We place the emphasis of Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) training on face-to-face class contact as we believe this is the most effective learning environment for passing the BPTC exam. We believe that technology can enhance your experience in the classroom and therefore use IT remote delivery amongst other tools to compliment (rather than replace) our BPTC course lectures and tutorials.

There is no standard teaching day for BPTC learning. The Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) is designed to follow what would happen with a real set of barrister's papers. During some parts of the BPTC course the emphasis may be on written advice, while other parts of the BPTC course it may be advocacy.   BPTC study group work provides the focal point of the BPTC course with students carrying out a variety of practical tasks and exercises.

You should be aware that BPTC/BVC courses are intensive and can demand up to 45 hours study a week.

Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) teaching methods at Kaplan Law School

Our Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) teaching model is based around smaller group sizes, for both seminars and small group sessions,  than those equivalent sessions run by other BPTC training providers. We have found that these smaller classes help accelerate student learning and understanding and give tutors more contact time with each student. Our Tutors know their students by name; BPTC learning issues can be quickly identified and complex matters can be given more time and focus. Small group sessions are very student-driven; seminars are much more interactive than the traditional lecture.

Seminars

We aim to free lectures from the traditional dictation approach by producing much of the core materials used in seminars in pre-printed handouts to ensure that the volume of work to be covered on the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) is digestible.

Small Group Sessions

Small group sessions typically consist of six students for oral skills and 12 students for written skills. The emphasis on small group work and sub-group work enables us to offer a student-centred approach to learning, with practical scenarios designed to encourage student activity rather than passive listening. Students get both the benefits of individual tuition and group support.

In-course assessment for BPTC students

Our continuous BPTC course assessment methods test the ability of BPTC students to analyse, research and persuade as well as reinforcing the understanding of the following areas:

• Civil litigation, & evidence
• Criminal litigation, evidence & sentencing
• Professional ethics
• Advocacy (both criminal and civil)
• Drafting
• Opinion writing
• Conference skills
• Resolution of disputes out of court
• 2 options subjects

The Bar Course is assessed from February through to June by a combination of oral and written assessments. The Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) course content fully prepares students for the assessments. Prior to each assessment students undertake mock assessments and receive written and face to face guidance.

Find out more about our Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) entry requirements.