Law Scholarships in the UK 2026: A Complete Guide
Law scholarships in the UK can make a real difference to the cost of studying law. Tuition fees for law degrees are typically £9,790 a year for UK-domiciled students starting in 2026/27, following the fee cap rising from £9,250 in previous years to £9,535 in 2025/26 and then to its current level. Fees for international applicants are considerably higher, and can vary significantly by university.
Scholarships and bursaries can reduce that cost substantially, and in some cases cover it entirely.
This guide covers the main law scholarships available in the UK in 2026, including awards for UK students, international applicants, and those entering through conversion or professional qualification routes.
Please note: scholarship details, values, deadlines, and eligibility criteria change regularly. All information is based on publicly available sources as of mid-2026 and is subject to change. Always verify details on the official programme website before applying.
Scholarships are only one part of planning your study budget. Our guide to the cost of learning in the UK explains the wider expenses students should prepare for.
What Are Law Scholarships in the UK?
Law scholarships in the UK are financial awards designed to support students in legal education. They cover a range of study levels and student circumstances:
- Merit-Based: Awarded on academic performance
- Need-Based: This is for students from lower-income or financially disadvantaged backgrounds
- International: This is for overseas students studying at UK universities
- Diversity-Focused: This is for groups underrepresented in the legal profession
- Institution-Specific: These are offered directly by UK universities and law schools
The most relevant award will depend on your level of study, nationality, financial circumstances, and career goals.
Law Scholarships for UK Students
UK-based students have access to a strong range of need-based, merit-based, and diversity-focused awards. The schemes below are open to domestic applicants or prioritise them.
If scholarships do not cover all your costs, you may also want to read our Finance for African Students Studying Abroad 2026: Visas, Costs for loans and other support available to students.
1. The Law Society Diversity Access Scheme (DAS)
The Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) supports UK-based students who face financial or social barriers to qualifying as a solicitor.
It covers costs for the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) preparation, and includes professional mentoring and work experience.
- Who it is for: UK students from less advantaged backgrounds pursuing the solicitor route
- What it covers: LPC or eligible SQE preparation and assessment fees, plus mentoring and work experience
- Typical application period: Historically opens in winter and closes in early spring
For the 2026 cycle, applications closed on 1 April 2026. Check the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme page for 2027 dates.
2. University of Law – Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of Law offers need-based and merit-based awards for students starting courses in 2025/26 and 2026/27. Most awards use a single application, so eligible students are considered for multiple schemes at once.
Widening participation awards require at least one of the following:
- Receipt of a 16-19 Bursary (England) or Education Maintenance Allowance (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
- Living with a parent or guardian receiving Child Tax Credit where household income is below £25,000
- Care-experienced or estranged student status, as recognised by a UK student funding body
A separate Care-Experienced/Estranged Bursary is also available for eligible full-time undergraduates. Full details: www.law.ac.uk/study/scholarships-bursaries.
3. Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) Law Scholarships
QMUL’s School of Law offers undergraduate bursaries for eligible first-year students, typically based on academic criteria and household income.
Award values and income thresholds change annually. Check directly with QMUL rather than relying on prior-year figures: www.qmul.ac.uk/law/undergraduate/bursaries.
The school also offers the Cambridge Long Vacation Scholarship, giving selected first-year LLB students the opportunity to study at King’s College or St John’s College, Cambridge, for approximately four weeks in summer.
At postgraduate level, specialist LLM funding includes the Roy Goode Scholarship, the Norman Palmer Partial Scholarship (Art, Business and Law LLM), and an Energy and Climate Change Law Institute Scholarship. See www.qmul.ac.uk/law/postgraduate/funding.
4. UCL Laws – LLM Scholarships
UCL offers several LLM awards primarily for UK-domiciled students:
- UCL200 Laws LLM Opportunity Scholarships – Means-tested; in recent years covered full tuition plus a maintenance contribution. Check current values at UCL’s site.
- UCL200 Laws LLM Future Scholars’ Awards – For students of limited means intending to progress to doctoral study.
- Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship – For UK-based students of Black ethnicity pursuing an LLM, supported by the Commercial Bar Association.
