law element following the UK's departure from the EU).
The GDL was the standard conversion route for non-law graduates for decades. Under the old qualification framework, it was the required stepping stone between a non-law degree and the Legal Practice Course (LPC), which was itself the required stepping stone before a training contract. The sequence was: non-law degree, GDL, LPC, training contract.
The GDL is still a valid qualification. Candidates who completed it before or during the SQE transition, or who are studying at providers that still offer it, will find it accepted by the SRA and by law firms. But it is being phased out. As the profession moves fully to the SQE framework, the GDL is being replaced by the PGDL, and most providers have either already switched or are in the process of doing so.
What the PGDL is
The Postgraduate Diploma in Law is the updated version of the GDL, redesigned to align with the SQE framework rather than the old LPC route. It covers the same Foundations of Legal Knowledge as the GDL, but it is structured to prepare candidates for SQE1 specifically, and it integrates the kind of legal analysis and application that the SQE assessments test.
The PGDL is a postgraduate qualification rather than a simple diploma, and it is now the course most large law firms require non-law graduates to complete before starting their training contracts. When a Magic Circle or Silver Circle firm says it will fund your conversion course, it is almost always referring to the PGDL, not the GDL, and the maintenance grants they provide cover the PGDL study period.
In practical terms, the PGDL is what the GDL has become. If you are a non-law graduate starting the process of qualifying as a solicitor now, the PGDL is the course you will take, not the GDL, unless you are in a specific transitional situation where the GDL is still being offered by your chosen provider.
How the SQE changed everything
Before 2021, the route for non-law graduates was clearly structured: GDL to convert, LPC to prepare for practice, training contract to qualify. The SQE replaced the LPC with two centralised assessments (SQE1 and SQE2) that every aspiring solicitor must pass regardless of their background or training route.
This changed the role of the conversion course. The GDL was designed to feed into the LPC. The PGDL is designed to feed into the SQE, with SQE1 preparation integrated into the course rather than treated as a separate preparation stage. The content is broadly similar but the framing, the assessment focus, and the skills being developed have shifted to reflect what the SQE actually tests.
The other significant change the SQE introduced is that the two-year Qualifying Work Experience requirement replaced the training contract as the only formal work experience route to qualification. This means paralegal work, in-house legal roles, and pro bono experience can all count toward QWE, provided a solicitor signs off on the experience. For non-law graduates, this means the conversion course is no longer the gateway to a single prescribed route: it opens into a more flexible qualification pathway.
For a full explanation of how the SQE works and what it requires, see our SQE guide.
Which one law firms fund
Large commercial law firms that offer training contracts to non-law graduates will fund the PGDL, not the GDL, for candidates who have not yet completed a conversion course. If you have already completed a GDL, firms will typically accept it in lieu of the PGDL since the foundational content is equivalent, but for candidates starting fresh, the firm-funded route is the PGDL.
The funding arrangement at most large commercial firms works as follows: the firm pays the course fees in full and provides a maintenance grant to cover living costs during the study year. Magic Circle firms currently offer maintenance grants of around £15,000 to £20,000 per year. The training contract itself then follows after the conversion course and SQE preparation are completed.
Some firms fund the PGDL and SQE preparation as a combined package, working with specific law school providers with whom they have relationships. Others fund the courses separately and allow candidates to choose their provider. When you receive a training contract offer, the funding arrangement will be set out in your offer letter, and it is worth understanding exactly what is covered before accepting.
One practical point: the maintenance grant, while generous relative to typical student loans, is not a salary. It is designed to cover the cost of studying in London (or wherever the law school is based) for a year without working. For candidates with existing financial commitments or dependants, it is worth planning carefully around this period before accepting a firm's offer.
The PGDL in practice: what to expect
The PGDL is intensive. Covering the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge in one academic year, alongside preparation for SQE1, involves a pace of learning that is faster than most undergraduate programmes. Candidates who approach it with the right mindset and preparation, particularly those who have done some background reading on the foundations before the course starts, generally manage it well. Those who arrive expecting it to feel like an extension of their undergraduate experience often find the first term demanding.
The course combines lectures, tutorials, workshops, and self-directed study. Assessment varies by provider: some use exams, some use a combination of coursework and exams, and all include preparation for the SQE1 multiple-choice format. The providers most commonly used by large commercial firms are the University of Law and BPP, though Barbri and other providers are also used. The quality of teaching and the support structures differ between providers and sometimes between campuses of the same provider, so it is worth researching specific locations and reading current student reviews rather than relying on general reputation.
One thing the PGDL does not do automatically is develop commercial awareness or firm-specific knowledge. The course teaches the foundations of law and how to apply them, which is exactly what it should do, but the commercial understanding that law firms expect to see in applications is built separately. Candidates completing the PGDL alongside a training contract offer have time to work on commercial awareness during the course year, and they should use it. Candidates completing the PGDL while still applying for training contracts are doing both simultaneously, which requires careful time management.
