Can an international student become a barrister in the UK?

Dec 15, 2022

Written By Claudia Chan

If you are reading this article, it is likely that you are interested in becoming a barrister. The basis of this article is to explain how an international student can become a barrister and show that being an international student does not hinder one’s efforts to the path to the bar.

International students who obtained a degree in England and Wales

The qualification process for international students who obtained a degree is straightforward. Those who have obtained an undergraduate law degree - LLB or law conversion course - will have to join one of the four Inns of Court (professional membership associations for barristers) and complete vocational study through a Bar Training Course. After completing this course, you will be called into the Bar. Following this, you will have to undertake pupillage at a barrister’s chambers to become a qualified barrister.

It should be noted that the Bar Council prohibits chamber from excluding international students from their pupillage recruitment process. The blanket rule ensures that no indirect discrimination on the ground of race is carried out. Nationality is a protected characteristic, meaning discrimination based on nationality is illegal.

International students who obtained a degree overseas

Non-law degree

Students who have completed a full-time degree in any subject from an overseas university must complete a law conversion course such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL). Following this, students must complete a bar course training and pupillage to become a barrister.

Law degree

Overseas law degrees are not recognised as a qualifying law degree, and doing an LLM in the UK does not make it a qualifying law degree. As a result, students will have to take a law conversion course. Completing a bar training course and pupillage are also required to qualify as a barrister.

Becoming a Lawyer in the UK - International Students