Application deadlines have historically fallen in spring. Confirm current details at www.ucl.ac.uk/laws.
5. Goodwin Law – Go For Law UK Scholarship
Goodwin’s Go For Law programme gives Year 13 students from underrepresented backgrounds £3,750 per year across a three-year undergraduate law degree. It also includes mentoring from lawyers at the firm and structured work experience.
Eligibility:
- Year 13 at a state (non-fee paying) school, college, or academy
- Applying to study law at a UK university
- Meets at least one widening access criterion (e.g. first in family to attend university)
Applications in the current cycle were listed as closing in early July 2026. Verify the current status at the Goodwin Go For Law page.
6. Bird & Bird Bursary
- Value: £2,500 per year plus mentoring and work placement
- Eligibility: State school students applying to study law at a UK university; predicted at least AAB; first in family to attend university
- Deadline: Check Bird & Bird’s graduate recruitment pages for current cycle dates
7. Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship
- Value: Varies, check current details
- Eligibility: First-year law students from less socially mobile backgrounds at participating UK universities; specific socioeconomic criteria apply
- What it includes: Financial support, mentoring, and insight into City legal practice
- Deadline: Check Freshfields’ graduate recruitment pages
Law Scholarships for International Students
International students have access to several fully and partially funded schemes for postgraduate law study in the UK.
8. The Chevening Scholarship (Fully Funded)
Chevening is a UK government scholarship for international students that normally covers the major costs of an eligible one-year master’s degree, including tuition, living support, travel and visa-related costs. It is highly competitive, and exact funding conditions can vary by course and award terms.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living stipend
- Return flights
- Visa fees and arrival/departure allowances
Eligibility:
- Citizen of a Chevening-eligible country (160+)
- Undergraduate degree meeting UK master’s entry requirements
- At least 2,800 hours of work experience post-graduation (roughly two years full-time)
- Commitment to return home for at least two years after the scholarship
2026 cycle: applications for 2026-27 are closed. Successful applicants are expected to be announced in June 2026.
For 2027 entry, the window has historically opened in August and closed in November. Check the Chevening website for confirmed dates.
9. GREAT Scholarships for Justice and Law
GREAT Scholarships support students from a set list of eligible countries to study law or justice at a UK university for a one-year postgraduate course, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice. Participating universities and countries vary by year and by cycle, and have recently included countries such as Ghana, India and Kenya.
- Value: A minimum of £10,000 towards tuition fees per award
- Eligibility: Citizens of the currently eligible countries for your target university
- Status: Applications for 2026-27 are open
Check the current university list, eligible countries and deadlines at the GREAT Scholarships for Justice and Law page.
10. Edinburgh Law School – LLM and MSc Scholarships
Edinburgh Law School offers several scholarships for admitted LLM and MSc students, with awards based on academic merit and personal statement quality. New opportunities are added throughout the year.
Notable 2026-27 awards include:
- Up to three awards of £5,000 each toward tuition, open to all admitted LLM/MSc students
- One full tuition fee award for the LLM in European Law
- A full-fee scholarship for the LLM in Comparative Private Law
Priority is given to applicants who have not previously studied at master’s level. Full details: www.law.ed.ac.uk/study/masters-degrees/scholarships-funding.
Additional International Funding Options
Beyond the above, international students should also consider:
- Commonwealth Scholarships – For students from developing Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission confirms these can cover approved tuition, airfare and living support, but funding is restricted to courses linked to specific development themes, and the CSC does not fund every postgraduate law degree. If you’re considering this route, check with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission whether your particular taught law master’s is on the approved list before relying on it.
- Rhodes Scholarship – Highly selective; covers full tuition and living costs. Eligibility is country-specific, so review requirements carefully on the Rhodes Trust website.
- University bursaries – Many UK law schools offer partial funding for international students. Check directly with each institution.
If you are looking beyond the major scholarships listed here, our guide to Hidden Student Funding in the UK shows where to find bursaries, grants and other funding students often miss.
