SRA finds huge disparity in LPC and law conversion pass rates at different law schools

The disparity between law conversion and Legal Practice Course (LPC) and law pass rates at different law schools has become even more extreme, according to a report by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

LPC pass rates for the year to August 2019 ranged from 100% to just 23% across 25 universities and law schools, as the Law Gazette reports. Pass rates for law conversion courses such as the GDL also varied from 95% to 22%.

The universities and law schools were anonymised in the report, so there is no way for students to tell which law schools performed best from the information provided by the SRA. However, the disparity raises a clear concern that where students choose to study may significantly impact their chances of success.

The report also shows that students from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds have disproportionately low pass rates on both law conversion courses and the LPC, in comparison with white students.

The SRA said: “We are unable to draw firm conclusions about why there is such a broad range in successful completion rates. However, pass rates can be influenced by candidate ability and engagement, as well as teaching quality and assessment arrangements. In addition to the differences in rates between providers, there are significant differences between providers in the proportion of students who achieve pass, commendation or distinction grades.”