Course ethos
Our Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) – formerly known as the BVC – has been designed to resemble working life as a barrister as closely as possible. The course is litigation-based with a heavy emphasis on developing and honing skills. Study follows a logical, realistic process from initial instruction to final appeal, and learning is based around the seven core skills and three knowledge areas stipulated by the Bar Standards Board. Most of your learning will be in small group workshops of between two and twelve and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put your learning into action through: practitioner evenings (where you can demonstrate your advocacy skills in front of practising barristers and get feedback), mock trials, court visits, mooting, negotiating and advocacy competitions, and our tailored pro bono programmes. And students who successfully complete our BPTC will earn 60 Masters level credits and be a third of the way towards our LL.M Masters degrees.
How is the course taught?
You’ll begin by studying the criminal practice course and the civil practice course, taking you through the different stages of litigation, including evidence and sentencing. Later in the course you’ll take part in mock trials and choose two options for further study and skills development. The knowledge areas you’ll cover are civil litigation, criminal litigation & sentencing and evidence. We’ll help build the following core skills: advocacy, conference skills, drafting, fact management, legal research skills, opinion writing and resolutions of disputes out of court. Sample options include: advanced civil litigation, advanced criminal litigation, alternative dispute resolution & mediation, commercial practice, employment practice, family practice, immigration practice, judicial review practice and pro bono.
You’ll also study professional ethics and conduct as a discrete topic in accordance with the Bar Council’s Code of Conduct.
How are candidates assessed?
There are 12 assessments in total and practice assessments are held for all subjects.
Study modes and locations:
• Full-time (one year): Birmingham, London
• Part-time – weekend (two year): London
(You don’t have to be a registered Milkround.com user to apply)