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Careers and Employability

A Career at the Bar

This section contains a brief outline of the steps to becoming a barrister. Its main objective is to draw your attention to salient issues and timing, whilst referring you to other sources of information and advice for more in-depth knowledge or guidance. The Information about Legal Careers has links to many other useful sources of information on this topic.

Mini - Pupillages

Mini-pupillages are periods of work experience spent with barristers. They are essential to develop your insight into the role of the barrister in different environments and to provide evidence of commitment to recruiting chambers.

For information on mini-pupillages go to Legal Work Experience.

Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)

The BPTC is currently the professional qualification for barristers who wish to practise in England and Wales and is also accepted in a number of other countries. It was formerly known as the BVC and you will still see it referred to as such in a number of publications and on websites. The course is typically one year in duration full-time and two years part-time. For details of the content of the skills and knowledge taught in the course, see the Education and Training section of the Bar Standards Board.

How do I apply?

The central application system is entitled BPTC Online. The system opens in early November and usually closes is the second week of January. Dates not yet available. There is a clearing system but as this is a competitive training route, this is primarily for candidates who did not apply earlier for extenuating circumstances such as illness or family pressures. For details of this see the Bar Standards Board's website as above.

What are the selectors looking for?

All providers will seek a qualifying law degree or equivalent (minimum 2:2 although there is a strong preference for a 2:1 or above and statistics show that success in gaining pupillage is significantly lower for candidates with a 2:2). Anything lower than a 2:2 will no longer provide entry to the BPTC.
High levels of ability in written and oral English are essential. If English or Welsh is not your first language you must demonstrate that you have attained a minimum 7.5 IELTS standard in all sections of the academic test or a TOEFL score of 28 in each section. 
In addition to seeking strong academic ability course providers seek key skills to practise effectively as a barrister and commitment to a career at the bar. It will be assumed that you have undertaken mini-pupillages and have practiced advocacy. Your form will score very poorly in the selection process if this is not the case.

The BPTC Online form has not yet been made available but the previous application format asked for information on:

  • Mini-pupillages and other Bar-related experiences
  • Reasons for Choice of Career
  • Evidence of Intellectual Ability
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Advocacy and Public Speaking
  • Personal and Organisational Skills

There typically are no interviews for places on the BPTC (although this is changing, so check with your preferred provider) so your application form needs to provide all the evidence of your ability to research, gather and present information effectively. It is crucial to answer the questions precisely and comprehensively. Equally, presentation and accuracy are important. Careers Advisers are available via drop-in to help you with completing and refining your application.

Where can I do the BPTC?

There are ten courses available with a full listing of numbers of places and mode of study in the Education and Training section of www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

The institutions approved by the Bar Council to offer the BPTC are:

See file K in the Careers and Employability Centre or on the Occupations Wiki for additional information.

How do I fund the BPTC?

Possibilities include:

  • The Inns of Court.  The Inns make a variety of individual scholarships each year. The closing dates are early November and you can only apply to one Inn.  Each Inn has a unique range of scholarships and funding allocation. All Inns interview for their scholarships.  See the contact details for the Inns of Court, below. 

  • The Bar Law Loans Scheme. The Bar Council and the Inns have reached an arrangement with HSBC Bank Plc's London Barrister Commercial Centre in Fleet Street, under which HSBC has agreed to make loans available to able and committed Bar students on favourable terms. See: www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/finance-and-funding/funding-and-scholarships
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  • Professional Study Loans.  A number of banks offer loans with favourable repayment specifically for aspiring barristers based on the fact that you are a potential high earner.  Each bank will have different rates and repayment terms so do check these carefully. Bar Council advice is to approach banks in the vicinity of the Inns of Court and speak to a member of the specialist barrister team as they are accustomed to dealing with aspiring barristers. See: www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/finance-and-funding/funding-and-scholarships Some BPTC providers will have negotiated deals with particular banks.  
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  • Professional and Career Development Loans. The Skills Funding Agency will provide support for vocational education. The Agency will pay your interest whilst on the BPTC and up to a month after you have completed. See the learning and education section of www.direct.gov.uk for information.

  • Pupillage Draw-down. A number of chambers will allow their successful applicants to draw part of their award early in order to help fund the BPTC. These chambers tend to be those that pay the highest awards rather than the minimum. 
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  • Institution Bursaries / Competitions. Occasionally there are course-provider bursaries to which you can apply / compete in advance. Check individual provider websites for details. 
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  • Charities.  Publications such as The Charities Digest, The Directory of Grant Making Trusts and The Grants Register identify trusts and charities that may be able to provide some financial assistance. Such funding is often very limited. 
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  • Local Education Authorities.  Grants are available on a discretionary basis which, in effect, means that very few authorities will pay towards the expenses of the BPTC particularly in the current economic climate. It is, however, worth enquiring about local policy.

