Bar Vocational Studies at City St George’s, University of London

Bar Vocational Studies (BVS)City St George’s, University of London

Prepare for Practice at the Bar of England and Wales.

The Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme at The City Law School provides intensive vocational training designed around the realities of the modern Bar. Learn advocacy, litigation, drafting, conference skills, opinion writing, professional ethics and legal research through practical, hands-on training led by experienced barristers.

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Programme Key Facts

  • Postgraduate

    Level

  • City St George’s, University of London

    Award

  • 1 Year

    Duration

  • Full-Time

    Study Mode

  • Clerkenwell Campus, London

    Location

  • September

    Intake

1

Future Careers

Prepare for a career at the Bar.

The BVS is primarily designed for graduates who want to qualify as barristers and progress to pupillage.

The programme develops the practical legal skills, professional competencies and specialist knowledge required for the vocational stage of Bar training.

Possible Career Directions

  • Barrister, UK

  • Advocate & Solicitor, Malaysia

  • In-House Legal Practice

  • Regulatory & Compliance Roles

  • Legal & Policy Roles

  • Academia & Legal Publishing

2

Why This Programme Matters

The Reality

  • Becoming a barrister requires more than academic knowledge of the law.
  • You need advocacy, communication, drafting, litigation, research and professional decision-making skills.
  • Competition for pupillage is intense, making professional preparation and exposure to the Bar particularly important.
  • The programme is structured to reflect the work and responsibilities of modern Bar practice.

The Professional Practice Advantage

Learn through realistic case studies, simulated case papers and practical exercises designed around the types of tasks undertaken by barristers during junior practice.

City St George’s students undertaking professional Bar training

Course Modules

  • Advocacy: Cross Examination
  • Advocacy: Examination in Chief
  • Advocacy: Submissions
  • Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution
  • Conference Skills
  • Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing
  • Drafting Skills
  • Professional Ethics
  • Opinion Writing
  • Legal Research
3

The Bar Training Experience

Practical training built around the realities of professional practice.

How You Will Learn

  • Train in Small Groups

    Advocacy and conference skills are taught in groups of six students, while most other modules and electives are predominantly taught in groups of 12.

  • Practise with Realistic Cases

    Work with authentic case studies, problem questions and simulated case papers designed around issues encountered in junior practice.

  • Receive Individual Feedback

    Benefit from one-to-one formative feedback across modules to help improve your professional skills and performance.

  • Learn from Practitioners

    Learn from staff with extensive experience in legal practice, teaching and designing professional training for the Bar.

  • Develop Professional Skills

    Build confidence in advocacy, client conferences, drafting, opinion writing, case analysis, legal research and professional ethics.

4

Professional Experience & Employability

Go beyond the classroom.

City St George’s provides opportunities to strengthen your professional profile and prepare for the competitive pupillage process.

  • Pupillage Advice Service

    Once you accept an offer, access the Pupillage Advice Service, which draws on City St George’s links with chambers.

  • LawIRL

    Gain real-world experience through the award-winning LawIRL programme, with opportunities for pro bono legal work and practical skill development.

  • Mooting & Professional Development

    Take part in mooting, CV advice, mock interviews, practitioner panels, networking events and pro bono legal work.

  • Clinical Legal Education

    On the relevant LLM module, work with real clients and partner organisations through client representation or advice and legal research.

5

Learn from the Profession

Learn from barristers who understand practice and teaching.

The BVS is delivered by staff with extensive experience in legal practice, teaching and the design of professional Bar training.

Teaching is supported by specialist manuals developed by senior City Law School staff and members of the practising Bar, together with practitioner texts and other learning resources.

Bar Standards Board Accredited

The Vocational Component of the programme is accredited by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

Upon successfully completing the Vocational Component and the required Inns of Court qualifying sessions, graduates meet the vocational training requirement for Call to the Bar of England and Wales.

6

Student Experience

Study law in the heart of London.

  • Specialist Learning Environment

    Study at the Clerkenwell Campus with access to specialist law teaching spaces designed for professional legal training.

  • Specialist Law Library

    Access a dedicated law library and the resources required to support professional Bar study.

  • Personal Tutor Support

    Every student has a dedicated personal tutor to provide support throughout their studies.

  • Flexible Learning

    Combine face-to-face small-group teaching with extensive online materials, giving you additional flexibility in how you prepare and learn.

  • Professional Resources Included

    Course fees include Blackstone’s Criminal Practice, The White Book and The City Law School BVS Manuals.

7

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

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
8

Career Outcomes

Build practical skills for the Bar and wider legal careers.

The BVS develops the vocational competencies and specialist knowledge required for the Bar while also supporting progression into wider legal, regulatory, policy and academic roles.

Roles in Focus

9

Why City St George’s?

  • Bar-Focused Legal Education

    Study at The City Law School through a programme specifically designed for aspiring barristers.

  • BSB-Accredited Vocational Training

    Complete the vocational component required as part of the pathway towards Call to the Bar of England and Wales.

  • Small-Group Training

    Develop advocacy and conference skills in groups of six, with most other classes predominantly limited to groups of 12.

  • Pupillage Support

    Access the Pupillage Advice Service, links with chambers, networking opportunities and specialist application and interview support.

  • Real-World Legal Experience

    Develop professional skills through LawIRL, mooting, pro bono opportunities and clinical legal education on the relevant LLM route.

  • Flexible Qualification Routes

    Choose from PGDip Bar Vocational Studies, PGDip Bar Vocational Studies with Electives or LLM Bar Vocational Studies.

10

Entry Requirements

To be confirmed by BAC.

11

Tuition Fees

To be confirmed by BAC.

12

Speak to a Future Advisor

Ready to take your next step towards the Bar?

Find out more about City St George’s Bar Vocational Studies programme, qualification routes, entry requirements and application process.

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