Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time) City St George's, University of London

First and foremost the Bar Vocational Studies programmes are designed to allow students to complete the vocational stage of training for the Bar of England and Wales. They attract students from around the world and from all parts of the UK. In particular, the course is designed for students who want to develop their skills as advocates, and those who want to research and apply the law to help clients in presenting legal cases in court.

The Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time) programme will particularly appeal to those students who relish the opportunity to build skills and acquire knowledge through interaction with professionals and peers, and prefer to follow the usual academic timeline, which fits with pupillage recruitment and allows extended work placements during the summer break.

This is the best option for you, if a regular class structure motivates your study, helps you achieve your goals, and if you benefit from face-to-face learning. You will also receive support in small study groups.

From recent graduates to doctors and front bench opposition MPs, the programmes cater both for those who have always been dedicated to a professional legal career as well as people seeking a career change, and those who are able to make use of the training together with a professional legal qualification in business, management or administration.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement is an undergraduate degree classified as not less than a lower-second class honours (2:2) or equivalent. This can be either a law degree or a non-law degree plus further graduate/postgraduate study in Law and in either case must cover the seven foundations of legal knowledge and satisfy the Professional Statement competence.

The Bar Standards Board can advise on non-standard qualifications.

Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT)

The Bar Course Aptitude Test is designed to assess your critical reasoning skills, which are an essential attribute to success as a lawyer. It is taken before the Bar Vocational Studies Course, and is a pre-condition to starting the Course.

It is administered by the Bar Standards Board. Details of the opening and closing dates of the test are set by the Bar Standards Board and vary from year to year but please note that the final opportunity to take the test before the full-time course is usually in late August and you must have passed it in order to start the course. Places to take the test also fill up so it is important to register to take it as early as possible.

Inn membership

Applicants to the Bar Vocational Studies Course must also apply for membership of one of the four Inns of Court by the last working day of May. The Inns of Court have well-established scholarship schemes, with closing dates on the first Friday in November of the year preceding study. These deadlines may be subject to change.

For further details please check the website of the Inn you wish to join.