Skip to:

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to accessibility
City, University of London
  • Student Hub
  • Staff Hub
Search
Menu
Home
  • Prospective students
    • Courses
      • Undergraduate degrees
      • Foundation courses
      • Postgraduate taught degrees
      • Postgraduate research degrees
      • Short courses
      • Professional development courses
      • City Health courses
    • Apply
      • Entry requirements
      • How to apply
        • Undergraduate
        • Information for teachers
        • Postgraduate taught
        • Postgraduate research
          • Preparing your application
            • Preparing your research proposal
        • Short courses
          • The Novel Studio Published Alumni
      • Prospectus
        • Undergraduate
        • Postgraduate
        • Short courses
      • Visas
        • Student visas
          • Applying from outside the UK
          • Applying from within the UK
          • Applying for a dependant visa
          • Preparing your application
          • Working in the UK
        • Standard Visitor visas
          • How to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa
          • Non-visa nationals
        • ATAS certificates
        • Brexit and European nationals
      • Study abroad programmes
        • Partnership programme
        • Study abroad modules
      • Clearing and Adjustment
        • Applying through Clearing
        • Applying through Adjustment
      • Alternative entry routes
        • Foundation courses
        • Second-year students
        • Work experience
      • Contact Admissions
    • Finance
      • Funding options
      • Earn while you learn
      • How to pay
        • Payment methods
        • Fee schedules
        • Deposit refunds
    • Accommodation and housing
      • Compare residential halls
      • Applying for halls
        • Undergraduate
        • Postgraduate
        • Clearing
      • Paying for halls
      • Private accommodation
        • Finding a place to live
        • Accommodation for families
      • Short-term accommodation
    • Open events and fairs
      • Campus tours
      • Online chats
        • Undergraduate online events
        • Postgraduate online events
        • Ask a student
      • University fairs
    • Student life
      • London experience
      • Local area
      • Sports
        • Sport clubs
        • Non-competitive sport
        • Competitive sport
      • Social activities and groups
      • Religion
      • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus
      • Volunteering
      • Student wellbeing
        • Mental health counselling
        • Learning support
        • Young, estranged students
        • Care leavers
        • Young adult carers
        • Personal tutoring programme
      • Learn another language
    • Career development
      • Internships and employment opportunities
        • Micro-placements
        • Pro bono
      • Career pathways
      • Job prospects and graduate destinations
      • Careers team
    • Subjects
  • Research
    • Research impact
      • Research Excellence Framework
      • Research case studies
    • Research strategy
    • Research support
      • Grants and funding
      • Integrity and ethics
        • Research ethics
          • Principles
          • Approval process
          • Approval outcomes and appeals
          • External ethics approvals
        • Ethics guidance and resources
          • Participant information and consent
          • Recruiting participants from City
          • Records management
          • Research conducted abroad
          • FAQ
        • Research integrity
          • Framework for good practice in research
          • Research misconduct
      • Research data
        • Managing active research data
        • Digital research data and Figshare
      • Researcher development
    • Research centres and groups
  • For businesses
    • Start your business
      • Develop your startup idea
        • One-to-one startup advice
        • The Good Entrepreneur Festival
        • Startup camp
        • Startup seminars
        • Side hustle
        • CitySpark workshops
      • Launch your startup
        • Start-up visa
        • Launch Lab
    • Grow your business
      • Fund your business
      • Hire an academic consultant
      • Purchase our intellectual property
      • Purchase a company
    • Develop your people
      • Bespoke training
    • Business impact case studies
    • Access our student talent
      • Recruit with us
      • Meet and support our students
        • Become a mentor
      • Placement partners and trusts
  • Alumni and supporters
    • Alumni benefits
    • Global alumni network
      • Networks and Groups
        • City Alumni LinkedIn groups
      • Alumni ambassadors
      • Special interest groups
    • Contact Alumni Relations
    • Support City
      • Donate to City
      • Volunteering
      • Your impact
  • News and events
    • News
    • Events
    • Social media directory
      • City social accounts
      • School and Departmental accounts
  • About us
    • Schools and Departments
      • School of Arts and Social Sciences
        • About the School
          • Athena SWAN
          • Employability, placements and internships
            • English for academic purposes (EAP)
          • Research and Enterprise
        • Department of Economics
          • Research
            • Discussion pages
        • Department of English
        • Department of International Politics
          • Examples of research projects
          • Research
        • Department of Journalism
          • Where our graduates work
          • James Cameron Memorial Lecture
            • Lectures
            • Special awards
            • Winners
          • Journalism scholarships
          • Stern Bryan Fellowship
