The Law Society - Law Society Diversity Access Scheme

Law Society Diversity Access Scheme

You will receive your full training fees paid, worth up to approximately 20,000 euros, to practise as a solicitor in England or Wales. The funding covers course and examination fees for either the ‘Solicitors Qualifying Examination’ (the standard route to becoming a solicitor, including preparatory courses) or the older ‘Legal Practice Course’. It is paid directly to your training provider, not to you. You will also be assigned a personal mentor to support you throughout your studies, as well as paid work placements at law firms and partner organisations, and training to help you prepare for interviews and job applications. The Law Society of England and Wales administers the programme and awards approximately 15 scholarships each year. The programme does not cover living costs, resit fees or any other expenses.

Who can apply

• 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.
• Your course: You wish to undertake an SQE preparation and examination course or the ‘Legal Practice Course’, either as a stand-alone programme or in combination with a Master’s degree. Standalone law programmes, reskilling courses, LLM programmes and PhDs are not eligible for funding.
• Career stage: You are not yet a qualified lawyer anywhere in the world. Paralegals and people already gaining qualifying work experience can apply.
• Degree: You hold at least a Bachelor’s degree with a grade of 2:2 (Lower Second Class Honours) or are on track to obtain one by August 2026.
• Language: English or Welsh is your first language, or you have an IELTS score of 7.5 or an equivalent certificate.
• Financial need: Your household income is no more than 25,000 GBP (about 30,000 EUR), or 28,000 GBP (about 33,000 EUR) if you live in London. You also have no savings, gifts or loans to pay for the course yourself.
• Disadvantaged background: At least two of these apply to you: you went to a non-fee-paying school; you were the first in your family to go to university; you got free school meals because of low income; or your parents were not in professional jobs and you have no legal contacts through family or friends.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by email; to do so, please send the three application forms to the programme’s administrative office. The application period runs from 18 February to 1 April. If you are shortlisted, you will take part in an online interview lasting approximately 30 minutes and an aptitude test via Microsoft Teams in early July, prior to the final decision.

How realistic are your chances?

The programme is aimed at a small target group. Applicants must be on a low household income, have no means of paying for the course themselves, and come from a clearly disadvantaged background, meaning that only a specific group meets the eligibility criteria. The pool of eligible applicants is smaller than for open scholarships. With only around 15 scholarships available per year, competition amongst eligible candidates is fierce, and well-documented personal stories are particularly valued when applications and interviews are assessed. If you do indeed meet all the criteria and can demonstrate your need, your prospects are realistic.