Pupillage is the apprentice-like year spent by would-be barristers in a work-based environment after they have completed the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) and before they enter tenancy.

Providers include sets of chambers in independent practice and bodies offering employed pupillages – for example, the Government Legal Service, the Crown Prosecution Service and commercial firms and companies' in-house legal departments. All pupillages are advertised on the Bar Council's website, www.pupillages.com.

Pupillages.com provides an online handbook giving information on all available pupillages and those offering them, as well as on how to apply to providers outside the central applications system.

The service also enables candidates to apply online to those pupillage providers that are part of the central application system (OLPAS). Using OLPAS is free of charge.

There are two OLPAS application seasons each year for pupillages commencing one and, with some providers, two academic years ahead. These are called the summer and autumn seasons. The relevant dates are:

. Summer – applications to be submitted by 30 April, with offer from 31 July; and

. Autumn – applications to be submitted by 30 September, with offers from 31 October.

On entering pupillages.com, you will be presented with a general introduction and asked to complete a page of registration details.

Once registered, you have access to the online application form, the online handbook, the OLPAS rules, the OLPAS timetable and frequently asked questions. There are full instructions for completing the form.

You will be permitted to apply to up to 12 OLPAS chambers in any one season. You may make as many applications to non-OLPAS sets as you wish.

As well as telling you how to apply to non-OLPAS pupillage providers, the online handbook may also provide links to pupillage providers' own websites.

Your registration and other data on the system is secured by your personal e-mail address and password. You may enter the OLPAS system to complete your application over as many sessions as you wish, and from as many different PCs as you wish. The system and the form are simple and intuitive to use. However, you may find it useful to read the instructions.

The application form is split into two sections. The first, and largest, is the common online application form, which you complete once. This contains information about you. You can save each page to the OLPAS system to ensure information is not lost.

The first part of the form requires you to complete a section on your school education. After this you have four choices for higher education: qualifying law degree, degree/post degree, CPE/GDL and BVC. You will need to fill in some or all of these sections, depending on your history in further education.

. The qualifying law degree section allows you to select your course from a list of all universities/colleges providing law degrees recognised by the Bar Council.

. The degree/post degree section allows nonlaw students to detail their higher education achievements, and all students to detail further academic qualifications.

. The conversion course and BVC sections also allow you to select your course from a list of all universities/colleges offering recognised courses.

Following this section, you are asked to set out your work experience and what you achieved, learned or gained from it. You will also be asked to explain why you want to be a barrister, which practice areas particularly interest you and why.

In addition, you will also be able to detail any additional information relating to your academic/professional achievements – first- and second-year exam results, prizes, professional qualifications – and any additional information relating to your extra-curricular achievements such as mooting, debating experience or society membership.

When completing these sections you should try to be distinctive and convey the sort of person you are.

Once you have completed the common part of the form, you can apply to pupillage providers. This part of the application form is displayed once you select the pupillage providers to which you wish to apply.

OLPAS generates a free-flow text box in which you can explain why you are specifically interested in that provider. This final piece of information goes only to the provider you are applying to.

Pupillages are usually split into two periods of six months each, known as the non-practising six and the practising six. These may be advertised by providers as a full 12, or separately as two 'sixes'.

The number of selections you make through OLPAS is equivalent to 12 'twelves', but may be made up of combinations of sixes and twelves. Throughout each, you will be supervised by an experienced member of the Bar called a pupil-lages supervisor. Each six can be at the same or a different pupillage provider.

Make sure you check all parts of your form for completeness and errors before submitting it. Other than your address, no changes can be made afterwards.

You should also ensure you submit your application at least a day before the deadline. If you try to complete your application on the last day, your ISP will fail, computer crash, a family emergency will occur or you will break down on a lonely moor with a flat mobile, and you will miss the deadline.

Should this happen, your application will not be considered in the first round, but will be entered in clearing. The system automatically switches from allocating applications from the first round to clearing at 5pm on the deadline date.

Your chosen pupillage providers will communicate with you through the online system. Rejections, invitations to interview and offers are sent to you through the system. You will be able to track the progress of your applications by logging on to the system.

You will also receive e-mails notifying you of any messages from OLPAS. If you change your e-mail address after submitting your common application form, you can log in using your old e-mail address and password and then update your details online.

Should you experience any problems, OLPAS has a technical support line. Careers and educational queries should continue to be made to the Bar Council. However, before calling either OLPAS or the Bar Council, please read the instructions and the frequently asked questions – 90% of callers can answer their own question by referring to these sources.

Students who submit an application form in the summer season can re-access their application form for editing and resubmission for autumn season applications.

For further information about pupillages or any aspect of the Bar Council education and training, please visit the Bar Council website at www.legaleducation.org.uk.

Chris Maguire is the principal officer for education and training at the Bar Council.