If you already have a GDL
If you completed a GDL under the old framework, the practical question is whether you need to do anything further before qualifying. The answer depends on where you are in the process.
If you completed the GDL and also completed the LPC, and you are now seeking a training contract or QWE, you are operating under transitional arrangements that the SRA has put in place for candidates who entered the profession under the old framework. You will still need to complete SQE2 (SQE1 is waived for candidates who have completed the LPC under certain conditions) and two years of QWE, but you do not need to redo the conversion course.
If you completed the GDL but not the LPC, your position depends on when you completed the GDL and which transitional route applies to you. The SRA's transitional arrangements are set out on its website and are worth checking directly, because the specifics matter and the rules have been updated since the SQE was introduced.
If you completed a GDL and are now applying for training contracts at large commercial firms, the GDL will be accepted as equivalent to the PGDL for the purpose of the application, and firms will not require you to redo the conversion course.
Choosing a provider
Most large commercial firms have preferred provider relationships with University of Law or BPP, and if your training contract firm specifies a provider, that choice is made for you. If you are self-funding or applying for training contracts before deciding on a provider, the main considerations are location, teaching quality, support structures, and SQE pass rates.
SQE1 and SQE2 pass rates vary by provider, and while they are not the only indicator of course quality, they are a useful data point. The SRA publishes pass rate data by assessment sitting, and law school aggregators and student forums contain more granular information by provider. Pass rates for self-funded candidates (who typically have less structured preparation than firm-sponsored candidates) are generally lower than for candidates whose firms are investing in their preparation.
The location question matters because the PGDL involves a full year of study, and choosing a campus in a city where you can also be building legal connections, attending law firm events, and working part-time if needed affects the overall experience significantly. London campuses offer proximity to the firms you are likely targeting, access to events and networking, and a peer group that is largely aiming for the same commercial firms. Other campus cities are cheaper to live in but offer fewer informal proximity advantages.
Common questions
Does it matter which subject I studied at undergraduate level?
No, in terms of PGDL eligibility. Any undergraduate degree from a UK university (or most international equivalents) qualifies you for PGDL entry. In terms of law firm applications, no, either. Large commercial firms recruit non-law graduates from every degree discipline. For a full discussion of how law and non-law degrees are assessed in applications, see our law degree vs non-law degree guide.
Can I do the PGDL part-time?
Most providers offer part-time options, typically spread over two years. If you are working part-time or cannot commit to a full-time year of study, this is worth exploring. The tradeoff is that the course takes twice as long, which delays the rest of the qualification timeline accordingly.
What if I want to qualify as a barrister rather than a solicitor?
The GDL and PGDL are both accepted as the conversion qualification for the Bar Course (BPC). The GDL has historically been the more commonly used route for bar candidates, and some providers still offer it specifically for this purpose. If you are aiming for the bar rather than a training contract, check which qualification your intended bar course provider accepts. For a full comparison of the solicitor and barrister routes, see our barrister vs solicitor guide.
What does the PGDL cost if I am self-funding?
PGDL fees vary by provider and campus. At major providers in London, full fees are typically in the range of £10,000 to £14,000 for the full-time course. Part-time courses are proportionally priced. Living costs in London on top of this make self-funding the PGDL a significant financial commitment, which is one reason securing a funded training contract offer before starting the conversion course is the preferred path for most candidates.
Do I need to complete the PGDL before applying for training contracts?
No. Most large commercial firms recruit non-law candidates before they have completed the PGDL, on the condition that they will complete it (funded by the firm) before starting the training contract. The application process, including any assessment centres, takes place while you are still in your undergraduate degree or shortly after graduating. You do not need to have started the conversion course to receive and accept a training contract offer.
Ready to take the next step?
If you are a non-law graduate building toward a training contract application, the PGDL is a step along the path, not the starting point. The work of building commercial awareness, researching the firms you want to apply to, and developing the experiences that will make your application specific and credible happens before and alongside the conversion course.
Our how to get a training contract guide covers the full application process for both law and non-law graduates. The Future Trainee Academy covers written applications, psychometric tests, and assessment centres from a recruiter who has interviewed over 10,000 candidates. Free to access.
Law Careers
GDL vs PGDL: What Is the Difference and Which Do You Need?
A complete guide to the GDL and PGDL, how they differ, which one law firms fund, and what non-law graduates need to know about the conversion route into commercial legal practice.
EO Careers Team
If you are planning a career in commercial law as a non-law graduate, our Law Careers hub covers qualification routes, practice areas, salaries, and the skills that matter in applications.
