DPLP - Professional Legal Practice, PgDip

DPLP - Professional Legal Practice, PgDip

Introduction

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.

Study Information

At a Glance

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
PgDip
Duration
9 months
Study Mode
Full Time
Start Month
September

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.

What You'll Study

For detailed information about the compulsory and elective courses please see below.

Compulsory Courses

Every candidate shall be required to attend and obtain passes in the following courses:

Optional 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 information
Fee category Cost
All Students £10,200
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year

Fee Information

Additional Fee Information

  • In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
  • For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.

Scholarships

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.

How You'll Study

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.

  • Role play exercises are used to allow students to develop and practice key professional skills such as interviewing a client or taking part in a criminal trial.
  • Courses are designed to encourage interactive discussions and presentations.
  • Podcasts are used to promote flexibility in teaching.
  • This is a practical programme with opportunities to engage with relevant institutions/bodies.

Learning Methods

  • Individual Projects
  • Lectures
  • Research
  • Tutorials

Assessment Methods

  • There are no written exams on the DPLP course at Aberdeen.
  • Assessment is on a combination of written summative assignments, skills based oral assignments and online tests.
  • Assessment submission dates are staggered throughout the week to encourage time managements skills.
  • Actors are used as mock clients to give students a wide and realistic experience in interviewing clients.
  • In Criminal Litigation students participate in presenting pleas in mitigation and conducting criminal trials.

Why Study DPLP - Professional Legal Practice?

  • The DPLP programme prepares you fully for legal practice in Scotland.
  • In order to practice in Scotland you will need to gain a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice.
  • Aberdeen School of Law provides you with a Diploma using strong links with the legal profession and ensuring you are a 'fit for purpose' legal trainee from day one.
  • We have a strong collegiate working environment which enables you to learn, share and bond quickly.
  • Your teaching is complemented by presentations from the law profession with valuable real world insights.
  • The course is structured to develop your skills and knowledge continuously, with practical exercises and role playing cementing this learning.
  • Role play in a collegiate environment helps you develop your style and approach across core competencies whilst learning from peers.
  • At Aberdeen you can benefit from our expertise in specialist areas such as Dispute Resolution and Energy Law.

What Our Students Say

Callum Leeson

Callum Leeson

Callum Leeson

One aspect of the DPLP that stood out to me was its practical focus. Throughout the programme, both inside and outside the classroom, there's a strong emphasis on developing the skills and tackling tasks that solicitors encounter in the real-world.

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 of Scotland's professional subjects or equivalent.

Qualifications

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:

  • Legal System
  • Criminal Law
  • Foundations of Private Law
  • Contract
  • UK Constitutional Law
  • Delict and Unjustified Enrichment
  • EU Institutions & Law
  • The Law of Property
  • Family Law
  • Commercial Organisations & Insolvency
  • Succession and Trusts
  • Administrative Law and Civil Liberties
  • 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

Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.

English Language 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.

Document Requirements

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.

Degree Transcript
a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
Personal Statement
a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

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 Scholarship

Careers

Diploma 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.

Find out more about the Careers and Employability Service

Career Opportunities

  • Lawyer

Professional Links

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.

Image for useful fact about this Subject

3rd for Law in Scotland

We've been ranked 3rd in Scotland for Law by the Guardian University Guide 2025.

Guardian Guide 2025

What our Alumni Say

Latifa El Shafei, DPLP 2014-15

Latifa El Shafei, DPLP 2014-15

Latifa El Shafei, DPLP 2014-15

Job Details
Solicitor Commercial Real Estate
Graduated 2015

The Aberdeen DPLP prepared me for legal practice in that the timetable was reflective of normal business hours, we were given tight work deadlines and we were encouraged to work as a group.

Our Experts

Image update

Director
Val Bremner

Information About Staff Changes

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.

Features

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.

Taylor Library

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.

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX
University of Aberdeen
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