Our careers and employability service for the BPTC
You are choosing one of the most rewarding and competitive professions. The Bar is a relatively small profession, with around 15,000 barristers in England and Wales. Some barristers are employed in-house whilst the majority, around 80%, work at the self-employed Bar working from sets of chambers. To succeed you need to hone and present your skills so that they match the needs of the market.
The College has the best law careers and employability team in the UK, including dedicated people to help you secure pupillage.
Many activities and events are held throughout the year to enable you to develop key skills:
Mock trials
We give you as many opportunities as possible to hone your essential advocacy skills and put what you learn into practice:
participating in mock trials in real courtrooms with real judges and senior barristers
advocacy skill demonstrations with feedback from practising barristers
visits to the High Court, Magistrate’s Court, Crown Court and County Courts
mooting, negotiating and advocacy competitions
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Discussions, debates & mooting competitions
Being a barrister involves analysing data selectively and testing arguments on a face to face basis. On your Bar Professional Training Course at The College of Law you will be given ample opportunity to develop your advocacy skills in both formal and informal situations.
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Pro bono opportunities
The College runs a varied pro bono programme at all of our centres, which allow our students to get experience in dealing with real cases and also help the local community. Students gain valuable first-hand experience of client relationships, legal research and drafting while at the same time benefitting people, who may otherwise not have access to legal guidance.
In 2009 the Birmingham centre was recognised by the Lord Chief Justice as 'the best new pro bono scheme'.
This is work experience with a real difference!
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BPTC employability programme
Autumn term
Topic
|
Format
|
| Planning your career & researching employers |
Group sessions |
| Commercial awareness |
Webinar |
| Choosing options |
Tutor led |
| Gaining experience & making contacts |
Pro bono, networking & mentoring |
| Speed CVs |
Individual face to face appointments |
| Applications for the Bar |
Workshops on Bar CVs |
| Personal careers guidance |
Individual sessions |
Spring term
Topic
|
Format
|
| National Pupillage Fair |
Opportunity to meet employers & attend talks |
| Gaining experience & making contacts |
Employer talks & workshops |
| Speed CVs |
Employer talks & workshops |
| Making applications for Pupillage Portal |
Workshops |
| Preparing for pupillage interviews |
Practice interview sessions |
| Personal careers guidance |
Individual sessions |
Summer term
Topic
|
Format
|
| Speed CVs |
Individual face to face appointments |
| Leavers events |
Workshops, talks & mini fairs |
| How to impress as an employee |
Workshops & employer talks |
| Personal careers guidance |
Individual sessions |
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