Number of places: 150 FT, 30 PT

Fees (2011/12):£9,868

OXILP is located in the dramatic 19th century Headington Hill Hall (once the residence of media tycoon Robert Maxwell) and part of Oxford Brookes University. In 2010 its LPC underwent some significant changes. OXILP introduced a part-time course, entered into tie-ups with firms including Manches and Clarke Willmott, and condensed the elective term to allow for greater focus on compulsory subjects. At Stage One, Business Law & Practice was pared down so now all the compulsories have the same weighting, while Wills & Administration of Estates and Taxation were also added to the mix. The move was prompted by feedback from the profession that there is a lacuna in many LPC graduates’ knowledge of these subjects. Conscious of the need for students to complete the course with a large dose of commercial awareness if they are to find training contracts, OXILP runs a programme of lectures from the course director and talks from practitioners about marketing and finance in a law firm, and an online business game.

From 2011 full-time teaching can be spread over two to four days. Part-timers have two options: to attend 11 weekends per year – either from a Friday to Sunday, or Saturday to Monday – or during the week with the full-timers. The school concentrates on face-to-face teaching, and staff only teach what they’ve practised. The majority of classes are for groups of 16, and lectures are recorded and put online. Several firms sponsor the electives, with prizes for the best students in each. Students have access to Oxford's old Crown Court for mock trials. Dedicated careers tutors can offer assistance with applications and interviews, and students can make use of the careers service and sports facilities of both Oxford Brookes University and Oxford University. Students have access to an LPC skills suite, common room and study area. For those who feel that their CV is on the light side, a top-up LLM in Legal Practice was introduced in 2010 for an extra fee.