Legal Practice Course - LPC
Want to study an LPC in Birmingham? Our Legal Practice Course (LPC) is the final academic stage of qualification before becoming a solicitor. Our course is fully accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority....
Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time
- Location City Centre
- Award LPC
- Start date September 2021
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Law
- Faculty Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences
Course overview
Want to study an LPC in Birmingham? Our Legal Practice Course (LPC) is the final academic stage of qualification before becoming a solicitor. Our course is fully accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. You will cover elements required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority including Property Law, Business Law and Practice and Litigation (including Civil and Criminal Litigation) and choose from a list of Electives available.
The LPC is taught by an outstanding team of professional staff with extensive practice experience and a friendly, open door policy giving you all the support you need. We place our students at the centre of everything we do.
LLM Legal Practice
If you are interested in achieving your LPC before going on to a Masters level qualification, our LLM Legal Practice course will allow you do to both. Our LLM course could also potentially qualify you for postgraduate funding.
What's covered in this course?
Following successful completion of the course, you will then need to undertake a two year vocational training contract to be able to practice as a solicitor.
Our first-class facilities include two mock courtrooms and a comprehensive law library (with many resources accessible online), and there are extensive opportunities available with a variety of agencies throughout Birmingham.
The Course also offers a unique learning experience in the shape of a virtual solicitor's office in the University's virtual town, Shareville.
Why Choose Us?
- Our outstanding facilities include two mock courtrooms and an e-learning suite that can be used to bring study to life
- The School of Law has an established record of providing the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and its predecessors since the 1960s.
- All members of the teaching team are qualified solicitors with many years practice experience.
- We provide opportunities for all students on the course to participate in pro-bono activities. Pro-bono will usually involve work for a charity or similar organisation in an advisory capacity which will be invaluable in terms of enhancing your career prospects. Our Law Clinic can give you opportunities to make a genuine difference to the lives of Birmingham residents.
- We have a long running mentoring scheme, supported by the Birmingham Law Society, the Birmingham Trainee Solicitor Society and leading firms in the region. As part of the scheme, you will be assigned a local lawyer who will help with any questions or concerns you may have about your future career development.
- Birmingham City University has just launched the UK's first Centre for Brexit Studies, researching all aspects of the UK's vote to leave the EU, including the impact it has on domestic law and legislation.
Find out more
Entry Requirements
Essential Requirements
| Typical Offers (UK Students) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Students will require either a Qualifying Law Degree (e.g. an LLB from a University in England or Wales) or a Graduate Diploma in Law/Common Professional Examination. |
||
|
Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) are entitled to apply for direct entry to the course. |
||
|
The SRA require disclosure of issues relating to character and suitability before a trainee commences a period of recognised training, and again on admission as a solicitor. If an individual does have character and suitability issues to assess, they should apply to the SRA at least six months before they start training, to avoid any delays. Training cannot commence until the assessment has taken place. Students who have character and suitability issues may want an early assessment, before they embark on the CPE or LPC, and the SRA have retained the power to undertake these early assessments. SRA Training Regulations 2014 - Qualification and Provider Regulations replaced the SRA Training Regulations 2011 Parts 1 and 2. |
||
Additional information for EU/International students
| Essential | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
||
| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
| IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
|
| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
Fees & How to Apply
- UK students
- International students
Award: LPC
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £9,800 per year
- Apply
- Part Time
- 2 years
- £4,900 per year
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead.
Personal statement
Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.
Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Your passion and motivations
Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?
Why this course?
Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.
What makes you a good postgraduate candidate?
Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.
Relevant academic or work experience
Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?
You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 96 credits):
8 credits
Students will be required to research and apply their knowledge of Business Law and Practice case studies in context. This will be done via a series of transactional exercises, utilising the Course skills and subject knowledge as appropriate to analyse, plan and progress these transactions in order to achieve the client’s objectives whilst applying the rules of professional conduct in context.
8 credits
It is intended that the student will begin to prepare for work based learning by focussing upon matters which he or she will be likely to encounter during the initial stages of training in a property / real estate department within a generalist practice.
8 credits
It is intended that the student will begin to prepare for work based learning by focussing upon matters which he or she will be likely to encounter during the initial stages of training in both a Criminal and Civil Litigation department within a generalist practice.
8 credits
This element of Stage 1 of the Course contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the programme’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice based exercises in order to prepare them for work-based learning and by equipping the student with and understanding and appreciation of all aspects of professional conduct and regulation, including professional conduct, the profession, money laundering, financial service and solicitors’ accounts.
