Member Article

A new flexibility for the Bar

Northumbria University is now offering more flexibility in the way students can train as barristers. From September 2007, the Part-Time Bar Vocational Course (BVC) will be offered on a day release basis, meaning prospective barristers can work while studying. Students will have the opportunity to mix face to face tuition with e-learning and distance learning, and can also choose which day of the week (Monday to Thursday) they wish to attend classes.

Only four other UK universities offer a part-time BVC and Northumbria is unique by being the only one to offer a day release programme. The course will run over two years and prospective barristers will be able to begin their training from September 2007.

Deveral Capps, Director of Bar Programmes at Northumbria University, said: “This represents a wonderful opportunity for people who, for either family or financial reasons, could not undertake the BVC on a full time basis. As such it significantly opens access to the profession. Whilst there are other part-time BVCs available in the UK, ours is the only one to operate on a very flexible, day release basis.”

Northumbria University Law School has a reputation for providing excellent legal education at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional levels. It is the only law school in the UK to offer the LLB Exempting Programmes which integrate the academic and vocational stages of legal education. In September 2007, the Law School will move into a state of the art purpose built building on Northumbria’s new Campus East, located in the heart of central Newcastle.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .