Bar Training Course Dilemma?

Hi, I am a first (going on second year) lawyer at a top UK university. I am looking to go down the barrister profession as I feel it is the right choice for me. However, I unexpectedly did not perform the best in my first year exams, which will be the only ones I do until my third year. I am scared that this could potentially ruin my opportunity to get on to a bar training course (BTC) and, subsequently, be accepted by an Inn (and all the rest).

I was thinking that I could work hard to achieve a high 2:1 or First (as my current grades suggest I am on track to do so) and apply in the duration after receiving my degree but I don't know how viable of an option this is. I am also unsure about what grades are used to apply to a BTC in third year (when the majority of other people apply) and to what extent they are considered.

Any help would be (very) greatly appreciated.

Reply 1

Stiffy Byng

To be a competitive candidate for the Bar you must obtain a first or a 2.1. That will enable you to find a place on a Bar course. It is immaterial where you take that course.

Pupillages are oversubscribed and it can take two or three rounds of applications to obtain a pupillage.

If you ploughed your Mods, don't worry. It's the Honour Schools that count.

Reply 2

Crazy Jamie

Life & Style Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

I don't think that poor first year grades in this situation will prevent you from getting onto a Bar course. Some have a 2:1 minimum, but the BSB minimum is 2:2 and some providers still go with that. You will need someone who has more recent experience of the application system to tell you how they go about assessing your academics when making offers, or you can email the providers themselves is there are one or two that you'd be aiming for particularly, but places on the courses themselves are not oversubscribed and there should not be an issue getting on one, even if it's at one of the providers that has a 2:2 minimum. I expect as long as you come out with a 2:1 at the end it won't matter, but as I say, you'd need to check with someone who has more direct knowledge or with the providers themselves to get that answer.

Either way, this issue won't prevent you from being accepted by an Inn, and providing you come out of your degree with a 2:1 and then do the Bar course, your first year grades will be practically irrelevant for the purposes of pupillage applications. As has been said already, where you do the Bar course doesn't matter. So in the grand scheme of things, this issue isn't one that should impact your chances of getting pupillage ultimately.