Access to the Bar

Pegasus Access and Support Scheme (PASS)
Inner Temple
State-educated aspiring barristers meeting additional social-mobility criteria, normally on track for a 2:1. Applicants must not have started or completed the Bar course. Professional and advocacy skills workshops, networking and help accessing a mini-pupillage without financial barriers. The 2027/28 deadline will be announced in late 2026 / early 2027.
Visit their website for eligibility and application details.

Access to the Bar Award
Middle Temple
Students in years 2-4 of a qualifying law degree, conversion-course students and eligible postgraduates, with little or no family history of higher or professional education. Normally requires state-school education. Two funded weeks of experience: one shadowing a judge and one undertaking a mini-pupillage. Students apply through their university, which submits shortlisted applications by the end of January. Applications should be sent to Dr Louise Loder by 11 December 2026; shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide references in January.
Visit their website for eligibility and application details.

Bridging the Bar Academy
Bridging the Bar
Applicants meeting its social-mobility criteria who will study the Bar course in 2027/28, or have already completed it, and intend to apply for pupillage in 2028. Criteria include state-school education and no undergraduate attendance at Oxbridge. Mini-pupillages, advocacy training and opportunities to compete for paid internships with courts and legal organisations. Open until 5 November 2026 at 5pm for the 2027/28 Academy.
Visit their website for eligibility and application details.

Planning, Property and Public Law Mentoring Scheme
Planning and Environmental Bar Association Participating chambers and PEBA.
Undergraduates from their first year and postgraduates from groups under-represented at the planning, property and public law Bar. Examples include women, disabled and LGBT+ people, ethnic minorities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Applicants must not already have been awarded or started pupillage. Three to five individual mentoring meetings, an introductory workshop, a pupillage application workshop, networking and reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses for in-person sessions. Open until 9 October 2026 at 11.59pm. The scheme runs from November 2026 to June 2027.
Visit their website for eligibility and application details.

COMBAR Mentoring Scheme for Under-Represented Groups
The Commercial Bar Association
Aspiring commercial barristers from under-represented groups, assessed on their need for mentoring and potential to obtain commercial pupillage. Individual mentoring, a pupillage application and interview workshop, networking and reasonable travel expenses.
Visit their website for eligibility and application details.
Open until 16 October 2026 for the 2026/27 scheme,

Helen Grindrod Social Mobility Prize
Lincoln’s Inn
Students in the penultimate year of a qualifying law degree who meet specified schooling and social-mobility criteria. £250, a funded summer school, free Inn membership and a mini-pupillage with financial support. Applications next open in spring 2027.
Visit their website for eligibility and application details.

Mini-Pupillage Grant Scheme
Lincoln’s Inn
Law degree/GDL students or graduates meeting schooling and social-mobility criteria who have already secured a mini-pupillage. Applicants cannot belong to another Inn. Up to £500 towards travel, accommodation and, where needed, clothing. 2026 applications are open; a mini-pupillage must be secured before applying.
Visit their website for eligibility and application details.

Social Mobility Mini-Pupillage
New Square Chambers
State-secondary-educated applicants meeting at least one additional social-mobility criterion, such as low household income, free school meals, caring responsibilities or refugee/asylum status. An assessed two-day mini-pupillage, reasonable travel expenses and a guaranteed first-round pupillage interview for candidates who perform well. Open until 31 December 2026.
Visit their website for eligibility and application details.

Frank Burton KC Social Mobility Mini-Pupillage
12 King’s Bench Walk
Applicants from at least their second year of university, with state-school/college education and specified criteria covering free school meals, care experience, young caring responsibilities or refugee/asylum status. A three-day mini-pupillage, a £250 award and up to £250 towards expenses. Deadline is 31 December 2026.
Visit their website for eligibility and application details.