Changing Track: The New Look LPC
updated on 29 April 2008
In conjunction with a pilot scheme that tests out a new training contract model, the LPC reforms will separate the compulsory and elective subjects of the LPC, allowing students to embark on the training contract six months early (after completing the compulsory subjects). This will allow students to spread the cost of the course, taking the electives when they secure a training contract. Providers have been given the choice of offering the revised LPC from 2009, subject to SRA validation, although all providers must do so by 2010.
So, what does all this mean for LPC students of the future? One thing to note is that things might still change, based on how things go in the pilot schemes, so nothing is set in stone. However, we thought there was no better way to get a broad sense of what lies ahead than by talking to three of the country's leading LPC providers. In their own words, they explain what the changes will likely mean to the way they deliver the course and make a case for why you should join them.
BPP Law School
BPP College of Professional Studies runs the LPC from its four law schools in Leeds, London (Holborn and Waterloo) and Manchester. It can be studied in one of four modes: full-time, part-time evening, part-time day and part-time weekend.
However, the SRA is making changes to the LPC which are intended to give students more flexible ways to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. Essentially, there are three main changes, as follow.
Format and delivery
The SRA has published LPC Outcomes, which sets out the minimum standards that all students will need to demonstrate in order to pass the LPC. The LPC will be divided into two stages. Stage One will cover the three core practice areas of litigation, property and business, as well as skills, professional conduct and regulation, and wills and the administration of estates. There will be a slight reduction in assessment but the coverage in terms of subject matter is broadly the same as the current LPC requirements. However, there is greater opportunity for flexibility regarding the focus of particular LPCs. For example, an LPC provider may wish to design its LPC by increasing the coverage of particular practice areas.
Stage Two will cover the three vocational electives. The difference with the new style LPC is that the electives can be studied alongside or after Stage One, during work-based learning or a training contract, or in some cases even before students have studied Stage One.
Dividing the LPC into two stages provides more flexibility for students as LPC providers will be able to choose whether they deliver each stage separately or continue to offer an integrated programme.
Authorisation
Currently, the SRA carries out periodic monitoring visits to each provider and gives them a rating and a published report. This system will be replaced by a requirement for all LPC providers to:
- submit an annual report and feedback from students;
- publish information about their LPC to inform prospective students; and
- demonstrate understanding and commitment to assuring the quality and standards of their LPC.
Student assessment
A concern of many involved in legal education is that some students complete the LPC without securing a training contract. While students may receive financial help from a sponsoring law firm or a scholarship, there are many students who fund the LPC themselves.
The increased flexibility and the many ways of studying the LPC, including taking a break between studying Stage One and Stage Two, will enable self-funding students to complete some or all of their studies alongside a period of work which may be in a legal context. This legal work experience could count towards demonstrating that the student has satisfied one or more elements of the work-based learning stage. Work-based learning is a term that is being used as an alternative to the training contract and will not necessarily need to be completed over the traditional two-year period if a student can demonstrate they meet the competency standards set by the SRA for qualifying as a solicitor.
So where do we go from here?
How will students be able to decide which route is best for them? LPC providers will be required to provide more information about their programmes to assist students with their decision and students should think about how they wish to study, as well as the type of practice they intend to work in, to inform their decision.
At BPP we are looking at a range of options to make the most of the flexibility available under LPC Outcomes. We will be applying to the SRA to offer a number of LPCs from 2009 to suit those who wish to study an integrated programme combining Stages One and Two, as well as offering programmes to allow students to study their electives at a different time.
Amanda Blackmore is the director of LPC programmes at BPP College of Professional Studies.
The College of Law
The College of Law will be developing its LPC programmes for 2009 to provide those features that students and firms have told us are the most important for them: quality of training; flexibility; ability to learn in context; commerciality and skills; and careers.
Quality of teaching and supporting materials is paramount. Students learn exclusively in small group workshops, facilitated by tutors who support them throughout the programme. This approach, maximising the benefits of face-to-face learning, has been proven to achieve better results than rote-learning lecture and tutorial systems. Preparation for workshops is guided through a range of specially designed hard-copy and electronic resources. These include i-Tutorials, which are unique online resources that have assisted in improving student results. These also allow students flexibility as to where, when and how they prepare for workshops.
