Why study this course?
Our GDL/Common Professional Examination course is one of the longest running and highest rated of all such courses in London. The Joint Academic Stage Board (of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board) has given it special commendation for its exceptionally high quality, including teaching, management and careers enhancement initiatives.
Our law courses are ranked ninth in the UK for teaching quality in the Guardian University Guide 2023.
More about this course
The Common Professional Exam will give you sound knowledge of the seven areas of law considered fundamental by the professional bodies.
The course aims to:
- develop an understanding of the English legal system to provide a thorough grounding in the foundations of legal knowledge
- train you in the professional skills of legal research, analysis and presentation in a friendly and nurturing environment
You may choose your own title for your research dissertation, subject to approval, which gives you the early opportunity to specialise in an area of particular interest to you.
Assessment
Assessment includes an examination in each of the seven foundation subjects (each worth 10% of the total assessment), a research essay in a legal area entirely of your own choice (worth 10%), four short essays covering different areas of the foundation subjects (worth a total of 10%), and a case and statute analysis exercise (worth 10%).
There is also a test on the English legal system, which you must pass but which does not normally count towards your final assessment.
Fees and key information
Apply nowEntry requirements
You will be required to have:
- a UK first degree at 2.2 or above (applicants who do not hold a UK first degree must obtain a Certificate of Academic Standing from either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or The Bar Standards Board
Accelerated study
If you have studied any of the foundation subjects to degree level, you may be able to get exemptions from those subjects and only take the remaining subjects.
To apply for exemptions, you need to present a full transcript of your degree results, including the credit point rating for each subject.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course at London Met. Find out more about applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).
English language requirements
To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet a specific standard listed under the exceptions in our English language requirements.
If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
- This module currently runs:
- all year (September start)
- This module currently runs:
- all year (September start)
- This module currently runs:
- all year (September start) - Thursday evening
- all year (September start) - Tuesday afternoon
- all year (September start) - Tuesday morning
- This module currently runs:
- all year (September start)
- This module currently runs:
- all year (September start) - Monday evening
- all year (September start) - Wednesday afternoon
- all year (September start) - Wednesday morning
- This module currently runs:
- spring semester - Monday morning
- spring semester - Wednesday evening
- spring semester - Monday afternoon
- This module currently runs:
- all year (September start) - Thursday morning
- all year (September start) - Tuesday evening
- all year (September start) - Thursday afternoon
- This module currently runs:
- spring semester - Thursday morning
- spring semester - Tuesday evening
- spring semester - Thursday afternoon
- This module currently runs:
- all year (September start) - Monday morning
- all year (September start) - Wednesday evening
- all year (September start) - Monday afternoon
- This module currently runs:
- spring semester - Monday evening
- spring semester - Wednesday afternoon
- spring semester - Wednesday morning
What our students say
"Studying Law at London Metropolitan University has been one very interesting aspect of my life. I have been able to gain the much needed commercial awareness in today's world. The support I have received from the tutors have given me the ability to stand and discuss on topical issues within and outside the United Kingdom. I have also been motivated to obtain an advanced degree. I strongly believe that the knowledge I have received from my studies at London Metropolitan University would enable me to face the challenges ahead as well as contribute my quota to the development of society."
National Student Survey 2016
Where this course can take you
On graduation, you'll be eligible to undertake either the Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training course, from there you can proceed either to a training contract with a firm of solicitors or a pupillage in a barrister's chambers.
The Common Professional Exam (CPE) is a well-recognised route to a legal career, and many employers in the legal field actively favour postgraduate students who have a proven expertise outside the area of law.
Success on the CPE will also enable you to apply to take an LLM if you wish to pursue an academic career or simply to expand your legal knowledge.
Additional costs?
Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.
Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.
Important information for international applicants
Due to unprecedented demand for our courses for the autumn 2023 intake, international admissions are now closed for this postgraduate course. Please check back at a later date to view future available intakes.
How to apply
If you're applying for a full-time place on this course, you must do so through the Central Applications Board (Law cabs).
If you're applying for a part-time place, use the apply button to begin your application.
If you require a Student visa and wish to study a postgraduate course on a part-time basis, please read our how to apply information for international students to ensure you have all the details you need about the application process.
When to apply
You are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only consider your application if there are places available on the course.
To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.
