Skip to main content
School of Law

Breadcrumb

  1. School of Law
  2. Undergraduate
  3. Widening Participation
  4. Pathways to Law

Pathways to Law

Ever considered a career in law? This two-year programme offers you the opportunity to explore what entering the legal profession might look like.

The Pathways to Law programme was set up by the Sutton Trust and The Legal Education Foundation in 2006 to inspire and support academically-able students from non-privileged backgrounds who are interested in a career in Law.

Proudly supported by the Convocation Trust, we have been running Pathways to Law at Queen Mary since 2016.

Applications

Applications to Pathways to Law are now open! Applications close Sunday 20 October.

Find out more and make your application

Programme

Queen Mary Pathways to Law participants join the programme at the beginning of year 12 and finish in the Spring of year 13. Students attend regular, bespoke events such as:

  • Visits to the Royal Courts of Justice and Inner Temple.
  • Work experience opportunities at one of many partner organisations. Placements in 2024 included Santander, Cooley LLP and 39 Essex Chambers.
  • Taster Lectures, University experience days and Law master classes.
  • Personal Statement, CV writing, interview skills and LNAT workshops.
  • Networking, Public speaking in the work place and Mooting workshops.
  • Mentoring scheme.
The trips to the Inner Temple, the Royal Courts of Justice and a top law firm were incredibly exciting and informative. Shadowing trainees in the work placement gave me an insight in how it would be working as a lawyer. The various lessons in CV writing, personal statement, public speaking and effective study methods instilled confidence in me and helped support me through my A-level work.
— Helen, Queen Mary Pathways to Law Student, Cohort 10

QMUL Pathways to Law studentsEligibility

You are eligible to apply to Pathways to Law if you:

  • Attend, and have always attended, a state-funded, non fee-paying school/college   
  • Be in Year 12 (England and Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland) or S5 (Scotland) at the start of the programme   
  • Live within a 90-minute commuting distance of Queen Mary.

If you meet the above requirements, we will look at the following criteria when we consider your application:

  • Have achieved at least five GCSEs at grades 9 – 6, including English and Maths. A minimum of two of these qualifications should be at grades 9 – 7. Or five A or B grades at National 5 including one A.  
  • Would be the first generation in their family to attend university   
  • Have been in receipt of Free School Meals whilst at Secondary School   
  • Attend a school or college with a below-average A-level or Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression to higher education.  
  • Live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression to higher education or a high level of socio-economic deprivation   
  • Have been looked after or in care  (Students who are (or have been) looked after, accommodated or in care only need to meet the age, school and academic requirements.)

QMUL pathways to law studentsContact us

If you have any questions, please email pathwaystolaw@qmul.ac.uk

If you are a current student in the School of Law and interested in becoming a Pathways to Law Student Ambassador, we would love to hear from you. Please email pathwaystolaw@qmul.ac.uk for more information.

You might also be interested in:

Courses

Thomas MacManus giving a lecture

Why undergraduate law at Queen Mary

George Hinde Moot Final 2018

Scholarships and bursaries

Two Queen Mary Students chatting in a corridor
Back to top