The Bar Standards Board

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) regulates barristers and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. In line with the regulatory objectives set out in the Legal Services Act 2007, the BSB is responsible for:

• setting the education and training requirements for becoming a barrister;
• setting continuing training requirements to ensure that barristers' skills are maintained throughout their careers;
• setting standards of conduct for barristers;
• authorising organisations that focus on advocacy, litigation, and specialist legal advice;
• monitoring the service provided by barristers and the organisations we authorise to ensure they meet our requirements; and
• considering reported concerns about barristers and the organisations we authorise and taking enforcement or other action where appropriate.

Training to become a barrister

The BSB’s Bar Qualification Manual contains everything you need to know about the Bar Qualification Rules, and training and qualifying as a barrister. We’ve also summarised this below.

The components of Bar training

There are three components to training to become a barrister. These are:

• the academic component;
• the vocational component,
• and the pupillage or work-based learning component.

To complete the academic component of training, you need either a law degree or a non-law degree awarded in the UK/Republic of Ireland (or its equivalent, as determined by the BSB) and the Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma in Law (GDL/PGDL). Your degree needs to be a minimum of a 2:2. During the academic component, you’ll cover the seven foundations of legal knowledge.

For more information about the academic component, visit this webpage. The rules and requirements relating to the academic component of training can be found in part two of the Bar Qualification Manual.

The vocational component covers a range of subjects to ensure that you acquire the specialist skills, knowledge of procedure and evidence, attitudes and competence to prepare you for becoming a barrister. If you successfully complete the vocational component of training, you’re 'called’ to the Bar by your Inn. However, you’ll not be authorised to practise as a barrister until you’ve completed the pupillage/work-based learning component.

For more information about the vocational component, visit this webpage. The rules and requirements relating to the vocational component of training can be found in part three of the Bar Qualification Manual.

In order to be authorised to practise as a barrister, you must first undergo a period of work-based, practical training under the supervision of an experienced barrister. This is known as pupillage, and those who are currently undergoing pupillage are called pupils.

For more information about the pupillage/work-based learning component, visit this webpage. The rules and requirements relating to the pupillage component of training can be found in part four of the Bar Qualification Manual.

The Authorisation Framework sets out the standards that an organisation must meet in order to be authorised to provide education and training for the Bar. Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) are authorised to deliver one or all components of training for the Bar through one of four approved training pathways. The term 'AETO' doesn’t include those that deliver only the academic component of training.

The three components of Bar training can be achieved by following one of the four approved training pathways:

• Three-step pathway: the academic component, followed by the vocational component, followed by the work-based learning component (ie, pupillage).
• Four-step pathway: the academic component, followed by the vocational component in two parts, followed by the work-based learning component (ie, pupillage).
• Integrated academic and vocational pathway: combined academic component and vocational component, followed by the work-based learning component (ie, pupillage).

In December 2024, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) published the Barrister Apprenticeship Standard. IfATE is an arm’s-length body of the Department for Education that works with employers to develop and approve apprenticeships. An occupational standard describes the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed. Their aim is to ensure that apprenticeships are of the highest quality. The standard for barristers is based on the Professional Statement. While the standard has been approved by IfATE, this means that there are currently no apprenticeships available for individuals to apply for. In order to get to this stage, prospective apprenticeship providers will need to apply to the BSB under the Authorisation Framework to be authorised to deliver an apprenticeship route.

The Curriculum and Assessment Strategy sets out what’s covered in each component of training and how the training relates to the Professional Statement, which sets out the threshold standard and competences expected of barristers on day one of practice when fully qualified.

All prospective barristers should review the full range of training options available. The BSB publishes details of vocational Bar training courses currently on offer via its website. The BSB has also published an annual Bar Training Report (including statistics on enrolment, results and student progression by course provider), an interim evaluation of the BSB's Bar training reforms and an annual report to the board on Bar training.

You can also read more about the different Bar courses on offer via LawCareers.Net’s guide to barrister training and the Courses search on the website. Plus, for more information about the current requirements of each component read the BSB’s Bar Qualification Manual.

It’s also possible to qualify as a barrister in England and Wales by transferring to the Bar from practice overseas, or by transferring to the Bar as a solicitor in practice in England and Wales, or as a teacher of the law of England and Wales. You can find out how to do this via the BSB website.

Each year, the BSB announces a new minimum pupillage award, which must be paid to pupils during pupillage. With effect from 1 January 2025, it’s £24,203 per annum in London and £22,019 per annum outside of London.