Funding for LPC -legal practice certificate

mooch1uk

Hi all

I am doing some research on behalf of my cousin. She wants to undertake the above certificate. Has anyone been successful in getting any grants or funding to help pay with course fees?

agrinnall

I found this, no idea whether it's accurate though, and it's 4 years since it was last updated.

http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/general/460-funding-legal-practice-course.html

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

I don't think there's any grants, as it is technically post graduate. She can either self fund (most people do that and the LPC part time whilst working as a paralegal), parent fund, or try and get sponsorship. Places for sponsorship are literally like hens teeth and are fought over; if they don't have top academics (Ideally a 1st but some take a 2:1) then forget that one.

If they need to self fund, they may be able to get a Career Development Loan, but they would need to make their own mind up whether they can afford the repayments.

Voyager2002

There is some funding available for the equivalent courses in Scotland, but only for people who are living in Scotland before the course starts ( to cut out anyone who just moves there in order to study). However, only the most able students get the funding, which is generally a bit less than the tuition fee and so does not cover living costs.

Note that the LPC is of very little value unless it is followed by a contract as a Trainee Solicitor, and there are far more people with the LPC than there are Trainee Solicitor opportunities.

marywooyeah

There are no grants for the LPC unless your cousin can find a firm to sponsor her, which at 11k for the course is unlikely.

Voyager is correct; the LPC is useless without a training contract; many people complete the LPC then spend years trying to get a contract and some never get one.

Has your cousin considered the ILEX Graduate Fast Track Diploma? I've just completed that so I will be exempt from needing a training contract to eventually qualify as a solicitor after qualifying as a Legal Executive - more info here: http://www.cilex.org.uk/study/lawyer_qualifications/graduate_fast_track_diploma.aspx