Quick Comparison: Law Scholarships in the UK 2026
All values and deadlines are indicative. Always confirm current details on each programme’s official website.
| Scholarship | Student Type | Funding Level | Level of Study | Typical Application Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law Society DAS | UK | Partial (course fees) | LPC / SQE | Historically winter to 1 April |
| University of Law Bursaries | UK | Partial | UG and PG | Rolling, check after receiving offer |
| QMUL Law Bursaries | UK | Partial (varies by year) | UG | Check QMUL directly |
| UCL LLM Opportunity Scholarship | UK | Full tuition + maintenance | Postgrad (LLM) | Historically spring |
| UCL Future Scholars’ Award | UK | Partial to full | Postgrad (LLM) | Historically spring |
| Goodwin Go For Law | UK | Partial, £3,750/year x3 | UG | Historically closes early summer |
| Bird & Bird Bursary | UK | Partial, £2,500/year | UG | Check official pages |
| Freshfields Stephen Lawrence | UK | Partial (varies) | UG | Check official pages |
| Chevening Scholarship | International | Covers major costs | Postgrad (LLM) | Historically August to November |
| GREAT Scholarships (Justice and Law) | International | Minimum £10,000 towards tuition | Postgrad (LLM) | Varies by university |
| Edinburgh Law LLM Awards | UK and International | Partial to full | Postgrad (LLM) | Check official site throughout year |
How to Apply for Law Scholarships in the UK
Start Early
Most scholarship processes take longer than expected. Beginning research at least six months before a deadline is advisable. For multi-stage programmes like Chevening, which involve written essays, references, and an interview, earlier preparation is better.
Check Eligibility Before You Apply
Many scholarships have requirements that are easy to overlook: income thresholds, school type, nationality, or whether you need a university offer in place first. Confirming eligibility saves time.
Tailor Each Application
Scholarship panels can identify generic statements quickly. Address the specific criteria of each award using concrete examples rather than broad claims.
Prepare Financial Documentation Early
For means-tested bursaries, evidence of household income is usually required. Gathering this in advance avoids delays when deadlines approach.
Address Three Core Questions in Your Personal Statement
Most scholarship statements reward clear, specific answers to:
- Why this field of study?
- Why this programme and institution?
- How does this funding connect to your longer-term goals?
Apply to More Than One Scheme
Where eligibility allows, apply to several awards at once. Many applications share similar requirements, so a well-prepared statement can be adapted across multiple submissions without starting from scratch each time.
Related Reading
If you found this guide useful, the following resources may also be helpful:
- Student Finance England, Undergraduate Funding: official information on loans, grants, and support for UK undergraduates
- UCAS, Law Subject Guide: entry requirements and course listings for UK law degrees
- The Law Society, Becoming a Solicitor: overview of qualification routes including the SQE
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for multiple law scholarships at the same time?
Generally, yes. Most scholarships do not restrict applicants from applying elsewhere simultaneously.
Each application should be tailored to the specific criteria of that programme rather than submitted as a copy.
Do I need a university offer before applying?
For most university-specific bursaries, yes, a conditional or unconditional offer is typically required.
For external programmes such as Chevening or the Law Society DAS, you may be able to apply while university applications are still in progress. Confirm this with each scheme.
Are there scholarships for law conversion courses (GDL/SQE)?
Yes. The Law Society Diversity Access Scheme specifically covers eligible SQE preparation and assessment fees, along with eligible LPC costs.
Some universities and private providers also offer bursaries for graduate conversion routes, so check with the institution delivering your chosen programme.
What if I am a mature student or career changer?
Most scholarships listed here do not set an upper age limit. Chevening is open to mid-career professionals who meet the experience and degree requirements.
The Law Society DAS is also open regardless of age, provided applicants are pursuing the SQE or LPC route.
Is there funding for part-time law students?
Some schemes do accommodate part-time study. The Law Society DAS, for example, notes that most awardees will need to work alongside study. Check the terms of each award individually, as part-time eligibility varies considerably.
Final Thoughts
A range of law scholarships is available in the UK in 2026 for domestic students, international applicants, and those entering through conversion routes.
Eligibility criteria and values change year to year, so the most reliable approach is to identify the awards most relevant to your circumstances and verify current details directly on each organisation’s website.
This guide is a starting point, not a definitive source. Always check official pages before applying.