Graduate Diploma in Law

Learning and assessment

You’ll kick off your learning experience with a two-week induction course. This includes a study of the English legal system, legal theory, legal writing and problem-solving. You must pass the induction course before progressing onto the GDL.

Once on the course, you’ll start building essential legal knowledge and skills immediately. You’ll explore all the core legal subjects, including:

• criminal law
• contract law
• human rights law
• and constitutional law

You’ll also be able to carry out a research project in a legal area that interests you - like sports law, intellectual property or workplace rights. You’ll be supported all the way through by a tutor who is an expert in your chosen field. And you’ll start to develop a specialism early, setting you apart from other candidates.

Study modules

Compulsory modules

The English Legal System

In this module, you’ll gain a sound knowledge of the English legal system. You’ll also be introduced to legal theory, which will underpin your learning in the GDL course.

You’ll learn about the importance of human rights. And you’ll explore the fundamentals of the English legal system, like civil and criminal justice. You’ll also get acquainted with key legal study skills, including:

• reading cases
• legal reasoning
• writing legal essays
• answering legal problem questions.

Law of Contract

Covering the fundamental principles of contract law and providing a framework for tackling case studies and legal problem-solving.

You will examine the principles of formation, operation and termination of contract together with a consideration of the conceptual background to contract law. The module will extend the processes of legal reasoning and techniques of legal analysis that have been introduced in the induction modules.

Module assessment by exam in January (100% of the marks).

European Union Law

An introduction to the constitutional and institutional foundations of the European Union. Including key areas of substantive law, due to their centrality in the EU system.

You'll explore the historical development of the EU as a legal order and the operation of its institutions. You'll focus on the nature of EU law, its relationship with national law, and the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Exploring substantive law you'll take in an overview of:

• the internal market of the EU
• free movement of people and citizenship.

You'll take this module in the second semester of the academic year. Module assessment by examination in May (100% of the marks).

Law of Tort

You'll consider the rights and interests protected by the law of tort and the forms this protection takes. With regard to both the applicable legal principles and the remedies available.

You'll examine the tort of negligence, as well as:

• employers’ liability
• vicarious liability
• trespass to land
• occupiers’ liability
• public nuisance
• private nuisance
• Rylands-v-Fletcher
• trespass to the person
• defamation and privacy.

You'll consider the growing influence of human rights law throughout the course.

Module assessment is by exam in May (100% of the marks).

Land Law

You'll consider the law affecting land and other forms of property. With the interests and obligations to which they give rise. You’ll look at:

• land registration
• mortgages
• leases
• easements and profits
• law of equity and trusts.

You'll explore adverse possession and co-ownership, and look in outline at the law of leases. You'll go on to examine interests in land law, such as:

• easements
• mortgages
• freehold covenants.

You'll conclude with an examination of the impact of the Human Rights Act on property law.

Module assessment by exam in March or April (100% of the marks).

Equity and Trusts

You'll examine the development and deployment of equity as a logic of law. Looking at the details with various deployments of the trust-form. You'll begin with the development of equity and equitable remedies, before starting the engagement with trusts.

You'll analyse private trusts in both their express and implied forms. Looking at how trusts are set up, how they arise by implication and how other equitable interests may arise. You'll move on to consider public trusts, in both their purpose trust and charitable form.

You'll finish with an overview of all trusts, looking at the:

• powers and duties of trustees
• breach of trust
• the process of tracing.

Module assessment is done by one piece of coursework (30% of the marks) in March and an examination in May (70% of the marks).

Criminal Law

You'll examine the general principles - both practical and theoretical - underlying criminal liability. Along with a study of individual offences and defences.

You'll look at offences against the person and offences against property. You'll focus on the general principles of criminal law, such as actus reus and men's rea, and various legal defences. You'll explore these principles through consideration of particular offences:

• homicide - murder and manslaughter (both ‘voluntary’ and involuntary’)
• offences against the person,
• offences under the Theft Act 1968 and Fraud Act 2006,
• inchoate offences.

You'll take this module between September and Easter.

Module assessment is by one piece of coursework (15% of the marks) in November and an examination in March or April (85% of the marks).

Public Law

Public Law encompasses constitutional and administrative law, including civil liberties and human rights.

Constitutional law is the law that relates to the structure/framework of the state. Including the political and judicial institutions of the state, such as:

• Crown
• Parliament
• the Government
• Supreme Court.

Administrative law is the body of law that deals with the:

• workings of the state
• statutory and common law powers
• duties of public bodies such as government departments and local authorities.

Civil liberties and human rights deal with the protection offered by legal, political and administrative means to the liberties of the individual. This is before and within the context of the Human Rights Act 1998. With a focus on:

• freedom of expression
• police powers
• freedom of assembly
• public order.

You'll explore and gain an understanding of all these areas of law and their application.

The module assessment is by exam in January (100% of the marks).

Legal Research Project

You’ll strengthen your legal research skills through this independent research project. You’ll choose your own project from a relevant area, and work independently to carry out your research and write your essay. You’ll develop skills in areas like analysing and applying case law, evaluating relevant material and reaching reasoned conclusions. You’ll gain knowledge of your specific topic area while also improving your project management abilities.

Work experience

Work Experience

You’ll be able to work directly with real clients as part of our Community Legal Outreach Collaboration (CLOCK) scheme. You’ll gain firsthand experience interviewing and advising clients, in a courtroom setting. You’ll build important legal experience for your CV, and you’ll finesse your interviewing skills - in a real court.

You’ll also have the opportunity to build solid advocacy skills as part of our nationally renowned mooting team. And you’ll be able to showcase your client interviewing skills in competitions as well.

An internship is also available for students interested in immigration and asylum cases.

‘This degree awarded to you is supremely valuable. The award is from a university which... commands very considerable respect. A Law degree from Brookes leads us London lawyers to say: well, she or he must be bright as well as knowledgeable’. Lord Wilson of Culworth, Justice of the Supreme Court (2019)

When you graduate, you’ll be ready to progress into a law career. You’ll be ready to progress onto the Bar Course if you want to become a barrister. You’ll also have a strong foundation of knowledge to take the further SQE1 and SQE 2 requirements to then take the Solicitors’ Qualifying Exam (SQE).

You’ll graduate with a reputable qualification that is highly regarded by employers in the legal profession. You’ll have a thorough knowledge base and proven practical skills. This will set you up for success in your further training. And it can give you a competitive edge on the jobs market or in a pupillage.

You’ll also be supported to apply for funding for the Bar - and every year some of our students are awarded the prestigious Inns of Court scholarships. And many Oxford Brookes students secure pupillages in leading firms like Quadrant Chambers, 4 Pump Court and XXIV Old Buildings.