8 credits
It is intended that the student will begin to prepare for work based learning by focusing upon the foundational principles in the five taxation areas identified and which he or she will be likely to encounter during the initial stages of training or as a newly qualified solicitor within a generalist practice.
8 credits
The compulsory area of Stage 1 contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the programme’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice based exercises in order to prepare them for work-based learning and by equipping the student with foundation skills and knowledge for practice in Wills and Administration of estates.
8 credits
The Course skill contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the programme’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice based exercises in order to prepare them for work-based learning and by equipping the student with foundation skills and knowledge in Drafting.
8 credits
The Course Skill of Advocacy contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the programme’s aims by requiring Student Solicitors to participate in realistic practice based advocacy exercises to prepare them for work-based learning and by equipping the Student Solicitor with foundation skills and knowledge for practical engagement in advocacy.
8 credits
The Course skill contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the programme’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice based exercises in order to prepare them for work-based learning and by equipping the student with foundation skills in Interviewing and Advising.
8 credits
The Course skill contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the programme’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice based exercises in order to prepare them for work-based learning and by equipping the student with foundation skills and knowledge in Writing.
8 credits
The Course skill module contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the course’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice based exercises in order to prepare them for workbased learning and by equipping the student with foundation skills in legal research and knowledge for practice in high street, generalist or commercial practices.
8 credits
This element of Stage 1 of the course contributes to the delivery of the LPC outcomes and the course’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice-based exercises in order to prepare them for work-based learning and by equipping them with an understanding and appreciation of solicitors’ accounts.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete three modules (totalling 24 credits) from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:
8 credits
This Vocational elective module aims to broaden and deepen the basic knowledge of commercial law which the student has already acquired in their study of the Business Law and Practice Outcomes and also to enable the student to apply some of the skills that he or she developed during Stage 1 of the LPC.
8 credits
The aims of this elective module are:
- To give students an introduction to commercial property work, with the emphasis on business leases
- To make students aware of matters of general concern to the commercial property lawyer, such as VAT, planning and contaminated land.
8 credits
The Vocational elective contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the programme’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice based exercises in order to prepare them for work-based learning and by equipping the student with foundation skills and knowledge for practice in Immigration.
It is intended that the student will begin to prepare for work based learning by focussing upon matters which he or she will be likely to encounter during the initial stages of training in an Immigration department.
8 credits
The Vocational elective contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the programme’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice based exercises in order to prepare them for workbased learning and by equipping the student with foundation skills and knowledge for practice in employment law.
It is intended that the student will begin to prepare for work based learning by focussing upon matters which he or she will be likely to encounter during the initial stages of training in an employment law department.
8 credits
The Vocational elective contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the programme’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice based exercises in order to prepare them for work-based learning and by equipping the student with foundation skills and knowledge for practice in family law litigation.
It is intended that the student will begin to prepare for work based learning by focussing upon matters which he or she will be likely to encounter during the initial stages of training in a family law department.
8 credits
The Vocational elective contributes to the delivery of the LPC Outcomes and the programme’s aims by requiring students to participate in realistic practice based exercises in order to prepare them for work-based learning and by equipping the student with foundation skills and knowledge for practice in personal injury litigation.
It is intended that the student will begin to prepare for work based learning by focussing upon matters which he or she will be likely to encounter during the initial stages of training in a personal injury department.
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Course Structure
The LPC is a demanding course and is a leap forward from your undergraduate study. The emphasis is much more on the practical aspects of law and the aim of the course is to ensure you can enter practice with the skills and knowledge required to hit the ground running. You will be expected to keep up with background reading and class preparation and should expect to treat the course as if you were already handling a client’s case.
How you learn
Please refer to the module specifications regarding the variety of teaching modes used to deliver this course. Classes will be timetabled in accordance with the University’s timetabling policy for students on either the full-time or part-time course.
The compulsory subjects and skills taught on the LPC are prescribed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Each subject is introduced with a summary lecture providing guidance on difficult topics relating law to practice. The focus of learning is on small group teaching sessions, in the form of interactive workshops that enable you to explore key areas of law and practice in detail.
Small group sessions are also used to involve you in typical transactions encountered in practice. You can expect to carry through tasks as if you were in practice, working in teams, using electronic and other information sources.
Student stories
Lauren Cope
Lauren Cope completed her LPC with Birmingham City University in 2014. After graduating she accepted a position as a paralegal at Squire Patton Boggs (“SPB”) against very tough competition in 2014.
