Legal Practice Course Application and Entry Requirements

Time to take the last course before becoming a solicitor – the LPC! First let’s see if you can actually get on the course and then the steps you need to take in order to get accepted.

You shouldn’t assume that you will definitely get accepted onto the course just because you got a 2:1 (unless you’re on a guaranteed places scheme!)

After working so hard on your legal career why take risks now? Make sure you get accepted by submitting a great application.

Legal Practice Course Application Process

These are the steps you need to take when the times comes to apply for the LPC. There are essentially two main steps which need to be taken:

1. Apply to become a student member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
2. Apply via lawcabs to the institution of your choice.

You don’t need to do them in this order but you do need to be a member of the SRA before you commence your LPC.  The SRA application is an online application on which you need to prove you:

1. Have the academic requirements (LPC or LLB)
2. Are of an appropriate character to become a solicitor (for example no criminal convictions)
3. Agree to come under the regulatory control of the SRA

If you do have appropriate character issues then you need to make your application 6 months before your LPC start date. If you don’t then the application needs to be made 1 month before the start date. Don’t leave it this late though! If the SRA gets a backlog it could cost you your place on the LPC so remember – you can’t start the LPC without becoming a student member of the SRA! Apply as soon as you can.

The LPC lawcabs application involves submitting your academics, work experience and personal statement. The institution of your choice will receive this and make a decision based upon its content. It is similar to the application you submitted for your undergraduate course.

The institution will then review your application and inform you on whether you have a place within several weeks. But you should apply as early as you can to ensure you get a seat. Even if you’re a good candidate there’s not much you can do if there are no places left on the course. Here is a list of the institutions and how many seats are available on each course. This data is taken from the lawcabs website.

LPC Entry Requirements

The Legal Practice Course entry requirements are going to be different for every single institution, so you should consult the institution you’re planning on going to for exact requirements. This however is what is typically expected for admission onto the course:

• A qualifying law degree like the LLB, GDL or an ILEX qualification.
• Good academic results. This is usually taken to mean that you have achieved at least a 2:2 at degree level. Sometimes a 2:1 may be needed
• If you’re an international student (from a non English speaking country) you need an IELTS grade of at least 6.5.

These entry requirements are generally the same for BPP law, the College of Law and Kaplan Law. But check each institution for the exact requirements needed. Your personal statement and work experience will also be taken into consideration.

Even though it’s not mandatory to have work experience in order to do the Legal Practice Course you should have some if you wish to obtain a training contract. On your personal statement make your ambition to work in the legal sector very clear. The statement is very important if you got a 2:2 at degree level. Really try and show your enthusiasm and interest in the law. This is the place to mention work experience, relevant societies at university you joined and any other skills / experiences which could assist your application.

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