BPP University - Law Society bursary scheme

Law Society Diversity Access Scheme (DAS)

You will receive your full course fees paid for the training that qualifies you as a solicitor in England and Wales. This comprises either the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), including SQE preparation courses and examination fees. In addition, you will be assigned a professional mentor (an experienced solicitor who will support you) and will be offered work placements during your studies. You can study part-time. The programme is run by the Law Society of England and Wales to enable people from low-income backgrounds to enter the solicitors’ profession. The funding goes directly to your educational provider and therefore does not cover living costs, resit fees or any other additional costs.

Who can apply

• Course: You wish to undertake the LPC or SQE course, including combinations with a Master’s degree in law. A Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) on its own, a stand-alone retraining course, a stand-alone LLM programme or a PhD are not eligible for funding.
• Where you live: You live in England or Wales, are entitled to work and study there, and plan to stay there whilst you are studying.
• Grades: You hold a degree at level 2:2 or an equivalent qualification from a foreign higher education institution, or you will have obtained this by August 2026.
• Language: English or Welsh is your first language, or you have an IELTS score of 7.5 or an equivalent test result.
• Household income: Your household income does not exceed £25,000 per year (£28,000 if you live in London), and you have no savings, gifts or loans to fund your studies.
• Background: At least two of the following points apply to you: You attended a state (fee-free) school, you are the first in your family to go to university, you were entitled to free school meals, or your parents did not have academic careers and you have no legal contacts through family or friends.
• Not already qualified: You are not yet a solicitor, barrister or other qualified legal professional, and have not previously received any funding from the DAS or the Law Society.

How to apply

Applications must be made online. The form includes brief questions about your motivation and a current legal issue, as well as an essay. The application deadline is 1 April. If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to provide evidence of your academic results and your financial circumstances, and to attend an interview. The final scholarship recipients will be announced in around July.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very narrowly defined. You must follow a specific qualification pathway, meet a strict income limit and fulfil at least two criteria relating to disadvantage, meaning that the eligible group is far smaller than for open scholarships. As only around ten grants are awarded each year, competition amongst eligible applicants is very fierce. If you clearly meet the income and background requirements and can provide evidence of this, you stand a good chance of success with a compelling application.