The Diploma in Professional Legal Practice ensures your preparedness for entering the legal profession in Scotland.

• The programme has been accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and meets the accreditation requirements for PEAT 1 (Professional Education and Training 1).
• You will have access to the Glasgow Legal 40, a group of Glasgow legal alumni who have committed to support the programme through their involvement in education, mentoring and social events.  
• We promote a series of lectures featuring talks from highly successful lawyers.
• We have a very vibrant mooting programme and a dedicated Moot Courtroom. We have an outstanding record of success and you can participate in internal, national and international mooting competitions.

Programme overview

• PgDip: 9 months (two semesters) full-time

The taught component is contemporary and innovative and comprises a number of compulsory subjects which are delivered in conjunction with a wide range of electives.

You can tailor your programme to suit your future career in the legal profession. Our courses are delivered mainly in small group tutorials (12 or less) by our team of 125 highly experienced and committed tutors, almost all of whom are practising solicitors or advocates.

Tutorials are very practical and seek to replicate the work undertaken by trainee solicitors and qualified solicitors in a learning environment.

Core courses

• Criminal litigation
• Civil litigation 
• Conveyancing 
• Private client 
• Business, ethics, finance and practice awareness.

Optional courses

• Advanced civil litigation
• Advanced criminal litigation 
• Corporate 
• Family law 
• Human rights 
• Public administration.

Career prospects

Upon successful completion of the programme you will be eligible to work as a solicitor or advocate. The Diploma in Professional Legal Practice is a requirement for entry into these roles in the legal profession.

To be a candidate for the Diploma you must

(1) Possess a law degree from a Scottish University, or a qualification accepted by the Senatus as equivalent thereto.

(2) Have passed or obtained exemption from the professional examinations of the Law Society of Scotland in those subjects required in terms of the Admission as Solicitor (Scotland) Regulations.

(3) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 2, the Director of the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice shall have discretion to admit you if you are deficient in one element of these requirements, but could satisfy them during the period of study for the Diploma.

You will not be awarded the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice until those requirements are satisfied.

To apply for the Diploma in Legal Practice, please see How to Apply/Fees and Funding.