| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-05-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
| 2026-05-01 | - |
Program Overview
US Bar Preparation Course Online
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements for this course, however, there are eligibility requirements to sit the Bar Exam. Please ensure you are eligible to sit the exam before booking the course.
Locations
Online
Study Mode Options
Part-time or Part-time Online
Next Start Date
July 2025
Is This Course Right for You?
To find out if you are eligible to sit this exam, visit our Qualifying as an attorney page.
Course Details
US Bar Preparation Course
Our US Bar Preparation Course has been designed to prepare you for either the New York or California Bar Exam. You’ll cover a range of core topics and have the choice to specialise in either state’s legislation, depending on eligibility.
The course has been developed in partnership with Themis, one of the largest US Bar exam preparation providers.
Why Choose to Study the US Bar Preparation Course?
- You’ll be able to enhance your employability by gaining an international qualification and developing a wider scope of knowledge to benefit your professional development.
- Receive unparalleled student support with our bespoke workshops, created to help bridge the gap between the legislation of the country you are qualified in and US law.
- You can feel confident in passing the Bar, as we’ll provide you with access to an online portal containing lectures, past papers, and additional resources.
- Enjoy flexibility - We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why our US Bar Preparation Course is delivered part-time online to provide you with the greatest flexibility you need to succeed in your studies.
- Our online programmes will save you the time and money on commuting to and from campus and allow you to study anywhere, across devices, however you can be reassured that the course won’t be compromised on quality or be less demanding than our on campus courses.
- No visas are required to study the course, making it easier than ever to study for the US Bar.
- We offer the most affordable US Bar Preparation Course in the UK for non-US graduates and lawyers.
Course Structure
Modules
All students will be required to study the core modules. You will have the option to specialise and study for either the New York or California Bar.
- Core modules:
- Tort (Torts)
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law
- Real Property (Land)
- Civil Procedure
- Evidence
- Constitutional Law
- New York modules:
- Agency and Partnership
- Corporations
- Conflict of Laws
- Family Law
- Trusts and Secured Transactions
- California modules:
- Business Associations
- Community Property
- Professional Responsibility
- Remedies
- Trusts and Succession
Course Start Dates
May 2025 – July 2025 Part-time: Online
This course prepares you for the February 2026 Bar Exam and runs over a period of nine months, starting on Thursday 15 May 2025. It takes around 12-15 hours of study per week, but it is completely flexible, so you can adapt your studies around your personal and professional commitments and study at your own pace. The enrolment deadline for this course is Thursday 31 July 2025, but please note that the later you start the course, the higher the weekly study hours you will need to devote to catch up.
September 2025 – November 2025 Part-time: Online
This course prepares you for the July 2026 Bar Exam and runs over a period of nine months, starting on Monday 1 September 2025. It takes around 12-15 hours of study per week, but it is completely flexible, so you can adapt your studies around your personal and professional commitments and study at your own pace. The enrolment deadline for this course is Friday 28 November 2025, but please note that the later you start the course, the higher the weekly study hours you will need to devote to catch up.
May 2026 – July 2026 Part-time: Online
This course prepares you for the February 2027 Bar Exam and runs over a period of nine months, starting on Tuesday 5 May 2025. It takes around 12-15 hours of study per week, but it is completely flexible, so you can adapt your studies around your personal and professional commitments and study at your own pace. The enrolment deadline for this course is Friday 31 July 2026, but please note that the later you start the course, the higher the weekly study hours you will need to devote to catch up.
Course Information
Course Dates
The exams for the California and New York Bars are always on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and March. We allow students to start the course between 7 and 10 months before the exam so there is a 3-month window in which you can apply and start studying our US Bar Preparation Course. Please note that the later you start the course, the higher the weekly study hours you will need to devote to catch up.
Assessment
There is no formal assessment for this course, and it does not lead to an academic award.
The Bar Exam will be held externally by the California Bar and the New York State Board of Law Examiners (NYSBOLE) in conjunction with the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).
