Getting a place on a BPTC course and becoming a barrister isn’t just about your academic eligibility; it’s a very competitive process. Each year there are over 3,000 applications for 1,500 or so places.

As well as a willingness to enter the fray, you’ll need:

·         a law-based undergraduate degree (at 2.2 or above)

·         if you are converting to law, the CPE or GDL, or a postgraduate law degree

·         to pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT)

·         Inns of Court membership.

Each of the nine providers has their own selection process, but all will look at your grades, the efforts that you’ve already made towards becoming a barrister, your communication skills and your references.

What does the BPTC involve?

The course is made up of four areas. The Bar Standards Board (BSB) breaks these down as:

Case work skills

·         Case preparation

·         Legal research.

Written skills

·         Opinion-writing (giving written advice on cases)

·         Drafting (writing various types of documents required for litigation).

Interpersonal skills

·         Conference skills (interviewing clients)

·         Negotiation

·         Advocacy (court or tribunal appearances).

Legal knowledge

·         Civil litigation and remedies

·         Criminal litigation and sentencing

·         Evidence

·         Professional ethics

·         Optional subjects.

You’ll need to pick your two optional subjects from a selection of at least six (these vary from course provider to provider). For example, BPP Law School offers:

·         Company law

·         International trade

·         Property and chancery

·         Intellectual property

·         Public international criminal law

·         Personal injury and clinical negligence

·         Professional discipline

·         Employment law

·         Family law

·         Judicial review

·         Advanced criminal litigation

·         Advanced commercial litigation.

Doing the BPTC on a full-time basis takes an academic year. BPP Law School, the University of Law, the City Law School, Manchester Metropolitan University,  Northumbria University and UWE all offer a part-time course that takes two years.

Assessment

The way the course is assessed does vary slightly from course provider to course provider. Generally speaking it’s a mixture of multiple choice, written papers and practical exercises demonstrating your conference, advocacy and negotiation skills (often filmed for review).

You’ll be assessed throughout the year on each of the subjects and awarded an overall grade at the end of the course: outstanding, very competent or competent. Below 60 per cent and it’s a ‘not competent’ mark and a fail.

Don’t think about having any sneaky lie-ins either; an attendance rate of less than 90 per cent is also a fail.

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