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De Montfort University is one of two universities within Leicester. Up until 1992 the University was referred to as Leicester Polytechnic, originating from the amalgamation of two colleges Leicester College of Art and Leicester College of Technology.

At present De Montfort University has two campuses, the main Campus based just on the outskirts of Leicester City centre and the other being Charles Frears, also based in Leicester. This houses the Nursing and Midwifery facilities. There are around 20,000 students inhabiting the University at present and this number will no doubt swell as De Montfort continues to develop.

De Montfort Law School itself comprises of the Department of Law and also the Department of Professional Legal Studies. It is within the latter that the GDL is taught. The law school has a first class reputation for the quality of its teaching, offering both vocational and academic skills to prepare students for the legal profession.

Work is currently underway on a landmark new building for the Faculty of Business and Law. This major project, costing over £35 million, will transform DMU’s City campus immeasurably. The project will see the construction of a state-of-the-art new Faculty Law building and the creation of a tree lined pedestrian plaza area.

The De Montfort Law School is primarily located in the Elfed Thomas building, just a stone’s throw from the vibrant city centre. It is also on the door step of numerous major law firms, barrister’s chambers and Leicester magistrate’s court. The building itself has a fully integrated Law Library & mock courtroom to hone your legal skills.

It also boosts generous lecture theatres and seminar rooms. The lecture theatres are spacious, comfortable and light, with specific facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The new building (completed by 2009) will offer a more expansive range of facilities on top of what is already available. There are plans for the building to house several large lecture theatres, break-out rooms for use in open days, a larger mock law court, meeting rooms and a new law library.

There will also be a new specifically designed postgraduate suite filled with the latest in ICT technology. There will also be retail units throughout & brand new bookshop offering discounted course books.

The De Montfort GDL begins with a three-week induction, focusing on the key features of the English legal system, becoming familiar with the IT programmes of the course and to develop legal research skills. You will then begin the seven compulsary subjects, these being Criminal, EU, property, public, contract, tort and equity & trusts.

You will also have to complete an independent essay focusing on a particular area of law that is of interest to you. All teaching is delivered via large and small group sessions. These are akin the lecture and seminar format of most undergraduate programmes, however they are far more interactive.

As mentioned before, the Law School is just on the outskirts of the city centre, a very vibrant multicultural/cosmopolitan town based in the Midlands. There is a sizeable student community that is gathered just minutes from the main campus. The location is great for getting around, with the M1 close to the city itself.

Nottingham, Sheffield & Birmingham also within commutable distances, with London just over an hour away by train. East Midlands Airport is only around 25 miles away for international students and other looking to get away from the stresses of studying.

There are a large array of shops, cafe’s, restaurants and of course bars, clubs and pubs to whet your appetite. Locally there are also large concert venues such as De Montfort Hall and theatres (The Phoenix). Further out of town there is cinema not to mention a hotbed of sporting venues including football and rugby.

Course fees for the GDL are capped at £3,950, one of the best value course in the whole of the UK. As for the local area, food is cheap with various takeaways and eateries in the local vicinity. Union admission is also very cheap and drinks are well below average compared to other large UK cities.

Full time course students are guaranteed an offer of a place in halls of residence in the first year. Prices are reasonable (between £2500 and £4500) with all locations ideal for the Law school. There is enough variety to provide for all needs, from budget to extravagance.

As for social life, there are literally always events going on in term time to cater for every need and want. DMU is renowned for providing very good entertainment and all students boast of its merits.

There is an active law society which regularly holds events. Such activities include mooting, debates, street law and involvement with various legal clients. The university is also well placed for clubs and pubs. Sports and general societies are available for almost every need. There are notable recommendations for Football and Rugby in particular.

De Montfort has an extensively resourced careers centre that provides full support for internships and work experience. Help is also at hand for various applications and tips to acquire training contracts for prospective solicitors and pupillage support for students looking to become barristers.

There is also a Guaranteed LPC place for successful LLB graduates. The LPC at DMU was given a SRA rating of ‘Commendable practice’ in almost all areas.