Common Professional Examination
Encyclopedia
The Common Professional Examination (CPE) is a postgraduate
law course
in England and Wales
that is taken by non-law
graduates (graduates who have a degree in a discipline that is not law or not a qualifying law degree
for legal practice) wishing to become either a solicitor
or barrister
in England and Wales
. The course thus allows non-law students to convert to law after university (exceptions exist for non-graduates depending on circumstances); it is also commonly known as a "law conversion course". Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the course is designed as an intense programme covering roughly the same content as a Law degree LL.B (Hons) and the main goal is to allow people with a greater variety of educational backgrounds into the legal profession.
Most CPE courses award a diploma and are thus often titled Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), other common post-nominal abbreviations include LL.Dip (Lex. Legis Diploma) and PgDL (Post Graduate Diploma in Law).
The CPE is one (full-time) or two (part-time) years long, and successful candidates may proceed to either the Legal Practice Course
for solicitors or the Bar Professional Training Course
for barristers. It is regulated by the Law Society of England and Wales
with admissions handled through the Central Applications Board.
Some law students study for four years (rather than three years, although this is usually only the case for students taking a combined law degree with the LPC, or for those whose courses include study abroad), making it possible for both non-law and law graduates of the same starting year to finish at the same time, with the CPE providing the "foundations of legal knowledge".
. The largest course providers are The College of Law
, City Law School
, Kaplan Law School
and BPP Law School
.
The CPE is also offered by some more established British universities, such as the University of Birmingham
, the University of East Anglia
, Keele University
, and Swansea University
. However, it is more commonly offered by new universities such as the University of Westminster
, Middlesex University
, De Montfort University
and the University of East London
) also offer courses. Tuition fees vary widely: a full list of providers and the fees they charge can be found here.
the CPE is also recognised for the purpose of admission to the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws
(PCLL) course, which can be seen as the local equivalent to the LPC
/BPTC and is a prerequisite to become a solicitor or barrister in Hong Kong. Since 2008, all overseas candidates including CPE graduates are required to pass additional conversion exams before the commencement of the PCLL course, to reflect the impact of the post-1997 Hong Kong Basic Law
.
jointly with Manchester Metropolitan University
. The program is also known as, and completion of the program leads to the awarding of, the Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law
(GDEHKL).
Postgraduate education
Postgraduate education involves learning and studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or Bachelor's degree generally is required, and is normally considered to be part of higher education...
law course
Legal education
Legal education is the education of individuals who intend to become legal professionals or those who simply intend to use their law degree to some end, either related to law or business...
in England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
that is taken by non-law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
graduates (graduates who have a degree in a discipline that is not law or not a qualifying law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
for legal practice) wishing to become either a solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
or barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
in England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
. The course thus allows non-law students to convert to law after university (exceptions exist for non-graduates depending on circumstances); it is also commonly known as a "law conversion course". Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the course is designed as an intense programme covering roughly the same content as a Law degree LL.B (Hons) and the main goal is to allow people with a greater variety of educational backgrounds into the legal profession.
Most CPE courses award a diploma and are thus often titled Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), other common post-nominal abbreviations include LL.Dip (Lex. Legis Diploma) and PgDL (Post Graduate Diploma in Law).
The CPE is one (full-time) or two (part-time) years long, and successful candidates may proceed to either the Legal Practice Course
Legal Practice Course
The Legal Practice Course also known as the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practiceis the vocational stage for becoming a solicitor in England and Wales. The course is the successor to Law Society Finals and is more vocational in its syllabus. The LPC can be taken in many different formats including...
for solicitors or the Bar Professional Training Course
Bar Professional Training Course
The Bar Professional Training Course is a graduate course that is completed by those wishing to be called to the Bar, i.e. to practise as a barrister in England and Wales...
for barristers. It is regulated by the Law Society of England and Wales
Law Society of England and Wales
The Law Society is the professional association that represents the solicitors' profession in England and Wales. It provides services and support to practising and training solicitors as well as serving as a sounding board for law reform. Members of the Society are often consulted when important...
with admissions handled through the Central Applications Board.
