If you are a Bangladeshi lawyer planning to qualify or transfer to the Bar of England & Wales, there is one gate you must clear before anything else: proof of English. The Bar Standards Board (BSB) — the regulator of barristers in England & Wales — sets this standard, and it is a demanding one.
The English standard — the exact numbers
Per the BSB's Bar Qualification Manual, applicants whose first language is not English must show ability at least equivalent to a minimum of 7.5 in each section of IELTS Academic, or a minimum of 73 in each part of PTE Academic. You may use whichever test suits you — both are accepted.
Who this applies to
- Qualified foreign lawyers transferring to the Bar — including enrolled Bangladeshi advocates taking the Bar Transfer Test (BTT) route.
- Candidates on the Bar training course whose first language is not English.
The legal steps — BSB exemptions, the BTT, pupillage — are matters for the BSB and your chosen provider. Our job is the English: getting you to PTE 73 / IELTS 7.5 in every skill, reliably and on your deadline. Whatever the current queue for the transfer scheme, the English score is the gate you must clear to be ready — so the time to secure it is now.
Why your trainer's own score matters most here
You are clearing one of the highest everyday-English bars there is. At this level, lectures and generic tips are not enough — you want someone who has personally sat these tests and scored well above the line, in both. As a lawyer, you will rightly look for the most credible, qualified person. Here is who leads this prep:
Trained personally by Syed Wasi
Syed Wasi is the first in Bangladesh to score a perfect 90 in PTE — three times — and holds IELTS 8.0, both well above the UK Bar's 73/7.5 threshold. He is Chief PTE Trainer at CILL & APEUni, featured on the official Pearson website, and the pioneer of PTE training in Bangladesh. See the proof on the Triple 90 page. For a target this high, learn from someone who has already stood where you need to reach.
PTE or IELTS — which should a lawyer take?
The BSB treats PTE 73 and IELTS 7.5 as equivalent, so pick the one you are most likely to clear in every skill:
PTE Academic (73 each)
Computer-scored and strategy-rewarding — many busy professionals reach a high, consistent score faster, with results in about two days. CILL's deepest expertise.
IELTS Academic (7.5 each)
Often preferred by very strong readers and writers. The hardest part for most is holding 7.5 across all four skills — which is exactly what targeted coaching fixes. CILL coaches IELTS to 7.5+ too.
In a short diagnostic we will tell you honestly which test gives you the fastest, safest path to the Bar's standard — and train you to it.
UK Bar English — PTE 73 / IELTS 7.5, targeted
A focused prep track built only for lawyers who need the UK Bar's English standard — every session led personally by Syed Wasi.
- Diagnostic first — the right test (PTE or IELTS) and a plan to hit the score in every skill
- Trained to PTE 73 / IELTS 7.5 (or your provider's higher bar) — the exact gate, not a generic course
- Unlimited mock assessment with personal feedback
- Follow-up & consultation until you reach your target
- Live online from anywhere, or in person at Malibagh, Dhaka
💡 Format & fees are customised — a small group for special care, or one-to-one — based on your level, deadline and how you enrol. Knock on WhatsApp for details and fees.
💬 Knock on WhatsApp for details & feesWhere to find CILL
260/6, A-One Hospital Building (9th Floor, Lift 9), Malibagh Mor, Dhaka — near Hosaf Tower, inside Dhaka Science College gate.
📞 +880 1610-107213
Prep runs live online from anywhere in Bangladesh or abroad, or in person at Malibagh.
Frequently asked questions
What English score do I need for the UK Bar?
The Bar Standards Board (BSB), which regulates barristers in England and Wales, requires English ability at least equivalent to a minimum of 7.5 in each section of IELTS Academic, or a minimum of 73 in each part of PTE Academic. This applies to those whose first language is not English, including qualified foreign lawyers transferring to the Bar. Always confirm the current figure on the BSB's own pages, as your specific course provider may set a higher bar.
Does the UK Bar accept PTE?
Yes. The BSB accepts PTE Academic as evidence of English, with a minimum of 73 in each part, as an alternative to IELTS Academic 7.5 in each section. You can prepare for whichever test suits you better; CILL coaches both.
Is PTE 73 or IELTS 7.5 easier for a lawyer to reach?
They are set as equivalent by the BSB, but many candidates find PTE Academic reaches a high, consistent score faster because it is computer-scored and strategy-rewarding, while strong readers and writers sometimes prefer IELTS. Both are high bars that need targeted preparation. CILL helps you pick the test you are most likely to clear and trains you to the required score in each skill.
Who should teach me English for such a high score?
At this level, your trainer's own proof matters most. Every CILL session for this is led by Syed Wasi, who personally holds a perfect 90 in PTE (three times) and IELTS 8.0 — both well above the UK Bar's 73/7.5 threshold. He is Chief PTE Trainer at CILL and APEUni, featured on the official Pearson website, and has trained students from 30+ countries.
Can I prepare from Bangladesh, online?
Yes. CILL's Lawyer Special prep for PTE 73 / IELTS 7.5 runs live online, so you can train from anywhere in Bangladesh or abroad, or in person at the Malibagh, Dhaka centre. Format is customised — small-group for special care, or one-to-one — around your schedule and deadline.
Source for the English standard: the Bar Standards Board's Bar Qualification Manual. CILL provides English-test preparation only; the legal qualification/transfer process is governed by the BSB and your course provider. Always confirm current requirements with the BSB before you book a test.
Clear the UK Bar's English bar — the first time.
Message us about the Lawyer Special for PTE 73 / IELTS 7.5. Ask Syed Wasi anything — including his own scores.
💬 Knock on WhatsApp