Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP)
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) is your pathway to practice, equipping you with real-world experience and transferable skills to see you excel in the legal profession and beyond.
Delivered by the Adelaide Law School in partnership with the Law Society of South Australia, the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice is designed and taught by South Australian barristers and solicitors to ensure you hit the ground running upon graduation with the practical skills and academic rigour needed to practice law.
Graduates from The University of Adelaide are well connected to peers and alumni in the legal community, giving you an edge in the market.
Study at SA’s top ranked Law School*
Our GDLP satisfies the requirements to practice law and seek admission to the Supreme Court of South Australia upon graduating, with the option to apply for mutual recognition to practice in other states and territories.
Our postgraduate law programs at The University of Adelaide are the top ranked in the state for practical skills development**, meaning our students are equipped with the networks and skills necessary to succeed in the evolving legal landscape.
Program features:
- Accelerate your studies and be ready to practice in just in 20 weeks
- Study on your own terms with flexible courses, blended learning, and multiple intakes each year
- Gain practical experience with a 3 week legal practice placement
- Expand your networks within the South Australian legal community
- Benefit from real-life experience through advocacy training delivered in the District Court by qualified legal practitioners
- Complete your study concurrently with your LLB (subject to conditions)
- Receive 5 Continuing Professional Development points
- Stay supported with FEE-HELP and scholarships available for eligible students
*QS World Rankings by Subject 2020
**The Good Universities Guide ranking by subject Law (2020/21)
Program structure
Rich in both theory and practical components, the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice is comprised of 6 core courses (including a legal work experience placement), and 2 electives in an area of your interest.
Core courses | Electives |
---|---|
Lawyer's Skills | Criminal Law Practice* |
Civil Litigation and Practice | Family Law Practice |
Commercial and Corporate Law Practice | Employment and Industrial Relations Practice |
Property Law Practice | Planning and Environmental Law Practice* |
Professional Obligations | Wills and Estates Practice* |
Work Experience Placement | Administrative Law Practice* |
Consumer Law Practice* |
* Offered both face-to-face and online in 2024.
Fees, scholarships and awards
Eligible domestic candidates have the option of deferring the cost of their tuition to FEE-HELP.
Scholarship support is funded by The University of Adelaide and The Law Student Society through the GDLP Indigenous Law Student Scholarship Program. This scholarship provides full tuition funding for one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander GDLP student per year. For more information on scholarship eligibility and application, please visit the Law Society website.
The Nyland Caruso Prize, funded by generous donations from the Hon Margaret Nyland AM and Mr David Caruso, celebrates up to 3 high performing students each year in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
Apply now
- Apply for the Adelaide GDLP via SATAC (code 3GD087) or the International Application System.
- Current students can apply via internal transfer , or can complete the GDLP concurrently with LLB studies.

Brittany Farinola
“Many of the seminars are taught by current legal practitioners, it is an invaluable opportunity to network with them, and learn about the practical aspects of the profession. This also provides a chance to engage, ask questions, and seek help directly, which was something I was concerned about with many of the online GDLP providers. In addition to this, seminars are a great way to work collaboratively with other students, many of whom will soon become future colleagues.”
LLB, GDLP graduate
Need further information?
Our advisors are here to help.
- Adelaide Law School by email, or phone +61 (8) 8313 5063 for applications, admissions, internal transfers, enrolments and graduations or;
- The Law Society of South Australia by email, or phone +61 8 8229 0200 regarding your study plan, course information, hurdle requirements (including the 105 hour placement and 5 CPD hours).