How to become a barrister without a law degree

You should find that having a degree in a subject other than law does not put you at a particular disadvantage when applying for pupillage, the year-long training in chambers required before you can practise independently as a barrister. Pupillage recruiters will see your aptitude and potential as more important than whether or not you studied law. You will need to demonstrate your interest and commitment to law, however, and whatever subject you studied, a good degree result is important.

Teamwork skills, people skills, resilience, ambition and motivation are all factors that can be developed outside your degree. ‘Commercial awareness’ – an ability to understand your client’s business and an appreciation of how the City works – is something that is built up over time by reading the financial papers, keeping your ear to the ground or picking up work experience in an investment bank or City institution.

Skills you can bring to a career as a barrister

Legal practice involves analysing masses of information, drafting succinct and unambiguous documents, deciphering complicated legislation and explaining it in clear terms to non-lawyers. An ordered, logical mind is a huge advantage and, as a result, scientists, engineers and mathematicians tend to make good lawyers.

A science background is particularly helpful in intellectual property work where you will be dealing with technical jargon behind new and groundbreaking inventions. Similarly, those with a numerical background would arguably have an edge in employment, tax or banking law where complicated calculations may be involved.

Prove your commitment to a career in law

Whatever your background, law is a competitive profession. On top of a consistently strong academic record, communication skills and extracurricular activities, pupillage recruiters will want to see evidence of a strong commitment to law. Applying for mini-pupillages, or work experience in barristers' chambers, is crucial in showing you’re serious about entering this profession and building up other forms of legal experience is also a very good idea.

Steps to qualifying as a barrister

Step 1. Converting All non-law graduates must undertake a one-year law conversion course commonly known as the CPE, PgDL or GDL.

Step 2. Vocational stage Every aspiring barrister must undertake the Bar professional training course (BPTC), formerly known as the Bar vocational course (BVC). Courses are run by a number of institutions and offer a range of subjects to choose from.

Step 3. Pupillage This is a one-year apprenticeship with chambers. The type of work you’ll receive and the amount of time spent in court will depend on the type of set.

• Find out how pupillage works
• Boost your work experience before applying for pupillage