If you are an aspiring barrister in your final year of university, Monday 18 December 2017 should already be imprinted on your memory. In case it isn't, this is the date from which you can apply for the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) on the BARSAS website.
There is a very useful guide on the website which is worth reading before you start your application.
I have summarised the key points below:
Students can apply for up to 6 programmes across the 8 Providers of the BPTC.
The 8 providers are:
Most providers offer full time (1 year) and part-time (2 years) options.
Funding
The costs of the BPTC vary from £14,500 to over £18,000 depending on the provider and its location. You may be fortunate to receive a Scholarship for at least part of the cost from one of the Inns of Court if you applied in November.
If not, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan from the Student Loans Company for up to £10,000 if you choose to study the BPTC with a Masters option. Check with providers to see if they offer this.
Other options include:
The closing date for BPTC applications is Wednesday 17 Jan 2018 at 12 noon.
Applicants must pass an aptitude test, known as ‘BCAT’. It is a multiple choice computer based test which assesses applicant’s critical thinking and reasoning. Applicants will not be able to enrol on the BPTC without passing it. For further guidance on the BCAT click here
There is a very useful guide on the website which is worth reading before you start your application.
I have summarised the key points below:
Students can apply for up to 6 programmes across the 8 Providers of the BPTC.
The 8 providers are:
- BPP University Law School - London , Leeds, Manchester Birmingham
- University of Law - London, Birmingham, Leeds
- The City Law School (formerly Inns of Court School of Law)
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- Nottingham Law School
- The University of Northumbria at Newcastle
- University of the West of England at Bristol
- Cardiff Law School
Most providers offer full time (1 year) and part-time (2 years) options.
Funding
The costs of the BPTC vary from £14,500 to over £18,000 depending on the provider and its location. You may be fortunate to receive a Scholarship for at least part of the cost from one of the Inns of Court if you applied in November.
If not, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan from the Student Loans Company for up to £10,000 if you choose to study the BPTC with a Masters option. Check with providers to see if they offer this.
Other options include:
- Future Finance Loans
- Professional and Career Development Loans
- High Street Bank loans
Applicants are not required to be a member of an Inn of Court upon submission of their application but must be a member by 31 May 2018.
The closing date for BPTC applications is Wednesday 17 Jan 2018 at 12 noon.
Applicants must pass an aptitude test, known as ‘BCAT’. It is a multiple choice computer based test which assesses applicant’s critical thinking and reasoning. Applicants will not be able to enrol on the BPTC without passing it. For further guidance on the BCAT click here
