When to apply for a PGDL Law conversion course?

Hi,

I don't have a TC yet, but I was wondering when I should apply for the PGDL. I graduate in 2025, but it seems like applications aren't open yet for BPP or ULaw...

Also, which is better, ULaw, or BPP?

Thanks so much!

Reply 1

Stiffy Byng

ULaw and BPP are equally meh, but it doesn't really matter where you do the PGDL.

Reply 2

17Student17

Applications are made via the Central Applications Board which is a kind of ucas for solicitors and barristers. Usually application open in early October eg Oct 2024 for courses starting in September 2025 but you can apply later as if you can pay you usually get a place. If you are sure you want to do the course however you might as well apply in October 2024. In terms of what course however if you want to be a solicitor it is getting quite complicated as you do not HAVE to have the PGDL but must pass SQE. Yet most law firms want you do do the PGDL (or the 3 year LLB) before an SQE course. So my advice is either wait until you find a law firm to sponsor you but if you are sure you want to become a solicitor and will need post graduate loan to cover most of the fees then go for a course like BPP's 16 months PGDL/SQE1/masters combined which would start Sept 2025 and you would do the PGDL in the first academic year and then in Sept 2026 would do the SQE1 course. The loan will cover most of the fees but not the SQE exam fees and not your rent. You can tack the SQE2 course on after you have sat the SQE1 exam in Jan 2027 but would have to pay for that too and the exam.

If you do not need a masters loan eg a parent will pay then just do the PGDL in year 1 and the next year the SQE1 and 2 combined course as the masters is fairly pointless other than to get student loan funding.

If you want to be a barrister instead then you just would apply for the PGDL course and ignore everything I have said about SQE.

Finally I slightly prefer BPP. The City Consortium firms use BPP (80% of people use BPP or University of Law).