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School of Law

Apply for the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice

Applications for the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP) 2020/21 academic year are open from the 21st February 2020.  The application form can be found here and the Law Society Guidance note 2020/2021 here

Students should complete their Diploma application as a Word document and send it by email to dplp-applications@abdn.ac.uk. A physical, or “wet”, signature will not be required in order to complete the application process. You then need to apply online to the Diploma provider of your choice.

A sample Timetable for Semester One can be found here  Please note that the Monday PM and Tuesday PM courses take place in 9 out of the 12 weeks, whereas (for example) Private Client runs for 12 weeks consecutively.  There will be compulsory ad hoc events added in from time to time, e.g. a visit from the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

The second semester timetable will vary according to the four elective options which are selected.

Entry Requirements

A degree in law from a Scottish University or other institution recognised for this purpose by the Senatus Academicus on the recommendation of the Academic Standards Committee (Postgraduate) which includes passes in the Law Society’s professional subjects or equivalent.

University of Aberdeen graduates must have passed the following courses:

  • Legal System
  • Legal Method
  • Criminal Law
  • Foundations of Private Law
  • Contract
  • Public Law and Human Rights
  • Delict and Unjustified Enrichment
  • EU Institutions and Law
  • The Law of Property
  • Family Law
  • Commercial Organisations & insolvency
  • Succession and Trusts
  • Introduction to Legal Theory
  • Evidence
  • Commercial and Consumer Contracts

Less recent graduates of the University of Aberdeen, graduates of other institutions and those who have taken the Law Society of Scotland Exams as a pre-Diploma trainee, should produce evidence of passes in equivalent areas.

Admission will be based on and take consideration of:

  • Overall class of undergraduate degree
  • Marks obtained in the Law Society’s professional subjects at first sitting
  • Overall number of subjects not achieved at undergraduate level
  • Any other qualifications (undergraduate and/or postgraduate)
  • Special circumstances
  • Possession of a traineeship

This information is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen