Interested in a future career as a lawyer? Use The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law to get started
Find out about the various legal apprenticeships on offer and browse vacancies with The Law Apprenticeships Guide
Information on qualifying through the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, including preparation courses, study resources, QWE and more
Discover everything you need to know about developing your knowledge of the business world and its impact on the law
The latest news and updates on the actions being taken to improve diversity and inclusion in the legal profession
Discover advice to help you prepare for and ace your vacation scheme, training contract and pupillage applications
Your first-year guide to a career in law – find out how to kickstart your legal career at this early stage
Your non-law guide to a career in law – everything you need to know about converting to law
updated on 21 March 2023
Bar courses vary in format depending on the law school, but they all combine teaching legal knowledge with practical skills. All Bar courses approved by the Bar Standards Board prepare students to pass the same centralised assessments.
Depending on which course you choose, you may study the knowledge and skills elements simultaneously or separately.
Knowledge
Students will cover topics, including:
Skills
Students learn the key barrister competencies of advocacy, conference skills, legal research and opinion writing and drafting. Legal ethics is also part of the course.
Optional extras
Many courses provide the option to undertake extra electives or a dissertation to add a master’s qualification to the core Postgraduate Diploma in Bar Practice.
Incorporating a master’s into the Bar course may be an attractive option for some students because it grants eligibility for postgraduate student loan funding.