        • Department of Music
          • 40th anniversary
          • Composition at City
          • Department ensembles
          • Ensembles in residence
          • Industry visitors
          • Placement opportunities
          • Research in the Department of Music
            • The Shahnameh Project: Disseminating Iranian musical culture in Britain
            • Middle East and Central Asia Music Forum
            • Staff Research Interests
        • Department of Psychology
          • Research in the Department of Psychology
            • Staff publications
        • Department of Sociology
          • City Q-Step Centre
        • Centre for Language Studies
      • The Business School (formerly Cass)
      • School of Health Sciences
        • About the school
          • Athena SWAN
          • Community Engagement Committee
          • Enterprise
          • Senior Management Team
          • Selection Day
          • City Health bespoke training
          • Courses
            • Undergraduate and pre-registration courses
            • Postgraduate study
            • Continuing Personal and Professional Development
            • Fees and funding
            • Information for placement partners
            • Occupational Health Checks
            • Contact the School of Health Sciences
            • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check (formerly CRB)
            • NHS finance and grants
          • Internationalisation
            • SHS International Excellence Scholarship
          • Optical Appliance Testing Service
          • Ready to mentor
          • Reference request
          • Research
            • Doctoral Studentships
            • Research ethics
          • Student life
            • Placement partners and trusts
            • Why choose a career in the health sector
        • Division of Health Services Research and Management
        • Division of Language and Communication Science
        • Division of Midwifery and Radiography
          • Radiography undergraduate learning contract
        • Division of Nursing
        • Division of Optometry and Visual Sciences
        • Disability and Social Inclusion Seminars
      • School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering
        • About the school
          • Athena SWAN
          • Aviation Management at City
          • Business and Information Systems
          • European Global Product Realisation
            • The EGPR course
            • The EGPR history
            • The universities
          • Our London location
          • Energy MSc courses at City
          • European Micro Gas Turbine Forum
          • Placements and internships
            • About Professional Liaison Unit
            • Awards and Prizes
            • Employer information
            • Placement and internship schemes
            • Professional development
          • Preparing your research proposal
          • Wind turbine design challenge
          • Maritime Greece
          • Maritime Management at City
        • Department of Civil Engineering
        • Department of Computer Science
          • Data Science - an emerging discipline
          • Research Ethics
          • Student projects
          • Video gallery
          • Cyber Security MSc courses at City
          • Technical skills for MSc Data Science
        • Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
          • Chocoholic Safe
          • Control system for central heating
        • Department of Library and Information Science
          • Definition of Library and Information Science
          • CityLIS Courses
        • Department of Mathematics
          • Potential PhD projects
        • Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics
          • City Racing Team
            • Building the car
            • Joining and competing
            • Meet the team
      • The City Law School
        • Academic programmes
        • Professional programmes
        • About the School
          • Contact the City Law School
          • How to find us
          • Free Legal Advice Clinic
            • The School Exclusion Project
            • Pro-Bono
            • Start-Ed Commercial Law Clinic
          • Legal careers
          • Careers advice
            • Pupillage Advice Service
            • Training Contract Advisory Service
          • Courses
            • Continuing Professional Development courses
            • Professional courses
            • Undergraduate
          • International
          • Research
            • Working Paper Series
            • ESRC Project
            • Ethics
            • Global Law@City
            • The Critical Corporation Project
            • Academic Visitor Programme
          • Support
            • Athena SWAN in the Law School
            • Financing your study
      • Doctoral College
        • Funding and scholarships
        • Essential information
        • Meet the Team
    • History
    • People
      • Academics
      • Research students
      • Students
      • Honorary graduates
      • Past students
      • Professional Services staff
      • International agents and representatives
      • Senior people
    • Facilities
      • Campuses
      • Libraries
      • Gym
      • University of London facilities
      • Specialist facilities
    • Work for us
      • Apply
      • Benefits
      • Career development
    • Vision and Strategy
      • Vision
      • Strategy
        • Better
        • Bigger
        • Partnerships
        • Living the values
      • Performance
      • Academic excellence
        • Rankings
        • Education
          • Flexible learning spaces
          • Active and collaborative learning
          • Term dates
        • Student statistics
      • Equality, diversity and inclusion
        • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
        • Data and objectives
        • Staff networks
      • Sustainable development
        • Energy management
        • Waste management
        • Biodiversity conservation
        • Green travel
        • Education
        • Sustainable food
        • Get involved
      • Civic engagement
    • Governance and legal
      • Charter and Statutes
      • Rector
      • Council
        • Audit and Risk Committee
        • Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee
        • Remuneration Committee
        • Strategy, Implementation and Performance Committee
      • Senate
        • Board of Studies
        • Collaborative Provision Committee
        • Educational Quality Committee
        • Research and Enterprise Committee
        • Senate Research Ethics Committee
      • Executive leadership
        • President
      • Financial statements
        • Financial Summary
      • Legal documents and policies
      • Committees
    • Global City
    • Contact us and find us
      • Find us
      • Contact us
      • Staff directory
    • Guidance on Coronavirus
      • Coronavirus guidance for research
      • Admissions advice during coronavirus
        • Coronavirus accommodation information
        • Visa and Immigration advice during coronavirus
      • Student and staff coronavirus statistics
  • Student Hub
  • Staff Hub
  • Prospective students
    Prospective students
    • Courses
      • Undergraduate degrees
      • Foundation courses
      • Postgraduate taught degrees
      • Postgraduate research degrees
      • Short courses
      • Professional development courses
      • City Health courses
    • Apply
      • Entry requirements
      • How to apply
      • Prospectus
      • Visas
      • Study abroad programmes
      • Clearing and Adjustment
      • Alternative entry routes
      • Contact Admissions
    • Finance
      • Funding options
      • Earn while you learn
      • How to pay
    • Accommodation and housing
      • Compare residential halls
      • Applying for halls
      • Paying for halls
      • Private accommodation
      • Short-term accommodation
    • Open events and fairs
      • Campus tours
      • Online chats
      • University fairs
    • Student life
      • London experience
      • Local area
      • Sports
      • Social activities and groups
      • Religion
      • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus
      • Volunteering
      • Student wellbeing
      • Learn another language
    • Career development
      • Internships and employment opportunities
      • Career pathways
      • Job prospects and graduate destinations
      • Careers team
    • Subjects
  • Research
    Research
    • Research impact
      • Research Excellence Framework
      • Research case studies
    • Research strategy
    • Research support
      • Grants and funding
      • Integrity and ethics
      • Research data
      • Researcher development
    • Research centres and groups
  • For businesses
    For businesses
    • Start your business
      • Develop your startup idea
      • Launch your startup
    • Grow your business
      • Fund your business
      • Hire an academic consultant
      • Purchase our intellectual property
      • Purchase a company
    • Develop your people
      • Bespoke training
    • Business impact case studies
    • Access our student talent
      • Recruit with us
      • Meet and support our students
      • Placement partners and trusts
  • Alumni and supporters
    Alumni and supporters
    • Alumni benefits
    • Global alumni network
      • Networks and Groups
      • Alumni ambassadors
      • Special interest groups
    • Contact Alumni Relations
    • Support City
      • Donate to City
      • Volunteering
      • Your impact
  • News and events
    News and events
    • News
    • Events
    • Social media directory
      • City social accounts
      • School and Departmental accounts
  • About us
    About us
    • Schools and Departments
      • School of Arts and Social Sciences
      • The Business School (formerly Cass)
      • School of Health Sciences
      • School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering
      • The City Law School
      • Doctoral College
    • History
    • People
      • Academics
      • Research students
      • Students
      • Honorary graduates
      • Past students
      • Professional Services staff
      • International agents and representatives
      • Senior people
    • Facilities
      • Campuses
      • Libraries
      • Gym
      • University of London facilities
      • Specialist facilities
    • Work for us
      • Apply
      • Benefits
      • Career development
    • Vision and Strategy
      • Vision
      • Strategy
      • Performance
      • Academic excellence
      • Equality, diversity and inclusion
      • Sustainable development
      • Civic engagement
    • Governance and legal
      • Charter and Statutes
      • Rector
      • Council
      • Senate
      • Executive leadership
      • Financial statements
      • Legal documents and policies
      • Committees
    • Global City
    • Contact us and find us
      • Find us
      • Contact us
      • Staff directory
    • Guidance on Coronavirus
      • Coronavirus guidance for research
      • Admissions advice during coronavirus
      • Student and staff coronavirus statistics
Coronavirus, latest information for staff and students.
  1. Home
  2. …
  3. Courses
  4. Postgraduate taught degrees
  5. Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time and Part-time)
Courses
  • Undergraduate degrees
  • Foundation courses
  • Postgraduate taught degrees
  • Postgraduate research degrees
  • Short courses
  • Professional development courses
  • City Health courses
Dr Grietje Baars smiling at a colleague

Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time and Part-time) LLM/PGDip/PGDip with Specialism

Postgraduate taught degree

This course is for 2021/22 entry.

  • Apply now

Key information

Prepare for Call to the Bar of England and Wales by studying our Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme. Compulsory modules equip you with the specialist skills and knowledge of procedure and evidence, developing your abilities in advocacy and how to help clients present legal cases.

Start date

September 2021

Institution

City, University of London

Course codes
  • LALMBVS01
  • LAPDBSS01
  • LAPDBVS01
Location

Northampton Square

  • Online sessions
  • Open evening
  • Register interest
  •  

    Study

    Study at the School where vocational training for barristers was first devised

  •  

    diploma

    The choice of three routes leading to a postgraduate diploma, a postgraduate diploma with specialism, or an LLM

  • Course overview
  • Structure
  • Teaching and assessment
  • Fees and funding
  • Career
  • How to apply

Course overview

You will learn how to advise and represent a range of clients and prepare for the demands of a career at the Bar through this rigorous course, which is designed to reflect the work of the modern Bar.

You will develop skills and gain knowledge through interaction with professionals and peers. As lawyers and educators, our staff ensure you receive a high quality of education and personal support.

Our impressive record of helping students to secure pupillage is supported by an award-winning Pupillage Advice Service.

Accreditation

  • Bar Standards Board

The Vocational Component is accredited by the Bar Standards Board. The BSB sets out the education and training requirements for becoming a barrister, which means once you graduate, and provided you complete the Inns qualifying sessions, you are qualified for Call to the Bar.

Awards

You can select to apply for one of the available exit points for this course.

  • Master of Laws (LLM)
  • Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
  • Postgraduate Diploma with Specialism (PGDip with Specialism)

Who is this course for?

If you want to complete your vocational stage of training for the Bar of England and Wales, this course is ideal.

You will be committed to developing your skills in advising clients and representing them in court.

This course is the best option if you prefer a regular class structure with face-to-face learning.

Structure

Awards

You can select to apply for one of the three available exit points for this course.

Master of Laws (LLM)

Duration:

  • Full-time: 1 year
  • Part-time: 2 years

Modules:

Some modules may be subject to change depending on student numbers, tutor availability, or course updates. This may affect the overall number of modules.

Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

Duration:

  • Full-time: 8 months (10 months with specialism)
  • Part-time: 20 months (22 months with specialism)

Modules:

Some modules may be subject to change depending on student numbers, tutor availability, or course updates. This may affect the overall number of modules.

