The law degree or GDL
The seven foundations of legal knowledge
Barristers need to complete either an approved law degree – otherwise known as a qualifying law degree (QLD), or if a student is a graduate of a university in a different subject, they need to undertake a short law conversion course (otherwise known as the Graduate Diploma in Law or GDL).
This is referred to as the ‘academic stage of training’.
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The QLD and the GDL cover the seven foundations of legal knowledge [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .
The university or law school’s prospectus should indicate whether the qualification being offered covers the seven foundations of legal knowledge. You can support your child by ensuring that they have up to date prospectuses for the universities that they are interested in attending. As a parent, you may wish to attend open days for universities, ensure that your child has the books that they require, and that they have an appropriate place to study.
Bursaries
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Some Inns of Court offer scholarships for the GDL (for information on the Inns of Court see the section The vocational stage of training). For example, in 2020, the Inner Temple offered 36 scholarships to cover in full or help towards the costs of undertaking the GDL.
University life can be demanding from several perspectives – depending on your child’s circumstances they may be balancing a heavy workload at university, maybe along with part-time work, and an active social life. Being able to organise time and manage workload is a very important skill. University life can also be difficult for students as they become independent learners, and they may also be living away from home for the first time. Although this can be an exciting time, your child may require support as they make the transition from school to university life.
Students require the minimum standard of a 2:2 classification in their degree to become a barrister, although the exercise of discretion may be permitted by the Bar Standards Board in exceptional circumstances. However, it is a competitive recruitment market, and students should be striving for a 2:1 or First-class honours classification to maximise their chances of successfully becoming a barrister. Where the academic requirements are high, students may feel under pressure to obtain the best grades as possible, which can be very stressful. Your child may need emotional and other types of support during this time.
Pegasus Access and Support Scheme
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At the Inner Temple, the Pegasus Access and Support Scheme (PASS) is designed to support students who have not yet started the Bar Course (see the section on The vocational stage of training).
The aim of PASS is to improve access to the profession by supporting high-achieving students from under-represented backgrounds. PASS aims to do this by providing a mini-pupillage in chambers for each participant, and by providing a focused professional and skills development programme.
