Bar Training Reporting
We publish two reports on Bar Training, one concerning statistics by course provider, and one that focuses on enrolment, results and student progression overall. For historic bar training report, dating to 2015, please visit our archive.
Evaluation of the BSB's Bar Training Reforms (2023)
This report is based on surveys and interviews, and looks at how the Future Bar Training (FBT) reforms are being implemented. It gives an overview of training pathways and how they have been received, and also outlines how vocational training providers have changed their approach to delivering Bar training, including by adopting more online delivery, greater flexibility for students, and some providers offering a ‘two-step’ vocational training component.
Differential outcomes on the Bar Professional Training Course - 2014-2020 (2022)
In July 2022 we published a report into Differential outcomes on the Bar Professional Training Course between 2014-2020. We have also published a research summary and a document entitled Differential Outcomes Research – Ongoing and proposed work addressing the issues found. There is also a spreadsheet containing summaries of the regression models developed for the research.
Vocational Training Providers – Equality and Diversity Policies and Practices (2022)
In August 2022 we published a Report looking at Bar training providers’ approaches to equality and diversity. We also worked with YouGov to publish a Report on students’ experiences on Bar training courses. See also the Research Summary and the Technical Report.
Evaluation of the performance of the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) over time (2021)
The BCAT was introduced in 2012-13 as a mandatory test which must be passed prior to enrolment on the vocational stage of training for qualification as a barrister in England and Wales. The intended function of the BCAT is to act as a valid and reliable filter to enrolment on vocational training for qualification as a barrister. This is a report which we published in September 2021 detailing research into how well the BCAT is performing at its intended function following on from changes to the pass mark implemented in 2016.
In December 2017 the BSB published two new pieces of research that are intended to provide a qualitative and quantitative evidence base to inform the current decision-making about the future training of barristers. The two reports, which are published with a covering statement from the BSB, offer important insights into current issues in the education and training system for qualification as a barrister.