Postgraduate Diploma with Specialism (PGDip with Specialism)

Duration:

  • Full-time: 8 months (10 months with specialism)
  • Part-time: 20 months (22 months with specialism)

Modules:

Some modules may be subject to change depending on student numbers, tutor availability, or course updates. This may affect the overall number of modules.

Modules

This programme has several routes, with different required modules. Specialist elective modules won’t all run in every year and are subject to sufficient students choosing them.

Bar Vocational Studies PGDip

If you successfully complete the compulsory modules on the programme in:

  • Advocacy
  • Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution
  • Criminal Litigation
  • Evidence & Sentencing
  • Professional Ethics
  • Opinion Writing
  • Legal Research
  • Drafting and Conference Skills.

These form the vocational components of training for the Bar you will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Bar Vocational Studies.

This is the compulsory vocational qualification required to be eligible for Call to the Bar of England and Wales.

Bar Vocational Studies PGDip with Specialism

  • This is the compulsory vocational component plus a Specialist Practice Component
  • You choose two elective modules from a Specialist Practice area of your choice.
  • Successfully complete the Specialist Practice Component, and you will be awarded a PGDip in Bar Vocational Studies with the relevant specialist area of practice you selected named in the award.
  • This award includes the qualification for Call to the Bar of England and Wales.

LLM Bar Vocational Studies Full-time with Specialism

In addition to the Vocational Component, you can choose to complete either:

  • a practice-focussed dissertation
  • a clinical legal project with a real client.

Completion of the dissertation or clinical legal project in addition to the vocational and specialist practice components, allows you to achieve a master’s degree. This entitles you to the award of LLM in Bar Vocational Studies (with specialism).

This award includes the qualification for Call to the Bar of England and Wales.

Core modules

  • Advocacy: Cross Examination (10 credits)

    This module aims to prepare you for the practice of advocacy as a barrister. You will gain the skills necessary to present evidence given by witnesses in a court or other tribunal. The module culminates in a full criminal trial.

  • Advocacy: Examination in Chief (10 credits)

    This module will prepare you for the practice of advocacy as a barrister. You will gain comprehensive knowledge of the techniques used by advocates when conducting examination-in-chief of witnesses in courts or other tribunals. The module culminates in a full criminal trial.

  • Advocacy: Submissions (10 credits)

    This module will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of techniques used by advocates in courts and tribunals when making submissions supported by skeleton arguments. You will develop a conceptual understanding of the role and techniques of an advocate.

  • Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution (20 credits)

    In this module, you will learn the principles of Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution and develop your ability to apply them in practice. You will also develop a conceptual understanding of the overall framework for the conduct of civil cases.

  • Conference Skills (10 credits)

    The module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the role of a conference in a case and of the techniques which are commonly used in conducting a conference. Issues surrounding sensitivity towards client care and professional ethics will be explored

  • Criminal Litigation, Evidence & Sentencing (15 credits)

    In this module you will learn the principles of Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing and develop your ability to apply them. You will also develop an understanding of the overall framework for the conduct of criminal cases.

  • Drafting Skills (15 credits)

    This module will provide you with an understanding of the nature, function and value of statements of case, and the skills to draft a full range of statements of case and other documents in civil proceedings.

  • Professional Ethics (10 credits)

    In this module you will learn the regulatory requirements prescribed by the BSB, including the Code of Conduct for the Bar of England and Wales. You will develop an understanding of the importance of ethical conduct in every aspect of your work.

  • Opinion Writing (15 credits)

    This module will provide you with the skills needed to write concise and well- structured opinions in a variety of practice areas. You will receive guidance on how to adopt a professional practical approach to the needs and objectives of your clients.

  • Legal Research (5 credits)

    This module will provide you with key legal research skills, which underpin everything that a lawyer does, from preparing an oral submission, examination or cross-examination of a witness, advising orally or in writing, or drafting a statement of case.

Elective modules

  • Advanced Criminal Advocacy (15 credits)

    This module aims to further the advocacy skills you developed in the core modules in the Vocational Component in the context of advanced criminal practice. The module will also further your knowledge of substantive law and criminal procedure.

