The vocational stage of training
The vocational component of training covers a range of subjects to develop knowledge and skills for the role of being a barrister. For example, students need to understand about the rules and procedures of the courts, what they will be working on day-to-day, their ethical responsibilities, as well as skills relevant to representing clients in court.
In order to progress to the vocational component, there are two entry requirements.
Bar Course Aptitude Test
The first entry requirement is to pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT), which consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, and lasts 55 minutes. Candidates can complete this on a computer at a test centre.
The cost of the BCAT is £150 in the UK and EU, or £170 in the rest of the world (2020 figures).
Inn of Court
The second entry requirement is to join an Inn of Court. There are four Inns of Court, of which the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple is one. The Inns of Court are the only institutions to ‘Call’ individuals to the Bar, and all barristers must belong to them. They provide Qualifying Sessions – which are opportunities to meet and share best practice with senior and other practitioners – as well as scholarships, and networking opportunities.
The cost of joining the Inner Temple, which is an Inn of Court, is £100 and is a one-off payment (2020 figures).
Once a prospective barrister has passed the BCAT and joined an Inn of Court they will undertake the vocational element of training, which can be the Vocational Qualification Component.
The cost of the new Bar Course varies from £13,481 to £19,500, depending on which institution it’s studied at. Students will learn about a range of areas, including learning about civil and criminal litigation, evidence, resolution of disputes, sentencing, and professional ethics.
Students will also develop skills in advocacy, drafting, opinion writing, as well as conferencing, examination-in-chief and cross examination. Students will further develop their skills in legal research. These are all key skills required for being a barrister. Participants may take part in mock trials with members of the legal profession, including real judges and barristers.
Scholarships
Given the costs involved in the vocational stage of training, you may wish to research and consider relevant sources of funding for your child, including signposting them to relevant support and potential awards or scholarships.
| It is recommended that you hold down the Crtl button on your keyboard and click on the link below to open it in a new window. |
For example, the Inner Temple offers over 100 scholarships [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] to help students with the costs of the vocational component.
Candidates must ensure when applying for scholarships that they meet the requirements, and that they apply by the dates specified. When applying to the Inner Temple, for example, candidates must submit an online application form, references, and undertake an interview. Further information is provided on the Inner Temple’s website.
The law degree or GDL