Students and graduates
There are three components to becoming a barrister, all of which are covered by one of four routes. There is comprehensive advice and guidance in our ‘Becoming a Barrister’ brochure.
The first stage of training for the Bar is the academic component, which will remain a law degree or a non-law degree combined with the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
The second stage of training is the vocational component, which trains you in the specific skills you need to become a barrister. This has traditionally taken the form of the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), but there will be several changes taking place next year. From September 2020, the Bar Standards Board will permit training providers to offer four new routes to become a barrister, details of which are outlined below. Many of these providers Please note that it is unlikely that all of these will be available from 2020, or even from 2021, though there is a list below under 'Current Training Providers' of those who have been authorised so far for 2020.
As the vocational component is changing, please see below for what each Bar course provider is offering from September 2020. You should check their websites for more details about the cost of each course and the application cycle. Please note that not all providers have yet been authorised.
Authorised providers
Courses offered:
- Vocational component (in one part) of the three-step pathway
- Vocational component (in two parts) of the four-step pathway
- Integrated academic and vocational components of the integrated pathway
Application deadline: Rolling (second round closes in September)
Cost: £12,620-£15,870 (depending on location and type of course)
Locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester
Courses offered:
- Vocational component (in one part) of the three-step pathway
Application deadline: tbc
Cost: £17,450
Location: Cardiff
City Law School, City, University of London
Courses offered:
- Vocational component (in one part) of the three-step pathway
- Vocational component (in two parts) of the four-step pathway
Application deadline: Rolling
Cost: £14,000-£19,500 (depending on course)
Location: London
Inns of Court College of Advocacy
Course offered:
- Vocational component (in two parts) of the four-step pathway
Application deadline: 10 January 2020 (closed for 2020)
Cost: £13,095
Location: London
Manchester Metropolitan University
Course offered:
- Vocational component (in one part) of the three-step pathway.
Application deadline: Ongoing
Cost: £13,500
Location: Manchester
Courses offered:
- Vocational component (in one part) of the three-step pathway
- Vocational component (in two parts) of the four-step pathway
- Integrated academic and vocational components of the integrated pathway
Application deadline: 14 February 2020 (applications will be considered after this time, but they are more likely to be successful before this deadline)
Cost: £12,870
Location: Newcastle
Course offered:
- Vocational component (in one part) of the three-step pathway
Application deadline: Rolling
Cost: £11,750
Location: Nottingham
Course offered:
- Vocational component (in one part) of the three-step pathway
Application deadline: Rolling (second round closes in September)
Cost: £12,620-£16,870 (depending on location and course type)
Locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester, Nottingham
The University of the West of England
Courses offered:
- Vocational component (in one part) of the three-step pathway
- Vocational component (in two parts) of the four-step pathway
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Cost: £13,500
Locations: Bristol
Please check each institution's website for further information about the course in which you are interested.
You should browse our pages to find out more information about opportunities to learn more about life at the Bar, including work experience.
Mini-pupillages
Mini-pupillages are short periods of work experience, some of which are paid, which can give you an insight into life in a particular chambers or practice area. You should apply for mini-pupillages from your second year of university onwards.
Chambers Student advertises mini-pupillages centrally. Successful applicants for pupillage will normally have completed at least 3 mini-pupillages before applying, though please note that it is normally not necessary to do more than 5 in total. You should be strategic when choosing which mini-pupillages to do and focus on certain areas in which you may be interested (for example, there is no need to do a mini-pupillage in every practice area, and it may make you look unfocused if you do).
If you have any further questions about careers at the Bar, please contact Careers@BarCouncil.org.uk.

The Bar Council's activities, events, opportunities and resources promoting careers at the Bar are supported by The Council of the Inns of Court.