The Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)
The BPTC, which replaces the Bar Vocational Course in 2010, is the one-year practical training course for barristers in England and Wales. It can also be taken part-time over two years. Eight law schools are permitted to teach the course at locations in London, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham.
A career at the Bar has many obvious parallels with a career on the stage. Both professions require a certain degree of charisma and an innate talent for performance, as well as the ability to speak clearly and persuasively. Another pertinent fact binds the two together – the limited prospects for most of those aiming to build a career. As one sage law school tutor explained: “Lots of people are attracted to drama school and pay the fees despite knowing that the chance of them winning an Oscar is remarkably slim. Those signing up for the BPTC are in a similar boat, there is a large group of them vying for very few positions and they must make an intelligent decision about whether or not it is sensible for them to proceed.” Before making a decision it is imperative to look at the statistics. Figures from the Bar Council show that while 1,749 students passed the BVC during 2007/08 only 561 secured a pupillage. As with the LPC, the BPTC is a qualification that you can buy with reasonably hard graft and a breathtaking amount of money, and yet there is absolutely no guarantee, and not even the likelihood of a job at the end of it.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is not unaware of this pretty appalling situation, and in response to a working party chaired by Lord Neuberger it has set about re-branding and tweaking its vocational course and pondered new strategies to try to improve the odds for wannabe barristers. One such strategy, which it was set to launch alongside the newly re-branded BPTC, was an aptitude test for students. At the time of going to press the BSB admitted that it may have to withdraw its plans for the test after the Office of Fair Trading labelled its introduction as anti-competitive. So are we back at square one? Maybe.
Until there is a system that significantly limits the availability of BPTC places students must take full responsibility for their decision to sign up for the course. This means looking at your own CV and comparing it with those of new barristers at the sets that you’re aiming for. This can be quite a humbling exercise, especially if you are aiming for the top commercial chambers. As one recent BVC graduate put it: “You have to be realistic. Think about what area of law interests you before you start. If it is commercial law and you don’t have a First from a top university then it is unlikely that you will be successful. If you are drawn to something else, say crime or family, then it will still be a struggle but not such an insurmountable one.”
As with the BVC, during the BPTC the spotlight is on developing the skills needed for advocacy, drafting, opinion writing, conferencing, case analysis and legal research. It is only in the final term that students have some choice, picking two option subjects in areas where they might see themselves specialising. Most teaching is delivered to groups of 12 students, with the rest tackled in classes of six or fewer for practical skills such as advocacy and conferencing. Teaching methods vary slightly between providers, but learning is commonly by way of case studies that track the litigation process. Written-skills classes often involve interactive drafting exercises using multimedia such as electronic whiteboards. Oral skills classes make increasing use of video-recording equipment in role-plays. The skills acquired are then tested in over a dozen assessments in the second and third terms. Written skills are tested through a mix of unseen, seen and take-home tests, while professional actors are drafted in to take part in oral assessments. All of these assessments will continue to be set and marked locally by the course providers themselves.
Aside from the (possible) introduction of an aptitude test, which must be passed prior to starting the course, the main changes brought in by the BPTC are the introduction of standardised assessments for Criminal Litigation and Sentencing; Civil Litigation; Evidence; and Professional Ethics. These centrally set knowledge-based exams will take a multiple-choice format. Despite widespread derision for the multiple-choice format among current students, we do consistently hear that studying for these topics is a tricky and time-consuming part of the course. Another change: the BVC’s negotiation skills course is set to be replaced by a module called ‘Resolution of Disputes Out of Court’. Snappy name.
Course directors tell us the BVC/BPTC is a tough course – and some students agree – although the prevailing opinion among those who have recently sat the BVC is that it is a very changeable course. “When it is full on it is full on,” explained one recent student, “but it does tail off a bit at the end, which is a bit frustrating as you wonder whether it could be done a bit quicker and more efficiently.” At least the quieter phases allow students to take advantage of all of the optional, extra-curricular activities that are on offer, including pro bono advocacy opportunities or getting involved with the social life and careers support offered by the Inns. “You have plenty of opportunities and only yourself to blame if you don’t take advantage of them,” another recent student told us. The best thing is to throw yourself into everything you can with gusto.
