Bar Practice CourseThe University of Law
Build the Skills to Succeed at the Bar.
The Bar Practice Course (BPC) at The University of Law combines intensive professional training with practical advocacy experience, small-group learning and career-focused support designed to prepare you for pupillage and practice at the Bar.
Programme Key Facts
Postgraduate
Level
The University of Law
Award
8–20 Months
Duration
Full-Time
Study Mode
Multiple Cities in the UK
Location
September
Intake
Future Careers
Prepare for life at the Bar.
The Bar Practice Course is designed for aspiring barristers who want to develop the legal knowledge, advocacy ability and professional skills required to progress towards pupillage and practice.
Through practical workshops, advocacy training, mock trials and careers support, you will build the skills required to present arguments, advise clients, draft legal documents and operate effectively within professional legal practice.
With up to 50 hours of advocacy training, opportunities to participate in mock trials before real judges and senior barristers, and support through the University’s Future Pupil Programme, you will develop the confidence and professional skills needed for life at the Bar.
Possible Career Directions
Barrister, UK
Advocate & Solicitor, Malaysia
Civil Practice
Commercial Practice
Advocacy & Dispute Resolution
Legal & Regulatory Roles
Why This Programme Matters
The Reality
- Successful practice at the Bar requires more than legal knowledge.
- Barristers need strong advocacy, communication, drafting, research and client-management skills.
- Securing pupillage is highly competitive, making professional preparation and practical experience particularly important.
- The BPC is designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed to prepare for professional practice.
The Professional Practice Advantage
Learn through practical workshops, advocacy exercises, simulated cases and mock trials that give you opportunities to apply your legal knowledge in realistic professional situations.
Students can also participate in mock trials in real courtrooms with judges and senior barristers, watch advocacy demonstrations, and visit the High Court, Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and County Courts.

Course Modules
- Civil Litigation, Evidence and Resolution of Disputes out of Court
- Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing
- Advocacy, including examination-in-chief, cross-examination and civil applications
- Conferencing
- Drafting
- Opinion Writing
- Professional Ethics
- Legal Research
- Mock trials
- Advocacy skills demonstrations
- Feedback from practising barristers
- Court visits
- Mooting competitions
- Practical workshops
The Bar Practice Experience
Professional training built around the realities of practice.
Train in Small Classes
Learn through face-to-face tuition in small classes, self-study resources and online learning.
Develop Advocacy Skills
Build confidence in examination-in-chief, cross-examination and civil applications through practical advocacy exercises.
Experience Real Courtroom Practice
Participate in mock trials in real courtrooms with real judges and senior barristers.
Learn from Qualified Lawyers
Learn from experienced legal professionals through lectures and practical workshops.
Professional Experience & Employability
Start preparing for pupillage from the moment you accept your place.
The University of Law’s Future Pupil Programme provides dedicated support designed specifically for students pursuing careers at the Bar.
Continued Careers Support
Students can access careers guidance relating to scholarships, internships, employment and further study, with careers support available for five years after graduation.
Learn from the Profession
Develop your skills alongside experienced legal professionals.
The BPC is taught by qualified lawyers and experienced legal professionals who bring practical experience into lectures and workshops.
Professional exposure extends beyond the classroom through:
- Advocacy feedback from practising barristers
- Mock trials before judges and senior barristers
- Advocacy competitions
- Court visits
- Bar networking events
- Pupillage panels and careers workshops
Add a Master of Laws (LLM)
Combine professional Bar training with a Master’s qualification.
Students can choose to study the Bar Practice Course LLM, adding an internationally recognised Master of Laws qualification to their professional Bar training.
The LLM can be completed through one of three pathways:
Pro Bono Experience
Complete real-world work experience through the University’s Pro Bono clinics, advising, managing and representing clients across different areas of law.
Additional Modules
Study additional legal practice modules in areas that support your professional interests and career direction.
Dissertation
Undertake independent research in an area of law that interests you and demonstrate deeper specialist knowledge.
Study Locations
Full-time BPC study is available at locations including:
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Leeds
- Liverpool
- London Moorgate
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Nottingham
Industry Partners
Connect with the legal profession from day one.