Previous legal work experience (which she had helped to secure through our mentoring scheme) played a key part in providing Lauren with the skills and the confidence to excel in the application and interview process. When asked about her LPC experience, Lauren commented that:
Squire Patton Boggs is an International Law firm with 45 offices in 21 countries, specialising in commercial legal work across a variety of sectors. Lauren has now been offered a training contract with the firm and continues to excel in their Property Litigation team. The application process for the training contract was challenging and rigorous and consisted of a two week vacation placement at SPB, several interviews and various group tasks.
Shabnam Khatta
Shabnam completed her LPC in June 2015 and has subsequently started her training contract. Shabnam chose Birmingham City University because she knew other students who had taken the Course here and had found it very rewarding.
Shabnam said that she looked at other places but was impressed at the friendliness of the staff, she said:
Employability
Employment Opportunities
Graduates will normally proceed to a training contract to complete their qualification as a solicitor. The vast majority of LPC graduates go on to become qualified solicitors in a range of organisations across many specialist areas. Some overseas professional bodies accept the LPC as satisfying their admission requirements to practise as a lawyer.
Qualifying as a lawyer
Solicitor of England and Wales
Solicitors provide clients with legal advice often during times of extreme stress such as arrest, divorce, moving house or bereavement. They also represent clients in corporate or commercial transactions. As a solicitor, you may work in a firm with other solicitors or set up your own practice, or you might work in central or local government, an in-house legal department, the Crown Prosecution Service or the magistrates’ courts.
To qualify as either a solicitor of England and Wales, you must first of all complete either an LLB or CPE/GDL from a university in England and Wales.
If you wish to qualify as a solicitor, after completing the LLB or CPE/GDL you will need to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Once you have completed the LPC, you must complete a two-year training contract with a firm of solicitors. You will be qualified as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales upon completion of the two-year training contract.
| LLB (Hons) or GDL/CPE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Practice Course | Bar Professional Training Course (previously the Bar Vocational Course) | |||
| Two year training contract within a solicitors’ legal practice | Qualified as a Barrister of England and Wales | |||
| Qualified as a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales | One year pupillage within a Barristers’ Chambers | |||
| Qualified as a practising Barrister of England and Wales | ||||
Figure: Routes to qualification as a solicitor or barrister within England and Wales
Qualification as an Overseas Lawyer
Many of our international students join the School of Law with the intention of practising law, normally in their home country.
Our LPC is recognised by some overseas legal professional bodies, particularly in Commonwealth countries. If you intend to practise in your home country, you should contact your local Law Society or Bar Council to ensure the LPC is recognised. You may be required to undertake additional training before being authorised to practise law.
Some overseas Law Societies and Bar Councils will offer exemptions from all or part of their own training requirements if you qualify as a solicitor or barrister of England and Wales. For example, the Malaysian Bar recognises both solicitors and barristers of England and Wales – to be authorised as a solicitor and advocate of Malaysia you would have to complete a pupillage in Malaysia.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
International Students
The School of Law at Birmingham City University is home to students from a wide number of countries studying on traditional degree programmes and short-term international courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
A legal education at Birmingham City University is widely recognised and many of our international students return to their home country to either pursue legal practice or requisite professional qualifications in their jurisdiction.
As a law student you will not only develop and refine knowledge in discrete areas of English and international law but also develop key transferable skills designed to enhance your employability profile. Many international students have travelled thousands of miles to study at Birmingham City University and the School offers you an engaging and diverse study experience based in the city of Birmingham which is the second largest city in the UK.
Due to our proximity close to the legal and business district of the city we enjoy strong links with Birmingham Law Society and law firms around the West Midlands. The benefit of these links is passed directly onto you so that you can enhance your network of contacts whilst seeking relevant legal practice experience to enhance your employability profile.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Facilities and Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at the City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Law, Business, Social Sciences and English courses
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The facilities at the Curzon building include two bespoke Law Courtrooms, replicating a Crown court and a Magistrates court. These rooms will play a key part in your learning experience, allowing you to try your hand in mock court cases, whilst also being the venue for our Mooting and Debating Societies.
On top of this, the Curzon building houses an extensive Law library, with books covering every aspect of Law history.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive new library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Brand new, accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
Lauren Haddock
Senior Lecturer, Course Director for the Postgraduate Diploma in Law/LLM Professional Law
Lauren Haddock joined Birmingham City University in July 2015, following a number of years as a visiting lecturer whilst working in the industry.
More about Lauren