Which is the right paralegal qualification for you?
If you are unsure about which Ofqual-certified paralegal qualification is right for you, we have developed this table to help you decide. We want you to pick the right qualification, so that the qualification is appropriate for your experience, career plans and the time you have available to study.
If you have any questions, or are still unsure, get in touch or give us a call on 0207 112 8034.
Qualification | Description | Enrolment eligibility | Average/Overall study time | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 3 Certificate for Paralegal Technicians | This qualification will provide you with an excellent foundation of legal knowledge, covering the topics that are most needed as you embark on your chosen profession. The new qualification even maps across to the Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship, covering many of the topics required by the new Standard. | Open to anyone over the age of 16 and career changers with a reasonable standard of written English | 12 months, with a maximum of 24 months | 4 compulsory units | Find out more |
Level 4 Certificate for Associate Paralegals | Our Level 4 Certificate will strengthen your knowledge of key areas of English Common Law. It will enhance and expand your understanding of the English Legal Systems and how it impacts on the professional environment you work in. |
| 10-14 months/maximum 24 months | 4 compulsory units | Find out more |
Level 5 Diploma for Senior Associate Paralegals | This higher level with give you the opportunity to consider these subjects in greater detail and to develop new skills, enhancing your professional practice even further.
This new Level 5 Diploma is uniquely designed to allow you to foster and develop a key critical skill that will be required as you move forward in your professional career: becoming a reflective and independent learner |
| 12-14 months/maximum 24 months | 4 compulsory units | Find out more |
Level 7 Post Graduate Diploma | This qualification is designed to bridge the gap between an academic degree and the practical, procedural knowledge and skills necessary to be able to function effectively as a Professional Paralegal Practitioner |
| 6-8 months/maximum 24 months | 6 compulsory units | Find out more |
How the levels differ
Level 3 (equivalent to ‘A’ Level) is foundational
It is about demonstrating breadth of knowledge. Generally, learners are not required to evidence reading around the subject or awareness of criticisms/areas for improvement (though if they do so this will attract higher marks). This is reflected in the Marking Criteria applied by Examiners. At this level it is very much about ensuring learners know ‘what’ the law is.
Level 4 (equivalent to first year degree) builds on L3
This means learners are assumed to have a foundational understanding. The Marking Criteria will therefore give little credit for these elements. The Marking Criteria will focus on the learners ability to apply the knowledge they have (or should have). At L4 it becomes more about understanding and awareness of areas of weakness or where there might be gaps in the law. This is why the Learning Material at L4 encourage learners to start to think about these issues through additional/further reading which is included in the Learning Material. The Marking Criteria will give greater weight to these elements. At this level we want to see a move away from simply ‘what’ the law is to start to consider more around ‘why’ the law is as it is and ‘how’ this impacts.
Level 5 (equivalent to second year degree) builds further on L4
Again, the ‘basics’ (foundational aspects) are assumed. Of course, learners must still evidence their knowledge of law, but credit is given for ‘what they can do with this’ rather than simply ‘knowing’. They demonstrate their knowledge (L3) through their discussion/application to the problem/scenario which they have been given. This reflects practice – as practitioners become more experienced, they focus more on the detail/areas of complexity or challenge. Again, the Marking Criteria reflects this but will give even less weight to foundational elements than at L4. This is why learners can score very highly at L3 (because they know the ‘basics’) but then much less so at L4/L5. Essentially, they are not giving the Examiners what is required – more (L4) and substantially more (L5) of the depth/critique/analysis of law. At L5 we want to see an even greater emphasis on ‘why’ and ‘how’ and even less on ‘what’.
Level 7 is postgraduate, building on an undergraduate degree
Study at Level 7 allows learners to gain advanced knowledge and specialised skills within the legal field. Ideally to undertake the NALP Level 7 qualification you will have passed an undergraduate degree in Law. This is so that you have a strong base on which to build and advance your studies. However, if you have successfully completed an undergraduate degree with a significant element of law, such as a Combined/Joint degree (for example, Business and Law or Politics and Law or History and Law etc), then you may still be eligible for NALP’s Level 7 Programme. If you fall in to this category please contact NALP with your Transcript so that we may assess your eligibility and discuss this further.
Single Units
If you are looking to expand your knowledge of the English legal system, we have a range of single subjects can you study at Levels 3, 4 & 7. These are ideal if  you have an interest in a specific area of the law, or you wish to add to your knowledge in order to progress your career
Level | Description | Enrolment eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
Level 3:
| In each of these subjects, you’ll get a solid introduction into the individual legal areas, providing you with a strong foundation and adding to your knowledge of English Civil Law.
If you wish to expand your knowledge of English Law by taking a full Level 3 Certificate, these qualifications would be recognised as Prior Learning.
| The NALP Level 3 Single Subject Awards are recognised Ofqual Qualifications and are available for anyone who has no, or very little knowledge of the English Legal System. This is an entry level qualification | Find out more |
Level 4:
| NALP’s Level 4 single subject Paralegal study units give you a sound knowledge of specific areas of English Civil Law | The Level 4 Single Subjects are for someone who has a good understanding already of the English Legal system whether having completed at least a Level 3 legal/paralegal qualification or who has had experience within the legal environment and wishes to enhance their knowledge in a particular subject area. | Find out more |
Level 7:
| If you want to focus your legal expertise, these single unit qualifications will give you an in-depth knowledge in that legal area. | The Level 7 Single Subjects are for someone who already has a legal qualification at Level 4 or above, and therefore already has a very good understanding of the English Legal System and who wishes to enhance their knowledge and skill further in a particular area of law at a higher level. | Find out more |
