Bar Practice Course
The University of Law London, United Kingdom
Total Course Fee
USD 18,626
Course Accredited By
PC
The Bar Practice Course (BPC), previously the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), is the qualifying postgraduate course allowing graduates to prepare and practise as barristers in England and Wales.
It is the vocational stage of training, which you’re required to pass before you can go on to complete the final, practical stage of training; pupillage. Give yourself the best chance to secure pupillage and prepare for life as a barrister with our high quality tutoring, designed and delivered by qualified practitioners with unparalleled experiences in delivering advocacy.
We pride ourselves in offering the best legal training, and our Bar Practice Course (BPC) is no exception.
It is designed to help you secure pupillage and prepare you for life as a barrister. You'll receive dedicated support from our specialist careers service from the moment you accept your place, giving you the best chance of securing pupillage and acquiring as much varied experience as possible. This is why 59% of our students secured pupillage in 2018**.
When you study the Bar Practice Course with us you will receive:
- Up to 50 hours advocacy training, so you're fully prepared for the Bar: test your skills in front of real barristers and judges at prestigious mooting competitions organised by our Advocacy Committee and also at mock trials in court.
- Tuition in small classes alongside the brightest students: we require all students to undergo a live selection process before being offered a place.
- Access to an engaging and innovative online learning environment, plus face-to-face tutor and peer support when you need it most.
- Flexible study options to suit you: choose to study with us full-time or part-time at a number of locations across the UK.
- Success in pupillage applications and beyond with our Future Pupil Programme, part of our award-winning Careers and Employability Service, available from the moment you accept your place.
- A choice of three pathways to success with our Bar Practice Course LLM: complete real-life legal work experience via our Pro Bono clinics, write a dissertation or study additional modules and sit the exams after you finish your Bar Practice Course.
- Exclusive access to our Synap learning and revision tool: complete multiple-choice questions to monitor and review your progress.
**59% of our full-time UK/EEA Bar Practice Course students graduating in 2018 secured a pupillage (based on student data collated September 2020). Previously the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).
Benefits of our selection process
- Our rigorous Selection Process allows us to identify the brightest and most able students, creating a stimulating learning environment for all. As a result, when you undertake our BPC you can guarantee that you will be studying alongside committed, focused and intelligent students, which in turn will push you to succeed.
Gain confidence in knowing whether a career at the Bar is right for you
- Practise your advocacy skills in a 5-minute "plea in mitigation"
- Take the opportunity to compete for Advocacy Scholarships
- Get vital practice for pupillage interviews
- Important notice: Due to the circumstances around Coronavirus (COVID-19), we are currently running virtual Selection Events for the foreseeable future.
Important Information - The University of Law fully complies with equal opportunities legislation and actively encourages diversity within the legal profession. Our admissions process acts fairly and aims to enable students to make the best use of their talents. You are encouraged to tell us about any special requirements at the earliest opportunity. This will allow us to discuss how we may go about meeting your requirements.
- Please see important information issued by the Bar Standards Board for those wishing to study for the Bar of England and Wales.
Enrollment Cycles
- January 2024
- July 2024
- September 2024
UK Entry Requirements
- Students must possess a 2:1 or above from a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) or a 2:1 in any undergraduate degree along with the Graduate Diploma in Law. Applicants with a 2:2 from a non-law degree will be required to achieve a commendation or distinction from their GDL studies. Some students with a 2:2 but other qualities such as additional higher education qualifications, relevant work experience, etc. may also be considered.
- Students must comply with the requirements for commencing a Bar Practice Course (BPC) set out by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
- You will be required to pass the Bar Standards Board aptitude test before your course starts (known as the Bar Course Aptitude Test - BCAT).
- Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria will be required to attend a Selection Interview at one of our campuses at a specified time in the applicant cycle.
- English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English
- An English Language level of IELTS 7.5 with a minimum of 7.5 in each component, or equivalent. Please see 'Alternative English language qualifications' section below for alternatives to IELTS.
Course Structure
- Knowledge areas
- Civil litigation, evidence and resolution of disputes out of court
- Criminal litigation, evidence and sentencing
- Core skills
- Advocacy, including examination-in-chief, cross-examination and civil applications
- Conferencing
- Drafting
- Opinion writing
- Professional Ethics
- Legal Research
- Mock trials
We give you as many opportunities as possible to hone your essential advocacy skills and put what you learn into practice:
- Participating in mock trials in real courtrooms with real judges and senior barristers
- Online advocacy skill demonstrations with feedback from practising barristers
- Visits to the High Court, Magistrate’s Court, Crown Court and County Courts
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Choose to study this award and you will have the opportunity to add an internationally recognised LLM qualification to your CV and pupillage applications.
You can complete your Master of Laws (LLM) qualification via three routes:
- Complete real-life work experience via our Pro Bono clinics* - you will advise, manage and represent clients on a variety of cases in legal areas. You will also be paired with a Master’s Supervisor, who will guide you through a reflective learning process so that you can complete your reflective assessment and obtain your Master’s Degree.
- Study additional modules** - increase your knowledge of legal practice areas which are of interest to you and can help shape the direction of your career. You will sit the exams once you’ve finished your Bar Practice Course.
- Write a dissertation - immerse yourself in an area of law and become expert in it, allowing you to demonstrate your knowledge in your applications to chambers and beyond.
- If you study our Bar Practice Course LLM, you could also be eligible for a SLC Postgraduate Loan.
*Students studying the Pro Bono route at our Liverpool campus in 2021 will have to attend regular sessions at our Manchester campus for the entire programme.
**Students studying additional modules at our Liverpool campus in 2021 will have to attend regular sessions (1-2 per week) at our Manchester campus for a single semester.
- BPC
- Outside London - £12,100
- London - £13,400
- BPC LLM
- Outside London - £14,900
- London - £16,500
- Total fees (including BSB fee of £870)