Bar Training Course

At Cardiff University, tuition costs 24,700 GBP per year; applications are due 31 Mar.

Programme Details

Cardiff University offers the Bar Training Course (PgDip). This is a 1-year full-time programme. It prepares students for work-based learning as a barrister. The course covers skills and knowledge needed for the Bar Standards Board (BSB) criteria. Upon completion, students can be called to the Bar of England and Wales. This is subject to meeting requirements from their Inn of Court.

What You Will Study

The programme focuses on practical skills for barristers. It includes advocacy and conferencing sessions. Students can choose a specialist advocacy option. Teaching is scheduled Monday to Thursday. This allows time for personal study. The course aims to develop a professional and ethical approach to legal practice. It provides insight into a barrister's working life. Students will reflect on challenges in the legal profession.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have completed or be in a position to complete the Academic Stage of Bar training. This is as set by the Bar Standards Board. A 2:1 honours degree in law or any subject is required. If the degree is in another subject, a Common Professional Examination (CPE) or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is needed. Non-UK or Ireland law degrees require a Certificate of Academic Standing from the BSB. Academic qualifications over five years old may need BSB permission to be reactivated.

Fees and Dates

The yearly tuition fee is 24,700 GBP. The programme has a start date of 10 September 2026. The mode of study is full-time. The university is located in Cardiff. English is the language of instruction.

Cardiff University, established in 1883 and located in the capital of Wales, is a research-led institution with a global reputation for high-quality, innovative scholarship. Home to more than 33,000 students, including over 9,000 international students from more than 100 countries, the university offers a vibrant, multicultural campus within a dynamic city. Teaching is informed by cutting-edge research, ensuring students learn from academic leaders who are active in advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges.

The university provides a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across faculties, with roughly 266 programs available that span the arts, sciences, engineering, business, and health disciplines. Cardiff emphasizes a student-centered approach, offering strong academic support, opportunities for study abroad, and industry partnerships that help students gain practical experience. Many undergraduates benefit from international exchanges and placements that enhance employability and global perspective.

Cardiff’s civic mission prioritizes community engagement, sustainability, and public good, with initiatives that contribute to regional health, wealth, and wellbeing. The campus environment supports extracurricular involvement, research internships, and student societies that enrich campus life. For international applicants seeking a research-intensive university in a welcoming capital city, Cardiff combines academic rigor, global connections, and extensive support services to help students thrive.