Bar Course

In a demanding and rapidly changing legal landscape, the highest quality training is required to succeed as a barrister. Northumbria University’s Bar Course will support you in gaining the necessary knowledge and practical skills that are essential to practice at the modern Bar.

The new Bar course replaces the former Bar Professional Training Course. Teaching on Northumbria’s Bar Course is led by a team of highly experienced barristers and supported by a well-established network of members of the Bar, Judges and other practitioners. 

You will benefit from generous contact hours throughout the course including dedicated exam-focused teaching sessions . During which the teaching team will share their expertise to support you in preparing for the Bar Standards Board (BSB) centralised assessments. Alongside practice-focused teaching, students will also benefit from a year-long series of workshops designed to support knowledge, understanding and exam techniques and preparation for these assessments. You may also gain, at no further cost, an additional qualification in Mediation. 

Applicants should normally have:

Exceptionally, applicants with an undergraduate law degree of 2:2 classification or a ‘Pass’ on the GDL will be considered if they can demonstrate:

(a) that their overall performance demonstrates that they were capable of achieving an upper second class degree (or Commendation, if they have taken the GDL) but that there is clear evidence of extenuating circumstances which adversely affected their performance; and/or

(b) Evidence of excellent academic performance subsequent to completion of the undergraduate law degree/GDL eg. ‘Commendation’ / ‘Merit’ or above at Master’s level; and

(c) Strength in other areas of the candidate’s application, such as mooting; debating; relevant work experience.

Candidates who have achieved a 2:2 at undergraduate law degree level or a ‘Pass’ on the GDL but who have strengths in other areas of their application may be invited to participate in an interview with academic staff, where the applicant’s application can be fully discussed and staff can better assess the applicant’s suitability for Bar training.

Applicants must demonstrate that their English language ability is at least equivalent to: 

(a) a minimum score of 7.5 in each section of the IELTS academic test, or

(b) a minimum score of 73 in each part of the Pearson Test of English (academic).

On successful completion of the Bar Course you will be fully prepared for the demands of practice, and will be eligible for call to the Bar of England and Wales (subject to meeting the qualifying requirements of your Inn of Court).

At Northumbria, we aim to ensure that you are prepared in every way for pupillage selection and life as a barrister. The course will build on your existing legal knowledge and equip you with the skills, knowledge and values necessary for practice as an effective and successful legal professional.

Northumbria Law School is internationally-recognised as delivering excellence in training for the Bar, and we are an integral part of the local legal community. Local firms and practitioners often sponsor prizes celebrating student success on the programme – evidence of the high esteem in which our graduates are held and a remarkable opportunity for you to gain recognition.