The LPC requires students to make both time and financial commitments. Our experience is that offering flexibility in our programmes assists students in meeting those commitments. Our programme design, size and number of locations across the country combine to allow us to offer the greatest flexibility in study options. From 2009 students will be able to study on a full-time basis or on one of four different part-time modes. Students can choose when they attend workshops: periodic weekends; two evenings a week; or one day a week. In addition, we are developing, for 2009, a new part-time option modelled on our LLM learning model: students will be able to study the LPC primarily online, with individual supervision by College tutors. This will provide the ultimate flexibility for students who need to combine their LPC with work or family responsibilities.
Some of our centres will be offering a two-day attendance mode, full-time LPC option. Many students have already found this option beneficial, reducing as it does the time and cost of their travel.
The new LPC structure also allows students to take Stage Two (the electives) separately from Stage One: we shall be providing this facility from 2009.
Our LPC will also be offered in a range of contexts, so that students can select a route which will best prepare them for practice or offer the maximum opportunities in the career market. These routes will be based on corporate, commercial and private or public legal services practice. We shall also be continuing to provide tailored LPC programmes for individual firms or consortia.
Lawyers in all sectors of the profession need to be commercial in outlook and more skilled than ever before. Our 2009 LPC will commence with a new programme introducing students to the skills, commercial and financial knowledge, and professionalism required in modern practice. These themes will continue throughout the course.
For students who are seeking training contracts during their LPC, we have the largest and most comprehensive careers service of any LPC provider. The range of services and guidance offered to students will continue to be developed to maintain our success in assisting students to gain training contracts. Career prospects can also be enhanced by obtaining LLB and LLM qualifications based around our LPC programmes.
Scott Slorach is the director of vocational courses at The College of Law.
Nottingham Law at Kaplan Law School
Are you now 'shopping' for the best place to study your LPC? What does all the talk about a new LPC from 2009 really mean? Here is a quick guide to what you, the consumer, should be asking about the LPC, and a sneak preview of what Nottingham Law at Kaplan Law School plans to do.
How different will the LPC be between different providers?
There's not a lot of change in basic content from the LPC your peers are doing at the moment - it will have the same compulsory subjects (ie, business, property and litigation) and skills, plus three electives. Some providers will not upgrade at all - make sure you ask what their plans are!
What we will do is:
- teach the course skills in the context of the practice area (eg, corporate, commercial or litigation) that you are most interested in;
- allow you to study the Stage Two electives at a later stage if you wish to; and
- use innovative teaching methods (we call this blended learning) to make your LPC as flexible as possible.
And we have a great track record: we're the only provider to have been constantly rated 'excellent' by the Law Society.
Do I have to choose a specialist LPC before I start?
At some providers, yes. At Nottingham/Kaplan, no. You will be allowed to choose your own pathway to practice through the LPC when you arrive with us and see the course first hand - our practitioner tutors will advise you on your options. However, we recognise that some sponsoring firms might want you to embark, for example, on a specialised corporate route through the LPC - this is one of our pathways.
How long will it take?
The full LPC (including the electives) lasts for about nine months. It's a steep learning curve. You need time and personal tuition to get the core concepts of law and practice on board and to make the culture change to practitioner law. At Nottingham/Kaplan, this means you need time to be "taught by humans" with your peers, as well as honing your technical skills through blended learning online exercises.
How does the new LPC prepare me for practice?
All our LPC content is designed by practitioners. We also realise that legal practice demands commercial skills and know-how and have designed our Bridge to Practice programme (which runs alongside our LPC) with that in mind. This takes you through real-time tasks sourced from discussions with our client firms.
So that's just a taste of what is to come. The key is to visit the providers you nominate on your CAB form and put them to the test! Wishing you the best of luck.
Giles Proctor is the head of Nottingham Law at Kaplan Law School.
Conclusion
So there you have it. As our esteemed contributors have made clear, the LPC is set to change in positive ways, although do remember the changes described above are still subject to amendment. Thus, it's important to keep abreast of what's happening, and what better way to do that than by keeping your eye on LawCareers.Net. We promise to report whatever's new and relevant. And it certainly seems that the guaranteed flexibility the new format will offer can only be a good thing.
