LPC fast track 7 months advise please!!

[noorqt]

Hi ladies, I'm considering doing the LPC on a fast track basis over 7 months with the university of law (previously known as the college of law) . I have 2 DC (4 and 5 year old) and wanted to know if anyone had done it or known of anyone who has done it?? I'm not entirely sure what it will involve, I have been to open days and spoken to tutors but didn't find them that helpful.
My intention is to finish my legal studies as soon as possible to then look for employment.

Any advise would be much appreciated. Xx

[Vatta]

I would really advise you don't do the lpc at all until you have a training contract lined up.

The legal recruitment market is brutal - I'm a lawyer and in the last year we had about 300 applications for the 2 training contracts on offer.

I know lots of people with stellar academics, work experience, extra curricular etc who can't get training contracts so they're stuck doing paralegal work, and they regret spending the time and money on the lpc.

7 months doesn't sound especially fast track to be honest, the lpc normally runs from September to June ie 9 months?

[noorqt]

Thank you so much Vatta I realise I am taking a risk by going the LPC before securing a training contract but the hope is that if all fails, I go back to my previous career in banking.

Do you think the LPC is much different to the llb programme??

[Babylonmood]

The LPC is mostly straightforward. I found it easy compared to the GDL. I agree that you should secure a TC first but if you are determined I'm sure the compressed course is perfectly doable.

[Vatta]

The lpc is very different to the llb, yes.

The llb is the academic side of law, whereas the lpc is the practical side.

On the llb you might learn about why company law works a certain way, and the limits of the law (corporate veil, directors duties etc). On the lpc you'll learn how to fill in the companies house forms to open a new company, how to write to your clients etc.

Most people find the lpc grindingly dull to be honest! If you're reasonably diligent though you could definitely do it in 7 months rather than the usual 9.

Do be aware that if you spend time doing the lpc, then try to go back to a previous career, it may look like a failure/mistake on your cv - a friend of mine had real problems with that so ended up claiming to have been travelling for 2 years and ignored his legal experience entirely!

[noorqt]

Thank you babylonmood , I'm hoping the LPC will be straightforward !!

[TheArticFunky]

BBP offer a combined LPC/MA in Business. It's essentially the LPC with a couple of extra modules. That could be a better option as if you don't secure a training contract you still have an MA in Business and it looks like less of a failure on your CV, not that passing your LPC is a failure.

[phoolani]

The LPC is pretty straightforward and pretty brutal, especially the first few months. I'm currently doing it (standard time, not fast track) and I have found it really hard with the dcs, just time wise. If you're going to do it fast track, don't even think about it unless you have childcare set up for at least 9-6 every weekday otherwise I think you'll really struggle. I considered doing fast-track (I was a non-practising barrister for 10 years before breaking for childcare), but I'm glad I didn't - my kids have found it hard adjusting to me being unavailable most of the time! And as someone pointed out, it's only an extra 2 months for the normal course.

[phoolani]

Oh, and I'd go college of law in a heartbeat if I knew then what I know now! I haven't checked this for myself, but apparently, all their exams are open book!

[Chloerose75]

I did my LPC at college of law not too long ago. Most of my tutors were really good and I was happy with it as an institution. I really wouldn't encourage you to do the fast track 7 month course though or do it without a training contract or sponsorship. I think fast track may be a struggle with kids unless you have good child care and I just don't see the point in fast tracking for no reason. The LPC is expensive and it's only value is that you need to do it to become a solicitor. If you don't get a training contract it's completely pointless, a waste of time and money. At least if you really want to do it without a job lined up then on the normal length course you have more time to job hunt alongside. I think it may be a struggle to fit in your TC apps on the fast track as you shouldn't underestimate the time you might need to put in on applications, careers talks etc. if you have no legal experience you should try to fit in pro bono activities etc which is all easier if you are not on the fast track.

[Chloerose75]

Out of interest when and where did you do your LLB and did you do it when you already had kids??

[MissMalonex2]

There are plenty of LPC places and not as many training contracts. I wouldn't do this unless you have a TC lined up. The market is highly competitive. Some of the banks have inhouse trainees now - have you thought about approaching your employer / previous employer?

[LauraBridges]

One of my daughters did it with a City firm sponsorship where she had a TC and the other didn't but has still qualified. She did say plenty of those without a TC on the LPC had no hope ever of getting a TC - some could hardly spell or write or speak. It was taking people's money without telling them they were no way ever going to qualify as solicitors. Mind you in a free market let them take their own decisions.

I only remember how they found it doing it at BPP over the standard year (and without them having children) - quite hard work but not too bad if you're quite bright. You need to stick at it and do all the work you are set. I think my daughters would agree with Babylon - LPC easier than the GDL.

[Living]

Why don't you do it part time and look for a TC at the same time? Yes will take you longer to qualify but you then can keep your skills up by working in current sector at the same time. A background in finance may well be attractive to employers (assuming we're talking reasonably 'professional' finance not debt collection call centre type work).

I strongly urge you not to waste money and either do the LPC part time or get a TC first. It's a tough market our there. A lot of my LPC cohort are still paralegalling. What's your academic background and what type of law are you interested in?


The LPC isn't a particularly hard course and it's completely spoonfed. If you think it'll be too much work with a family a TC will also be too much work with a family.