Coming to the Bar? Stop! Read this and think!

 

There are three main stages of training for a career at the Bar. 

 

First is the 'academic stage' which requires the completion of an undergraduate degree in law, or an undergraduate degree in any other subject followed by the conversion course.  This stage provides a general, theoretical introduction to the law.

 

The second is the 'vocational stage' which requires completion of the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC - previously known as the Bar Vocational Course or BVC).  This provides legal training specific to work as a barrister and can be completed as a one year full time course or a two year part time course.  The BPTC is offered by the following institutions:

BPP Law School (Leeds)

BPP Law School (London)

Cardiff Law School
College of Law (Birmingham)

College of Law (London)

Kaplan Law School (London)

Manchester Metropolitan University

Nottingham Law School
The City Law School - formerly ICSL (London)
University of Northumbria (Newcastle)
University of the West of England (Bristol)

 

A prospectus of all courses can be obtained from the Bar Council.

 

You must be a member of an Inn before you can start the BPTC.