Applications for the Bar Professional Training Course have risen despite the continued fall in the number of pupillages, the bar’s annual report to the profession reveals.

The annual Bar Barometer report, prepared by Dr Jennifer Sauboorah for the Bar Council and Bar Standards Board, shows there were 3,100 applications to study on the BPTC in 2010/11, up 18% on the 2,540 who applied the previous year.

However, the report shows the number of pupillages fell for the third year running. In 2010/11, 446 first-six and 477 second-six pupillages were registered, down from 460 (3%) and 495 (3.6%) respectively in 2009/10. In 2008/09 when 463 first-six and 518 second-six pupillages were registered.

The report also shows the debt levels of pupils. In figures from 2009/10, 27% had debts of £20,000 or more and 6% had debts in excess of £40,000, while 19% said they had no debt.

In 2010/11, women accounted for 53% of BPTC students and 48% of pupils, but only 35% of the profession and 22% of barristers of 15 years' call. Of the 1,397 QCs, 11% (152) are female.

The report shows 15,387 barristers held a practising certificate in December 2010, a slight (0.7%) increase from 2009.

Overall the practising profession has grown steadily over the past five years, averaging a growth rate of 0.8%, with the largest annual increase in barristers between 2006 and 2007 when the profession grew by 1.8%

Of the total number of barristers, 81% are self employed, and 10% said they came from a black and minority ethnic background.

Other data in the report shows that of the 955 first and second six-pupils in 2009/10, 105 (23%) had a first class degree and 238 (51%) a law degree; while 109 (23%) attended Oxbridge and 46% (212) attended a Russell Group university.

Read the report.