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Bar Practice Course (BPC)

Different course options

Full time | London Bloomsbury | 9 months | JUL-24

Study mode

Full time

Duration

9 months

Start date

JUL-24

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

Bar Professional Training Course

Subject areas

Law

Course type

Taught

Course Summary

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.

Our Bar Practice Course provides an ideal environment for developing the confidence, communication skills and leadership you’ll need to thrive at the Bar. With our experienced academic team and advanced learning technology, you will gain the expertise and experience needed to start your career as a barrister.

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.

Modules

Conferencing - Core
Professional Ethics - Core
Drafting - Core
Opinion writing - Core
Advocacy, including examination-in-chief, cross-examination and civil applications - Core
Legal Research - Core

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£15,650

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£14,200

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/MA Law/PgDL/MA Law (Conversion)/MA Law (SQE1) 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.