Bar Training Course

Take a vital step towards a future full of impact in the justice system, with the professional skills, practical approach and in-depth understanding you’ll need to be called to the Bar.

Course overview

Our Bar Training Course (BTC) is professionally focused and brings together the essential practical skills, legal knowledge and understanding of professionalism required to thrive at the Bar, or in a related field. We’ll help you develop resilience, confidence and leadership skills that you can take forward into your future car...

What you need to know

When does the course start?
What is the length of the course?
1 year full-time

2 years part-time

2-5 years part-time flexible
Where will I study this course?
Manchester

Features and benefits

"I would recommend Manchester Metropolitan to prospective students because of the friendly environment, modern facilities and fantastic teaching staff."
Emily
Bar Training Course

Course information

There are few roles in the legal sector with the impact and profile of a barrister. More than a career, it’s a vocation with a well-charted path of progression up to the highest levels of the law. Our leading, modern law school offers the perfect first step on that path.

From the environment we’ve created and the methods of study we employ, to the real-world opportunities we provide and the extra activities we offer, everything in this course is built to prepare you for the Bar. With us, you can expect rigorous standards of teaching, delivered by an exceptional team that combines practising and former practising barristers and solicitors.

It’s a team that knows what it takes to succeed, delivering a course geared to give you an experience that’s as real and relevant as possible. That starts with being a member of a group set up as mini chambers, working in chambers rooms, our moot courtroom and a legal library to mirror the real-life practice of a working barrister. And, with our professional practice module, you’ll also have the chance to gain work experience, develop your confidence and learn from practising professionals.

A wealth of pro bono opportunities offers the chance to tackle real-life legal issues, whilst our courtroom and mooting opportunities ensure you can put your advocacy skills to the test in a realistic and challenging environment. In short, you won’t just learn the principles, you’ll also get to grips with the practical skills.

Manchester Law School has a proud history of providing Bar training in the North West of England, with experience teaching this course for over 20 years. As such, we know what it takes to succeed on the course and in the profession. We’ve built long-standing links to both the local legal profession and to the Northern Circuit of Chambers in Cheshire, Liverpool, Manchester and Preston, giving you access to professional insight within our professional practice module. Above all, we offer a supportive environment with tutors committed to helping you achieve your very best.

For new graduates aiming for a career as a barrister, the market is incredibly competitive. Standing out from your peers demands well-honed skills, deep-rooted knowledge and relevant practical experience. Find out how you can achieve all this and more by joining our next cohort of BTC students in September 2025.

Accreditations, awards and endorsements

Bar Standards Board

This course is authorised by the Bar Standards Board.

This course is a postgraduate diploma and consists of 120 credits

Please note: The following details reflect how the course is run in the current 2024/25 academic year.

There are three study routes on the Bar Training Course: full-time, part-time and flexible. All three routes are taught together, on weekdays, in a supportive chambers environment. There is a minimum 80% attendance, preparation and engagement policy for all routes on this course. The majority of classes will take place on weekdays between 9am – 5pm, however some classes may be timetabled in the evening. The approved Hampel method is used to teach criminal and civil advocacy.

You will complete assessments throughout the year, which may take place on any weekday. The civil and criminal litigation assessments are set by the Bar Standards Board. A full assessment scheduler and year planner will be available at the start of the course.

Full-time

The full-time route generally consists of two and a half days on campus per week, during term time, between September and June. This will include one full day for your civil subjects, one full day for your criminal subjects and a half day session for Professional Ethics and Professional Practice. Please note, half day sessions might not take place every week for the full duration of the academic year, but your full day sessions will continue throughout.

This route requires a time commitment of approximately 40-45 hours per week, this includes time spent in class.

Part-time

The part-time route generally consists of one and a half days on campus per week, during term time, between September and June. You will spend one full day on campus studying your criminal (Year 1) and civil (Year 2) subjects. You will also study your Professional Ethics and Professional Practice modules in Year 1, which requires a half day attendance. Please note, half say sessions might not take place every week for the full duration of Year 1, but your full day session will continue throughout.

This route requires a time commitment of approximately 20-24 hours per week, this includes time spent in class.

Flexible

The flexible route allows the course to be spread across a maximum of five years, where you can choose which modules to study each year. This is subject to the following: Professional Ethics must be studied in Year 1 and skills subjects can only be studied after the relevant litigation subject, for example you can only study civil subjects after you’ve studied Civil Litigation. Each subject is taught in the same way as the part-time route outlined above.

