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Routes to becoming a barrister

The pathway to becoming a barrister is not for the fainthearted but if you are thinking of this, we encourage you to get involved with as many of the suggested activities as you can.

To qualify as a barrister in England and Wales, you will need to complete the following steps:

  1. Complete a law degree which includes the seven foundation subjects (2.1 or above). A 2.2 will be considered with evidence of exceptional achievement elsewhere in the application, e.g. awards, scholarships, work experience – paid or unpaid.
  2. Join an Inn of Court at least 12 weeks before starting vocational training or Bar Training Course (BTC). See individual Inn of Court websites for fees and more information.
  3. Complete a Bar Training Course with an Authorised Education and Training Organisation. Have a look at our Bar Training Courses.
  4. Be 'Called to the Bar'.

If you wish to practice as a barrister in England and Wales, you must secure and complete a pupillage (work-based element of Bar training). All pupillages are advertised on the Pupillage Gateway from late November, the application portal is open from early January and closes in early February. See Bar Standards Board (BSB) information for more details.

Suggested activities to help you on your way:

  • Take part in mooting or other public speaking opportunities available during your studies.
  • Apply for mini-pupillages (short work experience opportunities within a set of chambers). Students can do these from their first year right up to and beyond completing the BTC.
  • Practice using your legal skills by volunteering with the multi-award-winning NLS Legal, the only on-campus law firm at a UK Law School.
  • Apply for an Inn of Court BTC scholarship. Applications open in September and the deadline is the first Friday in November. All four Inns of Court offer a range of scholarships to help students fund the vocational training for the Bar.

Support Through Court

NLS is the sole host university for Support Through Court's National Helpline and National Online Service. Both national services enable those without legal representation to receive immediate help, support and guidance.

A benefit of our expanded STC partnership is that NLS students can access an increased number of work experience opportunities, making it the largest STC university partnership to date.

Opportunities are advertised on the STC NOW learning room.