  • Advanced Civil Advocacy (15 credits)

    This module aims to further the advocacy skills you developed in the core modules in the Compulsory Component in the content of advanced civil practice. The module will also further your knowledge of substantive law and civil procedure.

  • Family Law (15 credits)

    This module focuses on the implications of the breakdown of family relationships, especially the effect on spouses and children, and including the role of local authorities in relation to the care of children.

  • Free Representation Unit: Employment* (15 credits)

    This module provides an opportunity for you to undertake work with real clients, including full representation where appropriate, bringing together all the different skills you have developed on the compulsory modules on the Vocational Component of this programme.

    *Only available to full-time students.

  • Free Representation Unit: Social Security* (15 credits)

    This module provides the opportunity for you to put your written and oral advocacy skills into practice by conducting a minimum of two cases before the First-Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber). For the purposes of this module, you will be assessed against your performance in social security appeal hearings.

    *Only available to full-time students.

  • Crown Court Practice (15 credits)

    This module builds on what you will have learned earlier when studying Criminal Litigation, Sentencing and Evidence, and Advocacy. You will undertake realistic exercises of Instructions and Briefs to Counsel, which are those likely to be encountered in the early years of practice.

  • Fraud & Economic Crime (15 credits)

    This module will deal with both criminal and civil law as regards fraud and economic crimes. You will learn about the Fraud Act 2006 and other fraud-based offences, money laundering, bribery and corruption, and white collar criminal investigations.

  • Company & Insolvency (15 credits)

    This module focuses on areas commonly encountered by junior practitioners in commercial, corporate and chancery practice. This will include the nature, type and structure of private and public companies, incorporation, limited liability, share allotments, and management of companies.

  • Employment Law & Practice (15 credits)

    This module will explore individual employment rights, contracts of employment, unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination and equal pay. The module will be helpful to anyone who wants to join common law or commercial law chambers.

  • Employment Tribunal Advocacy & Practice (15 credits)

    This module puts employment law into a practical and skills based context where you will learn how rules of procedure and evidence apply in tribunals. You will examine employment contracts and learn how to conduct a negotiation in an employment case.

  • International Commercial Arbitration (15 credits)

    This module will give you thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and concepts in international commercial arbitration. The module will cover arbitration from a broad comparative international perspective as well as focussing on the arbitration in England and Wales.

  • International ADR (15 credits)

    This module will give you thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles in the use of ADR options to deal with disputes where parties are based in multiple jurisdictions. You will focus on the processes of mediation and negotiation in an international context.

  • International Commercial Trade (15 credits)

    This module focuses on the law relating to commercial sales of goods and the international carriage of goods by sea. You will learn about different types of international sales contracts and rights and obligations of parties under these contracts.

  • Clinical & Professional Negligence (15 credits)

    This module focuses on two areas of practice: clinical negligence and solicitors’ negligence. You will explore areas of quantification of damages as relates to contracts, tort, and damages for personal injury. You will also learn about funding options in professional negligence claims.

  • Mental Capacity & the Court of Protection (15 credits)

    In this module you will learn about the law surrounding mental capacity and the work of the Court of Protection. You will examine the process of assessment of mental capacity, as well as the effect of such a decision on the parties involved.

  • Judicial Review (15 credits)

    This module, spanning civil, commercial and criminal law, will give you the skills needed to advise and act in the sort of Judicial Review proceedings you will encounter in the early years of practice.

Dissertation

  • Dissertation (30 credits)

    This dissertation module requires you to complete a research project, as well as submit a dissertation, focussing on legal professional practice in England and Wales of 7,500 - 10,000 words.

  • Clinical Legal Education (30 credits)

    This module provides the option of completing a reflective portfolio relating to Clinical Legal Education work. This will include representing and/or advising clients, legal research, undertaking appropriate training, and producing a reflective report of your work.

    Only available to full-time students

Programme specification

The programme specification contains more information on how the course is organised, the requirements for progression for each part and credits required for awards.

Download course specification:

  • Bar Vocational Studies Full and Part time

Teaching and assessment

Our BVS programmes are delivered by staff with extensive experience of designing training for the Bar. You will have a dedicated personal tutor to support you in your studies.

