So you have made that key decision and have been accepted onto the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) as the first stage of the journey to your career at the Bar. Or perhaps you are still considering the options and now need to check out the fine detail that will help you make that career decision. Whichever of these two states you can most easily associate with, the economics involved in this decision are likely to be crucial – unless you are mega-rich and have no need to worry about money. Well, what does it cost to become a barrister? Let’s take the bad news first.
There is no simple answer to this question. Much will depend on your current debts and obligations, whether you have a law or non-law degree (with the latter you will need to take the CPE to convert it to be eligible for acceptance on the BVC), where you take the BVC and whether your lifestyle is naturally frugal or extravagant. However the core costs can be identified and this may help you to start to budget for the next one or two stages of this journey.
