Mishcon family fund - The Mishcon Bursaries

What the Mishcon Bursaries offered

You received approximately 460 EUR per year (up to £400) to fund your law degree at University College London (UCL). The grant was awarded to first-year law students. They were able to extend it for a further two or three years, provided their academic performance remained good. The Mishcon family had set up the fund, and it was divided amongst several students each year. The total fund amounted to approximately £2,000 per year, so only a small number of scholarships were awarded.

Who could apply

• Level: You were a first-year student on the LLB (Bachelor of Laws) programme at UCL.
• Field of study: Law only.
• Where you study: At the Faculty of Law at UCL in London.
• Financial need: The main criterion. You had to prove that you and your family were unable to cover the full cost of your studies.
• Grades and effort: Your results (including your mid-term examinations), your attendance and your involvement in faculty life during your first semester were also taken into account.
• Nationality: All nationalities could apply.

How to apply

You applied via the UCL Faculty of Law by 16 January. You have submitted a letter of recommendation, evidence of your financial circumstances and those of your family, and the UCL Faculty of Law financial assessment form. Late applications were not considered. You received a response during the spring semester.

How realistic were your chances?

This funding scheme was highly selective: only first-year law students at UCL who could demonstrate a genuine financial need were eligible, meaning that the pool of applicants was small. With a total budget of around £2,000, divided into grants of up to £400,, only a handful of grants were awarded each year. Those who clearly met the criterion of financial hardship and could demonstrate solid grades as well as a good attendance record had fairly good prospects. The small budget nevertheless meant competition was fierce.