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Law scholarships (England & Wales)

Benefit from financial support (£3,000 per year) during your university studies, plus mentoring and paid work experience.

About the CMS law scholarship

Applications open in 2027

We believe a career in law should be open to everyone. Since 2012, we’ve helped some of the brightest, most creative legal minds launch their careers. The scheme provides financial assistance, mentoring, guidance through the UCAS process, sustained support throughout your undergraduate studies and valuable paid work experience.

We’re proud that CMS Law Scholarship winners have gone on to study at some of the UK’s most prestigious universities and secured Training Contracts at some of the world’s largest law firms, including CMS.

Locations

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Eligibility

  • Year 12 students (England and Wales)
  • Year 13 students (Northern Ireland)

Our Scholarships are for those from backgrounds which research shows are less likely to secure a place at a prestigious university or establish a career in law.

Where to apply

We run two Law Scholarship programmes: the England, Wales and Northern Ireland programme and the Scotland programme. The two are very similar, but it is important that you apply for the programme that reflects your current location.

What to expect

Win a Scholarship and, to give you a head start in your law career, we’ll provide you with the following: mentoring, paid work experience, and the opportunity to be fast tracked to assessment days, plus ongoing support if you’re invited to an assessment day, regardless of whether you win a scholarship or not.

Financial support

Up to 10 individuals will receive £3000 per year for each year of their degree

Mentoring

Support from one of our lawyers with your UCAS application and the LNAT examination if you are planning on taking this, plus a trainee buddy to give more informal support with starting your career in law

Work experience

The opportunity to complete a bespoke work experience programme in your first year of university – and be paid £450 to do so!

What you'll need to apply

We’re looking for people who are motivated, curious and ready to take ownership of their development. Beyond that, there are certain criteria you’ll need to meet:

Eligibility criteria

You must meet all of the following criteria:

  • You’re in Year 12 in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
  • You attend a state-funded school, sixth form or further education college
  • Your parents and grandparents did not attend university
  • You intend to apply to study at university through the 2027 / 2028 UCAS process
  • You are passionate about pursuing a career in law
  • You have not been convicted of a criminal offence
  • You are not related to any partner here at CMS

You must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • You are, or have been at any time between ages 11 and 16, eligible for free school meals  – or would be if you attended a sixth form or college. Further resources regarding these free school meals are available for England & Wales, and Northern Ireland.
  • Your school from years 7–11 has 20% or more students eligible for free school meals. Further resources regarding these free school meals are available for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
  • You are, or have been, a looked-after child or care-experienced
  • Your home address is in POLAR4 quintile 1*

*Check your postcode for eligibility. If you are unsure about your eligibility or would like more information, please contact us at Law.Scholarship@cms-cmno.com

Application process

Interested in applying? Here’s an outline of the different stages involved.

Online application form

Online application form

We’ll ask you to complete an application form telling us more about you, the challenges you have overcome, and why you’re interested in a career in law. We’ll also ask you to tell us, in no more than 250 words, about a law you would change.

Video interview

Video interview

A short 15-minute interview where you will answer a series of pre-recorded questions.

Assessment day

Assessment day

Consists of an interview and group exercise. During the day you’ll also have the chance to talk to our trainees about life at CMS and meet your mentor. If necessary, we’ll offer financial support (and accommodation) to enable you to attend. Further details can be found in our FAQs.

Law Scholarship FAQs

Any further questions?

Take a look at our FAQs page