Each year it admits around 120 students to study full-time for the Diploma prior to entering the legal profession. The syllabus for the Diploma course is uniform for all four universities which offer it. Its content is determined by the national Joint Standing Committee on Legal Education and the Diploma Co-ordinating Committee, which include representatives of all four universities and members of the Legal profession. The focus is upon the practical skills required in the legal profession. Courses in Accountancy, Conveyancing, Civil Court Practice, Criminal Court Practice, Finance, Taxation and Investment, Professional Responsibility and Wills Trusts and Executries are all compulsory and students may choose between the courses in Formation and Management of Companies and Public Administration.
Students taking the course have a full timetable in comparison with many undergraduates.
The course entails a large number of contact hours, mainly in small seminar groups. Participation in practical class work is regarded as extremely important. In addition 3 part-time lecturers are employed in Civil Court Practice, Criminal Court Practice and Accountancy, and teaching assistance is also given by members of the University s Private Law Department. Administrative and secretarial support is provided by the Departmental secretary and one other part-time secretary.