GDL advice - BPP or College of Law Guildford?

[chrisp]

Heya guys,

I've got a place to do the GDL at both The College of Law, Guildford and BPP London but not sure which one to choose. I also have a place at Kingston but I've more or less ruled that one out.

I know both have a good reputation but I'd heard Guildford was friendlier/had a more personal approach to teaching. Anyone have any experience of either? Would be grateful for any advice!!

Thanks,

Chris

[wishbone]

well Im at the CoL in Guildford. I have a friend at BPP right now...
CoL is great! Its friendly and there are loads of social events. If you are looking for a tc in this area, the firms recruit heavily from the CoL... HOWEVER... BPP now offers an LLM if you complete the GDL and the LPC at BPP. Whereas CoL only offers an LLB. BUT CoL's exams are easier (open book, and more detailed which I have found puts us in better stead on the LPC than non-GDL'ers...) whilst BPP's (from my friend's experience..) are harder, and closed book... It depends on what you want... Good luck!

[chrisp]

Thanks for your reply! Does it make all that much difference getting an LLM instead of an LLB? I'm still erring towards Guildford due to the friendliness/social aspect, it's only really the LLM that's keeping me from making my mind up definitely. Is there as much of a social aspect at BPP? I'll have to make my mind up soon, the deadline for accepting the offer is in under a fortnight!

[Kitty]

There is no difference in the qualifications you can achieve.
Both CoL and BPP offer GDL + LPC = LLB and upgrade LPC/BVC = LLM.

[joolzi]

Hi, I got offered places at College of Law (Guildford) and BPP (London Waterloo) to do the GDL and I found it initally very difficult to choose between them. You really have to go visit the places to get a feel for them. But to put it in a nutshell, I chose the college of law in guildford over the London BPP because I felt i would get better pastoral care and more individual attention then being part of a city campus. BPP was very smart very pristine. Lots of suits and very polished etc but i felt like a number. But hey thats just me. There are benefits to BPP like they do company law as part of the GDL (its not a requirement of the GDL-they just added it on). I think it also depends on what type of law and jobworld you want to work in. Living in London is a lifestyle choice.
If it helps at all, I like Guildford, and Im glad i chose to study here. Theres plenty to do, beautiful walks, rowing on the river, the campus is gorgeous, friendly town, admittedly limited clubs but plenty of cheesy bars to make up for it!
Joolzi x

[dazzler51]

I've been offered a place on the GDL at Kingston Uni in September. I'd be interested to know why you had ruled that option out. Is there something I don't know?!? I was considering applying to BPP as well but I didn't in the end. Do you think there's a big difference in the courses/quality of teaching between the 2 institutions?