BPC Course University of Law (previously the BPTC)

I’m currently preparing my application for the BPC. I’m looking at tackling the application as if I were applying for pupillage, by keeping it my paragraphs/points concise and providing evidence based points as to why I wish to undertake the course.

It’s been a while since I’ve written any sort of application like this, and have previously gone through the selection processes for training contracts and didn’t enjoy them, I found the applications overly complicated with strange, and often contradictory questions (too much of an emphasis on maxing the word count as well), as well as assessment centres featuring pointless tasks like building an animal or doing a completely irrelevant puzzle.

Whilst I appreciate I may well have to take part in exercises that I might not enjoy in pursuit of a career at the Bar during my application journey, from my reading I get the impression sets of Chambers focus a lot on your practical skills (they want to see this evidence is clear cut advocacy and public speaking), questions tend to be straight to the point at interviews (whilst also expecting similar responses with candidates’ answers), and are genuinely interested in you and your personality should you make it far enough to get an interview.

What I would like to know, amongst many other things, from other forum users’ experience is:

- Should I be concerned about maxing the 4000 word count in my Ulaw app cover letter;

- Is it appropriate to explain why I am choosing Ulaw over other providers;

- Whilst I’ve be working in the legal profession for many years, will it be appropriate (within reason) to use my mini pupillages from about 6 years ago as evidence of why I want to pursue a career as an advocate;

- I’ve had some experience in sales (short career), what would you recommend extracting from this as evidence I have the right skill set for the self-employed bar (I like doing the whole BD thing sometimes...).

Amongst all of that if you have any other pointers please post them.

Hey there, you may be interested the BPC applications thread: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=86732084&highlight=Bptc

Is ULaw the only provider you are applying to?

Whilst it probably shouldn't matter, I'm finding the word count off-putting in that I feel like I'm not putting enough down on paper as they allow 4000 words for the cover letter, but I could be over thinking it.

I haven't applied to ULaw, but I definitely think that you are overthinking it.

Where have you applied?

BPP Leeds and UWE Bristol.

I would've considered outside London but I work in the City, so can't afford to drop my job to go study elsewhere.

You don't have to worry about maxing the word count. I attended one of their bar events (I'm a ULaw rep at my University) and they made a point of doing that they weren't rigid about it. I would say that mentioning why you've applied for ULaw would be a positive addition, but probably not a requirement.

Can't help you with the others though I'm afraid.

Thanks, I've gone down the route of explaining what research I've done to ensure the course is right for me, and from my research they appear to be the best provider for face-to-face learning. As oppose to the others which I considered, they seem by far the best offering.

Planning on submitting my application this week. Any idea what supporting documents must be submitted. I have my degree transcript and certificate, just not sure about what else i.e. CV, references etc.

I submitted my application for Sep 21 ULaw BPC LLM today! Would love to chat to you if you want?

I’m currently preparing my application for the BPC. I’m looking at tackling the application as if I were applying for pupillage, by keeping it my paragraphs/points concise and providing evidence based points as to why I wish to undertake the course.

It’s been a while since I’ve written any sort of application like this, and have previously gone through the selection processes for training contracts and didn’t enjoy them, I found the applications overly complicated with strange, and often contradictory questions (too much of an emphasis on maxing the word count as well), as well as assessment centres featuring pointless tasks like building an animal or doing a completely irrelevant puzzle.

Whilst I appreciate I may well have to take part in exercises that I might not enjoy in pursuit of a career at the Bar during my application journey, from my reading I get the impression sets of Chambers focus a lot on your practical skills (they want to see this evidence is clear cut advocacy and public speaking), questions tend to be straight to the point at interviews (whilst also expecting similar responses with candidates’ answers), and are genuinely interested in you and your personality should you make it far enough to get an interview.

What I would like to know, amongst many other things, from other forum users’ experience is:

- Should I be concerned about maxing the 4000 word count in my Ulaw app cover letter;

- Is it appropriate to explain why I am choosing Ulaw over other providers;

- Whilst I’ve be working in the legal profession for many years, will it be appropriate (within reason) to use my mini pupillages from about 6 years ago as evidence of why I want to pursue a career as an advocate;

- I’ve had some experience in sales (short career), what would you recommend extracting from this as evidence I have the right skill set for the self-employed bar (I like doing the whole BD thing sometimes...).

Amongst all of that if you have any other pointers please post them.