This route requires a time commitment of approximately 12-25 hours per week, depending on which modules are being studied at the time. Classes for our flexible mode of study take place on the same days as those for the full and part-time modes. Each module is covered in a block of around 10-12 weeks, which will require attendance one day per week for the duration of that module.

If you wish to know more about how the flexible route might work for your particular circumstances, please contact our admissions lead for the Bar course.

Core modules

Civil Litigation

To provide knowledge, understanding and the ability to apply and evaluate the rules of civil litigation and resolution of disputes out of court.

Criminal Litigation Evidence and Sentencing

To provide knowledge, understanding and the ability to apply and evaluate the rules of criminal procedure, evidence and sentencing.

Professional Ethics

To introduce and develop the knowledge and applications of the key ethical and professional conduct issues and behaviours that underpin practice at the Bar.

Professional Practice

The Professional Practice unit (PPU) develops understanding of wellbeing and improves resilience and confidence to be able to thrive either at the Bar or in a professional career. The PPU creates opportunity to develop employability links with the legal and non-legal professional community, increases understanding of the high standards of the legal profession and develops community awareness and reflective leadership skills.

Conference Skills

To introduce and develop the skills necessary to prepare for, structure, take instructions and advise a client in conference.

Opinion Writing and Legal Research

To introduce and develop the skills to carry out legal research and provide written advice to the Instructing Solicitor and lay client.

Advocacy (Civil)

To introduce and develop the skills necessary to prepare, present and respond to a case or legal argument before a court or other tribunal in a civil context.

Drafting

To introduce and develop the skills of drafting statements of case to be used at different stages of legal proceedings.

Advocacy (Criminal)

To introduce and develop the skills necessary to prepare, present and respond to a case or legal argument before a court or other tribunal in a criminal context. To provide the skills necessary to examine witnesses (examination in chief and cross-examination in a criminal context).

Study and assessment breakdown

Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A masters qualification typically comprises of 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits and an MFA 300 credits. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be:

Study

Full-time 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study

Assessment

Full-time 50% coursework; 0% practical; 50% examination

Additional information about this course

Study

Whilst you may not spend a high percentage of your committed weekly hours physically in class you will be provided with a wide range of online exercises that cover the majority (up to 75%) of your module content. You will receive direction and support for all online content from the Bar course team.

Assessment

You will be assessed in a variety of different ways including examinations and coursework, alongside live assessments such as an oral performance. Each module you study will have a different assessment method which will be outlined at the start of the module.

Course extras

All study materials and textbooks are included in the course fee*. You are however required to pay your own Bar Registration Fee. Please see ‘Fees’ section below for further details.

*You may be asked to contribute to the cost of these books if you withdraw from the course within the first term.

Placement options

As part of Manchester Law School, you will have the chance to get involved in voluntary experiences through the Pro Bono Network. If you choose to work with one of our partners you won’t just be offering free expertise to people in need, you’ll also have the chance to build real skills and relevant experience.

Joining the Pro Bono Network offers the chance to experience different areas of law in practice, not only building your professional network and increasing your employability but, ultimately, making a difference to someone's life even before you qualify.

We work with a variety of organisations both local and international. In recent years our BTC students have embarked on pro bono work such as the Legal Advocacy Support Project where they've had the opportunity to represent real clients at appeal hearings.

Find out more about about the projects we currently offer

Our dedicated careers team are also on hand to help you find mini pupillages and help contact legal firms, so you can develop your own opportunities for gaining experience and building your network.

Meet us

Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.

We offer:

Meet us

Taught by experts

Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.

We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.

Meet your tutors Discover your department

Entry requirements

These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.

Bar students are selected primarily on academic ability. To be considered for a place on the Bar Training Course you will need to satisfy one of the following criteria:

You will have an LLB degree from an institution based in the UK/Republic of Ireland which included the seven foundation subjects (Contract Law, Tort, Criminal Law, EU Law, Public Law, Land Law and Equity and Trusts) with a minimum grade of 55% (2:2)*
You will have a non-law degree (with a minimum grade of 55% (2:2)) from an institution based in the UK/Republic of Ireland and have successfully completed an eligible conversion course, which included the seven foundation subjects, at a UK/Republic of Ireland institution (such as the GDL) with a minimum grade of 55%*

In exceptional circumstances, higher level qualifications such as a masters degree (with an overall grade of 55% or above) may be considered if your LLB or conversion course grade falls below the minimum requirement for this course.

