Frequently Asked Questions about applications

Below are a list of questions that often arise from potential applicants but if you have any questions that are not answered on our website, please contact us on pupillage@atkinchambers.com.

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Do you support international students in their pupillage process?

Yes Chambers will. Details on sponsorship and immigration support can be found on the Bar Council’s website.

I am a career changer will Chambers look at my application?

Yes, and Chambers has several members who had careers outside of the law or as solicitors before becoming tenants. Chambers is generally looking for an upper second under-graduate degree or higher, and therefore candidates with other qualifications should be prepared to explain how any other qualifications and/or work experience would make them a good candidate. Your pupillage application should also evidence that you meet the selection criteria outlined under “What Atkin Chambers looks for in a pupil” on the page “How to apply for pupillage at Atkin Chambers“.

Post-graduate qualifications are viewed favourably but are not essential.

I took my undergraduate degree and/or some of my legal training overseas – will it count?

Before applying for pupillage at to Atkin Chambers, please make sure you have applied to the Bar Standards Board for any waivers or certifications you may be entitled to or require in order to undertake the UK Bar Training Course. Degrees awarded overseas do indeed count and we have members whose undergraduate degrees were not awarded in the UK. Please provide information in your pupillage application relevant to about the equivalent grading in the UK of any undergraduate or post graduate qualifications obtained overseas.

What sources of funding for the BTC are available?

Chambers offers a drawdown of up to £25,000 from the pupillage award by way of funding for the BTC and considers applications for further advances on a case-by-case basis.
The Inns of Court offer up to £6m worth of scholarships each year. For more information about each Inn’s scholarship opportunities, please see their websites: Gray’s Inn, Inner Temple, Lincoln’s Inn, Middle Temple.
For other sources including government loans and bursaries, see the Bar Council website here: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/students-and-graduates/student-funding-and-scholarships.html