You will learn in various ways including:

  • interactive small groups
  • one-to-one feedback sessions
  • mock trials.

Extracurricular activities include:

  • advice on CVs
  • mock interviews
  • practitioner panels and networking events
  • mooting.

You can boost your CV by studying two elective modules for the award of a postgraduate diploma with a named specialism. You can also achieve an LLM by writing a dissertation or (if studying full-time) a clinical legal education report reflecting on live client work done with one of the School’s partners, in addition to the compulsory and elective modules.

You will be assessed by 10 summative final assessments addressing specific skills or subjects. For the PG diploma with specialism there are two additional elective assessments.

Fees and funding

Fees for academic year 2021/22

Postgraduate Diploma with Specialism (PGDip with Specialism)

Full-time per year

UK: £18,500

Overseas/EU: £18,500

Part-time per year

UK: £9,250

Overseas/EU: £9,250

Master of Laws (LLM)

Full-time per year

UK: £19,500

Overseas/EU: £19,500

Part-time per year

UK: £9,750

Overseas/EU: £9,750

Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

Full-time per year

UK: £16,500

Overseas/EU: £16,500

Part-time per year

UK: £8,250

Overseas/EU: £8,250

What your fee includes

Fees are inclusive of:

  • Course deposit
  • Bar Standards Board fee
  • Textbooks, including: practitioner books in civil practice and criminal practice, and The City Law School BVS manuals.

You should consider the possible additional fees associated with the BVS:

  • Bar Course Aptitude Test – currently £150 to take the test within the UK/EU or £170 outside
  • Fee to join an Inn – this varies across Inns but is approximately £100
  • IELTS fee for those who are required to take the test – this is usually charged in local currency
  • Visa fees for those who require a visa

Please note that there is an additional fee for assessment resits.

Ours are ethical Bar Vocational Studies Programmes: no fees are due until registration on your course, and there is a cooling off period until 31st October with full refund (less £400 deposit).

Funding

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

Future Finance Loans

Future Finance offers students loans of between £2,500 and £40,000 to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. All students and courses are considered. All loans are subject to credit checks and approval. For further details visit the Future Finance website.

10% Loyalty Discount

If you have already completed a course at The City Law School you will be eligible for the 10% loyalty discount. All you need to do is meet the minimum entry requirements for your second course and we will automatically take 10% off of your tuition fees.

This can be received in addition to a scholarship.

UK Postgraduate Loans

UK students who choose to take the LLM in Bar Vocational Studies with specialism will be eligible for the government’s Postgraduate Loan (subject to meeting the personal conditions).

The Post Graduate Diploma routes (Bar Vocational Studies or the Bar Vocational Studies with specialism) alone are not eligible for this funding.

Students who obtain such a loan will need to complete the full LLM programme (they will not be able to switch to the PGDip route) or they may breach the terms of their loan agreement.

Career

The Bar Vocational Studies programme is designed to enable you to progress to pupillage and a career as a barrister.

Competition for pupillage is intense but you will have an advantage with our Pupillage Advice Service and its close links to the Bar. We have an impressive record of helping our students to secure pupillages.

You will have developed a range of transferable skills and might consider alternative careers in the following organisations and areas:

  • Government Legal Department
  • Crown Prosecution Service
  • in-house legal departments
  • local authority legal departments
  • regulation authorities and compliance roles
  • academic law
  • legal publishing
  • finance and banking.

Enhance your employability

If chosen, our clinical legal education module and two clinical electives will give you the opportunity to enhance your employability by representing and/or advising clients and undertaking legal research.

Placements are not part of this programme but we encourage you to take mini-pupillages and participate in pro bono work and mooting.

How to apply

Entry requirements

UK

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 normally 12 weeks before the start of the course 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.

For further details and to sign-up for the BCAT, please visit Bar Standards Board Bar Course Aptitude Test.

Inn membership

Applicants to the Bar Vocational Studies Course must also apply for membership of one of the four Inns of Court normally 12 weeks before the start of the course. 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.

