Loading More Content
Full-time LPC courses can cost anywhere between £7,850 and £17,950. The more expensive LPC courses are based in London, while one of the lower cost LPC courses is run by the University of Sunderland.
Learn more about LPC costs in our dedicated LPC Course Comparison guide.
Most LPC course providers will also charge different LPC fees for UK students and international students. UK nationals tend to pay lower fees, while international students will pay higher rates.
In addition to LPC tuition fees, living costs will need to be factored in. Your living expenses will depend on the city in which you study your LPC. For example, in London, the average rent for students is £750, plus a further £100 for bills. Food, entertainment and other life expenses for students in London tend to average around £750 per month.
The most common way for law students to cover LPC costs is to secure a training contract with a law firm that pays for LPC courses. In addition to covering your LPC fees, some law firms will offer you a maintenance grant or loan to help you with living costs while you study.
Maintenance grants and loans differ between law firms. For example, in London financial support is generally in the region of £8,000 – £10,000 for commercial law firms.
To secure sponsorship from a law firm to cover your LPC fees, you will need to apply for a training contract before you start your Legal Practice Course. Most law firms will not provide LPC funding if you have already started your LPC prior to taking up a training contract with them. Many law firms will also cover the cost of your Law Conversion Course (also known as the GDL).
Some law schools and LPC university course providers sometimes offer LPC scholarships and grants. Most LPC scholarships are awarded based on merit. Others have specific qualifying criteria – including bursaries for international students and grants for students from low income households, ethnic minorities and those with a disability.
For example, the University of Law gives you the opportunity to apply for one of several LPC scholarship schemes – including a full-fee grant – provided that you meet certain eligibility requirements.
You will need to research LPC course providers to find out whether they offer LPC grants or scholarships and the deadlines to apply for LPC funding. You will need to leave plenty of time to apply for an LPC scholarship as deadlines tend to be well in advance of application deadlines for Legal Practice Courses.
If you go on to study a Master’s Degree, the UK government does offer postgraduate loans, but the LPC is not considered a Master’s level degree course, making it ineligible for funding through a postgraduate loan.
However, the University of Law has a LPC course which offers an incorporated Masters with either a MSc in Law, Business and Management, or LLM in Professional Legal Practice for no extra cost. This means you could be eligible for a postgraduate government loan of more than £11,000 if you study the LPC with University of Law.
The Law Society Diversity Access Scheme offers LPC diversity scholarships every year. It is a unique scholarship scheme that aims to increase diversity across the legal profession by offering LPC funding support to promising applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The scheme offers 10 awards of up to £15,000 to cover LPC costs, but not living costs. In addition to LPC funding, the Diversity Access Scheme also offers a guaranteed period of work experience if you are interested.
If you have been unable to secure a training contract, a scholarship or you are ineligible for other funding options, you can self-fund your LPC with savings. Self-funding demonstrates a real commitment to the legal profession and could make you more attractive to employers.
If you are able to secure a training contract at a later date with a big law firm, they might reimburse your LPC costs. However, your living costs are unlikely to be refunded.
Some LPC course providers allow you to pay LPC fees in instalments, helping you to spread the cost and making self-funding a little easier.
If the cost of a full-time LPC cannot be covered by your law firm, an LPC scholarship or the Diversity Access Scheme, you could consider part-time LPC study. Studying a part-time LPC gives you the flexibility to work and earn part-time while studying your LPC on a part-time basis, and enabling you to support yourself financially.
Loading More Content