Hi!
I am currently at BPP completing their SQE Preparation Course. I am specifically on the City Consortium Programme (CCP) as I am a sponsored student, but the only difference there is between CCP and the usual prep course, is that CCP does an extra module (that has nothing to do with the SQE).
I have been a student at BPP for the GDL and then both SQE 1 and 2 Prep Courses (I am currently revising for my SQE2 exams at the end of July). I would say overall BPP is not the best university, it is not like an undergraduate course in terms of support and pastoral care. However, in terms of providing the information needed for the exam, it does get the job done. I passed my SQE1 exams in the top quintile of the country.
I personally did my classes in person and if you have a choice and the ability to attend in person I would highly recommend this. Whenever a class was put online due to strikes/etc, I definitely did not get as much out of it as my usual in-person classes. You build a real network of people within your class with whom you can share notes, ask questions and generally complain about SQE/BPP to. However, you would not miss out on any resources by not attending in person - the classes online are exact replicas of the in person classes. Both use digital document delivery and so in terms of resources you would not be missing out at all.
SQE1 Prep is quite an intensive course at BPP. You will probably be in classes for 3 days a week minimum and each class is 2 hours long. You will study Criminal Practice, Dispute Resolution, Business, Property Practice and Wills across your first term. The information is delivered by powerpoint presentations which you read and prepare at home with tasks before turning up to class to discuss what you have read/complete further tasks. I would say that this is a good cycle as it is quite repetitive which is vital for memorising for SQE 1 content. There are also practice MCQs and both formative and summative exams to help prepare you for the actual exam. I would recommend the SQE 1 Prep course at BPP, as despite BPP's issues, I think the actual content covers the vast majority of stuff in SQE and I went into the exam feeling very prepared.
I would have to note that the SQE 2 prep course is NOT very good at all. We were given some slideshows about the skills which were more tailored to barristers than solicitors and then we had one week of classes in which we discussed the SRA mark scheme. We had no actual teaching of the skills of advocacy or drafting, which are two of the hardest skills in SQE 2. I would say however that BPP have provided lots of practice questions and we have done diagnostics and mocks in all of the skills and had feedback on this. Maybe go into SQE 1 Prep and keep an eye out for opportunities to practice advocacy or drafting during that course in order to get ahead for SQE 2.
This is probably not that helpful, as it is a mixed review, but overall BPP can get you through the exams, but I would just note that it is a very different experience to undergrad and to just be prepared for that. In terms of other providers, most people I know are at BPP because they have training contracts with firms which use BPP. However, I have heard that the University of Law is very good and lots of people at my SQE test centre had used BARBRI SQE prep and were happy with their experience with them. I haven't heard of the College of Legal Practice so cannot comment on that!
Hope that helps somewhat!