Joining an Inn of Court

The four Inns of Court provide collegiate and educational activities for barristers and student barristers. Activities with your chosen Inn form a compulsory part of your training for the Bar. You must undertake 12 qualifying sessions with your Inn prior to being Called to the Bar. This has traditionally been referred to as 'Dining' but can include training courses or education events as well as actually dining in the Inn. The Inns also provide scholarships for the BPTC. You can join an Inn as soon as possible to develop your profile and demonstrate commitment to the Bar. You must have joined an Inns of Court by the 31 May preceding the commencement of your BPTC.

If you anticipate any difficulties with membership arising from any form of conviction or similar, do contact your chosen Inn at an early stage.

There are four Inns of Court:
Lincoln's Inn
Middle Temple
Inner Temple
Gray's Inn

You can usually arrange to visit the Inns before deciding which one to join - contact the Students' Adviser at each Inn. Look at the Inns' websites to gain an insight into their programme of activities, support for students and scholarship programmes. As a student member, you will be given a 'sponsor' who is a practising barrister and a member of the same Inn. The 'sponsor' will provide practical support and advice. You may also begin 'dining' at the Inn and participating in moots and debates as soon as you join rather than waiting until you are on the BPTC.  Membership of an Inn enables you to forge useful contacts for mini-pupillages and, ultimately, pupillages.

Pupillages

UK and EU students

Those who wish to practise as a barrister are required to undertake pupillage for a total of twelve months, six months of which must be in a chambers in England or Wales. This typically consists of six months observing and assisting followed by six months of practice with a client caseload and court appearances. The practising six months can take place in settings other than the host Chambers. For details see the BSB website. Further training will also take place over the next three years during the early years of tenancy.

Occasionally, aspiring barristers who are unsuccessful in gaining a tenancy will undertake a third pupillage.

What are Chambers looking for?
Competition for pupillages is severe. It is much more difficult to gain a pupillage than to gain a place on the BPTC. Chambers will expect you to be specific and informed regarding the area of law you wish to pursue and why as well as being able to demonstrate a real interest in their chambers. It is therefore critical to ensure you have undertaken the range of experiences necessary and have the appropriate academic ability and skills to apply effectively. Having participated in legal work experience, in particular mini-pupillages, is just one of the essential requirements for an effective application. Some Chambers will only accept applications from those who have undertaken a mini-pupillage with them. The requirements are very similar to those for the BPTC as outlined above.

How do I apply?

The pupillage application system is the Pupillage Portal: www.pupillages.com. This has replaced the OLPAS system which you will still find mentioned on chambers websites and even the Pupillage Portal website. 

  • Approximately 60% of recruiting chambers are in the Pupillage Portal scheme which has a set schedule and common application form for recruitment. All chambers in the Pupillage Portal scheme as well as those to which you can apply individually, are listed on the Pupillage Portal applications must be submitted via the application form on the website. 
  • Most recruitment is a year in advance. It is anticipated that the 2013 Portal will open at the end of March for first round applications and close in April so the application window is likely to be less than a month.
  • There is a clearing process for any remaining or new pupillages but competition will be severe at this stage. 
  • A sample application form is available on the Pupillage Portal website.
  • A few Chambers recruit two years in advance - towards the end of the penultimate year of the law degree. Most Chambers recruit a year in advance but in reality most applicants are successful during or after their BPTC rather than at degree stage.
  • Chambers recruiting individually will state their preferred method of application and deadline. Pick up a copy of Prospects Law for advice or visit the Resource Room.
  • All Chambers interview for pupillages and believe this to be a critical part of the application process. For interview advice visit the Careers and Employability Centre.

What else do I need to know?

  • The Pupillage and Awards Handbook is an indispensable guide containing details of all organisations offering pupillage in the forthcoming year and comprehensive information about pupillage awards. This Handbook accompanies the Pupillage Portal website and allows you to view pupillage vacancies offline. The handbook is available from the Careers Service Fair in early March.
  • An annual Pupillage Fair is held in London (Saturday in early March).  This provides you with the opportunity to meet representatives from chambers and attend seminars.
  • All first six pupillages (the non-practising period) now carry some funding of not less than £5,000. In the case of the second six, chambers may make an award of £5,000 or guarantee receipts of not less than £5,000.  Many students also apply for awards from the Inns of Court.
  • In order to be called to the Bar, students are required to complete twelve qualifying units (traditionally called dining). These can be completed in a number of ways including residential weekends, education days and dinners organised by the Inns of Court. Finding a Tenancy

At the end of pupillage, you must find a seat or tenancy in a set of Chambers. This is highly competitive and there are many more pupillages than tenancies.  However, it is worth noting that outside of London, Chambers tend not to offer pupillage unless there is a good chance of a tenancy. There is currently no central application system for tenancies.

Your time as a pupil is critical to showcase your ability and network within the professions.

 

Useful Addresses

The Bar Standards Board, 289-293 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7HZ.

Inns of Court:
Students Department, The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, Treasury Office, Lincolns Inn, London WC2A 3TL.

Education Department, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Treasurer's Office, Inner Temple, London, EC4Y 7HL.

Students Department, The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, Treasury Office, 2 Plowden Buildings, London, EC4Y 9AT.

Education Department, The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, 8 South Square, London, WC1R 5EU.

 

Updated: 1 October 2012