Law (replacing the GDL) MA 12 months Postgraduate Programme By University of Sussex |TopUniversities
Subject Ranking

# 301-350QS Subject Rankings

Programme Duration

12 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

23,500 GBPTuition Fee/year

Application Deadline

01 Aug, 2026Application Deadline

Programme overview

Main Subject

Law and Legal Studies

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Are you a non-law graduate looking for a law conversion course to get up to speed with a range of legal concepts?


This course offers you the opportunity to gain a masters in law so you’re prepared for many different career options. Replacing the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/Common Professional Examination (CPE), this degree focuses on the key areas of the law in England and Wales and provides a solid foundation for preparing for the first stage of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), or training for the Bar. There are optional as well as core modules so you can tailor your studies to your career aspirations.


With an emphasis on small-group teaching, you’ll develop legal awareness and engage in informed discussion of the law. You’ll also have opportunities to take part in skills training – such as learning how to moot, interview clients and negotiate – and you’ll also experience some of the approaches used in vocational legal training such as the SQE.


When you graduate, you’ll be prepared for a range of career options including:


  • qualifying as a solicitor
  • qualifying as a barrister
  • undertaking legal research
  • undertaking further study.


Accreditation

This course satisfies the academic component / GDL requirements of Bar training (subject to minimum pass marks and number of attempts). This degree acts as a gateway to further qualification as both a solicitor and a barrister. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) must be taken by graduates wishing to become a solicitor.


  • This course satisfies the academic component for BSB purposes (subject to minimum pass marks and number of attempts). Find out more
  • This course satisfies the academic component for SRA purposes (subject to minimum pass marks and number of attempts). Find out more

Programme overview

Main Subject

Law and Legal Studies

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Are you a non-law graduate looking for a law conversion course to get up to speed with a range of legal concepts?


This course offers you the opportunity to gain a masters in law so you’re prepared for many different career options. Replacing the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/Common Professional Examination (CPE), this degree focuses on the key areas of the law in England and Wales and provides a solid foundation for preparing for the first stage of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), or training for the Bar. There are optional as well as core modules so you can tailor your studies to your career aspirations.


With an emphasis on small-group teaching, you’ll develop legal awareness and engage in informed discussion of the law. You’ll also have opportunities to take part in skills training – such as learning how to moot, interview clients and negotiate – and you’ll also experience some of the approaches used in vocational legal training such as the SQE.


When you graduate, you’ll be prepared for a range of career options including:


  • qualifying as a solicitor
  • qualifying as a barrister
  • undertaking legal research
  • undertaking further study.


Accreditation

This course satisfies the academic component / GDL requirements of Bar training (subject to minimum pass marks and number of attempts). This degree acts as a gateway to further qualification as both a solicitor and a barrister. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) must be taken by graduates wishing to become a solicitor.


  • This course satisfies the academic component for BSB purposes (subject to minimum pass marks and number of attempts). Find out more
  • This course satisfies the academic component for SRA purposes (subject to minimum pass marks and number of attempts). Find out more

Admission Requirements

110+
80+
169+
59+
3+
6+
  • Degree requirements: You should normally have a lower second-class (2.2) undergraduate honours degree or above.
  • Subject-specific requirements: Your qualification can be in any subject. If you have a non-UK degree and intend to qualify as a barrister, you should also have a certificate of academic standing from the Bar Standards Board. 

01 Aug 2026
1 Year
Sep

  • Candidates are required to submit an essay(s) for acceptance

Tuition fees

Domestic
11,250 GBP
International
23,500 GBP

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