Callum Leeson
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The DPLP is a practical transaction-based learning programme that aims to prepare suitably qualified graduates for legal practice in Scotland. Building on our strong links with the legal profession, we see the Diploma as the crucial bridge from your law degree to the world of practice.
How to Apply:
Please visit our Law School DPLP webpage for full application details.
The DPLP satisfies the requirements of Professional Education and Training Stage 1 (PEAT 1) of the professional training programme for solicitors in Scotland. Completion of PEAT 1 is required for entry into the legal profession in Scotland. The Diploma is taught over the academic year, across two semesters and classes take place during business hours between 9.00am and 7.00pm. All students must complete and pass the four core courses: Conveyancing, Private Client, Litigation, Business Environment and Ethics, and the reflective diary exercises in semester one before progressing to the elective courses in semester two. The course starts in September with a comprehensive induction programme focusing on skill based exercises including negotiation, interviewing and team working.
In the second semester 4 elective courses are chosen from a comprehensive list (please see course information), enabling you to tailor your study to your interests and needs. Detailed information on the elective courses is provided in November prior to selecting courses.
Across the two semesters the transaction based learning approach enables you to build on your knowledge and skills week by week. The course content is centred around a number of different activities including interactive seminars, role play and group work. The programme structure and exercises seek to replicate real life legal practice to ensure your transition into the working world is as seamlessly as possible.
For detailed information about the compulsory and elective courses please see below.
Every candidate shall be required to attend and obtain passes in the following courses:
Every candidate shall be required to attend and obtain a pass in four of the following elective courses:
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee category | Cost |
---|---|
All Students | £10,200 |
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year |
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
As a programme of professional study and performance the learning and teaching methods employed ensure active engagement with 'real life ' tasks and professional issues within a secure and supportive, yet challenging environment. Transaction based learning is at the centre of learning and teaching on the Diploma. Each course has been designed to include scenarios which mirror situations that students are likely to encounter as trainees. The teaching approach is to coach rather than to provide direct instruction. Throughout the Diploma a variety of teaching and learning methods are used which have been chosen as the most appropriate to achieve the relevant learning outcome. The majority of classes will take the form of small group seminars. 'Learning by doing' is key to acquiring professional skills. Much of the learning on the DPLP centres around student preparation which usually involves preparing material related to a scenario designed to mirror a real life situation.
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 of Scotland's professional subjects or equivalent.
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Graduates from the University of Aberdeen must have passes in the following:
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:
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipDiploma graduates from the University of Aberdeen have been successful in securing traineeships in a range of organisations including the GLSS, local authorities and a wide range of UK firms.
University of Aberdeen Graduates are highly sought after. Throughout the year we welcome speakers from a range of law firms who want to meet and engage with students seeking traineeships. The Careers and Employability Service holds an annual law fair, where law firms and employers provide information about their traineeships and employment opportunities.
The University Careers and Employability Service has a dedicated Law Careers Advisers who is happy to help you make career plans and decisions, find traineeships and placements and provide feedback on applications and CVs. The Advisers can also assist with preparing and practising for interviews, psychometric tests and assessment centres.
We also run a very successful Career Mentoring programme which selectively pairs student applicants with a suitable mentor who will meet informally with them throughout the year, to offer guidance and advice. This programme supports several evening receptions hosted by firms which provide a valuable opportunity for students to mix informally with members of the profession.
We have strong links with the legal profession within Aberdeen and more widely. Many of our additional learning activities are taught by practising lawyers, enabling you to learn first hand about the realities of legal practice.
There is a very active Law Society at the University of Aberdeen that has dedicated DPLP representatives who oversee a very full and varied social and sporting calendar.
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You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
While studying the DPLP you may have the opportunity to take part in various competitions. In April 2024, Law Diploma students Ailsa Gardyne and Callum Leeson won a prestigious legal competition, Brown Mosten ICCC, beating off international students from 21 countries. In recent years, a team of DPLP students participated as mediators in the 2022 United Kingdom Student Mediation Competition (UKSMC) and in 2021 another team won the Scottish National DPLP Negotiation Competition.
The School of Law has its own dedicated law library, Taylor Library, which is located within the Law School building, offering access to the Law collection, Official Publications and the European Documentation Centre.