Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)  Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) BPP University ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1563251759Untitled-1.jpg

If your goal is to become a barrister, our BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course), provides the best possible preparation. With advocacy and conference skills taught by experienced practitioners, plus the widest range of electives of any provider, we are dedicated to putting you into practice.

Important information for applicants

We recommend that you read this important information issued by the Bar Standards Board if you wish to study for the Bar of England and Wales.

Educational background

The entry requirements to study the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) at BPP University Law School are:

• Qualifying Law Degree or non-Law Degree plus CPE/GDL (minimum 2:1)*
• Membership of an Inn of Court
• A pass in the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT)
• Fluency in English

Selection criteria

BPP University Law School use the following selection criteria for our BPTC:

• Strong academic profile and achievement
• Evidence of good written communication skills
• Evidence of good oral communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to a career as a barrister
• Demonstrated commitment to studying with BPP University
• Any special circumstances revealed in your application
• Academic or other references

Language requirements

Students must be able to demonstrate that their English language ability is at least equivalent to:

• a minimum score of 7.5 in each section of the IELTS academic test, or
• a minimum score of 73 in each part of the Pearson Test of English (academic).

In the first instance, fluency will be assessed by reviewing your written application and video evidence. BPP University Law School reserve the right to request an IELTS certificate (or equivalent) if concerns arise in respect of language ability. This is in addition to the above entry requirements.

The Bar Standards Board believes that compliance with one of the standards identified above is the absolute minimum necessary to successfully complete the Bar Professional Training Course.

Inn of Court

Applicants must join an Inn of Court prior to starting the BPTC. For more information, please contact the relevant Inn. 

For our September 2019 BPTC, the deadline to join an Inn is 31 May 2019. 

Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT)

Applicants are required to pass the BCAT prior to enrolment on our BPTC. You can submit your BPTC application prior to taking the BCAT. For more information, click here. 

For our September 2019 BPTC, the BCAT closing date is 23 September 2019.

New for September 2019 – submit your video evidence

Demonstrate your advocacy skills to make your BPTC application stand out.* You’ll also be considered for a BPP Advocacy Scholarship, worth up to £5,000.

Why are we asking you to submit a video?

The written application to our BPTC (via BarSAS) enables us to determine that applicants have the required academic capability to thrive on our programme. We dedicate a great deal of academic resource (BPTC tutors, all qualified lawyers from practice) to analyzing these forms each year.

However, the new video component will provide us with greater insight into core oral communication skills, through objective evidence that we can see for ourselves, so we can make an even more informed judgment of the potential of candidates applying to BPP earlier in the process.

In previous years, we have held interviews for some candidates to determine oral skills later in the process. This year we will have this additional insight up front for everyone. That is both more timely and equitable for all students and helps us to ensure that we select the very best candidates who can go on and succeed in a career at the Bar.

If English is not your first language, it is also the start of the process for establishing that you have the required fluency.

What is in it for you?

Providing video evidence to supplement your written application:

• enables you to demonstrate your oral communication skills so that your application will stand out for selection to a place on our BPTC;
• assures you that, our having checked both your academic credentials and your core advocacy skills, you are well set to succeed on the programme and into a career at the Bar;
• enables you to be considered for a BPP Advocacy Scholarship, worth up to £5000, without having to submit a separate application form;
• utilizes up-to-the-minute yet readily available technology, meaning that you can showcase your capability without having to travel long distances to do so;
• enables you to practice and re-shoot your video as many times as you like so that you can perform at your optimum and not be caught out by nerves on the day

What do you need to do?

Prepare a short video of yourself arguing for one of the following five topics:

• Select an item of current news. Persuade us why the issue under discussion in that news item is either good or bad for the UK.
• Choose a hobby or pastime of yours and persuade us that more people should take it up.
• Persuade us that social media is either good or bad for society.
• Choose a scientific invention or discovery of the 20th century that you feel has had the greatest impact on society. Persuade us why.
• Persuade us that online courts will be a force for good in improving access to justice.

What criteria will we use?

We are looking for three things from your video:

• Clarity of delivery (including fluency, pace, clarity of enunciation, correct use of grammar, breadth of appropriate vocabulary, tone, pitch)
• Structure of argument
• Ability to persuade

We are looking for potential, not the finished article. You are not expected to have had any technical advocacy training, as you will receive this on our BPTC. However, any previous experience of mooting, debating and negotiation is likely to have helped to develop your oral skills.

Additional rules and guidance

Video length

Your video must be no more than 5 minutes long. There is no minimum time required, but we recommend at least 3 minutes to develop your argument. 

Recording your video

In your video, you must clearly show your head and shoulders, ensuring that your face is identifiable and your voice is clearly audible. We recommend recording on a smartphone or tablet if possible. There are no other sound or picture requirements. No additional marks are awarded for production quality.

Submitting your video

To submit your video, please download the BPP BPTC Video Evidence app for iOS and Android. You will need to have to hand:

• Your BarSAS registration number
• The email address you used for your BarSAS application
• A scanned colour copy of your passport, with your face and full name clearly visible

If you have any questions or issues, please speak to our Admissions Team.

We suggest you look at the topics, decide which one you will opt for, and start preparing your argument now.

*2:1 minimum entry requirement but where an applicant has compelling extenuating circumstances with evidence this will be considered on a case by case basis. **Applies to applicants for the BPTC and for the LLM Legal Practice (Barristers)

You will be assessed by a combination of written and oral skills examinations throughout the year. For both full-time and part-time learners most assessments will take place on weekdays.

Benefit from the option of typing the ‘written skills’ exams on your own computer, with software provided free of charge.

All books and learning materials included in your fee, and you will get discounts on a range of optional extras, such as becoming a qualified mediator.

Learning materials include:

• Online demonstrations
• Suggested answers for written work
• Live mock assessments with professional actors – for advocacy and conference
• Digital recordings to allow you to review your performance on a weekly basis
• Recorded revision lectures for all Civil and Criminal small group sessions
• The White Book and Blackstones Criminal Practice

The Bar Standards Board has issued new guidance for students regarding the introduction of new Bar training pathways. By commencing the BPTC in September 2019, you will complete your course under the current pathway (outside of the specific circumstances outlined by the BSB). 

Please note that all optional modules run subject to demand, therefore all modules may not run in all locations.