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 several new routes to become a barrister. Please note that it is unlikely that all of these will be available from 2020, or even from 2021, though there is a list of providers who have been authorised so far for 2020. Please see below for a more detailed summary of each pathway.

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.

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.

Students and graduates

Mini-pupillages

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