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England & Wales only — not Scotland or Northern Ireland

How to become a barrister in England and Wales

Barristers give specialist legal advice and represent people and organisations in courts and tribunals, presenting cases and questioning witnesses.

Many barristers are self-employed and share chambers with other barristers; others are employed by an organisation.

The rules below are for England and Wales only. Barristers and solicitors are separate professions with separate regulators and training.

  • England & Wales only
  • Regulated profession
  • Pupillage is competitive

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AUniversity

    Law degree, then the Bar course and pupillage

    For those who want to study law at university and then train for the Bar in England and Wales.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements; some ask for the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)
    • The Bar Standards Board (BSB) needs at least a 2:2 degree for the academic component
    • You must join one of the four Inns of Court before you start the Bar course

    Pathway outline

    1. Study a law degree (at least a 2:2)
    2. Join one of the four Inns of Court
    3. Take the Bar course and complete 10 qualifying sessions with your Inn
    4. Be Called to the Bar by your Inn
    5. Apply for pupillage, usually through the Pupillage Gateway
    6. Complete pupillage (usually 12 months) before you can practise
    Estimated duration
    About 5 years or more
    How we estimate this

    A typical 3-year full-time degree, a Bar course of about a year full-time, then pupillage of usually two six-month periods. Many people spend time between the Bar course and pupillage.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £42,920 to £49,870Plus: Each Inn of Court sets its own admission fee; we have not verified itPaid up front by you: At least £3,760 to £10,710Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually from pupillage, which must pay at least the BSB minimum award. Many students work part-time while studying.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BUniversity

    Degree in another subject, a law conversion course, then the Bar course

    For those who want to study another subject first — history, science, languages or anything else — and then convert to law for the Bar.

    Starting requirements

    • A degree in any subject with at least a 2:2
    • A law conversion course (Graduate Diploma in Law, GDL) to complete the academic component
    • You must join one of the four Inns of Court before you start the Bar course

    Pathway outline

    1. Study a degree in any subject (at least a 2:2)
    2. Take a law conversion course (GDL)
    3. Join an Inn, take the Bar course and complete 10 qualifying sessions
    4. Be Called to the Bar, then apply for pupillage
    5. Complete pupillage (usually 12 months) before you can practise
    Estimated duration
    About 6 years or more
    How we estimate this

    A typical 3-year degree, a conversion course (providers set the length; we assume a year full-time), a Bar course of about a year full-time and usually 12 months' pupillage.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £42,920 to £49,870Plus: Conversion course fees are set by each provider; we have not verified them; Each Inn of Court sets its own admission fee; we have not verified itPaid up front by you: At least £3,760 to £10,710Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually from pupillage. Many students work part-time while studying.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CUniversity

    Integrated four-year law degree with the Bar course, then pupillage

    For those sure about the Bar at 18 who want the academic and vocational stages in one undergraduate programme.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements
    • Only a few providers offer an integrated programme — check the BSB's list of authorised providers
    • You must join one of the four Inns of Court before the vocational part starts

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for an integrated law degree that includes the Bar course
    2. Join an Inn and complete 10 qualifying sessions
    3. Finish the programme and be Called to the Bar
    4. Apply for pupillage through the Pupillage Gateway timetable
    5. Complete pupillage (usually 12 months) before you can practise
    Estimated duration
    About 5 years or more
    How we estimate this

    The integrated programme in the BSB's 2026/27 factsheet is a 4-year undergraduate course; pupillage usually lasts 12 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £39,160Plus: Each Inn of Court sets its own admission fee; we have not verified itPaid up front by you: Not enough dataUp-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually from pupillage. Many students work part-time while studying.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Questions people ask

Is a barrister the same as a solicitor?

No. They are separate professions with separate regulators and training. Barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board; solicitors by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. This page covers barristers in England and Wales only.

Do I need a law degree to become a barrister?

No. A degree in any subject with at least a 2:2, followed by a law conversion course, also completes the academic component.

Does passing the Bar course mean I can practise?

No. Your Inn Calls you to the Bar once you complete the vocational component and qualifying sessions, but you cannot practise until you complete pupillage. Completing the course does not guarantee pupillage.

Is pupillage paid?

Yes. From 1 January 2026 pupils must be paid at least £23,504 a year outside London, or £25,863 for a 12-month pupillage in London.

Do I need to take the BCAT?

No. The Bar Standards Board abolished the requirement to pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test before vocational training.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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