Curious about studying PgDip Bar Practiceat University of Hertfordshire? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Postgraduate Diploma
College Lane - Campus
Full Time
Sep 2026
1 Year
About the courseThe Postgraduate Diploma Bar Practice programme covers the vocational elements of training for a Barrister (previously the BPTC). Its innovative design focuses on developing you to manage both a face to face and digital practice. The course is experiential with a focus on developing excellent personal and legal skills which are relevant for professional practice as a barrister or in any other professional career. As digital practice has become more prevalent across the professions, the programme incorporates this into delivery and provides you with a laptop with access to key resources as part of your tuition fees.AssessmentThe programme has a variety of assessments including coursework and examinations. There are 10 assessments in total including the three BSB centralised assessments in criminal and civil litigation. There are oral assessments in conference and advocacy, written assessments for drafting and legal research and computer-based examinations for professional ethics. You will have weekly practice on the Multiple-Choice Questions and Single Best Answer questions needed for the centralised assessments and there are additional practice assessments in every module.Programme outcomesAt the end of the programme, you will leave us with a postgraduate diploma in Bar Practice, the knowledge and skills required by the legal profession and other potential employers and, with the opportunity to be called to the Bar of England and Wales (subject to you completing your dining obligations and any additional requirements set by the BSB).
This module introduces students to the skill of conferencing. Students will learn conferencing through a mixture of knowledge and practical sessions focusing on when and how to conduct a conference. Taught through the context of "Briefs to Counsel", students will learn and practice how to prepare for a conference, identify and clarify issues with a client using appropriate questioning and language skills and how to advise their client in a variety of legal contexts. A core part of the module is practising and refining skills.
This module introduces students to the skill of drafting. Taught through the context of "Briefs to Counsel", students will learn and practice how to research and apply relevant law to the Brief within the context of a relevant drafted document. They will practice applying professional standards, following the required structure and layout in preparing their drafts and writing clearly and appropriately. A core part of the module is practising and refining their skills.
This module introduces students to the skill of trial advocacy, taught through practical sessions in the mock courtroom. Taught through the context of client "Briefs to Counsel", students will be up on their feet from day one, learning how to use content, delivery and language skills to advance their case and quickly moving onto practising different questioning techniques suitable for examination in chief and cross examination, and learning how to work with witnesses. A core part of the module is practising and refining their skills.
This module introduces students to professional ethics. Students will quickly become familiar with the Barrister Code of Conduct and Guidance and learn how to identify ethical issues and how to resolve them in a variety of contexts. Students will learn how their own conduct justifies their clients' and colleagues trust in them and the public's trust in the profession. As part of this they will be able to identify when their integrity and independence is at risk and observe and uphold the law on equality, diversity, and discrimination.
This module takes you through the process of civil litigation and dispute resolution from initial considerations through to trials and on to appeals. The syllabus is provided by the BSB and focuses upon the fundamental principles, key rules and core elements of civil litigation. The module prepares students for early years of practice at the Civil Bar.
This module takes you through the process of criminal litigation, evidence and sentencing from initial considerations through to trials and on to appeals. The syllabus is provided by the BSB and focuses upon the fundamental principles, key rules and core elements of criminal litigation. The module prepares students for early years of practice at the Criminal Bar.
This module introduces students to the skill of submission advocacy. Students will learn submission advocacy through a mixture of knowledge and practical sessions. Taught through the context of "Briefs to Counsel", students will learn and practise how to draft and use a skeleton argument to advance their case, how to use content, delivery and language skills to persuade their audience and how to structure their performances, all in a variety of legal contexts. A core part of the module is practising and refining their skills.
This module introduces students to the skills of opinion writing and legal research. Taught through "Briefs to Counsel", students will learn how to plan their research, undertake research effectively to accurately advise and present a research trail. Students will learn how to apply relevant law to the Brief within the context of an opinion or advice. They will practice applying professional standards, following the required structure and layout and writing clearly and appropriately. A core part of the module is practising and refining their skills.
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