Guidance for applicants

Becoming a barrister is fiercely competitive.  In 2010, between 1 in 5 and 1 in 6 of those who successfully complete the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) were successful in obtaining pupillage.  You need to be realistic about your skills, abilities and academic record, but if you are determined to succeed and you have the qualities the Bar is looking for then there is no reason why you cannot build a successful career as a barrister.

A good barrister will need to:

• Have a high level of intellectual ability

• Be articulate in written and spoken English

• Be able to think and communicate clearly under pressure, and

• Have determination and stamina. 

Below are some of the key ways in which you can learn some of the skills that you need to be a barrister and which will also assist you in building a strong CV. This is not an exhaustive list; you are an individual and if you have an unusual hobby or a background in a different profession then you should make the most of it in your application.

Please remember that it is your responsibility in applications and interviews to relate your experiences (academic, vocational and extra-curricular) to your interest in and commitment to the Bar. 

Please see the timetable and checklist.

Academic

You will need at least a 2.2 degree to be accepted onto the BPTC course. However, the Bar values high academic achievement, and if you are still at university we strongly recommend that you aim for a high 2.1 or 1^st in your degree. Some sets of chambers rarely consider pupils with anything less than a 1st, and many chambers will only consider candidates with a 2.1 and above.

Some students choose to do a Masters in a different subject before taking the BPTC course. This is a matter of personal choice, although it may boost your prospects if you feel you have under-performed in your undergraduate degree and could demonstrate your true ability on a postgraduate course.

Other Sources of Information

Make the most of the assistance on offer to you. Contact the Education and Training Departments at the Inns of Court to see what opportunities are open to students. These are likely to include moots, public speaking, debating and marshalling, master classes on pupillage application forms and help in the preparation of CVs and mock interviews. The Inns also run mentor schemes which put you in touch with a practising barrister. Do not be frightened of getting in touch and asking questions, once you have done your own research. You can also contact chambers directly if you have specific questions about what they do and what they look for in their pupils.