Founded in Texas, this well-establised legal education provider has offered a US Bar prep course for decades. With the introduction of the SQE in 2021, BARBRI has unveiled a new offering aimed at those hoping to qualify as a solicitor in the UK.
"A colleague of mine passed the New York Bar Exam through Barbri and recommended them to me," one of the provider's students told us. "They are generally well-known for the quality of their materials and for preparing you to pass exams." Law firms including Reed Smith and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner have struck deals with the provider to educate their future trainees ahead of the new exam.
SQE1 Prep
10 weeks full-time, 20 or 40 weeks part-time
BARBRI was one of the quickest off the block when it came to providing an SQE1 prep course, ushering its first round of students through in January 2021. The course is taught primarily through online learning with 'touchpoint' face-to-face sessions also offered.
The provider told us "the core learning for the programme is housed on BARBRI’s Personal Study Plan (PSP) which is powered by ISAAC, the Intuitive Study Assistant and Coach, which combines artificial intelligence with real-world exam intelligence to produce an SQE1 prep programme uniquely tailored to each student." Sounds exciting: the bottom line is that BARBRI is giving students support beyond the basic resources they need to learn.
A cheaper option than some competitors, BARBRI also offers earlier start times for those keen to get the ball rolling.
Fees: £2,999
SQE2 Prep
12 weeks part-time
Details on the second part of BARBRI's SQE offering are still being finalised, but we can confirm the provider will offer at least two course start dates each year, in the run up to exam sittings. This section of the SQE focuses more on practical skills, so the course will aim to replicate legal practice as much as possible, as well as bringing back the 'PSPs' from the SQE1 prep programme.
With the first round of SQE2 set for April of next year, we'd expect prep to begin in January 2022 at the latest.
Fees: £3,499 (£2,999 if completed SQE1 with BARBRI)
More from students on BARBRI...
"Well organised and highly focused programme."
"They had remote video learning which suited my schedule and how I wanted to study. They were also more affordable than other schools and did not require a huge amount of textbooks to be purchased."
"I think that Barbri is quite expensive, but it is hard to say whether it is "worth it" compared to other providers."
"Weekly 1:1 tutor- pupil sessions provided invaluable feedback. The school also staged a mock exam which was excellent preparation."
"I'd perhaps have liked more online opportunities to network with other students or set up study/support groups."
"The tutors are wonderful. Not only are they full of knowledge and always on hand to assist with questions, but they are personable and approachable which has been hugely beneficial especially during the struggles of studying during a pandemic."
The provider's website: www.barbri.com