England and Wales: barrister pathway
Scope
- Degree recognition
A degree is the first step and must be at least a 2:2; it need not be in law.
“The first step to becoming a barrister is to get a degree, which must be a minimum of a 2:2 classification.”
- Program approval or accreditation
Vocational Bar training is delivered by Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) listed by the BSB.
“You can view a list of Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) offering the vocational component of Bar training”
- Additional education or training
A non-law degree, or a law degree lacking the seven foundation subjects, requires a conversion course (GDL).
“if your degree is in a subject other than law, you took your law degree more than five years ago, or your law degree did not include each of the seven foundation subjects listed below, you will need to complete a conversion course commonly referred to as a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)”
- Examination requirements
Bar training includes centralised assessments set and marked by the BSB plus local exams set by the course provider.
“A Bar training course involves taking centralised assessments, which are exams set and marked by us”
- Supervised practice
Pupillage (work-based training under an experienced barrister) is required before authorisation to practise.
“you must first undergo a period of work-based, practical training under the supervision of an experienced barrister. This is known as pupillage”
- Foreign qualification assessment
Lawyers qualified elsewhere may be exempt from some or all training components depending on qualifications and experience.
“Lawyers who have qualified in another jurisdiction, for example solicitors based in England and Wales or lawyers from overseas, may be exempt from some or all of these components, depending on their qualifications and experience.”
- Residency or other restrictions
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Online study
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
Regulator: Bar Standards Board · official source for this record · last checked 1 November 2026.