By Legal Futures Associate The College of Legal Practice
In this round of applications, the College found that the need for funding to help aspiring solicitors take the SQE has increased even since the beginning of 2023. We received many applications from deserving undergraduates and legal professionals, who were facing multiple barriers to achieving their career goals.
The successful SQE Scholarship holders that we are able to announce, for this round of courses, had all demonstrated a tangible and firm commitment to becoming a solicitor as well as facing financial hardship and more than one additional barrier to taking the SQE. The award holders are as follows:
Sabrina Kenan, who will be studying on the 40-week SQE1 prep course starting in September, to enable her to continue to work to support her young family.
“I am filled with gratitude for being awarded the scholarship as i am now one step closer to my goal of becoming a solicitor. If it wasn’t for The Collage of Legal Practice this would have not been possible, I am very grateful for this.’ Sabrina Kenan
Tilly Twite, a senior paralegal who had been unable to take up training opportunities in the past due to lack of funds. Tilly has just started her part-time SQE1 preparation course with the College and is aiming to take SQE1 in January. Tilly says:
“I am extremely grateful to have been offered a scholarship to study at The College of Legal Practice and look forward to fully immersing myself in both the SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses with the hopes of qualifying as a solicitor in the near future.”
Carla Izabel Da Silva is also starting her LLM in Legal Practice studies in August as a scholarship holder, which will also enable her to seek a postgraduate loan to support her and her family, whilst she is studying.
“I am delighted to have been offered a scholarship from The College of Legal Practice and I am excited to begin my SQE preparation courses. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity which will empower me to pursue the next steps in my legal career”, Carla Izabel Da Silva
Christina Warwick has successfully secured a part-funded scholarship place on our LLM in Legal Practice, she is already working in local law firm, so has her qualifying work experience, and looking to take the next career step to becoming a solicitor.
Lastly, we are pleased to share that Chloe Merritt, one of our GFL students, has accepted a part-funded scholarship place to start studying for the SQE. Chloe is a career changer and has been offered legal experience but needs funding to take the SQE. Chloe comes from a low-income background and faces more than one additional barrier to succeeding in the profession.
We additionally have two new students who have secured funded places on the LLM in Legal Practice through the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme and are working with Birmingham Law Society to find a successful applicant for their scholarship scheme also.
Dr Giles Proctor, CEO of the College said:
“The applicants for this round of scholarships highlight the increasing cost of living crisis and the increase in costs associated with taking the SQE. Whilst we aim to make our courses as affordable as possible, the reality is that these students would have struggled to be able to become a solicitor without these places, and we are delighted to be able to support them.
In the interview process, the panel heard from many applicants who despite aspects of their life being challenging, were very positive, hard working and determined to become a solicitor. I would like to wish them well for their SQE journeys and I’m very pleased that we can play a role in helping them achieve their career goals.”
The College will be opening their next round of SQE scholarships in October 2023 for courses starting from 1 February 2023.
