The University of Nottingham’s School of Law offers a comprehensive portfolio of scholarships tailored for Law students at undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and doctoral levels. These schemes recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, personal resilience, social impact, or financial need. Law applicants whether UK, EU, or international can access subject‑specific awards like the JC Smith Scholarship Fund, postgraduate schemes such as the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship and Law Alumni Masters Scholarship, plus PhD Studentships, internal Professional Course Scholarships, and prestigious external awards like Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships. Read on to explore eligibility criteria, application strategies, timelines, funding values, and how these awards can shape your legal education and future career.
JC Smith Scholarship Fund for Undergraduate Law
The JC Smith Scholarship Fund, administered by Nottingham’s School of Law, provides up to £1,500 per year for up to three years, renewable to eligible UK undergraduate law students who have overcome barriers (e.g. prior participation in Sutton Trust programmes or government educational support). Applicants must have an offer to read the LLB Law degree find details and the application process on the School of Law’s official scholarship page: JC Smith Scholarship Fund.
Nottingham Potential & Core Bursaries (Undergraduate)
While not law‑specific, the Nottingham Potential Bursary and Core Bursary support UK undergraduate students from low‑income households by providing up to £1,000–2,000 per year, which can be combined with the JC Smith award. These bursaries are automatically considered at offer stage. More details are available on the University’s financial support site: Core and Potential Bursaries.
Law Alumni Masters Scholarship (Postgraduate Taught)
Nottingham Law graduates returning for a taught master’s in law (LLM or MA) are eligible for the Law Alumni Masters Scholarship, which offers a 10% tuition fee reduction. Applicants must provide a 750‑word personal statement explaining their motivation and future plans. You can apply once you receive an offer for a relevant Law programme: Law Alumni Masters Scholarship.
Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship (International Postgraduate)
The flagship Developing Solutions Scholarship is open to postgraduate law applicants from eligible regions such as Africa, Asia, and the Commonwealth. It offers 50% or 100% tuition fee coverage to those who intend to return home to implement social impact projects. Applications require a strong personal statement, academic references, and evidence of leadership commitment: Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship.
Nottingham Law School Professional Courses Scholarships
For applicants to professional legal postgraduate courses like the LLM SQE 1 & 2 Preparation, PG Diploma in Law, or Barristers Training Course—Nottingham offers the Professional Courses Scholarships; two award categories (Academic Excellence and Outstanding Achievement) provide up to 50% tuition fee reduction. Applicants must hold a course offer and meet scholarship criteria: Professional Courses Scholarships.
Law PhD Studentships (Doctoral Funding)
Law PhD candidates may apply for fully funded studentships that include tuition fee waiver (for UK students) and a living stipend (currently around £18,000/year). Applicants must submit a full research proposal, demonstrate academic ability (at least a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent), and typically secure interest from a potential supervisor. International applicants may also compete for limited funding: Law PhD Studentships.
External Scholarships: Chevening & Commonwealth
Law students accepted into a Nottingham postgraduate programme may apply for Chevening Scholarships (UK government-funded) or Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships. These prestigious awards cover tuition, living costs, travel, and more. Selection is based on leadership, academic excellence, and a long-term plan to contribute to the applicant’s home nation after study.
Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme
Undergraduate Law students are eligible to apply for the Laidlaw Scholars Programme, which is research-led and leadership‑driven. Selected students receive funding for two summer research internships, leadership development workshops, and mentoring—especially beneficial for legal research or social justice interests: Laidlaw Scholars.
Additional Funding Opportunities
Beyond law-specific awards, various external organizations offer scholarships for students in legal or public policy fields such as Canon Collins Trust, Open Society Foundations, or regional bar associations. Nottingham also supports refugee law students through its Refugee Support Scholarships, which supplement academic scholarships with additional cost-of-living support: Refugee Support Scholarships.
How to Apply Effectively
Secure your academic offer first most scholarships require one before applying. Research each award’s eligibility, deadlines, and documentation early. Tailor your personal statements to showcase academic merit, leadership, community impact, or resilience, depending on scholarship criteria. Provide strong references and meet English proficiency minimums (e.g. IELTS ≥ 7.0). Engage potential PhD supervisors in advance if applying for doctoral funding. Internal awards often close by June–July, Developing Solutions by April, and external scholarships like Chevening or Commonwealth by January–April.
What Scholarships Typically Do Not Cover
Most University of Nottingham law scholarships cover only tuition fees. They do not pay for visa fees, accommodation, or family travel. Even external full scholarships may cap living stipends. Always check the scholarship terms on official pages and plan financially for supplemental costs if needed.
Life as a Scholarship Recipient in Law
Scholarship awardees at Nottingham often enjoy special academic and networking experiences: access to moot courts, pro bono clinics, legal journals, and public law projects. Programs like Developing Solutions and Laidlaw invite students to leadership seminars, alumni events, and global conferences. Scholarship status can also elevate your CV for future employers or PhD applications.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not apply for scholarships before receiving a course offer, avoid generic statements, double-check eligibility rules, and watch deadlines carefully. PhD applicants should secure supervisor endorsement early. Ensure you have valid English language certification if required.
Long-term Benefits of Nottingham Law Scholarships
These awards provide more than financial assistance they help build credibility, international networks, research skills, and global outlook. They open doors in legal practice, NGOs, government or academic fields. Scholarship recipients often transition to prestigious internships, leadership roles, or doctoral research programmes with competitive advantage.
Conclusion
The University of Nottingham offers robust scholarship support tailored to Law applicants, from the JC Smith Undergraduate Fund and Professional Courses Scholarships to transformative schemes like Developing Solutions and Law Alumni Masters funding. Combined with prestigious external opportunities like Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships, these schemes make high-quality legal education accessible and impactful. By matching your profile to suitable awards, planning applications strategically, and crafting compelling supporting documents, you can secure meaningful funding and launch a rewarding career in law. Nottingham’s commitment to scholarship-driven excellence makes it a standout destination for aspiring legal professionals worldwide.