Your legal education at BAC goes beyond the classroom. Through our strong connections with leading law firms, professional bodies and the Inns of Court Malaysia, you gain valuable exposure to the people, institutions and networks shaping the legal profession.
These partnerships help you better understand legal practice, explore different career pathways, and develop the professional confidence to take your next step.
Industry Partners
- Thomas Philip Advocates & Solicitors
- Lavania & Balan Chambers
- Messrs. Jamie Wong
- Alvin John & Partners
- Shearn Delamore & Co.
- Richard Wee Chambers
- Daljit Singh Partnership
- Chooi & Company
- Cheang & Ariff
- Messrs. Farez Jinnah
- Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill
- Zul Rafique & Partners
- Izral Partnership
- Messrs. Kuek, Ong & Associates
- Mah-Kamariyah & Philip Koh
- Haeme Lew Advocates & Solicitors
- Halim Hong & Quek
- Vilasiny Gan & Co
- Tan Norizan & Associates
- Belden Advocates & Solicitors
- C.Y. Ng & Barry
- Low & Partners
- Malek, Gan & Partners
- Zaid Ibrahim & Co.
- Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership
- Raj, Ong & Yudistra
- Raja, Darryl & Loh
- MahWengKwai & Associates
- Rahmat Lim & Partners
- WongPartnership LLP
- Baskaran Law
- Shook Lin & Bok
- Lee & Poh Partnership
- Jeeva Partnership
- Arief & Iskandar
- K.H. Ong & Ng
- Azmi & Associates
- Skrine
- Adnan Sundra & Low
- LAW Partnership
- Gan Partnership
- Christopher & Lee Ong
- Wong & Partners
- Albar & Partners
- Othman Hashim & Co
- Kadir Andri & Partners
- Jeff Leong, Poon & Wong
- Wong Boon & Toh
- Teng, Sheng & Fatima
- Abdullah Chan & Co
- Teh & Partners
- Nazmi Zaini Chambers
- Inns of Court Malaysia
- Great Eastern Sdn Bhd
- SLB
- UN Global Compact Network Malaysia, Brunei & Cambodia
- Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution
- The Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA)
- The Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators (MIArb)
- TrialSim
- LexisNexis
- WestLaw
- Coursera for Campus
- CLJ Law
Earn Microcredentials from the World's Best Universities & Global Tech Giants
- IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate
- Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials
Career Outcomes
Develop professional skills for the Bar and wider legal practice.
The BPC develops advocacy, client communication, drafting, research and professional judgement for progression towards pupillage and professional legal careers.
Roles in Focus
- Barrister, UKProgress towards Call to the Bar, pupillage and professional practice.
- Advocate & Solicitor, MalaysiaPursue professional legal practice in Malaysia, subject to applicable qualification requirements.
- Civil PracticeApply litigation, advocacy and case-management skills to civil matters.
- Commercial PracticeDevelop the professional skills needed for commercial disputes and advisory work.
- Advocacy & Dispute ResolutionUse persuasive oral and written advocacy to resolve disputes.
- Legal & Regulatory RolesApply legal analysis, drafting and professional judgement in regulatory settings.
Why The University of Law?
Up to 50 Hours of Advocacy Training
Develop your advocacy skills through extensive practical training, mooting competitions and mock trials.
Strong BSB Assessment Performance
University of Law campuses recorded strong results in the April 2025 Bar Standards Board litigation assessments.
Small-Class Learning
Study in smaller groups within a selective learning environment designed around practical professional development.
Experienced Legal Professionals
Learn from qualified lawyers and practising professionals with experience of the legal profession.
Future Pupil Programme
Receive specialist support for CVs, pupillage applications, interviews, mini-pupillages, networking and advocacy opportunities.
April 2025 BSB Litigation Assessment Results
- Leeds ranked 1st in the UK for Criminal Litigation
- Newcastle ranked 3rd for Criminal Litigation
- Bristol ranked 2nd for Civil Litigation
These rankings are based on the Bar Standards Board Chair’s Report for the April 2025 litigation examinations.
Entry Requirements
To be confirmed by BAC.
Tuition Fees
To be confirmed by BAC.
Speak to a Future Advisor
Ready to take the next step towards becoming a barrister?
Find out more about The University of Law’s Bar Practice Course, study locations, entry requirements, fees and the BPC LLM pathway.