Let’s be honest — if you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement, nerves, and maybe a hint of imposter syndrome. You’ve committed to the PGDL / MA Law, a course that’s infamous for cramming three years of legal education into one, and you’re doing it without a legal background. Brave? Absolutely. Terrifying? Also yes.
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You might be wondering:
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Am I going to be behind everyone else?
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What if I'm unfamiliar with Latin and legal jargon?
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How do I even start preparing for this thing?
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If that's you - take a breath. You're in the right place.
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This guide is written specifically for non-law graduates who are about to take on the PGDL or MA Law in 2025-2026. Whether you studied History, Politics, or something completely unrelated like music production (yes really – I’ve seen it), this article will walk you through what to expect, how to prepare, and how to thrive. ​
A quick word from me - Adam Webb
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Hi - I'm Adam, the creator of The PGDL Bible. I’m not some distant academic or faceless content writer. I’m a recent PGDL graduate who’s been through the mill myself. I came into law following my undergrad in International Relations, and I know exactly how overwhelming it can feel at the start.
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I also know what it takes to succeed – because I did it. I graduated with the highest overall PGDL / MA Law mark in the UK, but more importantly, I learned how to study smart, stay sane, and actually enjoy the process. I created The PGDL Bible to share everything I wish I’d had when I started.
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This guide is a distillation of those pointers – practical, honest, and written for the lawyers of the future – you.
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What is the PGDL?
The Postgraduate Diploma in Law is a conversion course designed for non-law graduates who want to qualify as a solicitor or barrister. It condenses the core content of a full undergraduate law degree into a single year (or two years part-time). The PGDL is essentially the updated version of the ‘Graduate Diploma in Law’, introduced alongside the SQE route to qualification. You can also opt to bolt on the SQE1 Exam, or a dissertation to graduate with an MA Law.
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Whatever course you choose, you will be studying the core 8 areas of law including:
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Tort Law
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Contract Law
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Criminal Law
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English Legal System, Constitutional and Assimilated Law
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Land Law
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Equity and Trusts
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​Administrative Law and Human Rights
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Company and Partnership Law (Law of Organisations)
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It's intense, fast-paced and the course content hits you thick and fast – but it’s also doable, especially with the right preparation.
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​Why non-law graduates actually have an edge
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You might feel like you’re starting from behind, but here’s the truth: non-law graduates often outperform expectations. It’s no surprise that roughly 50% of solicitors qualifying in 2025 hail from a non-law background.
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Why?
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Fresh perspectives: You're not boxed into legal thinking.
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Transferable skills: Whether you’ve written essays, run chemistry experiments, or analysed engineering datasets, you already have the tools to think critically and communicate clearly.
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Motivation: You’ve made a conscious choice to switch things up and study law, and it was far from the path of least resistance. That drive gives you an edge.
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The PGDL is designed for people like you. You are not the exception – you are the target audience.
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What to expect on the PGDL / law conversion course
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A new way of thinking
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Law isn’t about memorising facts – it’s about applying principles to new scenarios.
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You'll learn to:
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Read and interpret case law;
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Understand legal reasoning and precedent; and
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Use a regimented analytical method to structure your answers to problem-based questions:
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Issue: Identify the factual problem.​
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Rule: Recall the relevant legal principle.
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Application: Apply the rule to the facts.
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Conclusion: Reach a reasoned conclusion.
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Reflection: Consider alternatives or limitations given the factual circumstances.
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It's a skillset that takes time to develop - but once it clicks, it clicks.
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A heavy workload
Expect:
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Having to make difficult decisions regarding your life priorities (whether it’s fitness, family / social life, career development, or hobbies, something will have to give);
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Hundreds of court cases and Parliamentary laws to read, document and digest on a weekly basis;
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Regular assessments and mock exams.
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A shift in academic culture
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Law schools expect independence. You will need to:
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Prepare thoroughly for classes;​
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Engage in criticial discussion with peers where possible; and ​
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Take initiative in your own learning.
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This might feel like a shock, but it's also an empowering mindset shift.
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​How to prepare for the PGDL before you start
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​Build your legal vocabulary
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Terms like mens rea, ratio decidendi, and obiter dicta will become second nature – but they’re confusing at first. Start a glossary and review it weekly.
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Practise case reading
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Try summarising landmark cases, such as this one.
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What happened?​
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What was the legal issue?​
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What did the court decide?​
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Why?​
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What was the impact or legacy? Did a judge later dismiss the case as incorrect, or is the principle still in force in our society today?
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This builds your analytical skills and prepares you for legal problem-solving.​​
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(The case above explores private nuisance - a cause of action you will encounter in your Tort Law module - and examines the limits of legal protections against it. It is a great example of how law intersects with our everyday life).​​​​
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​The PGDL notes strategy that helped me top the UK rankings
​​One of the biggest misconceptions about PGDL exams – especially since they are open-book – is that having hundreds of pages of notes will somehow guarantee success. In reality, when the clock is ticking and the pressure’s on, knowing exactly how to navigate your knowledge matters far more than volume.
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During my own PGDL year, I realised that traditional study notes (think, huge chunks of text or PDF study guides with 700-odd pages) weren’t going to cut it for my exams. So, I built a custom study system from scratch – a digital ‘bible’ in Excel. The PGDL Bible mapped out every core legal problem structure using visually accessible flowcharts, dynamic menus and hyperlinks. Each module was interconnected with comprehensive case law and statute spreadsheets, allowing me to jump between connected topics to extract key details, instantly.
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The PGDL Bible wasn’t just a revision tool – it became my exam interface. It saved me countless minutes during time-pressured assessments, whilst keeping my answers razor sharp, adequately detailed, and distinction-ready. Today, hundreds of students from across the globe have benefited from the genuinely unique format of The PGDL Bible, going on to achieve fantastic results in their law conversion courses and beyond into SQE1.
​Prepare to pass the PGDL with distinction
If you’re looking for a more detailed breakdown of how to study effectively, make your notes smart to align with the format of the exams, and pass the PGDL with distinction, I’ve written a guide that covers exactly that.​​
If you're this focused now, you're going to be just fine!
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The PGDL will stretch you - academically, mentally, and sometimes emotionally – but it’s also a rare opportunity to grow in ways few other courses demand. And honestly, the fact you’re still reading this probably means you’re already more prepared than you think. Armed with structure and a system that works for you, you’ll cut through the noise and make sense of the mountain: one module at a time. ​
​Adam Webb read International Relations at the University of Nottingham before completing his MA Law (SQE1) at the University of Law, achieving the highest overall mark nationally. He now works as a Litigation Paralegal at a listed London law firm.​​​​​