Professional Skills Course (PSC)

The PSC is compulsory for those training to become a solicitor. You are required to complete three core modules and 24 hours of electives. The course is regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Study in a way that suits you – with the freedom to fast track your modules or complete them at a more relaxed pace.

A certificate of completion will be provided by BPP Professional Education Limited following attendance, which should then be submitted to the appropriate professional awarding body.  This is not a BPP University College programme or award.

Key details: Dates and prices | Ways to study

Key Information

  • Tailor your training with 5 available routes to complete your Electives
  • Discounts available on the list price of BPP CPD courses with a BPP membership
  • Opportunities for enhanced personal development when you qualify
  • Complete at a time convenient for you, with start-dates throughout the year
  • Constructive feedback and support from experienced professional tutors
  • Flexible learning options, so you can set your own pace
  • Progress to the Higher Rights of Audience qualification
  • Study in a location to suit you
  • Gain reassurance through our consistently high first-time pass rates
Call Client Services:0845 226 2422
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BPP has more PSC Elective Options than any other provider and the highest reputation for PSC training.

Complete your legal training with a PSC

With the BPP PSC, flexibility is key when it comes to what, where and how you learn – allowing you to fit your studies around work and life commitments.

You can choose the fast track option and complete the core modules in succession – or stagger the core and elective modules throughout the two-year training period.

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Fully flexible study

The PSC is designed to work around you. Choose from a wide range of modules in locations across the UK.

For example, you could attend the fast track core module course in eight days, and opt for the fast track electives over four days, completing your training over a shortened time frame. Or you can choose your core modules and electives at any time throughout your two year training contract whenever it is convenient for you.

Tutors

Our tutors are experts and have been practitioners in their fields. They're dedicated to providing teaching that is practice focused – aimed at giving you the specialist skills and knowledge needed for a successful transition into real-life legal practice.

Higher Rights of Audience Option

As part of your elective requirements you can opt to study the Higher Rights of Audience programme. Successful completion of the assessments leads to the Higher Courts Advocacy Qualification which enables you to act as an advocate in the Senior Courts of England and Wales.

Practising advocates, as well as BPP staff (solicitors and barristers) provide the teaching for this option, drawing on their expertise and real-world experiences to equip you with practical skills and knowledge as well as preparing you for the (optional) assessments.

In-house PSC option

If you're a firm sending a number of delegates to the BPP Professional Skills Course, it may be more cost effective to run an in-house PSC. For more information call 0845 226 2422 or email inhouse@bpp.com.

The PSC programme is delivered by BPP Professional Education Ltd.

Modules

The PSC comprises three compulsory modules, each with fast track options throughout the year and five Elective routes offering a wide range of subjects to choose from– all of which can be booked individually. This means you can match your Electives to fit with your areas of interest or career direction. You must study all three core modules and 24 hours of Electives.

PSC compulsory core modules

  • Client Care and Professional Standards (two days) – including a non-examinable online module(please note: the online module cannot be completed until you have completed 6 months of your training contract)
  • Financial and Business Skills course and exam (three days) – including a non-examinable online module
  • Advocacy and Communication Skills (three days)

PSC elective module courses

You must complete 24 hours of elective modules – we run a wide range of courses on all the subjects below. You do not need to study topics in the same legal area, but can study across four different areas of law if you wish.

From September 2012, BPP are offering five routes of Electives - so you can tailor your training to your particular area of practice or you can choose from the entire BPP range of topics. Our PSC has been designed against the SRA specification and the CBI Employability Skills framework so you can monitor the development of your professional skills through your study with us. We also provide you with a Skills Portfolio which you can complete to demonstrate your achievements to employers.

Elective routes

The Elective routes include (content subject to change)

  • Mix and Match - giving you the option to choose from our full range of over 170 Electives

    • From September 2012, we will be offering Mix and Match and the additional routes:

  • City - aimed at trainees working in a corporate legal environment
  • General Practice - aimed at those working in a broad spectrum legal environment
  • Legal Aid - aimed at those working in a publicly-funded legal environment
  • Fast Track Skills - this suite of Electives is currently in development and will be available from 2013. Further information will appear on this page shortly.

Mix and Match

You can choose from any of our electives on offer.

  • Advocacy
  • Company Commercial
  • Criminal
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Employment and Immigration
  • Family
  • Intellectual Property
  • Leadership and Personal Development
  • Legal Business Management
  • Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence
  • Private Client
  • Property and Taxation

Please note PSC Electives cannot be booked online. Please contact our Customer Services team on 0845 226 2422 or email enquiries@bpp.com to book your elective choices.

Core module dates and locations

Flexible learning

Our PSC offers you the freedom to study in the way that is most convenient and effective for you. Choose from classroom-based learning – either module by module or as a fast track option.

You can also study for the PSC in house with your firm.

Entry requirements

The PSC must be completed as part of your compulsory training, during your training contract. You must have started a training contract before you can study the PSC.

How to apply

Please apply directly to BPP using one of the following methods:

  • Download a booking form
  • Email enquiries@bpp.com
  • Call us on 0845 226 2422 from the UK

 

Please take a moment to review our handbook which includes further information you may find useful.

Key dates

We offer a range of PSC course and module start dates throughout the year, so you can study at a time and place that suits you.

Study locations

Study for the Professional Skills Course at one of 12 locations across the UK.

PSC study centres are located in:

  • London
  • Manchester
  • Leeds
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Leicester
  • Liverpool
  • Newcastle
  • Norwich
  • Nottingham
  • Sheffield
  • Southampton