BPP University

BPP University is a private, for-profit higher education institution in the United Kingdom. It forms part of the BPP Education Group and was originally founded in 1976 as Brierley Price Prior, focused on accountancy training. It received degree-awarding powers in 2007 and became BPP University in 2013. The university operates with a strong focus on professional and vocational education, offering courses in law, business, accountancy, technology, healthcare, and data analytics.
 

BPP University has approximately 38,000 students as of 2025, including over 12,000 full-time equivalent higher education students. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, professional qualifications, and apprenticeships. It has four schools: BPP University Law School, Business School, School of Technology, and School of Nursing. The Law School is one of the largest in the UK and provides training for students connected to major law firms, including the City Consortium.

The university has multiple campuses in London and other cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Cambridge, and Reading, as well as locations in the Channel Islands. Its main administrative office is located at BPP House, London.
 

Ownership of the university has changed over time. Apollo Global acquired it in 2009, and in 2021, it was bought by private equity firm TDR Capital for £700 million (approximately USD 960 million). BPP was granted indefinite degree-awarding powers in 2020 by the Office for Students.
 

BPP has faced various controversies, including complaints about the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the suspension of its LLB programme, and tribunal cases involving staff treatment. Despite these, it remains one of only three large-scale for-profit universities in the UK.
 

It is led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Stewart and governed by a board of nine directors. Its courses are designed in collaboration with industry to improve graduate employability, though it has received mixed outcomes in graduate employment surveys.

BPP University was established in 1976 as Brierley Price Prior, named after its founders Alan Brierley, Richard Price, and Charles Prior. All three were accountancy trainers who aimed to create a professional training institution. The organisation initially specialised in preparing students for accountancy exams and gradually expanded into other professional areas, especially legal training. Over time, BPP developed strong links with law firms and began revising the Legal Practice Course in collaboration with firms across the UK. It also opened regional centres in cities such as Leeds and Manchester.
 

In 2007, BPP was granted degree-awarding powers by the UK government, making it the first private-sector organisation in the UK to receive this status. It started offering postgraduate law degrees, such as the LLM in Legal Practice and LLM in Commercial Law. In 2009, it launched its undergraduate Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) programme. That same year, BPP was acquired by Apollo Global for approximately $607 million, becoming a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group.

In 2010, BPP was named a university college by the government and became BPP University College of Professional Studies. It was the first private institution to receive this recognition in three decades. By 2013, BPP was granted full university status and became BPP University. Its courses expanded to include business, finance, law, healthcare, and management, offering both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. That year, Carl Lygo was appointed as founding Vice-Chancellor.

Following this, BPP formed partnerships with various firms and institutions, including the launch of an MBA (Legal Services) in Russia with CIS London & Partners in 2016. In 2017, the university suspended its undergraduate law degree programme after low enrolment. Its dental and oral science programme was also closed due to regulatory concerns.
 

Between 2018 and 2020, BPP faced criticism and regulatory challenges. Ofsted rated its apprenticeship provision as ‘Insufficient’, and the Department for Education temporarily restricted its ability to recruit new apprentices. In 2020, an employment tribunal ruled that the university had unfairly dismissed a lecturer who faced mental health issues. The same year, BPP faced further scrutiny after students raised concerns over remote learning conditions and fee structures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BPP was granted indefinite degree-awarding powers in 2020. In 2021, it was acquired by TDR Capital for £700 million (approximately USD 960 million), transferring ownership from Apollo. The university then introduced new data and coaching apprenticeship programmes with firms like Grant Thornton and Mazars.
 

In 2023 and 2024, BPP reported growth in its business and nursing school enrolments. 


By 2025, BPP had approximately 38,000 students and continued to operate as one of the few for-profit universities in the UK, alongside the University of Law and Arden University. It remained governed by a board of directors and led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Stewart. The university continues to offer a range of professional qualifications through its Law School, Business School, School of Technology, and School of Nursing across multiple centres in the UK.

BPP University offers a wide range of career-focused courses in fields such as law, accountancy, business, technology, healthcare, and data analytics. The university is structured around four main schools: Law, Business, Technology, and Nursing. These schools offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programmes, as well as apprenticeships.
 

In Law, BPP University is one of the UK's largest legal education providers. It offers courses such as the LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws), LL.M. (Master of Laws), Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Training Course (BTC), Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), and Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) preparation. BPP works closely with law firms and legal organisations to make sure its courses match industry needs.

The Business School offers degrees in Business Management, Finance, Leadership and Management, and Human Resources (HR). The university also provides MBAs, MSc Management, and professional development programmes for people looking to grow in their careers. Courses are designed with a strong practical focus, often including case studies and employer input.

In the field of Accountancy and Tax, BPP offers training for professional qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA, and AAT. The university provides both classroom and online learning options, and students can study full-time or part-time.
 

The School of Technology offers courses in Data and Analytics, Digital Marketing, IT Infrastructure, and Software Development. Many of these programmes are available as degree apprenticeships, combining work and study. BPP also provides short courses in digital skills to help people adapt to changes in the job market.
 

In Nursing and Healthcare, BPP offers undergraduate degrees in Adult Nursing, Healthcare Leadership, and Health and Social Care. These courses are regulated by relevant professional bodies and include practical training placements. They are designed to meet the growing demand for healthcare workers in the UK.

BPP also provides apprenticeships across many subjects, allowing students to earn a salary while studying. Apprenticeship areas include law, accountancy, HR, data, software, leadership, and finance.
 

In addition, BPP offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses. These are short, flexible programmes for professionals who want to upgrade their skills without taking a full degree.
 

BPP’s courses are designed to match the needs of employers. They are developed in partnership with industry leaders to ensure that students graduate with the skills required in their chosen professions. Courses are available both online and in-person, with multiple start dates throughout the year, offering flexibility to learners at different stages of their careers.

• Ranked 120th in England and 1,330th in Europe by Gradding
• Ranked 150th in the UK overall by Gradding
• Not ranked in QS or THE global league tables as of 2025
• Recognised as one of the largest for-profit universities in the UK

According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22, 95% of UK-domiciled postgraduate students from BPP University were in highly skilled employment 15 months after graduating. BPP works closely with industry partners and employers to support student career outcomes. In 2024, the university reported over 12,000 student placements through its apprenticeship and professional training programmes. While some undergraduate employment rates have varied, BPP continues to update its courses and offer career services to improve graduate job integration. Career support includes mentoring, CV help, interview practice, and links with major firms in law, finance, healthcare, and technology.

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