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.

I've heard that training for the Bar is changing. What's new?

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.

Three-step pathway

Academic, followed by vocational, followed by pupillage or work-based component.This pathway is the same as the current pathway, which would normally consist of a law degree (or non-law degree with the GDL), the new equivalent of the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), and pupillage. In previous years, the BPTC has been available as a full-time or part-time qualification, allowing students to work alongside their BPTC and gain valuable experience. This is available for students starting the vocational component from September 2020.

Four-step pathway

Academic component, followed by vocational component in two parts, followed by pupillage or work-based component. This pathway consists of a law degree (or non-law degree with the GDL). This is then followed by the vocational component in two parts and pupillage or work-based component. This pathway is available to students starting the vocational component from 2020.

Integrated pathway

Combined academic and vocational components followed by pupillage or work-based component. This route will offer a single combined academic and vocational pathway before pupillage/work-based component. Northumbria University is the only provider (by exception) who has provided the combined route in previous years. This pathway is available to students starting the vocational component from 2020.

Apprenticeship pathway

Combined academic, vocational and pupillage or work-based components. As this structure is currently not offered by any Bar Training providers, this pathway will not be available by 2020, and it may take several years or more for apprenticeship/modular models of training to become available.

Current Bar Training Providers

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

BPP University

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

Cardiff University

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

Northumbria University
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

Nottingham Trent University
Course offered:

Vocational component (in one part) of the three-step pathway

Application deadline: Rolling
Cost: £11,750
Location: Nottingham

The University of Law

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

In previous years, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of the West of England have also provided training for the Bar. If you are interested in any of these institutions, you should check back regularly for updates.

How to get work experience

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.