Courses overview

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (for solicitors) and the Bar Standards Board (for barristers) are responsible for prescribing the training requirements needed to qualify as a solicitor or a barrister in England and Wales. Both training systems have two stages: an academic stage and a vocational one.

The academic stage can be satisfied through one of the following three ways:

• achieving a law degree recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board;
• completing the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) after taking an undergraduate degree in a non-law subject; or
• gaining qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (solicitors only).

For solicitors, the vocational section involves completing the Legal Practice Course (LPC), a two-year training contract and the professional skills course (PSC).

For barristers, the vocational section involves completing the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) and a one-year pupillage at a barristers' chambers.