Pathways to Law
The Pathways to Law programme is an exciting opportunity for local students who are interested in a career in law, to experience studying law at the University of Bristol.
What is involved?
This two year programme gives you the chance to experience lectures and seminars on various aspects of law from the University’s internationally recognised law academics.
You will also have the opportunity to participate in a 3-5 day placement with a law firm as part of the Pathways programme. Placements take place during school holidays. You will learn about the structure and functions of a law firm, meet a wide variety of people from senior partners through to trainees while experiencing what it’s like to work at an established law firm.
All Pathways students are invited to attend a 3-night residential in July of year 12 at the University of Warwick. This gives you an experience of university life and enables you to meet students from the other Pathways universities.
One of the most important elements of the Pathways programme is e-mentoring. You will be matched to a current University of Bristol Law student, who you can talk to about university or careers, and who can answer any other questions you may have. The programme also includes advice and guidance sessions to support you with your application to university.
Pathways to Law is a two year programme. Therefore we can only accept students who will be studying at a school or college for the next two years.
Who can apply?
Pathways to Law is very popular and as such we are looking for particular students to apply for the available places.
All students must meet the following criteria:
- Are from state schools / colleges;
- Be either within the first generation of their family to attend university, or have been eligible for free school meals (or, where this information is difficult or sensitive to obtain, the participant attends a school that is significantly above the regional average in terms of number of students eligible for free school meals).
In addition, preference will e given to those students who:
- Have at least 5 As or A*s at GCSE;
- Attend a school with below average levels of attainment/progress to university;
- Attend a school with high free school meal rates;
- Are from deprived postcodes as evidenced by POLAR, IMD or ACORN
Access to Bristol Bursary
We are delighted to offer a linked bursary scheme for Pathways to Law participants. If you complete the Pathways to Law programme at the University of Bristol and firmly accept an offer to study at the University of Bristol, you will be considered for our enhanced financial support package if you have a residual household income of £25,000 or below. This consists of:
- A full tuition fee waiver, plus;
- An annual maintenance bursary valued at £3,750
For more information about the Access to Bristol bursary, please visit: www.bristol.ac.uk/accesstobristolbursary.
The bursary shows just how committed we are to attracting the very best students to the University. It is also evidence of how highly we regard those students who complete the Pathways to Law scheme.
Here at Bristol, we have a dedicated student funding team who can advise you on how to fund your studies. For more information, please visit Student Funding Office
Guaranteed offer
Students who successfully complete the Pathways to Law scheme will receive a guaranteed offer from the University of Bristol provided that they meet the following criteria:
- meet the required entry grade criteria for their course, including GCSEs
- have studied all pre-requisite subjects
Where a course holds interviews or auditions for selection, Pathways to Law 'graduates' who meet the criteria listed above, will be offered a guaranteed interview or audition.
These guarantees further highlight how highly we regard those students who complete the Pathways to Law scheme at the University of Bristol.
How to apply
Applications for the programme are now open. To apply please use our online application form.
The deadline for applications is Monday 7 October.