Course summary
Maximise your chances of securing pupillage by building your legal knowledge and skills side by side. You'll embed your understanding through regular application of your knowledge to scenarios you are likely to experience when advising clients or in court. Why study the Bar Training Course? By completing the UWE Bristol Bar Training Course, you'll gain the competencies required to be called to the Bar, as set out by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). This vocational course combines legal knowledge and practical skills to maximise your chances of success and pupillage.
- PG Diploma (Full-time, nine months): Seven compulsory modules taught over no more than four days a week, with time for reflection, consolidation and/or work experience.
- PG Diploma (Part-time, two years): The same seven modules taught on Fridays and Saturdays every three to four weeks, blending face-to-face and online learning.
- LLM (Full-time, one year): Seven compulsory modules plus two optional modules and a written project, completed over the summer.
- LLM (Part-time, 26 months): Core modules over two years, with optional modules and a project completed in the second summer.
- Substantial teaching, feedback and formative assessments.
- Strong personal and academic support, including regular contact with a personal tutor.
- Access to extensive university resources.
- Career-enhancing opportunities through links with local and national chambers, including competitions, guest lectures, and pro bono work.
Modules
LLM full-time course: you will undertake the seven compulsory modules required for the vocational component which will take up to nine months. You then have a choice of further options, project or dissertation modules leading to the master's award. These modules are designed to reinforce your development as a reflective practitioner with responsibility for your own self-development. Depending upon your optional choices/dissertation, this could take up to an additional 12 months to complete the master's qualification. Eligible students will be able to apply for postgraduate loan funding to complete the LLM course. LLM part-time course. Over two years, you will undertake the seven compulsory modules required to complete the vocational component. Nearly all your tuition will be timetabled at weekends. You will then have a choice of further options, project or dissertation modules leading to your eventual master's award.
Assessment method
Civil Litigation and Criminal Litigation assessments are set by the Central Examination Board, on behalf of the Bar Standards Board, and examined using multiple choice questions. Professional Ethics is set by UWE Bristol as an unseen assessment in controlled conditions. All other assessments are also set locally and are either completely seen or partially seen, in that you will receive information in advance to research the relevant areas of law. In most assessments, you will be graded as either Outstanding, Very Competent, Competent, or Not Yet Competent. We use mock assessments with feedback to help you monitor and improve your performance, and prepare effectively. Our tutors have extensive experience of the centralised assessments, so are well placed to support you. For added flexibility, there is some choice about when you take your assessments, although we structure the teaching to allow you to complete them at the earliest opportunity.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Bar Standards Board
Entry requirements
Entry requirements As stipulated by the BSB you will need: To hold a law degree/conversion course, which meets the requirements for study of the foundations of legal knowledge subjects A degree classification (minimum 2:2) Membership of an Inn of Court English language ability (see below). All students who apply for a place on the UWE BTC course will be considered for the offer of a place by reference to the extent their application form demonstrates: The potential to fulfil the BSB Professional Statement Competences A commitment to a career at the Bar/in law A record of legal work experience or other law related activity during their studies. These criteria will be assessed by reference to a prospective student's answers on the online application form. English Language Requirement All prospective barristers must be able to demonstrate that their English language ability is at least equivalent to: 7.5 in the IELTS academic test (all sections) 73 in each part of the Pearson test of English (academic) All applicants should have an effective command of the language and be able to use it appropriately, accurately and fluently so as to handle complex and detailed argumentation. International students will be required to produce a certificate evidencing the necessary IELTS or Pearson test scores. Barristers should: Use correct and appropriate vocabulary, English grammar, spelling and punctuation in all communications Speak fluent English. The method for verifying that a prospective barrister has met this requirement will be determined by UWE, Bristol. Potential exemptions International students will be required to produce a certificate evidencing the necessary IELTS or Pearson scores unless they are a current UWE student and have: an actual 2:1 or predicted 2:1 LLB at the point of application for a place on the BTC, or an actual LLM with merit or above at the point of application for a place on the BTC, or an actual commendation or above in the GDL. UWE Bristol reserves the right to require any candidates who successfully self-certify to undertake the IELTS academic test or Pearson test if they do not subsequently demonstrate the English language requirement set out above. Deferred entry We do not accept deferred entry applications for this course.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fee information is to be confirmed. All fees are subject to final approval. Please visit our website for further information.
Provider information
Bristol, UWE
Coldharbour Lane
Frenchay
Bristol
BS16 1QY