Northumbria University
Bar Course
Overview
The Bar Course at Northumbria University builds the practical advocacy and drafting skills you need for early pupillage practice across family, civil and criminal law. You’ll learn through simulated casework, professional ethics training and structured professional practice.
About this programme
Overview
The Bar Course at Northumbria University is designed to equip students with essential advocacy and drafting skills necessary for a successful career in law. Spanning a typical duration of 12 months, this course emphasizes practical training through simulated casework, professional ethics instruction, and structured professional practice.
What you'll study
Core modules typically include:
Criminal Litigation
Civil Litigation
Family Professional Practice
Civil Professional Practice
Criminal Professional Practice
Professional Practice and Ethics
Learning approach: Students engage in practical, simulated training activities that replicate early pupillage work, including advocacy exercises, conferencing practice, drafting tasks, and opinion writing.
Assessment and progression: Your performance in professional practice and related learning outcomes will determine your assessment. Adhering to the programme's academic and professional standards is essential for progression and compliance with call-related requirements.
Curriculum note: Module titles and sequencing may differ by intake; please verify the latest curriculum details on the programme page.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in Law, or a minimum of a Commendation in the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), or be on track to achieve this.
- Applicants with a 2:2 honours degree or a Pass in the GDL may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they present suitable evidence.
Professional requirements (Inns of Court)
- All applicants must join one of the four Inns of Court prior to commencing the course.
- Applicants must have met the minimum standard set by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) within the past five years.
English language requirements
- IELTS: typically 6.5 overall (please confirm the required component scores for your intake).
Application documents
- Academic transcripts and degree certificate(s) (or evidence of being on track to complete).
- GDL evidence (if applicable).
- English language test results (if required).
- Any additional supporting documents requested by the admissions team.
Career prospects
Graduates of the Bar Course will be well-prepared to pursue various legal careers, including roles in family, civil, and criminal law. Completion of the course opens pathways to pupillage and ultimately to becoming a barrister. Additionally, the skills acquired during the course are transferable to other legal professions and sectors.
Work permits: Work rights following the Bar Course are influenced by your immigration status and the regulations in your host country. In the UK, graduates may be eligible for work permissions under the UK's graduate route or other suitable visa categories.
UK graduate route (post-study work)
- Eligible international graduates may apply for a post-study work visa after completing an eligible UK qualification.
- The graduate route may permit you to work in the UK for a specified duration, depending on eligibility at the time of application.
- It is crucial to apply within the designated timeframe after course completion and to meet the visa eligibility criteria.
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