Entry requirements

You must have either a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), usually with a minimum 2:2 classification, or have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in a subject other than law and have successfully completed the GDL qualification

You must have passed the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT). Read the Bar Standards Board Handbook.
You must be a member of one of the Inns of Court:
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
You must be fluent in English and must be able to demonstrate that your English language ability is at least equivalent to:
a minimum score of 7.5 in each section of the IELTS academic test, or
a minimum score of 73 in each part of the Pearson Test of English (academic)
Please contact our Admissions Tutor to discuss entry requirements further.
To apply for the LLM Bar Practice you need to create a new account with us and fill in the online application form in the ‘How to Apply’ section. If you have already studied with us, please sign in.
You will be required to upload evidence of your QLD or GDL; if your degree result is pending, note this is in the qualification section of the application form (i.e. pending result TBC)
You are required to provide a written demonstration of the following as part of your application:
The potential to fulfil the BSB Professional Statement Competences
A commitment to a career at the Bar/in law
A record of legal work experience or other law-related activity during their studies.
Please note any offers made (even if you already meet the academic entry requirements) will be conditional on you passing your BCAT.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Why choose Herts?

Employability: The University of Hertfordshire is uniquely located to provide students with access to regional and London Chambers and other employers.
Work-Related Learning: You'll gain client facing casework experience working in our award-winning pro-bono law clinic which provides community-based legal services
Teaching Excellence: Practising barristers and solicitors will train you to work on authentic, real-life scenarios at our Law Court Building, which includes a full-scale replica Crown Court room

About the course

If you want to be a barrister and work in the legal profession, the full-time one-year LLM Bar Practice offered by the University of Hertfordshire is the course for you. Our course not only offers an established route into the legal profession but also enables you to obtain a prestigious LLM.

In Semesters A and B, you will study Stages 1 and 2 of the vocational element of Bar Training both of which are required by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). Stage 1 contains the compulsory modules of Civil Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution; Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing; Professional Ethics and Conference. Stage 2 contains the compulsory modules of Advocacy; Opinion Writing; Legal Research and Drafting.

Finally in Semester C, you will complete an extended project over the summer as well as be able to choose from a variety of taught modules. You will leave us with the knowledge and skills required by the legal profession – skills that are highly valued by potential employers.

Why choose this course

We are one of the few providers of legal education in the country with a full-scale replica Crown Court room. This facility is fully equipped with the latest technology to enable you to perform your Advocacy skills and prepare you for practice
We offer a flexible format to enable you to work in a variety of ways. This programme will prepare you for a digital practice as courts and legal professionals move increasingly online and paperless
You want to be taught by qualified legal professionals who have experience in teaching and legal practice
Hertfordshire Law School has close links with the Law Clinic and Careers Service, providing you with the skills and support you need to make the most of your time on the programme and succeed in your chosen career
Our award-winning Law Clinic covers a number of practice areas and pro bono opportunities which will enable you to put the skills you learn on the programme into practice in the community. The LLM component involves a compulsory Legal Research project based in the Law Clinic which provides you with practical, real-world, client based experience.

What will I study

This one-year intensive full-time course consists of face-to-face teaching and you will be required to complete guided study on your non-teaching days. Assessments may fall on any day of the week. In Semester C, depending on your elective choices, you may also be required to attend classes for face-to-face teaching on a number of days during the week.

The focus of our teaching model is online lectures, face to face interactive workshops. Assessment is carried out via a range of methods in accordance with the BSB requirements including oral assessments and some open book assessments. Small class sizes and dedicated support from tutors will encourage you to give your best to your studies.

You'll benefit from our experiential learning approach. Using our dedicated replica courtroom, you'll gain lots of advocacy and oral skills practice. We'll teach you the BSB Criminal and Civil syllabi through interactive workshops based on real cases, putting legal issues in context.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

LLM
full time
12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- Distance learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name: Admissions
Email: ask@herts.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)1707 284000

Visit website