New from February 2025
The Supreme Court of California has now approved that the California Bar Exam can be taking remotely, so you'll no longer be required to travel to California to sit the exams.
For details on how to register your eligibility to sit the exam, book, receive assessment results and request any reasonable adjustments, please visit the NYSBOLE or California Bar website:
- To sit the New York Bar Exam
- To sit the California Bar Exam
There are three assessments taken over two consecutive days. The exam formats vary slightly, depending on if you wish to take the New York or California Bar exam, but follows the same structure:
Day 1:
- Multistate Essay Exam - consisting of a number of questions to test your ability to communicate effectively in writing.
- Multistate Performance Test - consisting of tasks to test fundamental skills required as an attorney.
Day 2:
- Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) – a multiple choice exam covering Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.
For further information about your eligibility to sit the exam, please see our Qualifying as an attorney page.
Fees and Booking
How to Book
You can apply for this course directly with the University.
Fees
2024/25 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2024)
Online: £4,550
2025/26 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2025)
Online: £4,800
If you’re a ULaw alumnus, you may be eligible to receive our £250 US Bar Preparation Course Discount.
International
We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The US Bar Preparation Course Online is a career-enhancing course designed to prepare students to pass the New York or California Bar Exam, enabling them to qualify as attorneys in those states. This course is specifically tailored for non-US law graduates and lawyers, building upon their existing knowledge and developing their legal analysis and communication skills. The course is developed in partnership with Themis, a leading US Bar exam preparation provider, combining Themis' expertise with ULaw's experience as the UK's longest-established specialist provider of legal education. This collaboration provides students with a comprehensive understanding of US state law and the opportunity to work across borders.
Outline:
The US Bar Preparation Course covers a range of core topics and offers the option to specialize in either New York or California legislation, depending on eligibility.
Core Modules:
- Tort (Torts)
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law
- Real Property (Land)
- Civil Procedure
- Evidence
- Constitutional Law
New York Modules:
- Agency and Partnership
- Corporations
- Conflict of Laws
- Family Law
- Trusts and Secured Transactions
California Modules:
- Business Associations
- Community Property
- Professional Responsibility
- Remedies
- Trusts and Succession
Course Structure:
The course is delivered part-time online, offering flexibility to adapt study schedules around work and personal commitments. It is designed to prepare students for the February or July Bar Exam, running over a period of nine months. The course requires approximately 12-15 hours of study per week.
Course Start Dates:
- May 2024 - July 2024: Prepares for the February 2025 Bar Exam, starting on Monday 6 May. Enrolment deadline is Wednesday 31 July 2024.
- September 2024 – November 2024: Prepares for the July 2025 Bar Exam, starting on Monday 2 September 2024. Enrolment deadline is Friday 29 November 2024.
- May 2025 – July 2025: Prepares for the February 2026 Bar Exam, starting on Thursday 15 May 2025.
- The Bar Exam is held externally by the California Bar and the New York State Board of Law Examiners (NYSBOLE) in conjunction with the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).
- The exam consists of three assessments taken over two consecutive days:
- Day 1: Multistate Essay Exam and Multistate Performance Test
- Day 2: Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)
Teaching:
- The course is delivered online, providing flexibility and access to study materials from anywhere.
- Students have access to an online portal containing lectures, past papers, and additional resources.
- Dedicated mentor support and bespoke workshops are provided to bridge the gap between the legislation of the student's home country and US law.
- Students are assigned a licensed attorney who grades their essays and provides detailed feedback.
- Regular meetings with expert lecturers are also available.
Careers:
- The US Bar Preparation Course enhances employability by providing an international qualification and a wider scope of knowledge.
- Graduates are eligible to practice law in New York or California, opening up opportunities for international legal careers.
Other:
- The course is the most affordable US Bar Preparation Course in the UK for non-US graduates and lawyers.
- No visas are required to study the course.
- The course is designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the US legal profession.
