Other funding and scholarships
There are a variety of other funding options avalaible to law students, these include:
Employer sponsorship and training contracts (for future solicitors)
Many law firms sponsor students through the GDL and LPC programmes and offer help towards living costs if you have secured a training contract with them. You will need to check the application deadlines and criteria with each firm and bear in mind that you may need to apply by the summer two years in advance. However, if you secure your training contract after having started the programme, some firms may reimburse you. For further information, please check the websites of your chosen law firms and also visit www.lawcareers.net.
Law Society bursaries and scholarships (for future solicitors)
The Law Society offers a number of scholarships for GDL and LPC students who must overcome particular obstacles to qualify as a solicitor. Please visit the Law Society website for further information.
Inns of Court sponsorship (for future barristers)
The four Inns provide varies funding to assist students with funding their GDL and BVC.
| Gray's Inn | Gray's Inn offers a number of scholarships and awards for students undertaking GDL and BVC. Please visit their website www.graysinn.org.uk for further information and how to apply. |
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| Inner Temple | Inner Temple offers a variety of scholarships and awards for both GDL and BVC students. Please visit their website www.innertemple.org.uk for further information and how to apply. You can also contact the Scholarship officer by e-mail cheaton@innertemple.org.uk or by telephone 020 7797 8210. |
| Lincoln's Inn | Lincoln's Inn offers awards for both GDL and BVC students. Enquiries regarding scholarships for the 2007/2008 academic year, please contact Judith Fox, Students' Administrator at the Treasury Office on the number below or email judith.fox@lincolnsinn.org.uk. You can also visit their website www.lincolnsinn.org.uk. |
| Middle Temple | Middle Temple offers a variety of scholarships and awards for both GDL and BVC students. Please visit their website www.middletemple.org.uk for further information and how to apply. |
The Bar Council Scholarship Trust essay writing competition 2008
The Bar Council is running an essay writing competition for GDL and BVC students and pupils. Prizes are:
- £4,000 winner BVC/pupil entry
- £2,500 for the runner up BVC/pupil entry
- £1,500 for GDL entry
- £1,000 for runner up GDL entry
For further information please visit the Bar Council's website.
The Inderpal Rahal Memorial Trust (for future barristers)
The Inderpal Rahal Memorial Trust offers one or occasionally two grants per year to women from immigrant and refugee background who intend to teach or practise law in the UK. Applicants must complete and submit an application form and may be called for an interview. For further information please contact the Inderpal Rahal Memorial Trust by e-mail irmt@gclaw.co.uk or write to the following address:
The Administrator
Inderpal Rahal Memorial Trust
c/o Garden Court Chambers
57-60 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London
WC2A 3LS
NatWest loan
BPP Law School works in partnership with NatWest who offer a special Professional Trainee Loan Scheme. The scheme has been specifically tailored with BPP Law School students in mind. As a full-time student you can apply to borrow up to £25,000 and as a part-time student you could borrow up to your programme fees. You will have nothing to repay whilst you are studying. For more information, check their website at www.natwest.com/bpp. You are advised that July and August are peak times for appointments with NatWest Graduate Managers so book your appointment early.
Local Education Authorities
Many Local Authorities do not provide funding for postgraduate programmes but criteria may vary. Please contact your local authority for further information.
You may also want to look at the Department for Education and Skills website for general guidance on the availability of funding www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport.
Charities and grant making trusts
Please contact your local authority for information about local charities and grant-making trusts. It might also be useful to consult charity registers. Please bear in mind that normally awards consist of small amounts of money so you are advised not to rely on them to provide financial support for your full programme fees or living costs.
Disabled Students' Allowances
Disabled students' allowances (DSA's) are awarded by local education authorities. The allowance is to help you pay for extra costs that arise as a direct result of your disability.
Please contact your local education authority for further information. You may also want to visit www.skill.org.uk and www.dfes.gov.uk for additional information.
Student Disability Assistance Fund
The British Association of Health Services in Higher Education runs the Student Disability Assistance Fund to help students with disabilities to keep up with their studies. The maximum amount of each award is £500 and students must be involved in higher education on a full-time or nearly full-time basis. For further information please visit their website www.bahshe.demon.co.uk or call 020 8482 2412.
British Council overseas support
Students from outside the European Community are usually not eligible for LEA funding but can apply for various scholarships. Please visit the British Council www.britishcouncil.org and look in the section called "Funding your studies."
Chevening Scholarships (international students)
You may also want to visit www.chevening.com for further information on a variety of scholarships for overseas students wanting to study in the UK. These scholarships are funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and administered by the British Council.