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BPP is a professional education institution, renowned for delivering first rate professional studies in areas such as law and accounting. Their law school is often regarded as the top choice for those looking to train at large commercial firms.

It is a big, national institution offering a commercially-focussed LPC. It’s also the compulsory LPC provider for some of the larger firms, including the majority of the ‘magic circle’ firm as it offers ‘City’ electives (Private Acquisitions, Debt Finance & Equity Finance). BPP does also offer some electives for those looking to practice private client/non-commercial law as well.

The Manchester BPP has increased its intake over the past 3 years and is almost at capacity, suggesting it is popular. It is also over-subscribed. There are rumours that Manchester BPP is desperate to expand and it certainly needs to. It felt at capacity last year, and apparently the intake for 2008/2009 is increased.

Recently awarded LLB status for its GDL course and now offering LPC students the opportunity to extend their studies and gain a Masters award for additional work over the Summer has bolstered its services further.

The schools is housed in a lovely period building, situated a short walk from the city centre Inside, the décor is modern and bright, and the high ceilings give it a sense of added proportion. There is one large lecture theatre, seating approx 300. There is also a number of smaller seminar rooms, each with an interactive white board. Each seminar room sits around 20.

There is a very well stocked law library which is constantly kept up to date. It offers everything from legal encyclopaedias, periodicals, legal and business magazines to daily broadsheets. Free copies of the Financial Times are also on offer to encourage and develop commercial awareness. There is also a good silent study area, with plenty of individual desks for private study.

The common room is fairly large with a wide selection of snacks, hot drinks and sandwiches available. Computers, a flatscreen TV and pool table are also available for use in the common room, as well as plenty of tables and chairs and a couple of comfy sofas.

There is more than enough members of staff, many of whom were recently in practice, making the teaching very practical and commercially-focussed. It offers a great chance to get insights into what the staff did in practice, which many were happy to share. BPP provide very structured syllabuses and teaching plans so the level of teaching is always high.

For the GDL, classes are divided into six tutorial groups of around fifteen students. Each tutorial group is assigned a personal tutor who acts as their mentor throughout the year and can also act as referee for job references. Teaching for the GDL spans the seven core modules a student would have to undertake during their law degree: Contract, Tort, Land, Equity and Trusts, Criminal, Constitutional and Administrative and EU law.

There is one tutor assigned to each subject and they conduct both lectures and tutorials. The standard of teaching is very high, as all tutors are former practitioners and can always explain legal principles in a practical way. During the week there would be one lecture and one tutorial in each of the core subjects, with the exception of EU, which is taught fortnightly.

Whilst this may not appear to constitute that much contact time, each tutorial required considerable preparation, which would normally include a chapter of BPP’s Manual, as well as practicing a problem question which later appears in the end of year exams.

Students can also study optional extra modules including Human Rights and International Law, Evidence and Forensics, and Law in the City. These modules do not require much extra work, they do not count towards your final grade and would generally only take up six lectures during the year.

The school is positioned about 5 minutes walk from the city centre shops. It is in a busy area, with plenty of shops, bars and other amenities around (including Phillpotts, the BEST sandwich shop in Manchester and a favourite with many students).

As for other options for entertainment, there is an independent cinema, The Cornerhouse, which shows independent, foreign and arthouse films. There are also lots of bars in the vicinity, including Varsity a few doors down and Font 2 mins walk away, both frequented by the students. Theatres, gig venues and lots more are all within walking distance.

Although fairly expensive, with the fees included is the costs are all the books and excellent and often exhaustive course materials. Membership to the law society is not included.

There is no bar on site, but the city has an array of bars and clubs, from cheap and cheerful to luxurious and expensive. There are plenty of places which offer student discounts, and BPP had some additional offers for some local amenities, including subsidised gym membership at the excellent GL-14 and reductions at a popular Mexican takeaway in the centre, Barburrito.

BPP does offer accommodation at a local halls of residence, although it is not cheap. However, the standard is very high and the accommodation offered studio style rooms, with kitchenette and en suite. More affordable accommodation can be sourced elsewhere, from private halls of residence to student houses in nearby Fallowfield and Withington.

Transport also varies; trains can be expensive, although Manchester does have an excellent bus service which is frequent, expansive and very reasonably priced.

At the start of the year, BPP invites students to join the social committee. Whilst the standard and frequency of events clearly depends on the capabilities of the committee, last year’s events (and the ones previously, according to former GDL students) were varied and well organised.

They included a quiz (with both students and staff bringing their own drinks, resulting in much hilarity), a Christmas party at Revolution and a fantastic and lavish end of year ball at the Hilton.

BPP has an active Pro Bono Society for the students to get involved in. Whilst these are optional, if students join they are expected to contribute and not let the team down.

Consequently, it is worth considering carefully whether you are able to balance the workload with extra-curricular responsibilities. Many of the students I spoke to had very rewarding experiences, the most popular being the Legal Advice Centre.

The popular bars are Varsity and Font bar, both of which are very reasonably priced. Popular student venues include the [in]famous 5th Avenue, 42nd Street and the bars and clubs on Deansgate Locks. For the more liberal spender, the Hilton bar offers magnificent city views and an unrivalled cocktail menu and the nearby Northern Quarter has plenty of quirky hang-outs.

The careers centre is known to be xcellent, probably one of the best features of BPP. Careers offer lots of services, including proof-reading and providing advice on training contract application forms, mock interviews and CV checks. They also circulate emails with job vacancies and recommending open days or talks by law firms. They also invite solicitors from firms to provide presentations on either their firm or discuss their practice area.

A fairly new feature is the mentor scheme for students without training contracts. If a student is successful in applying, they are matched up to a trainee or solicitor at a firm which accords with their legal interests. This was a popular service, and my experiences of it were overwhelmingly positive. It does require a pro-active and professional approach on the part of the student, but many found the experience extremely valuable.