Department of Justice - The Access to Justice Scholarship

Access to Justice Scholarship

For the part-time LLM programme ‘Access to Justice’ at Ulster University’s Belfast campus, you will receive full tuition fees paid (approx. 7,000 EUR, equivalent to around £6,000). This Master’s programme usually lasts 2 years. You will also undertake a work placement and work at the Ulster University Legal Advice Centre: under expert supervision, you will handle real-life cases and represent clients in the areas of employment, social and family law; you will also have the opportunity to take part in the ‘Prison Outreach Programme’. The scholarship is funded by the A&O Shearman Foundation, the charitable organisation of the law firm A&O Shearman, in partnership with Ulster University. Two scholarships are awarded per academic year.

Who can apply

• Degree needed: You must meet the entry requirements for the LLM programme in ‘Access to Justice’. This usually requires a degree in law (or a related subject) with a grade of at least 2:2 from a UK or Irish higher education institution, or an equivalent standard. A relevant degree combined with professional experience in the field of access to justice, or a comparable professional qualification, may also be taken into account.
• Study level: This is a Master’s degree programme (LLM) for postgraduates.
• Field: Law, in particular access to justice, with a focus on employment law, social law and family law.
• University: You are studying at the Faculty of Law at Ulster University on the Belfast campus.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Background: This scholarship is aimed at people who face social and financial obstacles. Older students (those returning to higher education later in life) are actively encouraged to apply.

How to apply

First, apply for the ‘Access to Justice’ LLM programme and ensure you are admitted to it. All those admitted to the programme will then be asked to complete the online scholarship application form.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is awarded on a highly selective basis. Only two scholarships are awarded each year, and only students who have already been admitted to a specific Master’s programme at one of the Belfast campuses are eligible to apply – so the pool of applicants is small. If you are a clear fit for the programme and can demonstrate that you face the social or financial barriers that the scholarship is designed to address, your chances are good. The most important thing is to provide a convincing, well-documented explanation of why you need this support.