Bar courses

What qualifications do I need to become a barrister?

You need to complete a:

• academic component (typically a law degree or an unrelated degree and a law conversion course)
• vocational component (postgraduate course - Bar course)
• work-based learning component (usually pupillage).

Additionally, trainee barristers must join one of the four Inns of Court and complete 12 qualifying sessions.

What training routes can I take?

There are three routes to qualification:

• Three-step pathway - academic component, followed by vocational, followed by pupillage or work-based component.
• Four-step pathway - academic component, followed by vocational component in two parts, followed by pupillage or work-based component.
• Integrated academic and vocational pathway - combined academic component and vocational component, followed by pupillage or work-based component.

You can also integrate a Bar course into a LLM degree (Master of Laws), making the course eligible for a postgraduate loan.

In December 2024, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) (now Skills England) published the Barrister Apprenticeship Standard. They developed the standard along with the Barrister Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group (TBG), which includes barristers chambers, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Government Legal Department and the Ministry of Justice. The TBG now needs to decide how to move forward and implement the standard; as such there are currently no barrier apprenticeships to apply for. Learn more about law apprenticeships.

What are Bar courses?

Taken after your law degree or conversion course, but before you embark on pupillage, Bar courses make up the vocational element of training to become a barrister.

While course providers title their programmes differently, it's important to note that all courses lead to the same outcome - completion of the vocational component of Bar training.

Bar courses are also called:

• Bar/Barrister Training Course (BTC)
• Bar Practice Course (BPC)
• Bar Vocational Course (BVC)
• Bar Vocational Studies (BVS).

How long do Bar courses take?

It takes one year to complete a Bar course if you study full time, but two-year, part-time options are available.

The amount of time you spend in the classroom will vary but for full-time courses you can expect between 10 and 16 hours a week. Many institutions leave one day a week free for pro bono work, court visits and networking events.

Where can I study for a Bar course?

A range of institutions, known as Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs), have been authorised by the BSB to provide Bar courses. These are:

• BPP University - Bar Training Course (BTC)
• Cardiff University - Bar Training Course (BTC)
• City St George’s, University of London - Bar Vocational Studies (BVS)
• Manchester Metropolitan University - Bar Training Course (BTC)
• Northumbria University - Bar Course
• Nottingham Trent University - Barristers Training Course (BTC)
• The Inns of Court College of Advocacy - ICCA Bar Course
• The University of Hertfordshire - Bar Practice Course (BPC)
• The University of Law - Bar Practice Course (BPC)
• The University of the West of England - Bar Training Course (BTC)

A number of these institutions provide both postgraduate diplomas (PGDips) and LLMs.

Check BSB - Authorised Education and Training Organisations for the list of AETOs.

Search for Bar courses.

What do Bar courses involve?

Barrister training courses equip students with the skills they need to become pupils and then fully-fledged barristers. They cover a variety of subjects to ensure that you acquire the specialist skills, knowledge, attitudes and competencies required.

You can study a Bar Course, BTC, BPC, BVC or BVS:

• in one part, which may be full time over a year or part time over a longer period
• in two parts, which may involve face-to-face teaching for both parts or self-study for one part
• as a longer course, which combines the academic component of Bar training (usually a degree) with the vocational component in an integrated course.

The emphasis of all Bar courses is on learning through practical work, with many exercises based on briefs similar to those that barristers receive in the early stages of their career.

Courses cover a number of compulsory subjects, including:

• advocacy
• civil litigation and evidence, incorporating dispute resolution
• conference skills
• criminal litigation, evidence and sentencing
• drafting
• legal research
• opinion writing
• professional ethics.

In advocacy classes, students research the law in relation to a case, as well as court procedure to enable them to make their submissions. They then present their cases in mock courtrooms where they are expected to think on their feet and respond to opposing arguments.

How are barrister training courses assessed?

Assessment varies between providers but they all test knowledge through written exams. Advocacy and conference skills are tested through practical exercises, often involving actors and both seen and unseen elements.

Students get two attempts to pass each of the Bar course exams.

Civil and Criminal Litigation assessments are set and marked centrally by the BSB. There's a centralised assessment for Professional Ethics during the pupillage/work-based learning component.

What are the entry requirements for a Bar training course?

You'll need a minimum 2:2 for entry onto a programme. However, some providers set their own entry requirements and some courses may require a 2:1 or higher. Check with your preferred university before submitting an application.

All students must also be fluent in English (to a level equivalent to at least IELTS 7.5) and apply to join an Inn of Court by 31 May of the year they intend to start a course.

All applications for Bar courses need to be made directly to the course provider. If you plan to complete the vocational component immediately after your degree or law conversion course, you need to apply in the autumn of your final year or the first term of your conversion course respectively.

How much do Bar courses cost?

The cost of courses varies depending on what and where you study.

Fees range between £15,500 and £21,620, so compare providers carefully before making a decision.

In 2026/27:

• It will cost you £21,620 to study the full-time BVS LLM at City St George's, University of London and £18,260 to study the PGDip.
• At the University of Law you'll pay £18,100 for the BPC and £21,100 for the BPC LLM in London, while outside the capital you’ll pay £16,450 and £19,200 respectively.
• Nottingham Trent University charges £13,550 for its PGDip BTC and £15, for the LLM.
• At BBP University, studying the BTC in London will cost you £18,750.

Is funding available for trainee barristers?

Trainee barristers can apply for financial support from their Inn of Court. These provide approximately £4million each year to students. A few barristers' chambers also offer money towards the cost of training.

You could also take advantage of the scholarships and bursaries that are offered by universities. Find out more about funding postgraduate study.

If your course incorporates an LLM and results in a Masters qualification you could be entitled to a postgraduate loan worth up to £13,206 in the 2026/27 academic year.

How do I choose a Bar course?

• Location - You may choose to study in the area where you hope to practice once you've qualified as a barrister, particularly as law schools are likely to have good links with the Bar in their area.
• Cost - Fees vary between courses and if you're funding it yourself this is something you need to think about. You may also want to consider the Inn of Court scholarships, as well as whether the provider itself offers any scholarships to help you out.
• Reputation - What does the legal world think of the institution? Are the academics well-known in the sector?
• Course structure - How's it taught? What opportunities are there for extra-curricular activities such as pro bono? Are the class sizes reasonable?

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