Course description
COURSE INFORMATION
The Law School's Bar Vocational Course (BVC) is approved by the Bar Council, and is the vocational stage of training for students who intend to become barristers. On successful completion of this programme students are required to enter pupillage.
The part-time course takes two years to complete and students will be taught alongside the full time Bar Vocational students. Part-time students will be required to attend university one day per week in term time and where possible, this day will be determined by the student.
The Bar Vocational Course comprises knowledge areas and legal skills. The legal knowledge areas of the programme are Criminal Legislation, Civil Legislation and Evidence. These areas are taught individually in year one by way of student practice sessions, distance learning study and also on an integrated basis with the legal skills areas.
The emphasis of the programme is on developing the five main skills used by practising barristers namely: advocacy, drafting, opinion writing, negotiation and conference skills. These skills are taught over two years and are taught within a practical context using simulated briefs to counsel. Students will also choose two specialist options which are studied in the second year of the course.
LLM Advanced Legal Practice/MA Legal Practice and Policy
Students are given a unique opportunity to gain an LLM in Advanced Legal Practice or an MA in Legal Practice and Policy while completing the BVC or LPC at Northumbria University. The LLM and MA are available at a discounted rate when studied alongside the LPC or BVC and both programmes can be completed in 12-18 months.
For both the LLM and MA programmes, students are required to submit a project of between 20,000 and 25,000 words. Students can choose their own project title. Since the project requires in-depth research it may be closely related to the student's area of practice. This is subject to the requirement that the topic chosen is suitable for supervision within the Law School and will satisfactorily meet the programme learning outcomes.
Completion of the LPC, BVC and Law Society Finals or equivalent entitles students to 120 points advanced standing. Any student who enrols upon the LPC or BVC at the same time as the LLM or MA must satisfactorily complete their LPC or BVC before they can be awarded the LLM or the MA.
MODULE INFORMATION
Year 1 Modules
LA0552 Evidence [BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0553 Criminal Procedure [BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0554 Advocacy [September-December, LLB, BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0555 Conference Skills [LLB, BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0556 Professional Ethics [BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0563 Opinion Writing [LLB, BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0600 Legal Research [BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0601 Remedies [BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0603 Civil Procedure [BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
Year 2 Modules
LA0557 Drafting [LLB, BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0559 Practitioners [LLB, BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0564 Negotiation [LLB, BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0606 Advocacy [January-July, LLB, BVC] (CORE, 1 Credits)
LA0802 Criminal Practice [BVC Option] (OPTION, 1 Credits)
LA0803 Family Practice [BVC Option] (OPTION, 1 Credits)
LA0805 Employment Practice [BVC Option] (OPTION, 1 Credits)
LA0808 Landlord And Tenant [BVC Option] (OPTION, 1 Credits)
LA0809 Civil Practice [BVC Option] (OPTION, 1 Credits)
LA0823 Commercial Law [BVC] (OPTION, 1 Credits)
LA0825 Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury [BVC Option] (OPTION, 0 Credits)
CAREERS
This programme is for those who wish to practice as a barrister and is a neccessary requirement in order to do so.
FUNDING
Funding for the 2 year part-time course may be available from respective employers. However such funding is obviously discretionary. An alternative source of finance is the Inns of Court, which provide various scholarships. Additional information may be obtained direct from each of the Inns.
APPLICATION DETAIL
Applicants should complete a course specific application form available from the enquiries office listed on the right of this page.
