94% of postgraduate students in employment were in Highly Skilled Occupations 15 months after graduating (2019/20 Graduate Outcomes data). Contains HESA Data © HESA 2022 (hesa.ac.uk).
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about Solicitor vs Barrister
Deciding whether to pursue a career as a barrister or solicitor is an important decision as each career has differences that will be suited to your key attributes. So that you can make the most informed decision on your route to legal practice, we offer several courses for you to begin your journey onto a career as a solicitor or barrister.
Your route to legal practice
Whether you’ve completed an undergraduate law degree, or a non-law undergraduate degree and a law conversion course, you could progress on to study our (dependant on eligibility) or one of our Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) courses to become a solicitor, or our Bar Practice Course (BPC) to become a barrister.
Day in the life of an LPC student:
Day in the life of an BPC student:
Becoming a Solicitor
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is being phased in to become the new centralised way to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. It will eventually replace the Legal Practice Course (LPC) route to practice.
The SQE is part of a new, four-stage route to becoming a solicitor:
- A degree (or equivalent) in any subject
- Pass SQE1 and SQE2 assessments
- A minimum of two years Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
- Show you are of satisfactory character and suitability
Unlike the LPC, the SQE is not a course of study but an examination. However, to pass SQE1 and SQE2, you may wish to undergo a course of professional training such as our LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2), or you could do our SQE Preparation Courses.
A non-law graduate will need to acquire the foundational legal knowledge necessary to start these courses. Most will undertake a conversion course such as our Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), MA Law (Conversion) or MA Law (SQE1).
Alternatively, you can still continue with the LPC route if you completed, started, accepted an offer, or paid a non-refundable deposit for one of the following by 31 August 2021:
- a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) / the Common Professional Examination
- our MA Law
- the Legal Practice Course (LPC)
- a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract)
Becoming a Barrister
To qualify as a barrister, you will need to complete a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), such as the LLB, or a non-law degree and law conversion course such as Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) or MA Law (Conversion).
You will then need to complete the vocational component of training, such as the Bar Practice Course (BPC). Before you begin this vocational component, you will need to apply to join an Inn of Court.
Once you have completed your vocational training, you must undergo a period of work-based training under the supervision of an experienced barrister. This is known as pupillage.
On completion of your pupillage, you will qualify as a barrister and need to apply for tenancy in chambers.
Route to becoming a Solicitor
Route to becoming a Barrister
Blog: Barrister or solicitor – What’s the difference?
Barristers and Solicitors often work closely together, however there are several distinct differences between the two roles. If you’re considering taking the first step towards deciding which career might be best for you, read our detailed blog to find out more.
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