Latest news: Funding for GDL students

The College of Law is launching a Gold Awards scheme, providing up to £3,000 for top performing graduates keen to enter the legal profession by undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). 08/08/2012

Students who have achieved a first class honours undergraduate degree in any subject or a distinction at Masters level and wish to study the GDL at the College starting in September 2012 or January 2013 can apply for one of the 60 awards on offer.

The Gold Awards are open to students who accept a place on the course at any of the College’s eight centres nationwide by 16 August and will go towards the cost of their tuition fees. The aim of the scheme is to attract top class, non-law students to the legal profession.

Sarah Hutchinson, board member for business development at The College of Law, said, ‘There is a clear demand for able and committed non-law graduates in the legal profession. Such students bring a breadth of talent and experience which the profession needs to thrive.

‘At a time of economic difficulties for many students, we have created 60 Gold Awards to help give those non-law graduates, who are the most gifted in their specialist subject areas, the opportunity to pursue a career in law. It is vital that top class students are continually entering the profession to secure its future growth.’

The Gold Award scheme is aimed at GDL students without sponsorship from a law firm or barristers chambers, although part-sponsored students will be considered. Successful applicants will receive £2,000 towards their tuition fees. If they then go on to study the Legal Practice Course (LPC) for aspiring solicitors or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) for would-be barristers at the College they will receive a further £1,000 towards their LPC or BPTC fees, provided that they are still unsponsored.

Eligible students should email gdlgoldaward@lawcol.co.uk for information on how to apply. They will be required to submit a statement setting out what winning the award would mean to them and how it would help them attain their ambition of a career in law. All entries must be received by 24 August.