English language requirements

Applicants need to be able to demonstrate that their oral and written English ability is equivalent to at least one of the following:

  • IELTS: A minimum score of 7.5 in each section of the test.
  • Pearson Test of English: A minimum score of 73 in each part of the test
  • TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition – with minimum scores of 24 in Listening, 26 in Reading, 27 in Speaking and 26 in Writing.

If you are completing your qualifying law degree overseas (even if at a UK university) you will need to provide IELTS, Pearson or TOEFL results meeting the minimum scores required by the Bar Standards Board as proof of English language proficiency. If you are made an offer further details will be provided.

Application process

Applications can be made via the University’s online postgraduate application system. Applications are not open yet. They will open in autumn each year.

You will be asked to confirm which route you wish to undertake as part of your application. However, it will be possible to change this when you accept your offer.

How do we make our decision?

In reaching selection decisions we will take account of the following:

  • Degree performance (actual or predicted)
  • Evidence of intellectual ability
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Advocacy and public speaking skills/experience
  • Commitment to the practice of the law
  • References.
  • English language proficiency.

In addition to your written application and references, you may be asked to take part in an additional selection exercise. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis throughout the year.

We will consider applications either until the programme is full or until one month before the programme start date. If you require a Student Visa we would advise an earlier application to ensure you have sufficient time to obtain your visa.

In most cases we expect to be able to notify you of a decision within two weeks of references being submitted, and without the need to undertake a selection exercise. A decision will only be taken upon receipt of references.

Please also note that scholarship applications will be considered on a rolling basis so you are encouraged to apply early to maximise your chances of obtaining one.

  • Apply now

September 2021 entry

  • Apply online for PGDip with Specialism Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time and Part-time) with full-time study in London
  • Apply online for LLM Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time and Part-time) with full-time study in London
  • Apply online for PGDip Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time and Part-time) with part-time study in London
  • Apply online for PGDip with Specialism Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time and Part-time) with part-time study in London
  • Apply online for LLM Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time and Part-time) with part-time study in London
  • Apply online for PGDip Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time and Part-time) with full-time study in London

Contact the postgraduate team

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 0332

Email: bvs@city.ac.uk

Housing and student life

  • A room in student accommodation.

    Accommodation and housing 

    We offer accommodation options and support for all postgraduate students. Our dedicated Accommodation Service can help you to find private accommodation in London if required.

  • Postgraduate students sat together on orange chairs

    Student wellbeing 

    Our extensive support network spans from learning support and disability support through to counselling, financial advice and career advice. Please do tell us if you need our help.

  • Three students smiling in front of Tower Bridge

    Living in London 

    We are based in the heart of one of the most vibrant and colourful cities in the world. London offers a rich variety of cultural experiences far beyond your studies.

Related courses

  • Graduate Diploma in Law GDL

    Postgraduate taught degree

    Gain a solid foundation in the ever changing field of law and fast track your career with our transformative Graduate Diploma.

    Award: Graduate Diploma in Law

  • Graduate Entry Law LLB

    Postgraduate taught degree

    Gain a fast-track senior status LLB law degree as a non-law graduate in two years rather than the usual three.

    Award: Graduate Entry LLB Law

  • Law LLM

    Postgraduate taught degree

    Create your own programme of study to enhance, develop or transform your career with our Master of Laws LLM degree.

    Award: Master of Laws

Contact details

  • The City Law School Programmes Office

    +44 (0)20 7040 0332

    bvs@city.ac.uk

Help us to improve this page

City, University of London

  • Library Services
  • Moodle
  • Email
  • Staff directory
  • Term dates
  • Book a room
  • Schools and departments

Back to top

Contact us

+44 (0)20 7040 5060
Make an enquiry

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Weibo
  • Youku
Social media directory

Find us

City, University of London
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom

Campus map

Our global campuses

  • London
  • Dubai
  • Teaching Excellence Framework: Silver Award
  • Athena SWAN: Bronze Award

Useful links

  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies
  • City Store
  • Support City
  • Work for City

© 2021 City, University of London

University of London