Oxford Brookes University

What you'll study

The PGDL at Oxford Brookes covers the foundational areas of English law required for professional conversion: contract law, tort, criminal law, public (constitutional and administrative) law, land law, equity and trusts, and the principles of obligations and remedies. Alongside these core modules, the programme includes training in legal research, legal reasoning and professional skills designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and vocational practice.

Teaching typically combines lectures to introduce doctrine and principles with seminars and workshops that develop problem‑based learning, case analysis and advocacy. Assessment is usually by a mix of unseen timed examinations, coursework assignments and assessed practical tasks that mirror the style of questions used in professional examinations.

• Core subjects: Contract, Tort, Criminal Law, Public Law, Land Law, Equity & Trusts, and Obligations/Remedies.
• Skills and preparation: Legal research and writing, case analysis, argument construction, and practical exercises in drafting and advocacy.
• Study modes: Oxford Brookes typically runs the PGDL as an intensive full‑time programme and may also offer part‑time or flexible delivery to accommodate working students.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution. Oxford Brookes considers applications from a range of academic backgrounds; a degree with a 2:2 classification or higher is commonly acceptable, though exact requirements can vary by intake and applicant profile.

Candidates without a standard honours degree but with substantial relevant work experience, a demonstrable commitment to legal study and strong supporting references may be considered. International applicants must demonstrate adequate English language proficiency in line with the university's postgraduate requirements.

All applicants must submit a personal statement explaining their motivation for converting to law and, where required, academic references. Admissions interviews are not routine but may be used in specific cases.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PGDL proceed to a variety of vocational and employment pathways. The most common routes are progression to professional training for solicitors (through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination or equivalent pathways) or to vocational training for barristers. The conversion also enables entry to paralegal roles, in‑house legal support positions, compliance and regulatory work, and roles in public policy, local government, charities and commercial organisations where legal expertise is valued.

Many students use the PGDL as a springboard to gain pupillage applications, training contracts, or employment as graduate legal assistants while they prepare for the next professional stage. The course is also suitable for professionals seeking career change or additional legal competence for roles in HR, procurement, risk and corporate governance.

Why study at Oxford Brookes University

Oxford Brookes offers the PGDL within a law school that combines academic teaching with practical, career‑focussed training. Students benefit from small seminar groups, teaching by experienced academics and practitioner tutors, and dedicated support for conversion students preparing for professional examinations and vocational training.

The university provides access to extensive library and online resources, careers and employability services, and opportunities for mooting, pro bono work and networking with local legal employers. Studying in Oxford gives proximity to a range of law firms, courts and legal clinics, while Oxford Brookes’ emphasis on applied learning aims to ensure graduates are well prepared for both the intellectual demands of professional training and the practical realities of legal work.