How to become a barrister
Find out how to become a barrister in the UK. You can also see advice about becoming a solicitor.
Information is correct as of March 2025. Before deciding whether to pursue a career, you’re advised to contact your careers service for the most up-to-date guidance.
How do you become a barrister
Barristers are legal specialists who work in courts of law representing clients. They work on criminal cases in magistrates or crown courts, civil cases, employment tribunals or other specialist areas.
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Qualifications required
To become a barrister, you can:
- study an accredited undergraduate law degree and pass with at least an upper second-class (2.1) or above
- take a - sometimes called Bar Vocational Course (BVC), Bar Practice Course (BPC) or Bar Training Course (BTC) - Some undergraduate law degrees will already include the vocational component’
- complete a year long period of practical experience known as ‘Pupillage’ in a barristers’ chambers.
Your next step is to secure tenancy as a self-employed barrister in chambers or join a practice or agency such as the Crown Prosecution Service.
In addition to the above, later on in your career, you may also choose to study for a Masters-level Law degree and/or a PhD in Law.
If you haven’t studied a degree yet, and you’re considering one, browse our related subject areas at Sussex (you should check your course is accredited by the correct body):
How to become a barrister without a law degree
If you have a degree in another subject you can still train to become a barrister. If you have a 2.2 or above you'll be able to go on to a:
- graduate-entry Law degree
- MA in Law
- Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
You'll then need to take one of the new .
How to get a law degree
To get on to a law degree you usually need three A-levels and a range of GCSEs.
Your subjects don’t have to be law-related but it might be helpful to take courses with strong research and communication elements, such as law, history, geography, politics, the sciences and languages.
Taking these kind of subjects may also help you when writing about your decision to study a law degree in your personal statement.
See our guide to writing a UCAS personal statement and writing a Masters personal statement.
Skills required
You will need to be:
- analytical
- accurate, logical and methodical
- a good problem solver
- confident
- meet deadlines and work well under pressure
- a good communicator.
and .
Earning potential for a barrister
£22kstarting salary for a fully qualified barrister (but this depends on your employer)
£90kaverage salary (but this depends on your employer).
40hours a week (but hours are variable with some weekend and evening work)
5 years is how long it takes to become a barrister although this does depend on whether you decide to study a postgraduate degree or if your first degree was not in Law
How to get experience as a barrister
It's important to get as much work experience as possible if you want to become a barrister.
You could try:
- completing a mini pupillage in a barrister’s chamber- this is the most common type of experience
- marshalling a judge- contact the clerk of the court for opportunities
- sitting in the public gallery at criminal court hearings so you can witness proceedings
- getting a part-time job at a solicitors or law firm
- joining the Sussex Law Clinic where you'll develop legal, professional and vocational skills by providing free legal advice and education to the local community
- joining a law society while you’re at university
- working in a court in roles such as a court usher.
Other career paths in law
See some of the other legal roles/careers you can go into in the UK:
How to become a solicitor in the UK
Solicitors give legal support to clients and usually work for organisations, government, private practices or within the court system. It usually takes around six years to qualify as a solicitor.
Qualifications
You usually need:
- an accredited undergraduate law degree, which you may need to pass with at least a lower second-class (2:2) or above
- a Legal Practice Course.
You may then need to do a two-year training contract with a law firm.
If you already have an undergraduate degree in a subject that is not law, you may be able to do a conversion course.
Studying at Sussex
If you choose to study your degree at ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ, you’ll benefit from:
- careers support for up to three years after you graduate
- the chance to join our alumni network
- mentoring schemes so you get real-world advice, support and experience while you study.