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Legal Practice Course (NCLT)

Why choose this course?

  • The National College of Legal Training (NCLT) is validated and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to deliver a full time and part time (weekend study) LPC at The University of Derby.
  • NCLT is a collaborative partnership between CLT, the leading trainer for lawyers and the University of the West of England (UWE), so you can be confident that law firms recognise the value of our courses.
  • The LPC is awarded by UWE , one of a very few providers nationally to have continuously held the regulator's highest possible grading of 'excellent' for its LPC. 
  • The LPC is not only top-rated, but also highly affordable, with fees of just £7,900 for the full time and part time course (students from the University of Derby are entitled to the discounted fee of £7,200 if they accept a place before 1 August 2013).*
  • We offer interest-free payments spread over 10 installments a year and a low deposit of £200 to secure your place.**
  • You can study locally here at the University and benefit from our excellent facilities and student support. Our aim is to ensure that you have the best possible student experience, by both listening to your needs and giving you personal support throughout your study and when you qualify.

*These are the fees for 2012. The fees for 2013 have not yet been released, but they will be set at a similar, if not the same, level as 2012.
**Instalment plans are not guaranteed, so apply early to secure your preferred payment plan.

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Fact file

Start date: Full time LPC starts: 13 September, part time LPC starts: 21 September.

Course length: full time: one academic year, part time: two academic years.

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

About this course

The Legal Practice Course is the second stage of your path to becoming a solicitor, once you've obtained your qualifying law degree. It covers your transition from a graduate student at university to a lawyer-in-training. The course is both knowledge and skills based and introduces you to the vocational skills of legal practice, which you will then develop further during your two-year training period in a solicitor’s office prior to qualification.

The LPC is practical in nature with a focus on mastering relevant skills. Assessment is continuous and teaching is by means of workshops, independent research and group discussions. This course also allows you a certain amount of specialisation through a range of optional subjects.

We know that dedicated academic and pastoral support is crucial to your success on the LPC. Our experienced and enthusiastic tutoring team are very interested in your development and will help you through the difficult transition from student to lawyer with the aim of maximising your potential. Tutors are solicitors, teaching mainly in their practice areas, and our study units are carefully designed with enhanced feedback to build your confidence and help you develop the skills you need to excel in a competitive legal world. 

On our flexible LPC you can choose to study either full or part time. With the full-time route, lectures take place two days a week over 12 months (Fridays and Saturdays). Alternatively, if you choose to study part time you will attend 11 weekend study sessions per year over two years on Saturdays and Sundays.


Entry requirements

You will need:

  • a recognised law degree or the CPE/Graduate Diploma in Law (unless you have an exemption).
  • a Certificate of Enrolment and a Certificate of Completion of the Academic Stage of Training from the SRA at the beginning of the course (see the SRA website for further details on student enrolment).

How to apply

Most students applying for the LPC apply and accept their place in the autumn term. For NCLT, the final closing date before Clearing is 1 August 2013, although we strongly recommend you apply before then to secure a place at your first choice of study centre. If you apply after the 1 August you will be entered into a Clearing process and notified no earlier than five days before the course commences if you will be offered a place.

How to apply – 3 easy steps

Step 1 – For the full time LPC, Apply online through the Central Applications Board (CAB), NCLT study centres are listed under UWE/NCLT. For the part time LPC apply directly to NCLT by downloading an application form from their website.

Step 2 – Send us one academic or employer reference (this can be sent to us at a later date to your application).

Step 3 – You will hopefully receive an offer of a place within two weeks. To accept your place, sign a copy of the offer and return with your deposit of £200 within 2 weeks to NCLT, Wrens Court 52-54 Victoria Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1SX.

Fees and finance

Please contact the National College of Legal Training for information about the fees for this course:

Tel: 0121 362 7529

How you will learn

How you'll learn

The primary objective of the LPC is to prepare you for your training contract. Study is practice based, allowing you to gain an understanding of many common legal transactions and procedures. Workshops are taught in small groups, with a 30-minute review session to allow in-depth feedback.

You will be given lots of opportunities through role play to practice legal skills, such as interviewing and negotiation. When not in classes you will work individually and with other members of your group on preparatory tasks and exercises to consolidate your learning.

Additional support is available through the use of our e-learning delivery system - 'Blackboard'. This will give you the opportunity to test your progress regularly through self-test questions and exercises with instant feedback.

How you're assessed

Most assessments are written (open book) but there are also skills assessments. The nature of most assessments is largely determined by the SRA, but we do offer students a choice of when to take their assessments.

Careers and employability

The Legal Practice Course is the second stage of your path to becoming a solicitor, once you've obtained your qualifying law degree. Whether you aspire to work in a city practice, commercial practice, commercial firm, high-street firm or a niche practice, the NCLT LPC provides an excellent foundation to begin your career in law. 

We offer additional support to prepare you for practice. As a national provider, we not only have strong links with the legal profession, but also offer access to specialist careers tutors and a dedicated legal careers advisor. There are also regular talks and presentations providing invaluable advice from those who work in legal practice.

On completion of the LPC you will be ready to undertake your training contract, before becoming fully qualified as a solicitor.

What our students say

“The course was interesting, relevant and practical. The materials have been faultless, extremely helpful in aiding understanding, invaluable”

Louise Kneller (LPC, 2011)

"Good value for money, friendly and supportive lecturers and accessible."

Laura Sinclair (LPC, 2011)

“Thanks for offering this high-quality LPC for people like myself who would have had to give up my dream of becoming a lawyer had it not been for this course”

Donna Wilson (LPC, 2011)

"The very best institution to study the LPC."

Elroy Turner (LPC 2009)

"Friendly and supportive staff, good programme."

Rachael Cole (LPC 2009)

Find out more - come and see us

NCLT hosts a number of events throughout the year. Visit our events page to find out more.

To book your place on these events or to find out more, call 0121 362 7529 or email nclt@nclt.co.uk

Where will I study?

Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

Contact details

For more information please contact the National College of Legal Training directly:

www.nclt.org.uk

Tel: 0121 362 7529

Email: nclt@nclt.co.uk