About the ICCA Bar Course
Taught by barristers with collectively 130 years’ experience at the Bar, the ICCA Bar Course is innovative, flexible, accessible and offers outstanding quality content.
The ICCA Bar Course is delivered in two parts using a combination of in-person teaching, e-learning, and self-study. Validated by King’s College London, the ICCA Bar Course is designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and vital practitioner skills required for pupillage and beyond, preparing for life as a barrister.
The ICCA Bar Course structure explained in three minutes
Download a transcript of this video.
Course Structure
Part One
Part One is delivered entirely online, learning is through self-study which you complete at your own pace. This means there are no timetabled sessions.
| Module | Mode | Assessment |
| Civil Litigation, Evidence and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) | Self-study, online learning | BSB centrally-set assessments
|
| Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing | Self-study, online learning | BSB centrally-set assessments
|
There are three opportunities per year to sit the BSB assessments: April, August and December. Assessments are generally taken online however alternative arrangements can be discussed if this is not suitable. If an in-person assessment is required outside the UK, there may be a cost to the student for this.
Part Two
Part Two is delivered in-person. Teaching takes places in the Inns of Court (Gray’s Inn, Inner Temple, Lincoln’s Inn and Middle Temple); all sessions are timetabled.
| Module | Mode | Assessment |
| Advocacy All sessions are taught in small groups of 6 by experienced practitioners | In-person | Internal exams
|
| Opinion Writing and Legal Research | In-person | Internal exam
|
| Drafting | Hand-in | Internal exam
|
| Conference Skills All sessions are taught in small groups. | In-person | Internal exam
|
| Professional Ethics | Online | Internal exam
|
Course Award
On successful completion of the ICCA Bar Course, you will:
- be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Bar Practice from King’s College London
- be eligible to be called to the Bar of England and Wales (subject to meeting the qualifying session requirements of your Inn of Court and passing their ‘fit and proper person’ checks).
Course start dates
The ICCA Bar Course offers two in-takes per year with dates as follows:
| Mode | Start date | anticipated Completion | |
| First Cycle: September 2022 | |||
| Part One | Self-study, online learning | September 2022 | December 2022 |
| Part Two | In-person | March 2023 | July 2023 |
| Second Cycle: January 2023 | |||
| Part One | Self-study, online learning | January 2023 | April 2023 |
| Part Two | In-person | September 2023 | January 2024 |
The anticipated completion dates above assume passing assessments at the first attempt and following our recommended structured learning pathway for Part One.
Commencing Part Two is conditional on passing all Part One assessments at the first or second attempt and joining an Inn of Court.
Hear what our students think
Don’t just take our word for it, decide if the ICCA Bar Course is for you by listening to current and past ICCA students. Find out what made them choose the ICCA; the differences between Parts 1 and 2; and what they most enjoyed about the course. They even impart some words of advice you may find useful.
Download a transcript of this video.
More information
Academic Regulations 2020-2021
Academic Regulations 2022-2023 ***applies to students commencing Part 2 of the Bar Course on 8 March 2022***
Cycle One Bar Course Year Planner 21-22
