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Depending on your chosen institution, GDL fees range between £5000 and £12,000, with the average for a full-time GDL course being approximately £8400.
To see the GDL fees for specific universities, take a look at our GDL Course Comparison Table!
Unlike with an undergraduate or masters degree, unfortunately, you can’t use student finance for GDL courses.
However, there are alternative ways to fund your course. 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.
If, however, you do not have this luxury, you will be expected to cover course fees and any living costs (accommodation, travel, food etc) personally, 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!
There are a number of possibilities for funding your GDL, besides part-time work. These include:
For daily tips and tricks on how to fund your GDL, join our Non-Law Students Facebook Help Group now!
Join the non-law students facebook help groupThe majority of high-street banks offer graduate loans to those who have left university relatively recently. The loan amount ranges from £1000 – £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 £2000 – £40,000.
Many law schools offer GDL scholarships and bursaries for students, including:
BPP University is expanding its scholarship programme fund to £1 million overall.
The institution offers a number of scholarships for GDL students, including:
| Scholarship | Per Successful Candidate | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Career Commitment Scholarship | £2000 | Aptitude for a legal career – evidence of strong communication and leadership skills, innovation or entrepreneurship skills, and resilience Strong work ethic - circumstances where you have shown exceptional discipline and drive, in an academic, professional or personal context Commitment to the legal profession - relevant work experience (legal or otherwise), pro bono or voluntary work Academic excellence – any relevant achievements in addition to grades Personal background – BPP welcomes candidates from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in law |
| Full Fee Scholarship | Total cost of studies | As above |
| Dean of Law School Scholarship | Not stated | Aimed at high achieving students who can demonstrate an outstanding standard of academic achievement and commitment to their legal career. |
| Future Leader Scholarship | Not stated | Offered to those showcasing outstanding leadership skills or innovation ability, with the drive and ambition to become a future leader within the legal profession. |
| Lord Holmes Scholarship | Not stated | Awarded to those demonstrating a unique and inspiring legal career journey - overcoming obstacles or providing outstanding contribution to charitable causes. |
The University of Law has a scholarship fund of £2 million overall.
Its GDL scholarships include:
| Scholarship | Per Successful Candidate | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Set for Success | Full GDL Fee | • 2:2 or above • Come from a household with an income of £25,000 or less. |
| Choose Law | Full GDL Fee | • 2:2 or above |
| Law First | £3,000 | • 1st or a Distinction at master's level |
| The Lord Blunkett Widening Access Awards | £1,000-£3,000 | • 2:2 or above • Come from a household with an income of £25,000 or less. |
| Charles Russell Speechlys Scholarship | £5,000 | • 2:1 or above • Come from a household with an income of £25,000 or less. |
| 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 University |
Many universities offer their own scholarships for GDL students, as part of wider postgraduate courses funding schemes. We recommend you look at your chosen university’s website for more information.
If you know you would like to become a barrister after completing your GDL, the four Inns of Court offer scholarships to pay for both your GDL and your Bar Professional Training Course (which you must complete after your GDL).
It’s worth noting you can only apply to one Inn of Court per application cycle.
| Inns of Court | Per Successful Candidate | Eligibility 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; • Demonstrate motivation to succeed at the Bar; • Demonstrate ability to get on with a range of people; • Financial need is also taken into account. |
| Lincoln's Inn GDL scholarship | Dependent on applicant's financial situation, but around £5000 each. | • Demonstrate intellectual strength; • Demonstrate motivation to succeed at the Bar; • Demonstrate complete integrity; • Demonstrate confidence and sensitivity towards other people. |
| Middle Temple GDL scholarship | Dependent on applicant's financial situation, but not full-fee | • Demonstrate intellectual ability; • Demonstrate motivation to succeed at the Bar; • Demonstrate potential as an advocate; |
If you apply for a training contract before commencing your GDL, your law firm may well offer to cover the GDL costs for you.
For this to happen, the best timeline for non-law students would be:
| Academic year | Actions |
|---|---|
| First year | Apply for legal work experience and internships for the summer of your first year, to bolster your CV |
| Second year | Apply for vacation schemes for the summer of your second year, to once again put you at an advantage in your applications |
| Third year | Apply 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 GDL fees if you’ve already started.
To give you an idea, here are some top law firms that offer sponsorship:
| Law Firm | Course Fees | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Baker McKenzie | Yes - full | £6,000 |
| Browne Jacobson | Yes - full | £5,000 |
| Clyde & Co | Yes - full | London: £7,000 Manchester: £6,000 |
| Dentons | Yes - full | London: £6,000 Non-London: £5,000 |
| Gibson Dunn | Yes - full | £8,000 |
| Hogan Lovells | N/S | London: £8,000 Non-London £7,000 |
| Norton Rose Fulbright | Yes - full | £8,000 |
| Simmons & Simmons | Yes - full | £7,500 |
| Slaughter and May | Yes - full | Yes - N/S |
| Travers Smith | Yes - full | London: £7,000 Non-London £6,500 |
For more detailed information, visit the law firm’s website to find out more.
BPP and the University of Law offer the option to pay your GDL costs in instalments by direct debit.
University of Law, for example, offers you four different payment plans:
Completing the GDL part-time can be a good option for those who would like to complete their course while working.
Many universities offer their GDL part-time courses over two years rather than the usual one, allowing you to continue work at the same time.
However, the GDL 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.
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