How to Become a Barrister in the UK
Barristers are specialist advocates and legal advisers. You argue cases in court and tribunals, cross-examine witnesses, write legal opinions on complex points and draft pleadings and other court documents. Most barristers are self-employed and work from a set of chambers, taking cases referred by solicitors, while others are employed by organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service or the Government Legal Profession.
It is a regulated profession with a long, competitive route. In England and Wales you complete a degree, a Bar course and a pupillage, which usually takes 5 to 7 years in total.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £23,504 - £45,000 (pupillage award; BSB minimum from 2026)
- Mid-career salary
- £60,000 - £150,000
- Senior salary
- £200,000 - £1,000,000+
- Work environment
- Chambers, court, mostly self-employed
- Time to entry
- 5 - 7 years (LLB + Bar + pupillage)
- Degree required
- Required
- Category
- Business, Finance and Legal
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What a Barrister does
Specialist court advocate - argue cases, advise on complex legal issues, draft pleadings.
- Criminal Bar - Defence and prosecution work.
- Commercial Bar - Commercial disputes and arbitration.
- Family Bar - Family law including children and ancillary relief.
- Employment Bar - Employment tribunal and EAT work.
How to become a barrister in the UK
In England and Wales, the Bar Standards Board sets three stages. The academic stage is a law degree or any degree followed by a law conversion course. The vocational stage is a Bar course, and you must join one of the four Inns of Court (Lincoln's Inn, Gray's Inn, Inner Temple or Middle Temple) before you start it. After completing it you can be called to the Bar. The final stage is pupillage, normally 12 months of supervised training in chambers or with an employer, after which you can practise. Scotland has advocates through the Faculty of Advocates, and Northern Ireland has its own Bar.
- Get strong A levels and a good degree, ideally a 2:1 or above. Any subject works, but non-law graduates must complete a law conversion course.
- Build advocacy experience through mooting, debating, mock trials and pro bono or legal advice clinic work while you study.
- Do mini-pupillages, short work experience placements in chambers, to see different areas of practice and strengthen your pupillage applications.
- Join one of the four Inns of Court before starting the Bar course, and apply for Inn scholarships, which can help with the cost of training.
- Complete a Bar course with a Bar Standards Board authorised provider, then be called to the Bar by your Inn.
- Apply for pupillage, mostly through the Pupillage Gateway, and complete 12 months of supervised training before taking tenancy or an employed role.
- Choose a practice area that suits you, such as criminal, family, employment or commercial law, as chambers usually specialise.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law degree, Bar course, pupillage | About 5 years | Tuition fee loan plus Bar course fees | School-leavers set on the Bar |
| Non-law degree, law conversion, Bar course, pupillage | About 6 years | Tuition fees plus conversion and Bar course fees | Graduates from other subjects |
| Employed Bar after pupillage | Same training, then employed role | As above | People who want a salary rather than self-employment |
How long it takes
Expect 5 to 7 years from starting a degree to finishing pupillage. Pupillage is very competitive, and many people apply more than once or work as a paralegal while they keep applying.
Barrister salary in the UK
Pupillage awards vary widely by chambers. The Bar Standards Board sets a minimum award, which from January 2026 is £25,863 a year in London and £23,504 outside London, many sets pay up to around £45,000, and leading commercial sets pay considerably more. Established barristers typically earn £60,000 to £150,000, and leading barristers and King's Counsel can earn £200,000 to £1,000,000 or more. Self-employed barristers pay chambers rent, insurance and other expenses from their fees. Practice area matters most: commercial and chancery work pays far more than publicly funded criminal and family work.
Key skills
- Advocacy
- Legal research
- Drafting
- Stamina
- Resilience
Barrister FAQs
How do I become a barrister in the UK?
In England and Wales, complete a law degree or another degree plus a law conversion course, join an Inn of Court, pass a Bar course and be called to the Bar. Then complete a 12-month pupillage. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate routes.
Do you need a law degree to be a barrister?
No. You need a degree, but it can be in any subject. Non-law graduates complete a law conversion course before the Bar course. Chambers recruit from many subjects, and strong academic results and advocacy experience matter more than the subject.
How much does a barrister earn?
Pupillage awards start at the Bar Standards Board minimum (£25,863 in London and £23,504 elsewhere from January 2026), many sets pay up to around £45,000, and leading commercial sets pay more. Established barristers typically earn £60,000 to £150,000, and leading barristers can earn £200,000 to £1,000,000 or more, before chambers expenses.
How hard is it to get pupillage?
Very hard. There are many more people completing the Bar course than pupillages available each year. Strong grades, advocacy experience, mini-pupillages and well-written applications all help, and many successful candidates apply over more than one round.
Is Barrister right for you?
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