LLM Bar Practice

Why choose Herts?

Professional accreditation: Approved by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) as an Authorised Education Training Organisation to deliver bar training (the vocational requirements for qualification as a Barrister of England and Wales).
Work-related learning: Real-life scenarios inform your teaching, and you will gain client facing casework experience working in legal services within our award-winning pro-bono Law Clinic providing community-based legal services such as employment tribunals, FRU and Citizen Advice.
Advocacy: Over 40 hours of face-to-face advocacy training by experts including Judges, Barristers and Solicitors. You will have the opportunity to work on authentic, real-life scenarios and practice your skills in our full-scale replica Crown Court.

Funding available*

A minimum of an upper second class (2:1) LLB Honours or Joint Honours degree which covers the seven foundations of legal knowledge as set down in the Bar Standards Board qualification manual or a commendation on the Graduate Diploma in Law or master’s equivalent.
Students should have achieved a 2:1 average in the seven foundations of legal knowledge.
Exceptionally applicants with lower second class LLB/JH Honours degrees or a high 2:2 average in the foundations will be considered.
A personal statemtent, satisfactory references and submission of an advocacy video as part of the admission process.
Applicants who satisfy the academic criteria and the advocacy video criteria will be invited to interview
Students must have membership of one of the following Inns of Court before enrolling on the programme. Membership should be applied for 12 weeks prior to the start of the Course.
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
Fluency in the English language is equivalent to IELTS 7.5 in each section or 73 in each part of the Pearson test. Please contact our Admissions Tutor to discuss entry requirements further.

Additional application information

To apply for the LLM Bar Practice you need to create a new account with us and fill in the online application form below 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.
Why do you want to study at the University of Hertfordshire

Please note any offers made (even if you already meet the academic entry requirements) will be conditional on you passing your BCAT.

Useful reading links


Institution code	H36
School of study	Hertfordshire Law School
Course length	Full Time, 1 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

The programme incorporates the vocational element of training for eligibility to be called to the Bar of England and Wales to become a Barrister. A Master's in Law is also an internationally recognised qualification.

The programme has a strong focus on developing both professional and personal skills that will benefit you whatever your career choice.

Students on the programme will benefit from a bespoke Professional Support and Enhancement programme.

The Careers Service at Herts is committed to helping you progress in your chosen career. Hertfordshire Law School’s Employability Lead who has significant links with the legal profession. Whether it is forging links with Chambers, the Crown Prosecution Service or the legal departments of international organisations, our Director of Employability Lead is dedicated to preparing you for the next stage in your professional legal career.

Professional Accreditations

The course has been designed to meet the requirements of Bar Vocational Training as prescribed by the Bar Standards Board as well as provide valuable knowledge and skills applicable to any area of legal or professional practice.

The University is authorised by the Bar Standards Board as an Authorised Education Training Provider delivering an approved Bar Vocational Training pathway.

We can accept applications onto the programme.

About the course

The LLM Bar Practice programme combines the vocational elements of training for a Barrister (previously the BPTC) within an internationally recognised master’s level qualification. Its innovative design and professional support and enhancement programmes focuses on developing you to manage both a face to face and digital practice.

The course is experiential with a focus on developing excellent personal and legal skills which are relevant for professional practice as a barrister or in any other professional career.

Programme delivery

You will learn by doing and, in several ways. Significant contact time of 10-16 hours a week, supported by small class sizes means you get to practice your skills weekly. The programme is delivered via in-person and and supported by a rich on campus co-curricular programme. You will be taught in small class sizes of 1:6 and 1:12, by qualified legal professionals and academics who have experience in teaching and legal practice.

Advocacy is taught in our multi-million-pound replica Crown Courtroom, and conference skills are taught in groups of 6 students. You will follow several case studies which enable you to take your client from instruction through to completion of their case using your knowledge and developing those essential skills. Your practice is recorded and stored in the cloud, giving you the opportunity to watch and reflect on your practice anytime. Your contact time is supported by rich resources enabling you to learn, practice and reflect in a variety of ways. Using online practitioner texts gives you maximum flexibility over how you use your resources including annotation, bookmarking and printing.

Assessment

The programme has a variety of assessments including oral, coursework, portfolio and examinations. Assessments for the bar training element follow the requirements of the BSB Curriculum and Assessment Strategy (found here).