All offers are subject to the condition that students successfully complete the academic stage of their training to the Bar Standards Board’s satisfaction and have enrolled as a student member of one of the four Inns of Court. For more information, requirements for the academic stage are set out in Part 2 of the Bar Qualification Manual.

You will need to apply to join one of the four Inns of Court (Gray’s Inn, Inner Temple, Lincoln’s Inn, Middle Temple) no later than 12 weeks prior to the start of this course. This means that to begin the course on 1 September 2025, you will need to have joined an Inn by 9 June 2025. Please note, the requirements for being called to the Bar by an Inn of Court will include an additional criminal records check.

International Students

If you have a degree from an institution outside of the UK/Republic of Ireland (with a grade equivalent to 55%*), you must first apply to the Bar Standards Board for a Certificate of Academic Standing to recognise your prior qualifications before you apply for this course. See Part 2D of the Bar Qualification Manual for further details.

We also require international students to have a minimum score of 7.5 in each element of the IELTS test (or equivalent English Language Proficiency test). Please note, we will not accept an average score of 7.5 if the minimum requirement has not been met in each individual element.

*You can apply for this course whilst studying the final year of your degree/conversion course, however any offers you receive will remain conditional until your final grade is confirmed.

Fees and funding

UK and Channel Island students

Full-time fee: £14,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Part-time fee: £1209 per 10 credits studied. The fee per credit will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (eg no repeat years or breaks in study). The total amount you pay each year may differ based on the number of credits studied.

EU and non-EU international students

Full-time fee: £14,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional information

A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional costs

specialist costs

Compulsory estimate: 100-125

Optional estimate: Dependent on seasonal travel costs, mode of transport, session fees and number of sessions attended in London, in comparison to Manchester.

Prior to enrolment, students are required to join one of the four Inns of Court. Joining fees are approximately £100-£125. You can check the joining fee of your chosen Inn on their website. For September 2025 entry, you must apply to join an Inn of Court by 9 June 2025.

Whilst studying the BTC you are required to complete 10 qualifying sessions at your Inn in order to be called to the Bar. You need to book these sessions through your Inn. There are fees for these sessions depending on the nature of the event - you can check these by contacting your Inn. Most qualifying sessions will take place in London so you will need to pay for travel to London. There will usually be around 2 to 3 qualifying sessions in Manchester each year.

professional costs

All students will be required to pay an additional Bar Registration Fee. For the 2024/25 academic year this fee was £705. The fee for 2025/26 entry will be confirmed in due course.

other costs

Optional estimate: £400

Students will be provided with Civil and Criminal Practitioner books. All of the research materials required for the course are available from the library, and where possible in digital format.

The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, many students may choose to buy a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop and up to £100 for printing.

Career prospects

This is a course created to start careers. It is not only designed around the demands set out by the Bar Standards Board, it’s a qualification built to give you a professional and practical edge when it comes to taking your next steps towards the competitive world of pupillage.

While the course is intended to help you progress onto the Bar, its practical approach and challenging curriculum can also prepare you for a range of other careers, across the legal world and beyond.

Many of our graduates have become barristers in the UK and internationally, while others have opted for different jurisdictions or roles in other related fields. We’ll be here to help you do the same, with the support of our Careers and Employability Service to help you pursue pupillage and take the next step in your legal career.

Our careers services

Bar training courses at Manchester Met

We’ve been delivering the bar course in Manchester for over 20 years, establishing a worldwide alumni network of successful barristers and members of the judiciary. Find out more about the benefits of studying your bar training course at Manchester Met, hear from some of our students and understand the three components towards qualifying as a barrister in England and Wales.

Find out more

Want to know more

Register your interest

Got a question?

How to apply

Please contact our course enquiries team.

What you’ll need

To apply for this course, you’ll need to complete the following items:

Online Application Form (see options above)
Supplementary Application Form*
Monitoring Questions Form

Additional requirements

A detailed academic reference from your most recent place of study. You will need to send your completed Reference Form to [email protected]

Application deadline

International applicants: May 2025 (exact date to be confirmed)

Home applicants: June 2025 (exact date to be confirmed)

How we will process your application

Bar Training Course applications are processed by our Postgraduate Admissions Team.

If you have any questions about your application, please contact our admissions team at [email protected]

Course start date: 1 September 2025

*Where stipulated, please complete the application form as linked to this page.

Get advice and support on making a successful application.

You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.

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LLM in Legal Practice at the Bar

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Graduate Diploma in Law (Common Professional Examination)

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Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our terms and conditions.

Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most up to date information for your chosen course of study.

Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found at officeforstudents.org.uk.

All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.