If you studied something other than law at university and are now considering a career as a solicitor, you will quickly encounter the GDL and PGDL. They sound similar, they cover broadly similar content, and many people use the terms interchangeably. They are not the same thing, and the distinction matters because which one you need, and which one a law firm will fund, depends on where you are in the qualification process and which route you are taking toward the SQE.
What the GDL is
The Graduate Diploma in Law is a one-year conversion course designed to give non-law graduates the equivalent foundation in law that a qualifying law degree provides. It covers the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge: contract law, tort, criminal law, equity and trusts, land law, constitutional and administrative law, and EU law (or an equivalent public law element following the UK's departure from the EU).
The GDL was the standard conversion route for non-law graduates for decades. Under the old qualification framework, it was the required stepping stone between a non-law degree and the Legal Practice Course (LPC), which was itself the required stepping stone before a training contract. The sequence was: non-law degree, GDL, LPC, training contract.
The GDL is still a valid qualification. Candidates who completed it before or during the SQE transition, or who are studying at providers that still offer it, will find it accepted by the SRA and by law firms. But it is being phased out. As the profession moves fully to the SQE framework, the GDL is being replaced by the PGDL, and most providers have either already switched or are in the process of doing so.
What the PGDL is
The Postgraduate Diploma in Law is the updated version of the GDL, redesigned to align with the SQE framework rather than the old LPC route. It covers the same Foundations of Legal Knowledge as the GDL, but it is structured to prepare candidates for SQE1 specifically, and it integrates the kind of legal analysis and application that the SQE assessments test.
The PGDL is a postgraduate qualification rather than a simple diploma, and it is now the course most large law firms require non-law graduates to complete before starting their training contracts. When a Magic Circle or Silver Circle firm says it will fund your conversion course, it is almost always referring to the PGDL, not the GDL, and the maintenance grants they provide cover the PGDL study period.
In practical terms, the PGDL is what the GDL has become. If you are a non-law graduate starting the process of qualifying as a solicitor now, the PGDL is the course you will take, not the GDL, unless you are in a specific transitional situation where the GDL is still being offered by your chosen provider.
How the SQE changed everything
Before 2021, the route for non-law graduates was clearly structured: GDL to convert, LPC to prepare for practice, training contract to qualify. The SQE replaced the LPC with two centralised assessments (SQE1 and SQE2) that every aspiring solicitor must pass regardless of their background or training route.
This changed the role of the conversion course. The GDL was designed to feed into the LPC. The PGDL is designed to feed into the SQE, with SQE1 preparation integrated into the course rather than treated as a separate preparation stage. The content is broadly similar but the framing, the assessment focus, and the skills being developed have shifted to reflect what the SQE actually tests.
The other significant change the SQE introduced is that the two-year Qualifying Work Experience requirement replaced the training contract as the only formal work experience route to qualification. This means paralegal work, in-house legal roles, and pro bono experience can all count toward QWE, provided a solicitor signs off on the experience. For non-law graduates, this means the conversion course is no longer the gateway to a single prescribed route: it opens into a more flexible qualification pathway.
For a full explanation of how the SQE works and what it requires, see our SQE guide.
Which one law firms fund
Large commercial law firms that offer training contracts to non-law graduates will fund the PGDL, not the GDL, for candidates who have not yet completed a conversion course. If you have already completed a GDL, firms will typically accept it in lieu of the PGDL since the foundational content is equivalent, but for candidates starting fresh, the firm-funded route is the PGDL.
The funding arrangement at most large commercial firms works as follows: the firm pays the course fees in full and provides a maintenance grant to cover living costs during the study year. Magic Circle firms currently offer maintenance grants of around £15,000 to £20,000 per year. The training contract itself then follows after the conversion course and SQE preparation are completed.
Some firms fund the PGDL and SQE preparation as a combined package, working with specific law school providers with whom they have relationships. Others fund the courses separately and allow candidates to choose their provider. When you receive a training contract offer, the funding arrangement will be set out in your offer letter, and it is worth understanding exactly what is covered before accepting.
One practical point: the maintenance grant, while generous relative to typical student loans, is not a salary. It is designed to cover the cost of studying in London (or wherever the law school is based) for a year without working. For candidates with existing financial commitments or dependants, it is worth planning carefully around this period before accepting a firm's offer.
The PGDL in practice: what to expect
The PGDL is intensive. Covering the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge in one academic year, alongside preparation for SQE1, involves a pace of learning that is faster than most undergraduate programmes. Candidates who approach it with the right mindset and preparation, particularly those who have done some background reading on the foundations before the course starts, generally manage it well. Those who arrive expecting it to feel like an extension of their undergraduate experience often find the first term demanding.
