The College of Legal Practice unveils SQE scholarships to improve access

Reading time: two minutes

The College of Legal Practice has launched a Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) scholarship scheme as part of its commitment to increase access to the solicitor profession.

It’s offering four students the opportunity to study the SQE at the college for free in the first half of 2023 and “anticipates that this is just the first round of SQE scholarships” that it’ll be able to offer.

Three of the scholarships will be offered to new students, with one being offered to an existing student who the college identifies as someone facing hardship or barriers to progressing on the course and funding the assessments.

The motivation for the scholarship, over discounts or other benefits, can be cited to the “current climate” and “cost of living”. The college recognises that there are multiple barriers hindering the progress of many students, including background, experiences, discrimination or lack of funding.

Those eligible to apply for the SQE scholarships include any candidate, existing or prospective, who experiences barriers to accessing the SQE training, taking the SQE assessments, and progressing to becoming a solicitor. Those applying for the scholarship must be looking to study with the College of Legal Practice from 1 February 2023 to 31 July 2023.  

Dr Giles Proctor, CEO of the college, added: “We have heard from our students that whilst they appreciate the low fees, instalments, and flexibility we already offer, many are finding committing to the time to study and take the SQE, even when working alongside it, incredibly challenging from a funding perspective. We hope that these SQE scholarships will make a transformative difference to four students’ journeys to become a solicitor.”