Your classes will prepare you for your assessments and you will have weekly practice on the MCQs and SBAs needed for the centralised assessments.

Throughout the programme you’ll develop professional connections through our extensive employability programme and participate in a range of co-curricular courses.

Programme outcomes

At the end of the programme, you will leave us with a valuable master’s qualification, the knowledge and skills required by the legal profession and other potential employers and, with the opportunity to be called to the Bar of England and Wales (subject to you completing your dining obligations and any additional requirements set by the BSB).

If you want to 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 will offer an established route into the legal profession but also enables you to obtain a valuable and internationally recognised masters.

Why choose this course?

The LLM Bar Practice offers you the opportunity to enhance your profile and gain an internationally recognised qualification.

Enhancing employability: Throughout the programme, you’ll develop professional connections through our extensive employability programme and participate in a range of co-curricular courses.
Professional accreditation: A internationally recognised master’s degree incorporating the vocational requirements for qualification as a Barrister of England and Wales
Work-related learning: 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. You can choose to get involved in the law clinic as part of your LLM, which provides you with practical, real-world, client-based experience.
Advocacy: Over 40 hours of face-to-face advocacy training by experts including Judges, Barristers and Solicitors. You will have the opportunity to work on authentic, real-life scenarios and practice your skills in our full-scale replica Crown Court.
CV-enhancing activities: An extensive array of co-curricular activities including trial advocacy led by a former member of the judiciary, client interviewing, conferencing, debating, commercial awareness and mooting.
Strong industry links: 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.
Fantastic facilities: We are one of the few providers of legal education in the country with a full-scale multi-million-pound replica Crown Courtroom which is fully equipped with the latest technology to enable you to perform your Advocacy skills and prepare you for practice.
Teaching excellence: You’ll be taught by experienced practitioners in the legal field including Barristers, Solicitors and former Judges as well as academics, all of whom understand the context of the modules in practice.
Award-winning: Voted Best Contribution by a Team of Students helping vulnerable people at risk of homelessness in Hertfordshire (Law Works Student Pro Bono Awards, 2022), and ranked 3rd overall for law in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024).

What will I study?

This one-year intensive full-time course consists of on campus teaching over three days coupled with significant independent learning on your non-teaching days. Assessments may fall on any day of the week.

In your third semester, depending on your elective choices, your study days may vary. In the first semester you will study the following modules:

Professional Ethics
Conference Skills
Submission Advocacy

These modules will be assessed at the end of the semester in December / January.

You will also start studying for:

Civil Litigation
Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing
Trial Advocacy

These modules continue into the second semester, where you will also study:

Drafting
Opinion Writing & Legal Research

These modules will be assessed in April and May

All your modules contextualise and develop your knowledge together with practising core skills, and you can expect to find ethical questions appearing across all modules.

Finally, in the third semester, you will complete your Masters by studying from a choice of four modules:

Advanced Civil Litigation
Advanced Criminal Litigation
Company / Commercial
Pro Bono Experience (Bar)
(modules run subject to student numbers)

