As AQA Law - How a Barrister qualifies.

First outline the ‘academic’ stage.
Prospective barristers must have the minimum educational requirements. They must have a good set of A-levels and a degree. The quickest route to qualifying is to take a qualifying law degree — this is a 3-year course and will contain all the qualifying requirements as set out by the Bar Council. A student who does not have a qualifying law degree can still progress by completing a 1-year conversion degree — known as a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

Move on to the second stage — professional training.
Before starting the vocational stage a prospective barrister must join one of the four Inns of Court. These provide…