In this interview, Programme Director Sarah Gale discusses the Graduate Diploma in Law.
Academic interests and expertise
Can you tell us about your academic and research background?
My research is in the field on Media Law which includes some analysis of human rights and the case law of the Strasbourg court.
I have been the GDL Programme Director for three years. The majority of the students want to become barristers but we also have three tutorial groups wanting to become solicitors.
I teach Tort Law on the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and EU, Media Law and Foundations of Legal Analysis on the Graduate Entry LLB and the LLB (Hons). I am the joint module leader of Tort on the GDL.
What inspired you to specialise in your current field of law?
I was a solicitor specialising in EU Competition Law before becoming an academic. I therefore chose to specialise in EU Law to draw on my practical expertise in the field.
Tort Law was one of my favourite subjects at university. I was taught by an inspirational professor. I was keen to teach Tort when entering the academic profession. Students find Tort Law fascinating although they do comment about the large number of cases. Teaching them Tort Law can therefore be challenging.
Media Law covers Tort Law, Criminal Law and Human Rights Law which is a fascinating combination.
What do you enjoy most about teaching and mentoring students?
It is very rewarding to see the GDL students learn to think like lawyers. Often, in the first tutorial, they have only studied law for three weeks but some of them are already thinking like lawyers, they spot the issues, analyse the law and apply it to the question. I teach them techniques for answering problem questions and essays and observe them following my advice.
I mentor students in one to one feedback sessions. They often have questions about their chosen careers. I can comment on their CV and answer career related questions about interviews, for example. I am always pleased to hear of their success in obtaining their chosen job. Our GDL students are very bright and often obtain most prestigious jobs.
Why this course?
What common misconception do students have about the Graduate Diploma in Law, and how would you clarify it?
Students often underestimate how challenging the GDL is. I always stress that it is like a full time job and that working part-time whilst studying can be a real challenge. Employers expect to see that students are doing extra-curricular activities alongside their academic work. They might include mini pupillages and work experience, mooting and pro bono work. Students need to develop good time management skills very quickly. I suggest using a spread sheet in my introductory talk in induction and in my first meeting with my academic advisees where I also stress not taking on too much extracurricular work so that they can keep up with their academic work. They need to strike the right balance.
Are there opportunities for students to tailor the programme based on their specific academic or career interests?
Our GDL offers a solicitors’ stream and a barristers’ stream. Students who choose to become solicitors will study an Introduction to the Solicitors’ Qualifying Exam in the second term to prepares them for the solicitors’ exam (SQE) after they complete the GDL.
Starting in the academic year 2026/ 27, intending barristers will take an advocacy module to prepare them for the Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) - our Bar training course. The module is very helpful for mooting which is integral to Bar training.
The City Law School organises networking events with both barristers and solicitors who often are successful City St George’s GDL alumni.
Tips for offer holders
What advice would you offer to offer holders as they prepare to join this course?
Employers expect students to have some relevant work experience on their CVs, so obtaining some work experience before starting on the GDL can be an advantage, so that students do not miss too much teaching once the course begins.
I’d advise to think carefully about time management. Students need to build in tutorial preparation time as well as undertake extracurricular activities such as mooting, pro bono and also leave time for job applications and work experience. Students who do best on the GDL have excellent time management skills.