- LPC Courses
- LPC Applications
- LPC Costs & Funding
- Where to Study the LPC in the UK
- Case Study: LPC (BPP)
How to apply for the LPC depends on whether you’re planning on studying the course full or part-time. All full-time LPC course applications must be submitted through a central system known as the Central Applications Board (CAB), although any subsequent offers will come directly from the LPC providers themselves. Please note, only those who have begun their journey to qualification (by, for example, accepting a place on a law undergraduate course) before September 2021 are eligible for the LPC.
Legal Practice Course (LPC) Entry Requirements
The LPC entry requirements are a Qualifying Law Degree – for example an LLB from a University in England or Wales – or a Graduate Diploma in Law/Common Professional Examination.
As from 21st of September 2021, anyone who begins their pursuit of qualification after this date (i.e. if you have not accepted a place on a Law undergraduate course or equivalent), you will need to take the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
How To Apply For LPC
How you apply for an LPC will depend on whether you plan to study a full-time, accelerated, or part-time LPC. If you want to pursue an accelerated LPC or a full-time LPC, you will need to submit your application through the Central Applications Board (CAB). For a part-time LPC, you can apply directly to a course provider – for example The University of Law.
Applying Through The Central Applications Board (CAB)
If you apply for an accelerated LPC or a full-time LPC through the CAB you will need to:
- Complete a Central Applications Board application form, providing up to three institutions where you would like to study your LPC – in order of preference.
- Pay a £25 registration fee – if this isn’t paid, your CAB application will not be processed.
- Submit a law personal statement of up to 10,000 characters as part of your CAB application – see our dedicated guide to writing an LPC personal statement.
CAB applications are released to Legal Practice Course Providers on a rolling basis. Your application will only be submitted to your chosen institutions if:
- Your CAB application is fully complete
- You have paid the £25 registration fee
- You have provided a formal reference from a referee specified on your application form – a reference should be someone like an academic tutor. References from family members are prohibited.
Make sure you have the permission of a referee before listing them as a reference on your CAB application.
Once you have submitted your CAB application form, you can no longer amend it yourself. If you need to amend your form – for example you want to change your institution choices – you will have to contact the CAB directly, providing your full name and applicant ID. Your application will either be returned to you so you can self-edit or the CAB can make changes on your behalf.
When applying through the CAB, the institutions you apply to will see your other institution choices and the order in which you placed them. You should hear back from each of the institutions that you applied to, and if an offer is made, you can choose which one to accept – regardless of the position of preference on your CAB application form. You can only accept one offer.
Part-Time LPC Application
If you want to take the LPC on a part-time basis, several course providers offer a flexible programme to fit around your lifestyle.
To apply for a part-time LPC, you will need to submit an application directly to a course provider endorsed and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. You can view a list of eligible LPC providers, here.
Worried About Funding Your LPC?
Find out about the options on offer to you
When To Apply For LPC
When to apply for LPC through the Central Applications Board will largely depend on your educational position:
| Qualifying Law Degree Students | From the beginning of your final year of study |
| GDL students | From the beginning of your GDL studies |
If you plan to study the LPC part-time, you will need to check the website of the institution that you want to study with for details of when to apply for LPC.
If you have a training contract with a law firm, they will ask you to enrol yourself on an LPC. They might ask you to apply slightly before an actual LPC course deadline.
LPC start dates can vary from provider to provider, so you should try to get your application in as early as possible, especially if you have other practical things to think about. Perhaps you will have to relocate to study a Legal Practice Course, so you will need to figure out accommodation. The cost of an LPC is also a big consideration, so the sooner you know what your plans are, the better.
If you are applying for an LPC that starts in January, you should aim to submit your application before Christmas. If you are applying from overseas, you should give yourself a slightly bigger timeframe to apply, so that you can sort out travel requirements – such as securing a visa.
LPC Deadlines
There are no specific LPC deadlines, but the CAB recommends submitting your application as early as possible to avoid missing out on studying your LPC at your preferred institution. If you are applying directly to a Legal Practice Course provider, it’s worth checking if they have any internal deadlines for LPC applications. Most course providers open their application process in October.
Oversubscribed courses with September start dates could close their LPC application process from the end of July onwards. Other providers will keep applications open until study starts.
LPC Start Dates
LPC start dates for full- and part-time courses can vary between providers, but the most common start dates are:
There are exceptions for accelerated LPCs, for example. You should always check with your course provider for LPC start dates to ensure that you make your LPC application at the right time.
