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This course is for 2023/24 entry.

What is unique about this course?

  • Hear from alumni and academics about our Bar course, The Bar Vocational Studies (BVS).

Key information

Prepare for Call to the Bar of England and Wales by studying our Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme. This programme replacing the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) allows you to study the core components required for Call to the Bar with the option of adding an area of specialism and progressing to complete an LLM.

Start date
  • September 2023
    • Institution

    City, University of London

    Course codes
    • LALMBVS01
    • LAPDBSS01
    • LAPDBVS01
    Location

    Northampton Square

    •  

      Study

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

    •  

      Award

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

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

    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.

    Once you have completed the vocational stage you can develop your CV by studying a specialism and going on to complete an LLM.

    This course is the best option if you prefer a regular class structure with face-to-face learning, supported by a virtual learning environment to enhance not replace in class teaching.

    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:

    Please see below for a list of our elective modules.

    Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

    Duration:

    • Full-time: 8 months
    • Part-time: 20 months

    Modules:

    You will study the 10 compulsory modules required by the Bar Standards Board for Call to the Bar.

    Postgraduate Diploma with Specialism (PGDip with Specialism)

    Duration:

    • Full-time: 10 months
    • Part-time: 22 months

    Modules:

    Please see below for a list of our elective modules.

    Modules

    This programme has several routes, with different exit points depending on the route chosen.

    Bar Vocational Studies PGDip

    If you choose this route, you will be required to study the 10 core modules set by the Bar Standards Board.

    These form the vocational components of training for the Bar for which 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.

    If you choose this route, you will study elective modules from a Specialist Practice area of your choice.

    If you choose to complete the LLM or PG Dip (with specialism) you will need to complete two additional electives that are drawn from the below specialist areas of practice. Please note that some specialisms/electives may be subject to change depending on student numbers, tutor availability, or course updates. This may affect the overall number of modules

    Where there are a number of electives within a specialism, you select two electives. Please also note that you may only undertake one clinical module, indicated with an * in the list.

    LLM Bar Vocational Studies

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

    • a practice-focussed dissertation
    • a clinical legal project with a real client (only available to full-time students).

    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.

    PGDip 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.

    PGDip with Specialism: Advanced Advocacy Skills

    • Advanced Criminal Advocacy (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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)

      Elective module

      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)

      Elective module

      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.

    PGDip with Specialism: Advanced Criminal Practice

    • Crown Court Practice (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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)

      Elective module

      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.

    • Advanced Criminal Advocacy (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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.

    PGDip with Specialism: Corporate Law and Practice

    • Fraud & Economic Crime (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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)

      Elective module

      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.

    PGDip with Specialism: International Commercial Trade and Dispute Resolution

    • International ADR (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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)

      Elective module

      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.

    • International Commercial Arbitration (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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.

    PGDip with Specialism: Advanced Civil Practice

    • Employment Law & Practice (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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.

    • Family Law (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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.

    • Judicial Review (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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.

    • Advanced Civil Advocacy (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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.

    PGDip with Specialism: Social Justice and Public Law

    • Judicial Review (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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.

    • Employment Law & Practice (15 credits)

      Elective module

      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.

    Dissertation/Clinical Legal Education (LLM)

    • Dissertation (30 credits)

      This dissertation module requires you to 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 an opportunity to do real clinical work and 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:

    Teaching and assessment

    Our BVS programme is delivered by staff with extensive experience of practice, teaching and designing training for the Bar.

    In addition 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.

    For all routes you will be assessed by 10 summative final assessments addressing specific skills or subjects, these make up the vocational component of training for the Bar of England and Wales. For the PG Diploma with specialism and LLM routes there are two additional electives and for the LLM you are also required to complete a dissertation or (for full-time students only) a clinical legal education project.

    Fees and funding

    Fees for academic year 2023/24

    Master of Laws (LLM)

    Full-time per year

    UK: £19,730

    Overseas/EU: £19,730

    Part-time per year

    UK: £9,860

    Overseas/EU: £9,860

    Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

    Full-time per year

    UK: £16,670

    Overseas/EU: £16,670

    Part-time per year

    UK: £8,330

    Overseas/EU: £8,330

    Postgraduate Diploma with Specialism (PGDip with Specialism)

    Full-time per year

    UK: £18,710

    Overseas/EU: £18,710

    Part-time per year

    UK: £9,350

    Overseas/EU: £9,350

    Where applicable, tuition fees for City's programmes will be subject to inflationary increases in each year of study. Our policy for these increases is set out in our terms and conditions of study.

    What your fee includes

    Fees are inclusive of:

    • Course deposit
    • Bar Standards Board fee
    • Textbooks: you will be provided with hard copies of Blackstone’s Criminal Practice and the Whitebook, along with other textbooks, including The City Law School BVS Manuals, which will normally be provided in e-book format.

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

    • 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.

    Our bursaries are non-repayable sums of money granted by the University, usually based on need.

    Our loans are repayable sums of money granted by the University or other body.

    Our scholarships are when the University pays towards your Study fees. You may also be eligible for further funding.

    The City Law School Bar Vocational Studies Scholarship

    If you take up a place to study the Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme at City and have been awarded a first class undergraduate degree, you will automatically receive a City Law School Bar Vocational Studies Scholarship. The value of this scholarship is £2,000.

    How to apply

    There is no need to apply for this scholarship, as the fee waiver will automatically be applied if you meet the eligibility criteria. Find out more about the Bar Vocational Studies Scholarship.

    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.

    Additional expenses

    Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

    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 taken, our clinical legal education module and either of the 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 (usually from a university in the UK) 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)

    In July 2022, the BSB confirmed that the BCAT is no longer a requirement for entry onto the Bar training course. Students starting the course this year and future applicants for the Bar Vocational Studies course are not required to take the BCAT.

    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.

    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.

    Applications for September 2023 are now open and will remain open either until places are full or until 9 June 2023. Applications submitted after that date will only be considered if sufficient places remain available.

    September 2023 entry

    Contact the postgraduate team

    Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 3309

    Email: bvs@city.ac.uk

    Our academics

    Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.

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