• Postgraduate

Legal Practice (LPC) PgDip

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Overview

Overview

Why study at the University of West London?
  • Ranked 30th university in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Are you interested in a career as a solicitor? Our Legal Practice course (LPC) is the first stage of the professional training you will need to become a solicitor.

The LPC is run by the School of Law at UWL and provides a bridge between academic study and working in a law firm. It is an intensive course designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you will need to work as a solicitor or trainee solicitor.

If you choose this course, you will study Stages 1 and 2 of the LPC.  On successful completion of the course, you will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) - Transitional Arrangements

Please note the Legal Practice course is only available to students who are eligible to qualify as a Solicitor through the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) transitional arrangements, which cover candidates already on their way to becoming a solicitor before the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) was introduced in September 2021. 

Find out more about your eligibility under the SRA transitional arrangements. 

Two individuals sat in a mock court room.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Legal Practice (LPC) with us?

Why study Legal Practice (LPC) with us?

A collage of students

What our students say…

The lecturers are amazing and they're what makes the Law course so successful. They're dedicated and eager to bring out the best in students.

Sandy Duffy
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Mock courtroom opened by Lord Finkelstein
Graphic advising on-site Macs and PC Labs
Specialist careers advice
Access to Perlego
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

The teaching on our PgDip Legal Practice course is practice-based and delivered mainly through small group sessions. Through these, you will gain experience of legal tasks and skills that closely simulate the work of a real legal office. You will act for specific example clients and see their cases through from beginning to end.

Our teaching staff includes experienced practising solicitors with a range of specialisms. They will provide you with both the high-quality teaching and the personal attention you need to make the most of your studies.

We know how important it is for your future career for you to get high-quality legal work experience on your CV. So, as well as skills-based learning, you will be offered access to valuable hands-on legal work experience and networking opportunities: 

  • the law school has a long association with a network of local solicitors through the Middlesex Law Society
  • you can meet former LPC students now practising as qualified solicitors, who may share their experience, guidance and expertise
  • you will be encouraged to become involved with advice agencies such as the West London Equality Centre, Ealing Advice Services and other local and national agencies to engage with the practice of law and inform your studies on the course.

You will be able to access a range of further work experience opportunities offered by employers through our careers service.

Our courses are accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), so you can feel confident in the quality and standards of the teaching you will receive

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

  • Advanced Litigation (Personal Injury)

  • Commercial Leases

  • Employment Law and Practice

    On this module we will help you to build a foundation from which you will be able to advise and assist employers, employees and workers on employment law, as it applies to each party.

  • Family Law and Practice

    This module will give you the essential knowledge you need to be able to advise and assist clients seeking divorce, financial provision both from marriage and in the context of co-habitation, and with regard to arrangements for children. You will also gain an understanding of the law relating to domestic violence, the powers of the courts and the protection orders available in such circumstances.

  • Immigration Law and Practice

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You should have one of the following:

  • a qualifying law degree (usually 2:2 or above)
  • a Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law usually with an average of at least 50%

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) - Transitional Arrangements

Please note the Legal Practice course is only available to students who are eligible to qualify as a Solicitor through the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) transitional arrangements, which cover candidates already on their way to becoming a solicitor before the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) was introduced in September 2021. 

Find out more about your eligibility under the SRA transitional arrangements. 

Suitability Tests for Solicitors

To qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales you need to meet the requirements in the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)'s  Suitability Test.  This ensures that solicitors all have the necessary honesty, integrity and professionalism, and that they do not pose a risk to the public. 

The test takes account of issues such as criminal convictions and findings of plagiarism made against you while at university. If this may affect you, we advise you to disclose the issue and be assessed before you start a Legal Practice Course as it could affect your chances of qualifying later on. 

To have your character and suitability assessed early you need to complete the application form and pay a fee. Every case is considered on its merits. 

More advice on the SRA's requirements

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible to apply for a postgraduate loan to cover your course and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for law students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

Help with funding
{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Liz Pugh profile image

Liz Pugh

I was a Solicitor in practice, in a medium size City law firm, with significant experience in the field of Property Litigation. I have extensive experience in legal education, having taught on the Legal Practice Course for over 20 years at London Metropolitan University, as a Senior Lecturer and subsequently as the Legal Practice Course Leader.

I was a Solicitor in practice, in a medium size City law firm, with significant experience in the field of Property Litigation. I have extensive experience in legal education, having taught on the Legal Practice Course for over 20 years at London Metropolitan University, as a Senior Lecturer and subsequently as the Legal Practice Course Leader.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A female lawyer with a folder in front of an old building

On graduating with this PgDip Legal Practice, you are qualified to work as a trainee solicitor. Our Careers and Employment Service provides careers workshops tailored for our LPC students, as well as practical help with applications and interviews for a training contract.

On completing your PgDip Legal Practice, you may choose to take our LLM Legal Practice (Top-up) course, which will boost your education to a Masters-level degree.

How to apply

How to apply

Search for courses

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.