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Civil Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution	15 Credits	Compulsory
On completion of this module, candidates should be able to demonstrate a sound understanding and knowledge of the progress of civil litigation and dispute resolution from initial considerations through to trial and on to appeals.  Students will go through the civil litigation process from pre-action to appeals. This will enable them to understand the process. This is based on the Civil Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Syllabus as set by the Bar Standards Board.
Criminal Litigation, Evidence & Sentencing	15 Credits	Compulsory
On completion of this part of this module, candidates should be able to demonstrate a sound understanding and knowledge of the progress of criminal litigation, evidence and sentencing from initial considerations through to trial and on to appeals.  Students will go through the criminal litigation process from pre-charge to appeals. This will enable them to understand the process. This is based on the Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing Syllabus as set by the Bar Standards Board.
Professional Ethics	15 Credits	Compulsory
On completion of this module, candidates should be able to demonstrate a sound understanding and knowledge of professional ethics in a practical context. They should be able to identify ethical issues which may arise in practice and be able to resolve them with reference to the Code of Conduct. Students will be introduced to a range of ethical scenarios with a view to understanding the issues, applying the Code of Conduct and Guidance documents in order to make a decision. Students will learn and understand how this relates to practice.
Conference	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the skill of conferencing. Students will learn conferencing through a mixture of knowledge and practical sessions focusing on when and how to conduct a conference. Taught through the context of "Briefs to Counsel", students will learn and practice how to prepare for a conference, identify and clarify issues with a client using appropriate questioning and language skills and how to advise their client in a variety of legal contexts. A core part of the module is practising and refining skills.
Drafting	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the skill of drafting. Taught through the context of "Briefs to Counsel", students will learn and practice how to research and apply relevant law to the Brief within the context of a relevant drafted document. They will practice applying professional standards, following the required structure and layout in preparing their drafts and writing clearly and appropriately. A core part of the module is practising and refining their skills.
Opinion Writing	15 Credits	Compulsory
On completion of this module, candidates should be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of the skill of Opinion Writing and how to apply it to litigation. Students will undertake written work in Civil and Criminal contexts across the litigation process. Candidates should also be able to use a clear and appropriate structure, dealing with each issue in a logical order and separating issues into paragraphs in a sensible way, dealing with one issue at a time and giving each its due weight and significance use appropriate formalities
Legal Research	0 Credits	Compulsory
On completion of this module students should be able to identify legal and non-legal issues and the best research source to resolve the issue. Students should be able to prioritise issues raised and understand how to conduct research and apply it in order to reach a legally sound, accurate and well-researched conclusion.
Advanced Criminal Litigation	15 Credits	Optional
This module builds on the knowledge and skills developed in bar training and applies them to a multi-track fact pattern in the Crown Court. Students will have the opportunity to undertake research and prepare legal documents which enables them then undertake a multi-defendant Crown Court Trial.
Advanced Civil Litigation	15 Credits	Optional
This module builds on the knowledge and skills developed in bar training and applies them to a complex multi-track fact litigation. Students will have the opportunity to undertake research and prepare legal documents and practise their advocacy in a civil litigation.
Family Law	15 Credits	Optional
The module considers Family Law and its statutory legal regulation. It examines the process of divorce and the drafting of legal documentation for service on the court and opposing parties, the protection of children in the family and approaches to the resolution of domestic violence, together with the law, evidence and procedure which underpin these legal issues. Students are expected to demonstrate awareness of professional ethics at all stages of the litigation process.
Employment Law	15 Credits	Optional
The module considers the employment contract and its statutory legal regulation. It examines the legal requirements for the formation of a contract of employment, wrongful and unfair dismissal, discrimination and Employment Tribunal procedures and remedies. Students are expected to demonstrate awareness of professional ethics at all stages of the litigation process.
Company & Commercial Law	15 Credits	Optional
The module considers commercial activity and its legal regulation. It analyses commercial and consumer transactions and the legal framework in which they exist. It considers the law of agency and distributorship. Students are expected to demonstrate awareness of professional conduct and financial services legislation on advice given to clients.
Chancery	15 Credits	Optional
The module considers the progression of chancery litigation.
Bar Practice Legal Project	30 Credits	Compulsory
Students are given the opportunity to take part in one or more pro bono projects to develop the professional and legal skills they will need as a barrister. This may include advising as part of Hertfordshire Law Clinic, taking part in Streetlaw, shadowing solicitors at the Employment tribunal or county court, or volunteering with an external pro bono project such as the Free Representation Unit. Students wanting to rely on volunteering with an external project for this module will need to seek prior approval from the module leader to ensure that they will have the opportunity to gain appropriate experience and will receive suitable supervision. Students will work under supervision and will carry out a range of tasks which may include interviewing clients, conducting legal research, drafting advice and representing clients at a tribunal. The module will also explore ethical issues, ensuring that students are able to identify and act in accordance with the core duties of professional conduct and ethics. Students will also consider what it means to be an ethical lawyer and the value of undertaking pro bono work. Students will be encouraged to keep reflective journals and reflect on their progress. Students will strengthen their time-management, teamwork, organisational, communication and employability skills. Students will be assessed by way of a reflective portfolio, comprising examples of their work, reflective journals and a reflective essay on a related topic, such as the relationship between ethics and the professional code of conduct.
Advocacy	30 Credits	Compulsory
On completion of this part of the course, candidates should be able to demonstrate a sound understanding and knowledge of Advocacy and how a skeleton argument can enhance oral advocacy. They will be exposed to opening and closing speeches.
Trial Advocacy	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the skill of trial advocacy, taught through practical sessions in the mock courtroom. Taught through the context of client "Briefs to Counsel", students will be up on their feet from day one, learning how to use content, delivery and language skills to advance their case and quickly moving onto practising different questioning techniques suitable for examination in chief and cross examination, and learning how to work with witnesses. A core part of the module is practising and refining their skills.
Professional Ethics	0 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to professional ethics. Students will quickly become familiar with the Barrister Code of Conduct and Guidance and learn how to identify ethical issues and how to resolve them in a variety of contexts. Students will learn how their own conduct justifies their clients' and colleagues trust in them and the public's trust in the profession. As part of this they will be able to identify when their integrity and independence is at risk and observe and uphold the law on equality, diversity, and discrimination.
Civil Litigation	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module takes you through the process of civil litigation and dispute resolution from initial considerations through to trials and on to appeals. The syllabus is provided by the BSB and focuses upon the fundamental principles, key rules and core elements of civil litigation. The module prepares students for early years of practice at the Civil Bar.
Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module takes you through the process of criminal litigation, evidence and sentencing from initial considerations through to trials and on to appeals. The syllabus is provided by the BSB and focuses upon the fundamental principles, key rules and core elements of criminal litigation. The module prepares students for early years of practice at the Criminal Bar.
Pro Bono Experience (Bar)	30 Credits	Optional
Students are given the opportunity to develop their professional, legal and practical skills by taking part in one or more pro bono projects. This may include advising as part of Hertfordshire Law Clinic, taking part in Streetlaw, shadowing Solicitors at the Employment Tribunal or volunteering with an External pro bono project, such as the Free Representation Unit.
Submission Advocacy	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the skill of submission advocacy. Students will learn submission advocacy through a mixture of knowledge and practical sessions. Taught through the context of "Briefs to Counsel", students will learn and practise how to draft and use a skeleton argument to advance their case, how to use content, delivery and language skills to persuade their audience and how to structure their performances, all in a variety of legal contexts. A core part of the module is practising and refining their skills
Opinion Writing and Legal Research	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the skills of opinion writing and legal research. Taught through "Briefs to Counsel", students will learn how to plan their research, undertake research effectively to accurately advise and present a research trail. Students will learn how to apply relevant law to the Brief within the context of an opinion or advice. They will practice applying professional standards, following the required structure and layout and writing clearly and appropriately. A core part of the module is practising and refining their skills.

