The Academy

The BTB x BPP Scholarship is now open!

We are delighted to announce that BPP has generously offered exclusively to the BTB community seven x £5,000 Bar scholarships for students commencing any of BPP’s Barrister Training Courses (or the LLM versions thereof), in any of the 2026/2027 cohorts: September 2026, January 2027, or May 2027. Two of the scholarships are rolled over from the current academic year and must be used in the September 2026 intake.

These scholarships will support aspiring barristers who would not otherwise be able to afford to study for the Bar. They represent a significant opportunity to reduce financial barriers and increase access to the profession, enabling talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to progress in their legal careers.

Eligibility Criteria

The scholarships are open to applicants based in the UK who meet all eligibility criteria set out below.

To be eligible for the scholarship applicants must:

• Have achieved BPP’s minimum eligibility criteria for the relevant programme (2:2 for the Barrister Training Course with Professional Legal Studies or LLM Barrister Training Course with Professional Legal Studies, or 2:1 for the Barrister Training Course or LLM Barrister Training Course).
• Be commencing the course at any of BPP’s BTC centres in either September 2026, January 2027, or May 2027
• Have been state school educated
• Have not attended Oxbridge at the undergraduate level
• Have been supported through undergraduate through student loans or own employment
• Must not hold full fee sponsorship from elsewhere (e.g. an employer or one of the Inns of Court).
• Does not hold another BPP scholarship valued at £5,000 or more. If a candidate is awarded a BPP scholarship, they can still be considered for a higher value scholarship, on the basis that where they hold more than one BPP scholarship, only the higher value scholarship will prevail.

Please note:

• BPP X BTB Scholarships are only available to new students who have not yet started their BTC PLS or (LLM version thereof) and are not applicable to those who are already studying.
• Recipients of master’s funding (e.g. from Student Finance England) are eligible to apply for a BPP X BTB scholarship.
• The BPP X BTB scholarship, like all BPP scholarships, works as a fees discount only: there is no cash equivalent awarded.

Applications

The application consists of 3 questions, which will be assessed by BTB on the 6 criteria listed in the application form. Once we have received an applicant's application, we will send it for marking by our independent panel of markers. Once this is complete, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

The top 7 applicants will be nominated for the BPP X BTB BTC scholarship to BPP who, subject to re-checking that they satisfy the eligibility criteria, will make the award.

Applications can be accessed here.

The BPP X BTB Scholarship application will close at 23:59 3rd July 2026.

If you have any questions about the process please do not hesitate to us on [email protected]

Key Objectives

The BTB Academy has been created to support 100 high-quality BTB candidates in obtaining the skills, tangible experience and mindset needed to secure pupillage and succeed at the Bar.

Our five key objectives are:

1. To improve the content of our candidates' pupillage applications.
2. To improve the quality of our candidates' written pupillage applications.
3. To improve the quality of each candidates' pupillage interview technique.
4. To equip our candidates with the mindset and tools required to succeed within the profession.
5. To equip our candidates with the tools to champion diversity and inclusion within the profession and throughout their career.

The Academy will achieve our objectives in four ways:

1. Providing mandatory training, seminars and workshops.
2. Shortlisting candidates for one or more of our paid internship programmes.
3. Candidates will be assigned a mentor to support them throughout the academic year.
4. Candidates will have access to our consultancy panel. This includes a pool of BTB volunteers who have agreed to give mock interviews and provide lectures on pupillage applications and life at the Bar.

Academy members will have access to:

Mentoring

Every candidate will be placed with a practising barrister in their area of interest for one-on-one mentoring over the course of the Academy year. Each mentor will take their mentee through the Academy mentorship programme and provide guidance, feedback, and support through the candidate's Academy journey.

Interview advocacy training

Our candidates will undergo a programme focused on improving answers to specific advocacy questions in preparation for pupillage interviews. Candidates will be placed with chambers in their intended practice area and received tailored tips for improvement which target advocacy skills and leave candidates more prepared for pupillage application season.

Personal Development Workshops

Candidates will be split into "pods" and engage in 4 sessions with a life coach over the course of the academic year. The sessions will focus on imposter/trespasser syndrome, identity, owning your story and confidence. This part of the programme is designed to help overcome any fears non-traditional candidates may have about choosing the bar as their career field.

Lectures

Candidates will attend a two-part Lecture series given by Elaine Banton which focuses on issues those from under-represented groups face at the bar. This series is designed to prompt meaningful discussion around these issues and help candidates develop the skills they need to become BTB ambassadors at the bar.

Mini Pupillage Programme

All candidates are assigned at least one mini-pupillage in their area of interest through the Academy programme, to be undertaken before the pupillage window. Those candidates not successful in gaining a place on one of our internship schemes will also have the opportunity to be placed for a second mini-pupillage which will take place after the close of the pupillage window.

Paid Internship Programme

Our candidates will be shortlisted for one or more of the following programmes - UK Supreme Court paid internship, Court of Appeal/High Court paid internship, The Law Commission paid internship, The Government Legal Department paid internship and the Advocate summer paid internship.

Online Advocacy Training

Every candidate will have access to our wonderful online advocacy course designed by Bibi Badejo. This course will help candidates improve their general advocacy and hone the skills needed to succeed at the bar. At the finish of this course, candidates will be invited to a live online event and will have the opportunity to practise their skills with actors.

Consultancy Panel

All candidates will have access to the consultancy panel: this panel consists of practising barristers who volunteer with BTB and are happy to provide mock interview practice, CV review, and specific advocacy exercise practice among others.

Benefits of The Academy

✔ Investing more resources in a fewer number of candidates means bigger and better results.

✔ Stakeholders will receive the highest quality candidates for their programmes as the candidates will be selected from a small pool of 100 candidates who have already undergone a highly competitive selection process.

✔ Candidates only complete one application at the beginning of the academic year, reducing application fatigue and allowing them to invest more time into a singular application.

✔ The year-long programme demands a high level of commitment, ensuring only candidates who are serious about a career at the Bar are eligible.

✔ This creates a group of candidates from underrepresented backgrounds who will foster a community throughout the academic year and beyond.

Information for applicants

• The Academy is a taught programme, attendance is expected at all Academy events, and completion of all Academy work is compulsory. A full schedule will be given to successful applicants in September, and it is the candidate's responsibility to ensure they are present throughout the programme.

• Applicants may only make one application within each Academy year but, if unsuccessful, may apply again in the next cycle. The application process will consist of three written questions, one video presentation, and two unseen timed video questions.

• Candidates successful in gaining a place on one of our internship schemes may need to pass security clearance. To enable this, all candidates must be able to supply photo ID, proof of address, and a professional attire headshot.

• Once candidates complete the Academy programme, they will be recognised as BTB Academy graduates. This means that chambers can verify their completion of the programme with us, and also enables access to our new BTB Alumni network which gives continues support, advice, and opportunities.