New analysis, reported in the Gazette this week, has shown that almost 5,000 students started the course between 2012 and 2014, 72% of these have passed so far, and 35% of BPTC graduates have gained pupillage since completing the course between 2011 and 2013. This means that 2/3 of graduates do not get pupillage despite spending the equivalent of a house deposit on a course that has essentially failed to progress their professional careers. With the cost ranging from £12,500 up to £18,000 (mostly at the upper end), this means that in two years the course generated up to £90 million in course fees for the various providers and from this only roughly 1,500 are likely to actually have succeeded in gaining pupillage and as a result succeeding with the aim of the course. The Bar course (and the LPC) should both carry large warnings in any literature - if you spend £10-18k on this course there is a very good chance you will not progress your legal career any further than i...
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