Freshfields and UCL launch social mobility scholarship

International firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has teamed up with the law department at University College London (UCL) to provide two annual scholarships for aspiring lawyers from socially and economically less-privileged backgrounds. Successful applicants to the scheme will receive a £10,000 bursary from Freshfields to cover their maintenance costs while studying, and will also be eligible to apply to UCL's bursary scheme for additional report - making the scholarship one of the most financially generous in UK higher education.

Such financial support will be crucial in encouraging economically less privileged candidates into the profession, but the scholarship also offers other benefits in addition to covering maintenance costs. Successful applicants will also undertake eight weeks of paid work experience at Freshfields during their time at UCL, while also participating in the firm's training and social programmes throughout their studies. Students awarded the scholarship are also guaranteed an interview for a training contract at Freshfields, which if successful would also trigger a grant covering the full costs of the LPC.

The interview process for the scholarship, which will commence with the start of the next academic year, will assess candidates on their aptitude for the City as well as their social and economic backgrounds. Conducted jointly by Freshfields and UCL, the interviews will take into account such factors as whether a student represents the first generation of their family to go into higher education.

Freshfields' senior partner, Will Lawes, said: "Whether the legal profession likes it or not, City law firms are seen as too remote and closed to many students and families from less-privileged backgrounds. The purpose of this partnership with UCL is to provide students from less-privileged backgrounds with a genuine opportunity to build a successful career in the law. By 2014 we will have six scholarships running at the same time and, whilst our financial contribution is important to these students, we believe our commitment to work experience and mentoring will be equally critical to their success."