Northumbria University
Bar Knowledge (Stage 1) PG
Northumbria University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 75 graduates of Bar Knowledge (Stage 1) PG at Northumbria University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Architecture.

Overall student satisfaction
69 /100
75 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Architecture

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Architecture at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £21000 £22500 £26500
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £23000 £18000 - £29500 £23000 - £31000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Architecture

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23131 £25010 £28792
25-75 percentile range £20700 - £25694 £19794 - £30100 £23742 - £35267

Course Description

The Bar Knowledge Course is the first step in Northumbria’s alternative barrister training route. The Bar is a demanding profession, and our Bar Knowledge Course and Bar Skills Course give you the flexibility to break your learning down into two separate stages, while still receiving the very best possible legal training.

The Bar Knowledge Course focuses on giving you the opportunity to acquire all of the knowledge you need to prepare you for the rigours of the Bar.

Taught largely through realistic case studies, or briefs, you will study the two centralised assessment modules, Civil Litigation and Criminal Litigation.

You will benefit from the highest quality of practice-informed teaching, taught by staff who are professionally qualified as either barristers or solicitors with strong staff-student contact and tailored feedback.

You will also benefit from generous contact hours throughout the course – including dedicated exam-focused teaching sessions – in which the teaching team will share their expertise to support you in preparing for the Bar Standards Board (BSB) centralised assessments.

The programme makes the best use of facilities such as Northumbria’s extensive IT provision and dedicated legal practice library. Close links with the Bar and judiciary enhances networking opportunities and employment prospects.

Successful completion (40 credits) will mean you are eligible to move on to the Bar Skills Course, which aims to help you build on the knowledge you've acquired and develop the skills necessary for you to practice as a barrister.

Successfully completing both stages (120 credits) is equivalent to completion of the Bar Course and leads to a Postgraduate Diploma in Bar Vocational Training and means you will ultimately possess the attributes set out in the Professional Statement for Barristers and be eligible for Call to the Bar of England and Wales (subject to meeting the qualifying requirements of your Inn of Court).

The Bar Knowledge Course and the Bar Skills Course ultimately prepare you for pupillage and training as a barrister, but also a highly successful career not only at the Bar, but across the legal profession, business and politics.

Our flexible suite of Bar Courses offers you the opportunity to learn in the way that suits you best, with part-time, LLM and PGDip options available.

Please note: The Bar Knowledge and Skills Courses, when both are taken, replace the Bar Professional Training Course, and provide an alternative BSB-regulated vocational stage of training for those who wish to become a barrister in England and Wales.

Validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at Part 1 level for the purpose of eligibility for membership of the RIBA.

Prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) at Part 1 level for the purpose of registration in the UK.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Bar Knowledge (Stage 1) PG at Northumbria University

55% Administrative occupations
10% Sales occupations
10% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Finance Professionals
5% Caring personal services
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Your tutors will use a variety of teaching methods, which may include lectures, seminars, problem-based workshops, case discussions, practical activities, group work and tutorials. Teaching is backed up by a well-designed support system that will underpin your learning journey. You will have access to a Guidance Tutor with whom you can discuss any academic issues. Extensive feedback from both tutors and peers is built into the course.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees Business and Economics
    • 6.0
    • Graduate Degrees Design, Science, Engineering
    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees Humanities
    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees Law
    • 5.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees Engineering, Science and Technology and Computing
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees Health, Education, Business, Art and Design
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees Law, English and Humanities
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Bar Knowledge (Stage 1), PG, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in Law or a minimum of a Commendation in the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). Applicants with a 2:2 honours degree or a Pass in the GDL will be considered exceptionally on an individual basis.

Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT):

English language requirements:

Please review this information before submitting your application.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of Northumbria University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Northumbria University in related subject specific rankings.

Law

    • #28 
    • #37 
    Law
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #34 
    • #45 
    Law
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #23 
    • #201 
    Law
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]

See all 29 university rankings of Northumbria University

About Northumbria University

Northumbria University was founded in 1969 in the small city of Newcastle upon Tyne. Newcastle has been named as the best UK student city in Student Hut’s league table for multiple consecutive years, based on the music festivals, nightlife, and attractions that there are for young people in the city. Northumbria University prides itself on being a comprehensive institution, deliberately offering thirty of the most frequently selected subjects for study. They also pride themselves on delivering these programmes at a standard that has gained recognition from global ranking systems.

List of 165 Bachelor and Master Courses from Northumbria University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Northumbria University

undergraduates:
19815
postgraduates:
6140
Total:
25955
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Where is this programme taught

City Centre Campus
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