CoL launches scheme to help non-law grads go for gold

The College of Law (CoL) is launching an initiative to provide up to £3,000 in financial support to GDL students. Taking inspiration from the London Olympics, the scheme has been appropriately named the Gold Awards - as it is only open to candidates who achieved first class honours at undergraduate level, or a master's distinction.

The aim of the Gold Awards is to attract the best non-law graduates to the legal profession. The CoL will offer 60 awards annually across its eight UK centres, with each award putting £2,000 toward the cost of the winner's tuition. Students who then stay at the CoL to do the LPC or BPTC will also be entitled to a further £1,000 tuition grant. The scheme is aimed at those students who are not sponsored by a law firm or barristers' chambers, though part-sponsored applicants will be considered.

Sarah Hutchinson, the CoL's board member for business development, said: "There is a clear demand for able and committed non-law graduates in the legal profession. Such students bring a breadth of talent and experience which the profession needs to thrive. At a time of economic difficulties for many students, we have created 60 Gold Awards to help give those non-law graduates, who are the most gifted in their specialist subject areas, the opportunity to pursue a career in law. It is vital that top class students are continually entering the profession to secure its future growth."
All entries for the coming academic year must be received by 24 August. Email [email protected] for details on the application process.