GDL FAQs
If we haven't answered your question(s) with the
information below then please email us at nclt@nclt.co.uk or call the NCLT
Team on 0121 326 7529.
Q1 Who is
NCLT?
Q2 Is NCLT an
authorised provider?
Q3
Why choose NCLT?
Q4 What is the
GDL / CPE (Graduate Diploma in Law / Common Professional
Exam)?
Q5 What resources will
I have access to?
Q6 What assessments will
I have to do?
Q7 What support will I
get?
Q8 How will I
study?
Q9 Who will teach
me?
Q10 Where
will I study?
Q11 How do I
apply?
Q12 How
much does it cost?
Q13
When will I know if I have been made an offer?
Q14 When does the course
start?
Q1 Who is
NCLT?
NCLT (National College of Legal Training) is a collaboration
between CLT (Central Law Training), the UK's premier provider of
legal training and UWE. Established some 25 years ago, CLT has
been delivering conferences, courses, professional qualifications
and webinars to a wide range of firms all over the country and UWE
(University of the West of England) is one of Britain's most
popular universities, with around 30,000 students and 3,000 staff
and is the largest provider of Higher Education in the South West
of England. UWE has been delivering GDL since 1978 and has a
national reputation for excellence in teaching and student
support.
Q2 Are NCLT an authorised
provider?
Yes, GDL training providers have to be registered with the Joint
Academic Stage Board (JASB). The Joint Academic Stage Board
is a committee which brings together the Bar Standards Board
(BSB) and Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
http://www.barstandardsboard.rroom.net/Educationandtraining/academicstage/
Q3 Why choose
NCLT?
NCLT is different. It is all about offering something better for
less. It can do this because it concentrates on the important
things - quality materials, experienced, knowledgeable tutors and
efficient processes.
Q4 What is the GDL / CPE
(Graduate Diploma in Law / Common Professional Exam)?
The GDL is a law conversion course for students with a non-law
degree. Undertaking the GDL satisfies the requirements of
both the SRA and BSB to complete the academic stage of training to
become a solicitor or barrister.
NCLT offers a part-time GDL. The course is broken into two
blocks studied over two years:
Block One - Year 1
- Criminal
law
- Contract
Law (Obligations 1)
- Law of
Torts (Obligations 2)
- Public
Law
Block Two - Year 2
- Property Law
- Equity
and Trusts
- European
Union Law
-
Independent Research Project (4000 to 5000 words)
Plus:
The English Legal System Distance Learning
Preparation and Post Workshop Distance Learning
Q5 What resources will I have
access to?
Comprehensive Course Manuals & Materials
You will be provided with a set of core texts; topic outlines;
workshop excercises and support sheets. Course materials will
be provided in hard copy format and electronically.
Blackboard - Student Support Centre
You will be given personal access to an online study support
system providing you with all the tools to manage your study eg.
course timetables; latest news; course materials; access to tutor
support; on-line self testing; study centre information; assessment
information.
Library Resources
You will have access to UWE's electronic Library and to your
study centre's library facilities during workshop
sessions.
SCONUL - Students can also register to gain lending rights
access at any of the university libraries contributing to the
programme http://www.sconul.ac.uk/.
Q6 What assessments will I
have to do?
There are 8 assessments in total over the 2 years.
You will be assessed in all 7 foundation subject areas and The
English Legal System. Assessments are in the form
of written exams and take place in June of each year. The
English Legal System is assessed in October of the first year.
Q7 What support will I
get?
The National Student Support Centre are a dedicated team
providing professional support and advice throughout your
course. You can contact the team by emailing nclt@nclt.co.uk or telephoning
0121 362 7529. They will ensure that your enquiries are dealt with
confidentially and promptly.
Upon enrolment you will be allocated a supervising tutor who you
will meet with you face to face and you will be able to contact
them in between by email to nclttutor@centlaw.com.
Careers advice is an integral part of the course and you will be
given assistance with preparing your CV.
Q8 How will I
study?
The part-time course consists of 13 study days per year.
Year one starts in September with a three day course (Fri, Sat and
Sun) on The English Legal System*. The remaining 10 study
days, are taken over 5 weekends (Sat and Sun) between October and
May. Year two commences with three study days in
September (Fri, Sat and Sun) followed by 5 study weekends (Sat and
Sun) between October and May.
The workshops start at 9.00 am and finish at 5.30 pm (there may
be timetable variations to these times).
This initial 3 day course will take place at The Frenchay
Campus, UWE, Bristol. Remaining study days can be undertaken
at your chosen Study Centre.
The course also involves pre and post consolidation work studied
by distance learning.
Q9 Who will teach
me?
The tutors on the GDL course are experienced tutors in their
practice areas. The workshop sessions are carefully designed
with enhanced feedback to build your confidence and help you
develop the skills you need to excel in a competitive legal
world.
Q10 Where will I
study?
You can choose from three NCLT Study Centres across the country
in Manchester,London and Southampton.
Q11 How do I
apply?
To be eligible to enrol on the GDL you will need a first degree
in a non-law subject or degree equivalence and Certificate of
Academic Standing from either the SRA or BSB.
Download the application form from the NCLT website.
Return completed application form with a minimum of one reference*
(academic or employer) to NCLT National Student Support
Centre,Wrens Court, 52-54 Victoria Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72
1SX
*Second reference will be requested if required.
Applications are accepted up until a week before the start
of the course.
Q12 How much does it
cost?
Part time: £5,250, £2,625 per annum (September
2011 course)
NB For Courses starting September 2012, the
fees will be released shortly.
Interest free payment options are available please contact the
Student Support Centre (email nclt@nclt.co.uk or telephone 0121
362 7529)
Q13 When will I know if I
have been made an offer?
Provided a fully completed application form is submitted, we aim
to send offers out within 2 weeks.
Q14 When does the course
start?
The 2011 course starts 30th September. The 2012 course
will start at the end of September 2012.
An outline of the workshop session dates will be available
shortly on the Student Support Website.