PGDL costs are an issue for many, so on this page we will guide you through the funding options, including PGDL scholarships and sponsorship.

How Much Does the PGDL Cost?

Depending on your chosen institution, PGDL fees range between £5000 and £12,000, with the average for a full-time PGDL course being approximately £8,400.

To see the PGDL fees for specific universities, take a look at our PGDL Course Comparison Table!

It is also important to bear in mind that you will be expected to any living costs (accommodation, travel, food etc) alongside course fees, so it is vital to ensure that you have access to the necessary funds before signing up to a course – and you’re sure you want to go ahead with it!

CTA

Should I Convert to Law? Quiz

Take our quiz to see if converting to law is the right option for you.

Take the Quiz

PGDL Funding: What Are Your Options?

There are a number of possibilities for funding your PGDL, including:

  1. You can take out a private loan to cover the fees
  2. You can apply for a law school scholarship
  3. Inns of court scholarships are also an option to cover some (or all) of your fees
  4. Take advantage of law school flexible pricing structures
  5. Look into the option of law firm sponsorship
  6. You can also self-fund by working and studying part-time

For daily tips and tricks on how to fund your PGDL, join our Non-Law Students Facebook Help Group now!

Loan Options

Unfortunately, as is the case for both the LPC and the BTC, the PGDL cannot be funded through postgraduate government funding. The good news is that the majority of high-street banks offer graduate loans to those who have left university relatively recently. The loan amount ranges from £1,000 – £15,000. As part of this, you will need to submit an application to the bank explaining how the course will boost your employment prospects.

There is also a company called Future Finance who offer flexible student loans for university between £2,000 – £40,000.

PGDL Scholarships

Many law schools offer GDL scholarships and bursaries for students, including:

University of Law PGDL Scholarships

The University of Law has a scholarship fund of £2 million overall.

Its PGDL scholarships include:

ScholarshipPer Successful CandidateEligibility CriteriaNumber of Scholarships Available
Career ChangerFull Fee & Partial Awards available• Have received an offer for one of our postgraduate courses
• Evidence of previous work experience, transferable skills that will assist you to progress to a new career and motivation for a career change.
3 Full Fee and 140 Partial Awards
Choose Law/Set for SuccessFull Fee & Partial Awards• 2:2 undergraduate degree or above
• Received an offer for one of our postgraduate law courses.
• Meet the Widening Participation Criteria
2 full-fee awards and 2 awards of £2,000 for runners-up
Law First£3,000• 1st class undergraduate degree or a Distinction at master’s level
• Have received an offer for one of our postgraduate courses
15 awards of £3,000 each
The Lord Blunkett Widening Access Awards£1,000• Have received an offer for one of our postgraduate courses
• Meet the Widening Participation Criteria
20 awards of £1,000
Nottingham Postgraduate Award£1,000• You will need to have offered, accepted and been sent confirmation of your acceptance of a course place with the UniversityAll students

BPP University PGDL Scholarships

BPP University is expanding its scholarship programme fund to £1 million overall.

The institution offers a number of scholarships for PGDL students, including:

ScholarshipPer Successful CandidateEligibility CriteriaNumber of Scholarships Available
Career Commitment Scholarship£2000Provide evidence of:
• Strong academics,
• Resilience,
• A solid volunteering and/or pro bono background,
• Dedication to progressing your career,
Strong leadership, entrepreneurial, innovation or other transferable skills
Not stated
Dean of Law School ScholarshipFull FeeDemonstrate:
• An outstanding standard of academic achievement
• Commitment to their legal career.
Not stated
Future Leader Scholarship
Full FeeShowcase outstanding leadership skills or innovation ability, with the drive and ambition to become a future leader within the legal profession.Not stated
Chancellor’s ScholarshipFull FeeDemonstrate:
• A unique and inspiring legal career journey
• Overcoming obstacles or providing outstanding contribution to charitable causes.
Not stated
Macfarlanes BPP ScholarshipFull FeeSupports a student from lower socio-economic background who is interested in pursuing a career in law, through funding their SQE studies and providing them with a professional mentor.Offered to one student

Other Universities

Many universities offer their own scholarships for PGDL students, as part of wider postgraduate courses funding schemes. We recommend you look at your chosen university’s website for more information.

Inns of Court Scholarships

If you know you would like to become a barrister after completing your PGDL, the four Inns of Court offer scholarships to pay for both your PGDL and your Bar Professional Training Course (which you must complete after your PGDL).

It’s worth noting you can only apply to one Inn of Court per application cycle.

Inns of CourtPer Successful CandidateEligibility Critera
Inner Temple GDL scholarship£10,000 & £7500 (2 x Princess Royal Scholarship)
The rest are dependent on applicant’s financial situation
Demonstrate:
• Intellectual ability;
• Motivation to succeed at the Bar;
• Ability to get on with a range of people;
• Financial need is also taken into account.
Lincoln’s Inn GDL scholarshipDependent on applicant’s financial situation, but around £5000 each.Demonstrate:
• Intellectual strength;
• Motivation to succeed at the Bar;
• Complete integrity;
• Confidence and sensitivity towards other people.
Middle Temple GDL scholarshipDependent on applicant’s financial situation, but not full-feeDemonstrate
• Intellectual ability;
• Motivation to succeed at the Bar;
• Potential as an advocate;
CTA

Want to Experience a Courtroom Simulation?

Get a taste of what a career at the bar is like by attending one of our mock trials

Book now

Law School Flexible Pricing

BPP and the University of Law offer the option to pay your PGDL costs in instalments by direct debit.

University of Law, for example, offers you four different payment plans:

  • Single payment;
  • Two instalments: one in September, one in January;
  • Four instalments: one in September, one in December, one in February and one in May;
  • Ten instalments: between September to June.

PGDL Sponsorship via Law Firms

If you secure a training contract before you start the course, for example, your law firm may cover your course fees through what’s known as law firm sponsorship, and even offer a living allowance.

For this to happen, the best timeline for non-law students would be:

Academic yearActions
First yearApply for legal work experience and internships for the summer of your first year, to bolster your CV
Second yearApply for vacation schemes for the summer of your second year, to once again put you at an advantage in your applications
Third yearApply for your training contract, which you will commence in two years time (after one year for your GDL, and one year for your LPC)

The legal work experience you’ve collected over your first and second year should definitely work in your favour when applying for your training contract.

If, however, you’re already in your second/third year, it’s not too late – but there’s no better time to get started than today! Start applying for work shadowing placements and writing for law publications like The Lawyer Portal.

Some law firms even offer to retrospectively pay for your PGDL fees if you’ve already started.

For more detailed information, visit the law firm‘s website to find out more.

PGDL Part-Time and Part-Time Work

Completing the PGDL part-time can be a good option for those who would like to complete their course while working.

Many universities offer their PGDL part-time courses over two years rather than the usual one, allowing you to continue work at the same time.

However, the PGDL is a challenging feat, and the decision to do the law conversion course part time should not be taken lightly – make sure you can effectively balance your workload to ensure you pass the course whilst maintaining a job.

Loading

Loading More Content