LLM Bar Course

In a demanding and rapidly changing legal landscape, the highest quality training is required to succeed as a barrister. Northumbria University's Bar Course LLM will support you in acquiring the necessary knowledge and practical skills crucial to practice at the modern Bar. Northumbria's approach to Bar training replicates professional practice more closely than ever. You will study: Civil Litigation (incorporating evidence and Alternative Dispute Resolution), Criminal Litigation (incorporating evidence and sentencing), Advocacy, Conferencing, Drafting, Opinion Writing, Legal Research and Professional Ethics. The Bar Course LLM will apply your knowledge and skills to practice in a broad range of briefs focused upon the foundational areas of pupillage and early practice - family, civil and criminal law. You will develop your skills in Advocacy, Conferencing, Drafting and Opinion Writing within the simulated context of these briefs, and this invaluable, practical experience will equip you to be immediately effective in pupillage. A Masters in Law offers you the opportunity to enhance your profile and experience by gaining an internationally recognised LLM qualification in addition to your Bar Course. At Northumbria we offer Bar students two possible routes to the LLM Project qualification: a traditional dissertation focusing on the in-depth critical examination of a substantive area of law of your choosing of between 10,000 15,000 words, or a combination of clinical experience gained in the Student Law Office, together with and extended piece of written work of between 8,000 and 10,000 words (SLO Bar Project).

On successful completion of the Bar Course LLM you will be fully prepared for the demands of practice, and will be eligible for call to the Bar of England and Wales (subject to meeting the requirements of your Inn of Court). At Northumbria, we aim to ensure that you are prepared in every way for pupillage selection and life as a barrister. The course will build on your existing legal knowledge and equip you with the knowledge, skills and attributes set out in the Professional Statement for Barristers and necessary for practice as an effective and successful legal professional. The addition of a Masters in Law further offers you the opportunity to enhance your profile and experience by gaining an internationally recognised LLM qualification in addition to your Bar Course. Northumbria Law School is internationally-recognised as delivering excellence in training for the Bar, and we are an integral part of the local legal community. Local firms and practitioners often sponsor prizes celebrating student success on the programme evidence of the high esteem in which our graduates are held and a remarkable opportunity for you to gain recognition. Previous graduates have gone on to positions as barristers in Newcastle and all over England and Wales, as well as in Commonwealth jurisdictions across the globe.

A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in Law, or a minimum of a Commendation in the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or to be on course to achieve this. Applicants with a 2:2 honours degree or a Pass in the GDL will be considered exceptionally on an individual basis, and with appropriate evidence
IELTS - 7.5 (Minimum 7.5 in each component)