The College of Law, London 

Number of places: 240 FT, 48 PT

COL is validated to offer the course at its London (Bloomsbury) and Birmingham branches. Those who complete its GDL and BPTC obtain an LLB, and students can also opt to study for a top-up LLM after the course.

The Bloomsbury branch is less flashy and imposing than its Moorgate sibling, where many LPC students head to; it nevertheless houses recently refurbished IT rooms and a revamped cybercafé. Its location near the courts is also desirable. Full-time and part-time weekend study options are offered and teaching is delivered via small-group sessions lasting three and a half hours.

Key at COL is the integration of skills and knowledge, with classes following the litigation process. In criminal litigation, for example, students begin by learning about an offender’s rights in the police station and how to make a bail application. Later, they can unleash their inner QC in a mock trial at the Inner London Crown Court or Blackfriars Crown Court. Practitioners play the judges, while trainee police officers make the experience even more realistic. Although the BSB no longer requires compulsory court visits, COL has retained them and expects its students to report back on their experiences. It has also introduced more multimedia resources such as podcasts and video recordings. These online resources supplement learning and cover niche aspects of procedure such as appearing in youth courts.

Students come from a variety of universities, and the most successful go on to a variety of pupillages. Prospective students should note that COL expects applicants to demonstrate a commitment to studying at its institutions in addition to looking at academics and relevant work experience. This means it’s important to rank it first if it’s your top pick. Its careers service – one of the largest in the country – offers the usual CV and application advice plus mock interviews, career workshops, a mentoring scheme with practitioners and a speaker programme. Panel discussions with practitioner have, in the past, been streamed as an interactive ‘webinar’ so absent students can participate. Students can consult a database of mini-pupillages and also seek help from staff. Several staff maintain their links with the profession by returning to practice over the summer months. With one day off a week, full-timers can take advantage of a host of pro bono opportunities include FRU and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; this can also be practised as an option on the BPTC. There are several mooting and mock trial sessions and competitions, while those on the mediation elective can contend in the ‘Plea and Mediation Competition’. If students have any time left, COL is known for its array of sports and social events.

The College of Law, Birmingham 

Number of places: 134 FT, 36 PT

Located in the historic Jewellery Quarter, COL Birmingham welcomes a small set of students onto its BPTC course. COL is the only BPTC provider in the West Midlands, and since its opening in 2007, the centre has gone from strength to strength. A new wing was added and the library extended in 2010. From 2011 a part-time course is available at this centre in addition to the full-time study option. As with London, there are great extracurriculars, including assisting with the Birmingham Employment Rights Advice Line, The Refugee Council, the Trades Union Congress and Leasehold Valuation Tribunal service. The law school organises a series of talks from barristers and judges where students can pose questions on their practice and network at drinks events afterwards.