Scholarships are available for the Bar Course and the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or equivalent post-graduate conversion courses. Only candidates who intend to practise at the Bar of England or Wales are eligible to apply.

These scholarships will be paid in one instalment at the start of the academic year for a full-time course.

If the course is undertaken part-time, applications can be made either before the first or before the second year of the course. If an award is made at the beginning of the course, it will be paid in two instalments (half at the start of each year).

Scholarships will be awarded on merit after taking into account the candidate’s intellectual ability, motivation to succeed at the Bar, advocacy potential and personal qualities. The amount of the award will depend on the scholar’s financial circumstances. Usually, the award will meet a percentage of the difference between the scholar’s resources and needs. The cost of meeting the special needs of disabled scholars will be given special consideration. Please click here to view the criteria considered.

Applications

The Inn welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. There is no age limit for any scholarship or prize.

Applicants for a scholarship do not have to be a member of the Inn when they submit a scholarship application or even when they attend their scholarship interview. No award will be paid until the successful candidate has been admitted to the Inn. There is a separate process for applying for admission to the Inn.

Candidates can only apply to one Inn for a scholarship (and can only join one Inn as a member).
 

Applications 2024/25

Bar Course Scholarships

Applications are closed

The Bar Course Scholarship deadline is always the first Friday of November and the application cycle lasts until May, when the awards are announced. When determining when you should apply, please bear in mind that your application cycle must take place in the academic year before the start of your course. (Part-time students studying over two years can also apply during the first year of their course). 

GDL Scholarships

The GDL Scholarships deadline is always the first Friday in May and the application cycle lasts until June/July, when the awards are announced. You must apply in the academic year before the start of your course, i.e. if applying for a September 2024, January 2025 or March 2025 course your deadline for application is May 2024.

Interviews

The first Inn to do so, it has long been Middle Temple’s policy to interview all candidates for Bar Course/GDL scholarships (the only prerequiste is that candidates must have either received an offer of a place on the Bar Course/GDL or have an application pending before their interview takes place). The first criterion for making an award is invariably merit, but financial circumstances will be taken into account when fixing the amount of the award.  Please click here to view the criteria considered.

The Inn is prepared to reimburse reasonable travel expenses for candidates travelling from outside the M25 to attend the interview, up to a maximum of £65 per candidate.  Please click here for further information.

Important dates for your diary

Please click here to see deadlines for application and scheduled interview dates.