Gray’s Inn will award at least £1.4 million in scholarships each year.
This year we will award at least 25 GDL Scholarships to support students undertaking full or part time law conversion courses. A conversion course is any postgraduate course that qualifies a student to undertake the vocational component of Bar training up completion.
Applications open in March and close in May the same year you intend to commence your study.
If you receive a GDL Scholarship, you will receive a minimum award of £2,500 and further means-tested funding is available. Last year, we awarded 26 scholarships and our maximum award was £12,000.
All GDL scholars automatically qualify for a Bar Course Scholarship interview and, if successful at interview, their basic financial Bar Course Scholarship award starts at £7,500.
If you’re not sure which Inn you would like to apply to, or if you would like to find out more about the process, join one of our online Scholarship Q&A events taking place in April:
- Tuesday 16 April, 6pm
- Thursday 25 April, 6pm
- Key application dates
Key application dates
For course enrolment from September 2024, applications will open in March 2024.
- Applications open: Friday 15 March 2024
- Application deadline: 11.59pm on Friday 3 May 2024 (BST)
- Interviews: 25 – 26 June 2024
Gray’s Inn shortlists candidates for interview. Applicants will be informed whether they will be invited to interview during the week commencing Monday 3 June.
- Merit assessment criteria
Merit assessment criteria
All applications will be considered against the following assessment criteria:
- Academic ability– the ability to succeed as a barrister as demonstrated by performance in school and university examinations, interviews and other experiences in an academic setting
- Advocacy – can develop well structured, succinct, grammatically correct, and persuasively written argument. As a public speaker can communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively
- Drive and determination– possesses drive, determination and a strong work ethic to overcome adversity or achieve goals, whilst remaining calm when under pressure
- Problem solving – the ability to apply lateral and original thinking to solve problems and work with complex information to extract key information and facts to develop an argument
- Motivation to succeed– demonstrates a clear interest in the Bar and has ambition to become a barrister. Has taken steps to gain an understanding of the profession
Read more about how we assess applications in our guide to application assessment, selection for interview and scoring [PDF].
- How to apply
How to apply
All applications must be submitted through the Gray’s Inn Online Scholarship System. You can create an account at any time, even if it is outside of an application period.
Login to Scholarship Applications
You must intend to practise at the Bar of England and Wales in order to be eligible for this scholarship.
Two references are required to support your application. Read the guide to Scholarship References [PDF].
Behind the scenes
Watch the video to go behind the scenes, meet the people involved and find out how scholarship applications are decided at Gray’s.
- Named Scholarships
Named Scholarships
Scholarships are named after prominent Members of the Inn. David Karmel Scholarships are our most prestigious awards.
Two of our scholarships also have a higher minimum award. The William Charnley scholar and the Dame Joyanne Bracewell scholar will receive a base award of £12,000 and £10,000 respectively.
FAQs
Please see our frequently asked questions for further information about applying for this scholarship.