Hey guys Im in the second year of the part-time LPC at Bristol at the moment so thought I would share my thoughts/feelings on the same. Feel free to PM me if you want any further info...
I was supposed to be studying the LPC full-time but then my personal circumstances changed at the last minute so switched to part-time. Financial considerations were also there as didnt have a TC at the time and hence no sponsorship.
Firstly, I have found it tough in the sense that for my undergrad degree I did no work all year then worked my arse off for the last six weeks of each year and managed to get a really good degree in this way, however with part-time studying you cant really use this cramming approach. I found that you have to work consistently throughout the year to do well with no real trouble. If your organised and work in this way, part-time study shouldnt be a problem.
Secondly, look at how part-time courses are run/structured. Bristol tends to have three or two day study sessions per month with the days running over thurs/fri/sat or fri/sat. Even though I was working at a firm of solicitors I had to push hard for the time off and generally had to take it as unpaid leave. I know the College of Law and BPP run weekend courses and part-time evening and so this could be avoided (if I could choose again I would have done a part-time weekend course).
Your fellow classmates are likely to all be working full-time, have years of experience in practice etc and of varying ages. When I started which was straight after my undergrad at 22, only about 10% of people on my course were in a similar situation and most were already in practice. Some people dont like this as they want the LPC year to be an extension of uni, but to be honest although its daunting sometimes as the tutors tend to pitch the workshops at a higher level and there is minimal spoon-feeding, I have found it nothing but beneficial. In terms of finding out what its like to really work in a law firm, an insight to different types of firm, making contacts and gaining potential interviews I have found studying part-time and therefore the different student base of great use.
My opinion of Bristol as well is a good one, the tutors are excellent generally and I prefer the friendly atmosphere to the stories Ive heard from friends about the BPP/ College of Law factory way of learning.
Lastly, I personally think it has benefited me in my search for a TC as I marketed studying part-time as a time management and organisational skill which seemed to work as after my first year I had several TC offers from national firms. I have encountered some people who think the non-conventional route into law off-putting for recruiters, but I have never found this to be the case.
Anyways, seeing as I have written a rather large essay I'll post this now but feel free to ask any more Q's.....
Hope I havent bored you to death! :-)