The course combines lectures, tutorials, workshops, and self-directed study. Assessment varies by provider: some use exams, some use a combination of coursework and exams, and all include preparation for the SQE1 multiple-choice format. The providers most commonly used by large commercial firms are the University of Law and BPP, though Barbri and other providers are also used. The quality of teaching and the support structures differ between providers and sometimes between campuses of the same provider, so it is worth researching specific locations and reading current student reviews rather than relying on general reputation.
One thing the PGDL does not do automatically is develop commercial awareness or firm-specific knowledge. The course teaches the foundations of law and how to apply them, which is exactly what it should do, but the commercial understanding that law firms expect to see in applications is built separately. Candidates completing the PGDL alongside a training contract offer have time to work on commercial awareness during the course year, and they should use it. Candidates completing the PGDL while still applying for training contracts are doing both simultaneously, which requires careful time management.
If you already have a GDL
If you completed a GDL under the old framework, the practical question is whether you need to do anything further before qualifying. The answer depends on where you are in the process.
If you completed the GDL and also completed the LPC, and you are now seeking a training contract or QWE, you are operating under transitional arrangements that the SRA has put in place for candidates who entered the profession under the old framework. You will still need to complete SQE2 (SQE1 is waived for candidates who have completed the LPC under certain conditions) and two years of QWE, but you do not need to redo the conversion course.
If you completed the GDL but not the LPC, your position depends on when you completed the GDL and which transitional route applies to you. The SRA's transitional arrangements are set out on its website and are worth checking directly, because the specifics matter and the rules have been updated since the SQE was introduced.
If you completed a GDL and are now applying for training contracts at large commercial firms, the GDL will be accepted as equivalent to the PGDL for the purpose of the application, and firms will not require you to redo the conversion course.
Choosing a provider
Most large commercial firms have preferred provider relationships with University of Law or BPP, and if your training contract firm specifies a provider, that choice is made for you. If you are self-funding or applying for training contracts before deciding on a provider, the main considerations are location, teaching quality, support structures, and SQE pass rates.
SQE1 and SQE2 pass rates vary by provider, and while they are not the only indicator of course quality, they are a useful data point. The SRA publishes pass rate data by assessment sitting, and law school aggregators and student forums contain more granular information by provider. Pass rates for self-funded candidates (who typically have less structured preparation than firm-sponsored candidates) are generally lower than for candidates whose firms are investing in their preparation.
The location question matters because the PGDL involves a full year of study, and choosing a campus in a city where you can also be building legal connections, attending law firm events, and working part-time if needed affects the overall experience significantly. London campuses offer proximity to the firms you are likely targeting, access to events and networking, and a peer group that is largely aiming for the same commercial firms. Other campus cities are cheaper to live in but offer fewer informal proximity advantages.
Common questions
Does it matter which subject I studied at undergraduate level?
No, in terms of PGDL eligibility. Any undergraduate degree from a UK university (or most international equivalents) qualifies you for PGDL entry. In terms of law firm applications, no, either. Large commercial firms recruit non-law graduates from every degree discipline. For a full discussion of how law and non-law degrees are assessed in applications, see our law degree vs non-law degree guide.
Can I do the PGDL part-time?
Most providers offer part-time options, typically spread over two years. If you are working part-time or cannot commit to a full-time year of study, this is worth exploring. The tradeoff is that the course takes twice as long, which delays the rest of the qualification timeline accordingly.
What if I want to qualify as a barrister rather than a solicitor?
The GDL and PGDL are both accepted as the conversion qualification for the Bar Course (BPC). The GDL has historically been the more commonly used route for bar candidates, and some providers still offer it specifically for this purpose. If you are aiming for the bar rather than a training contract, check which qualification your intended bar course provider accepts. For a full comparison of the solicitor and barrister routes, see our barrister vs solicitor guide.
What does the PGDL cost if I am self-funding?
PGDL fees vary by provider and campus. At major providers in London, full fees are typically in the range of £10,000 to £14,000 for the full-time course. Part-time courses are proportionally priced. Living costs in London on top of this make self-funding the PGDL a significant financial commitment, which is one reason securing a funded training contract offer before starting the conversion course is the preferred path for most candidates.
Do I need to complete the PGDL before applying for training contracts?
No. Most large commercial firms recruit non-law candidates before they have completed the PGDL, on the condition that they will complete it (funded by the firm) before starting the training contract. The application process, including any assessment centres, takes place while you are still in your undergraduate degree or shortly after graduating. You do not need to have started the conversion course to receive and accept a training contract offer.
Ready to take the next step?
If you are a non-law graduate building toward a training contract application, the PGDL is a step along the path, not the starting point. The work of building commercial awareness, researching the firms you want to apply to, and developing the experiences that will make your application specific and credible happens before and alongside the conversion course.
Our how to get a training contract guide covers the full application process for both law and non-law graduates. The Future Trainee Academy covers written applications, psychometric tests, and assessment centres from a recruiter who has interviewed over 10,000 candidates. Free to access.