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The College of Law only provides legal education and training. The College of Law has a great reputation with law firms and is well known for its expertise in providing the skills needed to start your legal career. Many of the bigger solicitors firms send all of their trainees to the College of Law to.

A lot of firms also advertise for trainees on the College of Law’s careers database. There are six campuses throughout the country and a new one is being opened in Manchester this year. They offer various ways to study the courses so that studying can fit into most people’s schedules.

The Chester campus has modern facilities with plenty of computers. There is one main lecture theatre and lots of smaller classrooms. The library is quite small but the books it contains are more than ample. You are given all the books you need for the course shortly after you arrive anyway so the library is not essential, although you may need it at times for research assignments.

It is, however, also used as a quiet place to study. Any other research materials you need are on the online sources, such as LexisNexis and Westlaw. There is a common room with vending machines, games tables (eg pool), a few computers and a television. There is also a canteen serving hot and cold food and a grassed area at the back of the canteen where some students sit out when it’s warm.

The teaching quality is excellent, with all tutors having been in practice themselves. As a result, the teaching is very focused on what students can expect to deal with in practice. All College's of Law follow the same syllabus whether you study in Birmingham, York, Guilford, London or Chester. As such, what you learn and the way you learn is almost exactly the same.

With regard to the GDL, you will complete an on-line study programme in legal method before beginning the official programme so that you're already on your way by the time you arrive. As with all other providers, the College of Law GDL focuses on the seven foundation subjects, contract, criminal, EU, land, public, tort and equity & trusts.

Also with various 'skills', you will also be required to complete an independent essay in a particular area of law of interest to yourself. The College of Law GDL is undoubtedly one of, if not the most comprehensive programme out there.

Christleton is a quiet, pretty village about five to ten minutes drive (depending on traffic) from Chester city centre. You can also get onto the canal path just by the college and this takes you directly into the centre. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the centre from campus. Alternatively, there is a park and ride across the road and the buses are regular.

It is claimed that students don’t have to wait more than 2 minutes for a bus! The buildings themselves are set in lovely, quiet, tranquil grounds so it is a good place for quiet study. There is also nice courtyard in the middle where many students tend to congregate before classes if it isn’t raining. It’s great for students who live in the area and for commuters as there is free parking at the college and most of the accommodation is in walking distance.

There are student houses in Christleton itself but a lot of the accommodation is situated in Boughton, a ten minute walk. There is a Sainsburys quite close to the college and other supermarkets such a Morrisons and Asda a little bit further. There are plenty of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, a cinema etc in the city centre and Cheshire Oaks is not far away either.

Course fees the COL Chester GDL are £6,020 for the full-time programme or £2,835 per year on the part-time option. All the books you need are included in the fees. Printing is also free (which saves you a fortune). Living in Chester is not expensive and is comfortably cheaper than Manchester or Liverpool.

In Christleton, you will pay around £60 per for standard accommodation. The college of law has a database on their website where landlords advertise accommodation. There is also a housemate finder on there.

This has been reported to be a great help as many students tend not to know anyone before beginning the course. A taxi to the town centre or the train station normally costs around £5.

In the first few weeks the College organises a boat trip/booze cruise on the River Dee for students which provides an excellent way to meet your course mates. They also have a winter ball and a summer ball, which are really good fun and a good excuse to get dressed up. Many students tend to go to The Bridge Pub, in Boughton for a night out or before heading into town.

They also host special nights for the students, such as Halloween fancy dress and there is a quiz night every Sunday. Some of the students work there a couple of nights per week or at weekends. If you are used to living in a big city you might find the Chester nightlife a bit restricted.

There quite a few nice bars and the main nightclub that most people go to is Rosies. You stick to the floor and it is a bit cheesy but it’s a good laugh, the drinks are cheap on weeknights and it is also quite popular with the Chester University students.

The careers centre has to be one of the best parts about the college. They encourage you to apply for training contracts right from the word go. They also organise lots of talks you can go to by law firms, networking people, local authorities etc. You literally cannot escape them.

You can make an appointment with someone to go through your CV and job application letters and forms. You can even have a mock interview with one of the advisors in order to practise for a real one with a law firm. They are really friendly and know what they are talking about.

When students have had an interview at a solicitors firm they ask them to fill out a questionnaire about what the interview was like and the sorts of questions they asked. The people at the careers centre then put all the questionnaires in folders that are available for you to go and read in the careers centre.

If you’re preparing for an interview you can go and have a look at the sorts of questions other students have been asked to get an idea of what it will be like and the sorts of questions you might be asked. There are also pro-bono schemes that you can get involved with. Many take part in the legal advice centre which involvs interviewing and advising a real client.

You do it in pairs so it’s not too nerve-racking. It is a really good insight into what you will be expected to do in practice. Another scheme many students are involved in is Street Law, where students visit schools or community groups to give presentations on a particular area of law.

They also have various links with citizens’ advice bureaus and the courts, with some students getting the opportunity to go and volunteer with them.