It costs £40 to make an application for the BPTC, and the process is all done online through BPTC Online. There is no cap on the number of providers you may apply to, but during the first round only your top three choices will look at your application. These providers can see where they have been ranked on your form. The system opens on 2 November 2009 and the deadline for first-round applications is 7 January 2010. First-round offers are made from 2 March until 30 March, with the clearing pool opening on 1 April 2010 and closing to new applicants on 31 August 2010. Late applicants can go straight into the clearing system until that date. The entire system shuts down on 14 September 2010. For more detailed information on the application process see the BPTC Providers Table on our website.
The current entry requirements for most courses is a not-particularly-glittering LLB 2.2 or a pass for the GDL; however, a 2.1 is generally seen by most providers as the minimum recommended degree grade when applying for a full-time place due to the overall popularity of the course. A high degree of importance is also placed on your ability to show commitment to the profession, so do your best to gain as much legal experience as possible. Typically this will be through mini-pupillages; volunteering at a relevant organisation such as a CAB or legal advice clinic; and mooting and debating. An applicant’s English language skills are also taken into consideration, and yet the most recurrent criticism we hear levelled at the course providers each year is that the standard of spoken English among some overseas students is too low, having a negative effect on the smooth running of certain classes. What we would add here is that not all overseas students on the course intend to try and practise in the UK. Many of them come to earn the qualification before returning to their home jurisdictions to practise.
With the course costing nearly £15,000 in London (and not much under £10,000 elsewhere), and not forgetting living expenses, the BPTC is an expensive undertaking. If you decide to go ahead you must do some serious number crunching and work out exactly how you are going to raise the necessary cash. The main funding options are BPTC scholarships from the Inns of Court, career development loans, bank loans and – if you’re fortunate – the Bank of Mum & Dad. The Inns and the Bar Council have also negotiated with HSBC’s London Barrister Commercial Centre in Fleet Street to offer favourable loan terms for BPTC students (see Bar Council website for details). It’s also worth contacting your local education authority just in case it can help. Your chances are slim, but make the call.
You should make your choice of course provider carefully. Read through prospectuses and websites, attend open days, try to speak to current or former students, and have a look through our providers’ reports. Here are some topics to think about:
Cost: Some providers and locations are significantly cheaper than others. London is the priciest, but even here there is variation. If you’re an international student, look at the differential in price. Part-timers should note whether fees increase in the second year.
Success Rate: Have a look at the comparison table on our website to see what percentage of students pass the course at each institution.
Location: Regional providers are the best option for those looking for pupillage on the circuits, not least because of strong links and networking opportunities with the local Bar. London students benefit from proximity to the Inns of Court and more easy access for pupillage interviews; however, through compulsory dining and advocacy training courses in the Inns, regional students are able to maintain their links with the capital.
Size: Smaller providers pride themselves on offering a more intimate and collegiate environment. Student feedback indicates that this does make a difference, and the friends you make on the BPTC should be a source of support during the search for pupillage and beyond. There’s definitely a different feel to those providers that are run as companies (the College of Law and BPP are both plcs), as opposed to those that remain part of a university.
Facilities: Students can tap into a far wider range of support services, sports and social activities by taking the BPTC at a university. Library and IT resources vary from one provider to the next, as does the level of technology used in teaching – some places make it a key feature of the course.
Option subjects: Available option subjects vary. For example, although judicial review and immigration are popular, they are not offered everywhere. The BPTC Providers Table on our website sets out what’s on offer at each one. This table also compares fees and offers provider-specific application tips.
Extra-curricular English lessons: If you are an international student, find out whether these are included within the course fees. At some providers they are compulsory for anyone whose language ability does not meet a certain standard.
Pro bono: Opportunities range from minimal to superb across the eight providers.