Compare routes: Barrister

Compare what matters before you decide. Routes are shown side by side, not ranked: an unknown is marked “Not enough data”. England & Wales only.

Choose 2 or 3 routes

Route A: Law degree, then the Bar course and pupillage
Route B: Degree in another subject, a law conversion course, then the Bar course
Route C: Integrated four-year law degree with the Bar course, then pupillage

Comparing 3 routes. Nothing here is ranked or scored.

Comparison of 3 routes. Unknown values are marked Not enough data and are not ranked.
Route	Route ALaw degree, then the Bar course and pupillage	Route BDegree in another subject, a law conversion course, then the Bar course	Route CIntegrated four-year law degree with the Bar course, then pupillage
Entry 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	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	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
Official mandatory credentials	Academic component: a law degree, or a degree in another subject plus a law conversion course, with at least a 2:2 Join one of the four Inns of Court before the Bar course, and complete 10 qualifying sessions before Call Vocational component: pass a Bar course with a BSB-authorised provider Pupillage: usually 12 months (a non-practising and a practising period of about six months each) Bar course (vocational component of Bar training)	Academic component: a law degree, or a degree in another subject plus a law conversion course, with at least a 2:2 Join one of the four Inns of Court before the Bar course, and complete 10 qualifying sessions before Call Vocational component: pass a Bar course with a BSB-authorised provider Pupillage: usually 12 months (a non-practising and a practising period of about six months each) Bar course (vocational component of Bar training)	Academic component: a law degree, or a degree in another subject plus a law conversion course, with at least a 2:2 Join one of the four Inns of Court before the Bar course, and complete 10 qualifying sessions before Call Vocational component: pass a Bar course with a BSB-authorised provider Pupillage: usually 12 months (a non-practising and a practising period of about six months each) Bar course (vocational component of Bar training)
Time	About 5 years or more 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.	About 6 years or more 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.	About 5 years or more The integrated programme in the BSB's 2026/27 factsheet is a 4-year undergraduate course; pupillage usually lasts 12 months.
Cash costs	Fees charged: At least £42,920 to £49,870 Paid up front by you: At least £3,760 to £10,710 Not included: Each Inn of Court sets its own admission fee; we have not verified it Up-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.	Fees charged: At least £42,920 to £49,870 Paid up front by you: At least £3,760 to £10,710 Not included: 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 it Up-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.	Fees charged: At least £39,160 Paid up front by you: Not enough data Not included: Each Inn of Court sets its own admission fee; we have not verified it Up-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.
Employer-funded possibilities	Possible but not guaranteed — some employers pay fees or give study leave. Ask before you accept an offer. University tuition is usually covered by a Tuition Fee Loan (England), which is repaid from future earnings.	Possible but not guaranteed — some employers pay fees or give study leave. Ask before you accept an offer. University tuition is usually covered by a Tuition Fee Loan (England), which is repaid from future earnings.	Possible but not guaranteed — some employers pay fees or give study leave. Ask before you accept an offer. University tuition is usually covered by a Tuition Fee Loan (England), which is repaid from future earnings.
Work while studying	Possible Full-time study, then paid pupillage. Usually from pupillage, which must pay at least the BSB minimum award. Many students work part-time while studying.	Possible Full-time study, then paid pupillage. Usually from pupillage. Many students work part-time while studying.	Possible Full-time undergraduate study, then paid pupillage. Usually from pupillage. Many students work part-time while studying.
Salary evidence	Barrister: £24,000 to £250,000 a year (starter to experienced, England) National Careers Service, checked 12 Oct 2026. Typical range for comparable roles — indicative, not guaranteed.	Barrister: £24,000 to £250,000 a year (starter to experienced, England) National Careers Service, checked 12 Oct 2026. Typical range for comparable roles — indicative, not guaranteed.	Barrister: £24,000 to £250,000 a year (starter to experienced, England) National Careers Service, checked 12 Oct 2026. Typical range for comparable roles — indicative, not guaranteed.
Competition and availability	Pupillage is competitive, and completing the Bar course does not guarantee pupillage All pupillages must be advertised on the Pupillage Gateway, which follows a set yearly timetable Bar courses are run by a small number of authorised providers, mostly in large cities	Pupillage is competitive, and completing the Bar course does not guarantee pupillage Conversion courses and Bar courses are offered by a limited number of providers	Very few integrated programmes exist: the BSB's 2026/27 factsheet lists one (Northumbria University's MLaw Exempting) Pupillage is competitive, and finishing the programme does not guarantee pupillage
Geographical constraints	Applies in: England & Wales only Tuition fees and student finance shown are England's	Applies in: England & Wales only Tuition fees and student finance shown are England's	Applies in: England & Wales only Tuition fees and student finance shown are England's Moving region narrows your choice of programme
Alternative exits	You could work as a paralegal or in another legal role while you apply for pupillage You could qualify as a solicitor through the SQE instead — a separate profession with separate rules A law degree is useful in many careers outside law	Your first degree keeps other careers open You could qualify as a solicitor through the SQE instead — a separate profession with separate rules You could work as a paralegal or in another legal role	A law degree is useful in many careers outside law You could qualify as a solicitor through the SQE instead — a separate profession with separate rules
Source freshness	Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 Oldest source check: 12 Oct 2026	Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 Oldest source check: 12 Oct 2026	Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 Oldest source check: 12 Oct 2026

Costs are published fees only (lower and upper ends of official ranges). To change assumptions such as funding, loans, pay or living costs, use Compare costs.

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