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Against the other GDL and LPC providers, BPP Law School is up there at the top with the College of Law and seems to be preferred by the majority of the Magic Circle firms. As such, this is a top tier Law School.

BPP Law School, in comparison to the College of Law is far more business like with a more professional, as opposed to collegic, atmosphere. The law library at Waterloo is extensive and well stocked. The Waterloo campus is newer than the Holborn campus north of the river, and has a friendlier feel. Holborn does not provide the GDL so Waterloo is the only option for the GDL student.
Approximately 900 students undertake the GDL at Waterloo and the administration of the GDL is sufficient to undertake organisation of such a large number of students. Both Holborn and Waterloo offer the LPC, however Waterloo has only capacity for approximately 300 LPC students. This means that for LPC students Waterloo has a much tighter community and students appear to get greater exposure and support from the tutors.

BPP is at the top of the table for Law Schools, so there is only one way for it to go, however, currently it appears it is firmly planted at the top for the moment. BPP is attracting more students year on year and becoming even more difficult to get into. In addition it now has degree and masters awarding powers which keeps in it line with the College of Law and an even more attractive proposition.

What is most appealing about BPP it its business/professional approach to teaching where students are more of clients than students and are treated as such.

The law building is newly outfitted with an excellent law library and 3 IT suites as well as a nice open plan canteen with tables and leather sofas. There is also a large communal study room for group work.

There is one main high capacity lecture theatre in the basement. This is a stepped set-up which ensures good visibility. There are two large projection screens either side of the lectern for PowerPoint presentations. The teaching rooms accommodate approximately 18 students reasonably comfortably. Each room has OHP’s and interactive whiteboards. All the rooms are also air-conditioned and nicely lit.

There are three IT suites with plenty of computers. For those with their own laptop there is a wireless network to connect to which allows you complete freedom to roam around the building online.

The law library is split over two floors and is very well stocked with a wide range of titles for both LPC and GDL students. This is illustrated by the fact that it is not uncommon for Holborn LPC students to come to the Waterloo campus when books are unavailable at Holborn. As there are only approximately 250 LPC students at Waterloo there is rarely an issue getting hold of the books required.

The canteen area is spacious if a little dully lit in some areas. There is no hot food provided however there is a hot water urn. There are also a number of vending machines. Prices are a little high when you consider the amount students pay to study at BPP and some would expect it to be subsidised to a certain extent.

There are also about a dozen computers here for internet access. There are several comfortable leather sofas as well as normal chairs and tables, commonly used for group study and relaxation.

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 Waterloo campus is situated just off the IMAX roundabout just south of the Thames, on Stamford Street and within 3 minutes of Waterloo station. This is ideal for those using the tube, bus or train. There is also a secure area for those who wish to cycle to the Waterloo campus.

The area is nice, with some good bars and restaurants, and the National Theatre is within 3 minutes walk of the campus. Overall there are no negatives about the location of the Waterloo campus and there are many positives as it is within walking distance of all major transport links as well as being within 20 minutes walk of Covent Garden, the Houses of Parliament and not much further to Oxford Street.

The course fees at BPP Watleroo are £8,100 for the GDL. If students have a training contract this is not a problem, however the less fortunate students who must fund themselves and maybe also commute may find the fees difficult to content with. BPP also offers a staggered payment structure for GDL students to ease the pain.

The fees include the vast majority of texts required (any others are not really required and merely supplementary and not necessary) as well as the majority of the Law Society membership fees.

There is no Student Union bar, so those wishing to go out for a pint must visit one of the local bars or pubs. These are at London prices so students should not expect too much change from £5 for a pint. The canteen is hot and cold soft drinks only as well as chocolate etc. Again those requiring lunch will need to either bring something en-route to the law school or visit Waterloo station which has McDonalds and a number of shops selling sandwiches (again at London prices).

BPP does not appear to have too much in the way of active sports clubs or societies. This tied in with the lack of more typical Student Union facilities further reflects the more corporate ethos of the law school, which should be thought of more as an office rather than Uni campus.

BPP produces a weekly news letter with careers information such as training contracts etc. However as with the teaching support this is much more reactive rather than pro-active. Students requiring support must actively seek it; again there is no spoon feeding.

With this said, if students are motivated, there is an absolute wealth of assistance there. Whether it be through CV workshops, interview practice or application guidance, literally all needs are catered for.