Bar Professional Training Studies - LLM

The BPTS takes you from the initial stages in civil and criminal proceedings through to trial. You will firstly master the compulsory subjects within the criminal and civil areas, before moving on to two specialist options of your choice.

Year one

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Civil Advocacy - covers how to undertake case analysis in order to prepare a case effectively, using basic advocacy skills. This includes understanding the relevant law, facts and principles, observing the rules of professional ethics and planning submissions.
• Civil Litigation, Remedies and Evidence - takes you through how to advise on the most appropriate remedies available to clients in civil proceedings, with a sound working knowledge of the powers of the civil courts, and of the evidential rules governing the resolution of factual issues.
• Conferencing Skills - covers the factual, legal, procedural and evidential issues that might be raised in a conference as well as the objectives of holding one. You will learn how to conduct a conference, deal with all the relevant issues and advise a client appropriately.
• Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing - equips you with a sound working knowledge of the procedure and sentencing powers of the criminal courts, and of the evidential rules governing their resolution of factual issues.
• Opinion Writing - one of the two written skills taught on the BPTS, this module covers the factual, legal, procedural and evidential issues that may be relevant when writing an Opinion, as well as the appropriate structure and language to use.
• Drafting - covers the factual, legal, procedural and evidential issues that are relevant when drafting statements of case, in particular the Particulars of Claim, the Defence and Third Party Proceedings. You will learn how to draft documents that are well structured, with correct headings, language and all necessary formalities.
• Professional Conduct - introduces you to the core professional values underpinning practice at the Bar of England and Wales, and in particular the areas of Core Duties and Code of Conduct. You will learn how to properly identify ethical issues and respond appropriately in any given situation.
• Resolution of Disputes Out of Court - introduces you to the range of ADR methods and teaches you how to advise on and conduct negotiations, mediations and arbitrations or adjudications. The module covers case analysis as well as the tactical and procedural requirements for conducting successful negotiations and mediations.
• Criminal Advocacy - covers how to make submissions on behalf of a defendant in a plea of mitigation and for bail. You will develop the skills of examination-in chief and cross-examination in a variety of criminal case scenarios. The main focus will be on examination of witness techniques.
• Legal Research Methods - develops your understanding of the need for investigation of all relevant factual and legal issues involved in a transaction or matter. You will learn how to undertake systematic and comprehensive legal research and how to present the results of your research.

The teaching of optional modules takes place after the compulsory subjects. They are not intended to teach you substantive law, but rather to provide you with an opportunity to develop the skills you have acquired.

We offer a wide choice of optional modules to allow you to specialise in the area of law you are most interested in or would like to practise.

In addition, you will study two of the following optional modules:

• Clinical Negligence
• Criminal Law
• Commercial Law
• Employment
• Family Law
• International Trade
• Landlord and Tenant
• Refugee and Asylum Law.

Year two

You will study the following optional modules:

• Research and Practice Portfolio, or
• Continuing Professional Development Portfolio plus Bar Professional Development.

Following the two years taught part of the course, there is an additional year for self-study. You have a choice of completing two self-study M level modules for 15 and 45 credits or a dissertation (60 credits). Obtaining this final 60 credits is necessary to complete your Masters.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

You will be taught by our team of highly experienced practitioners with extensive practical experience as barristers, solicitors or judges. You'll develop a strong background in law, studying a blend of real-world legal practice and academic areas. And you'll benefit from substantial face-to-face contact with you tutors, learning in small group sessions.

You'll be supported by a range of innovative and nationally recognised online learning support. This includes recorded lectures, MCQ tests and recorded demonstrations all available to compliment your studies.

You'll develop your skills continuously, attending weekly skills sessions and receiving written and verbal feedback. All our advocacy tutors are Advocacy Training Council (ATC) accredited and Resolution of Disputes Out of Court (REDOC) tutors are accredited mediators to ensure that your learning is of the highest standard.

The content you cover will reflect real-world cases, and you will have the chance to participate in mock trials with professional actors.

For more details, see our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

You'll study a number of compulsory subjects in your first year, as well as a choice of options in the final term. Typically there will be up to 15 hours a week dedicated to formal training with Fridays usually kept free of teaching for consolidation and reflection. In addition you'll be expected to spend around 20 hours a week studying independently.

Dedicated support

You'll be supported throughout your studies and after you graduate. Your personal tutor will be there for you to meet frequently or contact by phone or email. We operate an open door policy and are readily available to meet with students. There are also further support mechanisms available within the University e.g.by way of faculty student advisors.

Civil Litigation, Criminal Litigation and Professional Conduct assessments are all set centrally by the Bar Standards Board and examined using multiple choice and short answer questions. Opinion Writing and Drafting are set locally as unseen assessments in controlled conditions. All other assessments are also set locally and are either completely seen or partially seen, in that you will receive information in advance to research the relevant areas of law.

You'll also receive feedback after mock assessments to help you monitor and improve your performance.

For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.