Our exceptional professional legal courses are recognised throughout the world as amongst the very best available.
Located in the heart of legal London, The City Law School offers professionally accredited postgraduate programmes for aspiring solicitors and barristers. With over 170 years of experience in legal education, our courses are designed to meet the evolving demands of the legal profession. Whether you're preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination or seeking Call to the Bar, our programmes combine academic rigour with practical training, and are supported by a team of dedicated expert practitioners and a vibrant legal community.
Barrister Training
Bar Vocational Studies (BVS)
The Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) course provides the vocational training required for Call to the Bar in England and Wales. Accredited by the Bar Standards Board, the BVS is taught by experienced barristers and legal academics who guide students through their development of core advocacy and analytical skills.
Students can choose between three routes: the Postgraduate Diploma, the Diploma with Electives, or the LLM pathway, which includes a practice-focused article or clinical legal education module. Elective modules cover specialist areas such as Advanced Criminal Advocacy, Judicial Review Law, and Fraud and Economic Crime.
The City Law School’s central London location offers unparalleled access to leading chambers and Inns of courts and international law firms. Students benefit from mentoring, networking events, and tailored support from the Pupillage Advice Service (PAS) from the moment they apply, helping them prepare for pupillage applications and interviews.
Solicitor Training
Solicitors’ Practice Programme (SPP)
The Solicitors’ Practice Programme (SPP) is a postgraduate course designed to prepare students with a law, or conversion to law degree for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2). Developed in collaboration with leading law firms, the programme focuses on practical legal skills, commercial awareness and professional ethics.
Delivered through face-to-face workshops and online resources, the SPP includes real-world experience via pro bono work at the multi award-winning Community Legal Advice Centre (CLAC). Students conduct client interviews, legal research and draft advice letters, gaining valuable insight into legal practice.
Graduates have the opportunity to exit with a Postgraduate Diploma or continue to the LLM pathway by completing an elective term and a legal practice research project. The Future Solicitors Advisory Service (FSAS) provides dedicated support for securing work placements and training contracts.
For more information, please see our Solicitors' Practice Programme FAQ document.