Program Overview

Law and Legal Practice - Barristers Training Course LLM

The Law and Legal Practice - Barristers Training Course LLM is a postgraduate program designed for non-law graduates who wish to pursue a career as a barrister. This course provides an opportunity for students to study the seven law foundation subjects and then proceed to the Barristers Training Course (BTC) in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner.

Why Choose This Course?

• This course combines the BTC and PGDL, providing students with the foundation of legal knowledge and skills required for their legal training, as well as preparing them to pass the Bar.
• Successful completion enables students to obtain an internationally recognized Masters qualification by completing compulsory taught modules, all taught at Masters Level, and to be called to the Bar.
• The course is eligible for the UK Government postgraduate loan.
• Students are taught by an outstanding teaching team, many of whom are experienced legal professionals who provide excellent and personalized teaching in a dynamic and interactive teaching environment.
• Opportunities are available for students to further practice legal skills through mooting, negotiation, and interviewing competitions to enhance their CV.
• There is an opportunity for "hands-on" experience to develop professional skills and gain experience in the regulated and multi-award-winning teaching law firm, NLS Legal.

Benefit from Our Excellent Reputation

• Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Nottingham Law School is one of the UK's largest and most established law schools.
• Proven academic excellence, with 100% of students agreeing that the course enhances their academic ability, equipping them with the skills and confidence to excel in their career at the Bar.
• Hands-on mock court room experience, with realistic advocacy in state-of-the-art mock courtrooms that sharpen skills and build confidence for real-world legal practice.
• Dedicated career support for pupillage opportunities, with personalized guidance and support from dedicated careers consultants who assist students in securing a pupillage or other legal employment.

What You'll Study

Students begin the course by studying the seven core foundation modules of a law degree in their first year at level 7. Following successful completion of this first stage, students build on their knowledge and understanding of the law, studying the knowledge areas and skills set by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and developing the attributes required to be an effective member of the Bar.

Module Information

The course includes the following modules:

Foundation Law Modules

• Constitutional and Administrative Law: Develops knowledge and understanding of constitutional law concepts with particular reference to the main institutions of the state both at domestic and EU level. (20 credits)
• Contract Law: Develops knowledge and understanding of the principles and rules of contract law. (20 credits)
• Criminal Law: Develops knowledge and understanding of the principles and rules of the criminal law. (20 credits)
• Land Law: Develops knowledge and understanding of the principles and rules of property law, with an emphasis on real property (i.e., land). (20 credits)
• Tort Law: Develops knowledge and understanding of the principles and rules of the law of torts. (20 credits)
• Law of Trusts: Develops knowledge and understanding of the principles and rules of the law of trusts. (20 credits)
• Legal and Professional Environment (including EU law): Develops knowledge and understanding of the domestic legal system of England and Wales, including sources of law, with an introduction to the European Union, its system, institutions, and sources of law. (20 credits)
• Employability: All students are required to complete career-enhancing activity during the course of their studies. (0 credits)

Bar Training Course Modules

• Civil Litigation and Evidence: Prepares students for pupillage and Civil practice through the study of the fundamental principles and processes relevant to civil litigation, civil evidence, and alternative dispute resolution. (25 credits)
• Criminal Litigation and Evidence: Prepares students for pupillage and the early years of practice at the Criminal Bar, through the study of the fundamental principles and processes relevant to criminal litigation, criminal evidence, and sentencing. (20 credits)
• Professional Ethics: Inculcates the professional and ethical values required of a practicing Barrister. (0 credits)
• Conference Skills: Provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct an effective conference with a lay client in pupillage and in practice. (10 credits)
• Civil Advocacy (Advocacy 1): Prepares students for the practice of advocacy, which is a fundamental skill for a practicing barrister. (15 credits)
• Examination in Chief (Advocacy 2): Provides students with the essential skills for a criminal advocate to prepare for, manage, and undertake the examination in chief of witnesses. (10 credits)
• Cross Examination (Advocacy 3): Provides students with the essential skills for a criminal advocate to prepare for, manage, and undertake the examination, cross-examination, and re-examination of witnesses. (10 credits)
• Drafting: Facilitates students in learning the skill of drafting statements of case and other legal documents. (15 credits)
• Opinion Writing: Develops the skill of providing written advice to instructing solicitors and lay clients. (15 credits)
• Legal Research: Provides students with knowledge and understanding of appropriate research methods and the range of resources applicable to legal practice and their uses. (0 credits)

How You're Taught

The modules on the first part of this course are delivered through a series of lectures in each subject area to enable students to develop relevant basic knowledge and understanding. The lectures act as a stimulus to encourage involvement in the relevant knowledge and understanding and to develop independent learning.

Who Will Teach You?

The course is taught by experienced legal professionals, including:

• Ian Fox, Senior Lecturer
• James Thornton, Associate Professor
• Adrian Savage, Senior Lecturer
• Richard Watkins, School Standards and Quality Manager

Entry Requirements

UK Students

• An undergraduate degree (2.1 or above)
• A 2.2 honors degree will be considered with evidence of exceptional achievement elsewhere in the application.
• All applicants should provide evidence in their personal statement of their commitment to a career in law and will be required to provide a full reference in support of their application.
• Additional requirements include joining an Inn of Court before proceeding on the program and obtaining a Certificate of Academic Standing (CAS) from the Bar Standards Board for non-standard qualifications.

International Students

• An undergraduate degree (2.1 or above)
• A 2.2 honors degree will be considered with evidence of exceptional achievement elsewhere in the application.
• All applicants should provide evidence in their personal statement of their commitment to a career in law and will be required to provide a full reference in support of their application.
• Additional international requirements include English language requirements, with applicants needing to demonstrate fluency in English, equivalent to a minimum score of 7.5 in each element of the IELTS test.

Fees and Funding

UK Students

• Year 1: £10,650
• Year 2: £10,750
• Discounts available for 2026 entry include a Professional Courses Alumni Discount and a University of Nottingham and Lincoln Fee Concession.
• Nottingham Law School Scholarships are available, including the Professional Courses Scholarship for Academic Excellence and the Professional Courses Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement.

International Students

• Year 1: £10,650
• Year 2: £10,750
• Discounts available for 2026 entry include a Professional Courses Alumni Discount and a University of Nottingham and Lincoln Fee Concession.
• Nottingham Law School Scholarships are available, including the Professional Courses Scholarship for Academic Excellence and the Professional Courses Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement.

Careers and Employability

Successful completion of this course enables students to proceed to be called to the Bar and proceed to pupillage. The university has a dedicated careers and placement service that supports students in their search for both pupillage and alternative employment. The team provides practical sessions, advice, and support, such as mock interviews. A number of presentations are given throughout the year reflecting the changing needs of students as they progress through the application process.