Further course information

Course fact sheets
LLM Bar Practice Factsheet	Download
LLM Bar Practice Factsheet	Download

Programme specifications
LLM Bar Practice	Download
LLM Bar Practice	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, building your career and having fun.

If you need support, we are here for you. Hertfordshire Law School is a warm, welcoming community where you will find staff who encourage you through your studies. You will have your own academic support tutor for the duration of your time here. Plus, our friendly cohort leaders are available to speak to. If you need some personal support we have a wellbeing leader and many members of teaching staff are trained and accredited in mental health first aid.

For additional help with study skills you will have access to our academic support services. You can attend workshops, 1:1 sessions and online tutorials. Both our Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) run drop-in study skills sessions.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £14805 for the 2024/2025 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £14805 for the 2024/2025 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £14805 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £17250 for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £17250 for the 2025/2026 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £17250 for the 2025/2026 academic year
Find out about our Herts graduate/alumni 20% discount on tuition fees
- The course fee is inclusive of a laptop with access to the White Book, Blackstone’s Criminal Practice and all necessary learning resources.
- The BSB fee is also included.
- This programme is eligible for the postgraduate student loan.
- Scholarships are available
The fees are inclusive of laptop with digital access to the White Book and Blackstone’s Criminal Practice and BSB fee £720.

This programme is eligible for the postgraduate student loan.

Scholarships are available

*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
How to apply

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
06/09/2025 09/09/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
06/09/2026 09/09/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)

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LLM Bar Practice

Why choose Herts?

Funding available*

Careers

Professional Accreditations

About the course

Programme delivery

Assessment

Programme outcomes

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025

2026