Bar course uptake continues to grow despite an increase in the cost of vocational training courses and a fall in the overall pass rate, according to latest statistics released by the Bar Standards Board.

A report published by the regulator shows bar training costs for UK students (24/25 entry) range from £12,300 to £18,950, while overseas students can expect to pay between £12,300 and £22,700. The cost of bar training courses for the 23/24 entry ranged from £11,970 to £18,950 for UK students and £11,970 to £22,700 for overseas students.

The BSB recorded a 90.8% pass rate for all students who achieved a first class degree classification. Overall, those with 2:1 degrees achieved a 72% pass rate; 37.5% of those with a 2:2 degree passed. 

Of those that passed all 10 modules at the first attempt, first class students’ pass rate was 71.2% compared with 47.6% for those with a 2:1 and 15.1% for those with a 2:2. The average for all students with either a first class, upper second class or lower second class degree classification was 71.1% compared with 76.6% in the previous year.

In the year to June 2024, 2,378 students enrolled on bar training courses, an increase from 2,234 on the previous year. In 2021/22, 2,180 students enrolled.

The proportion of those who go on to gain pupillage has a strong relationship with their first degree classification and a ‘relatively low proportion’ of UK students with a 2:2 go on to gain pupillage, the report said.

More than half (51%) of students who enrolled on a bar training course for 2022/23 and 2023/24 were Asian, 6% were black and 27% white, while 8% preferred not to say. Overall, women made up 55% of students while 42% were men and 3% preferred not to say.

The annual report covers the period from July 2023 to June 2024 with data principally provided to the BSB by the authorised education and training organisations.