Inns of Court Scholarships

It’s compulsory to join one of the four Inns of Court to become a barrister. This section introduces the scholarships offered by the Inns to help students through the Bar course. To find out more about what joining an Inn involves, see LawCareers.Net’s guide to the Inns of Court.

In recent years, the four Inns of Court have dished out millions of pounds in awards. They all use the umbrella term ‘award’ to describe scholarships, bursaries and grants. Inner Temple even calls them ‘exhibition scholarships’. Interestingly, most aspiring barristers know little about the awards available and although the Inns’ websites provide some information, there’s a complex web of requirements and application procedures, meaning that working out exactly what’s available can be a challenge.

Daniel Hawes, outreach and scholarship manager at Gray’s Inn, said: “There’s a generous amount of financial support available from the Inns to assist talented prospective barristers with costs associated with entering the profession.

“Most of the funding is targeted at aspiring Bar course students, but there’s also considerable support for law conversion courses, pupillages, internships and other professional opportunities. Some of the Inns even offer scholarship residencies within their estates.

“The Inns all have slightly different awarding processes, so it’s important that you understand each of these and make an informed decision about which Inn would be best suited to you. Remember – you can only apply to one.

“A scholarship from one of the Inns is a mark of excellence that can fast-track entry into the profession, with over £6.5 million distributed annually. Applying for a scholarship is highly recommended for anyone considering a career as a barrister.”

The Inns’ websites have application forms for you to complete and send to the relevant person. The forms ask for character details, legal experience, income/funds and references. You can apply for scholarships at only one Inn. If the scholarship committee likes your application, it’ll invite you to an interview. 

Alexander Clevewood Ng, scholarships officer at Middle Temple, explains: “The Inns of Court offer scholarships to those who have the potential to succeed as barristers in this jurisdiction. The English Bar in contemporary times is a celebration of diversity. Financial barriers should no longer hamper one’s ascendancy to greatness. According to the Bar Council’s statistics, attaining a scholarship increases the likelihood of one’s success in securing pupillage. This is attributable to the similarities in our selection processes.

“Different Inns have diverse offerings. The Middle Temple, for instance, is situated opposite the Royal Courts of Justice. We provide various networking opportunities, such as advocacy weekends and qualifying sessions based on contemporary issues. I recommend partaking in tours around the Inns and referring to our website for the educational services which we offer.

“The Inns, in all their gothic splendour, may stir apprehension in some – particularly those who are attuned to alternative environments. Before becoming a Middle Temple Bar Course Scholar (and subsequently scholarships officer), I was besieged by doubts. Will I ever be good enough? The answer is, more often than not, if one asks themselves that question, they may already be good enough.

“To bolster one’s chances, I strongly recommend acquiring experiences that profess a concrete understanding of the profession – what a barrister actually does, instead of what one derives from Suits. Experiences such as mini-pupillages and marshalling are useful.”