Number of places: 300 FT

Fees (2011/12):£12,295

This relative newcomer to the LPC market is fast making a name for itself in the big city. Nestled in the heart of historic London by Borough Market and in between the Thames and Southwark Cathedral (where the school has its glamorous graduation ceremonies), Kaplan Law School enjoys fantastic views from many of its classrooms and there's a good social scene on the doorstep. LPC students from the different law firms are mixed together and collectively have a sports and social committee that organises ski trips, football matches and BBQs. Kaplan is affiliated wtih Nottingham Law School and students have access to Nottingham's facilities and online resources, and can attend its end-of-year ball.

Kaplan has been steadily growing and consequently expands its facilities every year, adding new classrooms to accommodate numbers. It remains small enough to guard a “collegiate feel,” according to students. Like its rivals BPP and COL, it has exclusive deals to run the LPC for future trainees of specific law firms – 15 in all, including Bird & Bird, Mills & Reeve and Holman Fenwick Willan. Far from packing students in like the Central line at rush hour, Kaplan maintains small class sizes of around 16-18 people, ensuring that students have ample face-to-face time with tutors. Students praised the “excellent quality of teaching” and “approachable tutors who were always keen to help.” Attendance at all classes is compulsory. Students attend Monday to Thursday, and have Friday free to pursue other activities. Although many LPC students are destined for the commercial law firms that are paying for their sojourn at Kaplan, the school also tailors for those with alternative career horizons. At Stage One of the LPC students can select between a corporate or general study route. Stage One skills such as advocacy are then tailored to the chosen study mode, with activities set in either a corporate context or a more high street environment. Available electives include advanced commercial litigation and childcare, and from 2011 an insurance elective has been opened up to all students.

The school also runs several pro bono projects for students to put their legal practice skills to the test. Two nights a week students can assist at the Kaplan Law Clinic advising on issues such as employment and housing under the supervision of qualified practitioners. A student who has demonstrated a commitment to pro bono from the start may be eligible for a scholarship. An active careers service supports students without training contracts by polishing up CVs and application forms, interview coaching and organising talks by practitioners. Students are also assigned a personal tutor from whom they can seek advice from the off. Kaplan is very cautious at the outset in enrolling individuals it feels will succeed. The 2:1 minimum entry requirement is higher than its rivals and the school had considered introducing an entrance test for its 2011 LPC intake, but was prevented from doing so by the SRA.