Some law students study for four years (rather than three years, although this is usually only the case for students taking a combined law degree with the LPC, or for those whose courses include study abroad), making it possible for both non-law and law graduates of the same starting year to finish at the same time, with the CPE providing the "foundations of legal knowledge".
UK course providers
The CPE tends to be offered through private institutions or universitiesUniversity
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
. The largest course providers are The College of Law
The College of Law
The College of Law of England and Wales is a private educational institution in England and a registered charity which provides legal education for students and professionals.-20th century:...
, City Law School
City Law School
The City Law School is one of the seven schools of City University in the City of London, and includes the former Inns of Court School of Law....
, Kaplan Law School
Kaplan Law School
Kaplan Law School is a for-profit educational institution offering post-graduate legal training in London for those wishing to become a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales.-History:...
and BPP Law School
BPP Law School
BPP Law School is a UK-based provider of professional legal education and is one of the largest in the country, with branches in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, Liverpool, London , Manchester and Newcastle. In 2007, BPP Law School became the first privately owned, publicly traded firm in the...
.
The CPE is also offered by some more established British universities, such as the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
, the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
, Keele University
Keele University
Keele University is a campus university near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, England. Founded in 1949 as an experimental college dedicated to a broad curriculum and interdisciplinary study, Keele is most notable for pioneering the dual honours degree in Britain...
, and Swansea University
Swansea University
Swansea University is a university located in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Swansea University was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920, as the fourth college of the University of Wales. In 1996, it changed its name to the University of Wales Swansea following structural changes...
. However, it is more commonly offered by new universities such as the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
, Middlesex University
Middlesex University
Middlesex University is a university in north London, England. It is located in the historic county boundaries of Middlesex from which it takes its name. It is one of the post-1992 universities and is a member of Million+ working group...
, De Montfort University
De Montfort University
De Montfort University is a public research and teaching university situated in the medieval Old Town of Leicester, England, adjacent to the River Soar and the Leicester Castle Gardens...
and the University of East London
University of East London
The University of East London is a university located in the London Borough of Newham, East London, England, based at two campuses in Stratford and Docklands areas...
) also offer courses. Tuition fees vary widely: a full list of providers and the fees they charge can be found here.
Hong Kong
In Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
the CPE is also recognised for the purpose of admission to the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws
Postgraduate Certificate in Laws
PCLL redirects here. For the lacrosse league in the northeastern United States, see Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League.The Postgraduate Certificate in Laws is an intensive one-year full-time professional legal qualification programme in Hong Kong...
(PCLL) course, which can be seen as the local equivalent to the LPC
LPC
-Computers:* LPC , the programming language of LPMuds* Local Procedure Call, in Microsoft's Windows NT operating systems* Low Pin Count, a computer bus technology-Law:...
/BPTC and is a prerequisite to become a solicitor or barrister in Hong Kong. Since 2008, all overseas candidates including CPE graduates are required to pass additional conversion exams before the commencement of the PCLL course, to reflect the impact of the post-1997 Hong Kong Basic Law
Hong Kong Basic Law
The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or simply Hong Kong Basic Law, serves as the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China...
.
Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law
The CPE is offered by the University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
jointly with Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University is a university in North West England. Its headquarters and central campus is in the city of Manchester, but there are outlying facilities in the county of Cheshire. It is the third largest university in the United Kingdom in terms of student numbers, behind the...
. The program is also known as, and completion of the program leads to the awarding of, the Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law
Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law
The Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law is a Hong Kong diploma programme that allows students that did not take law as an undergraduate degree The Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law (GDEHKL) is a Hong Kong diploma programme that allows students that did not take law as an...
(GDEHKL).
External links
- Table of GDL providers
- Central Application Board (for full-time CPE courses)
- For information on 2008 CPE pass rates and the number of students awarded distinctions and commendations by the various providers see QED LAW
- Information and guidance on qualifying as a solicitor