DAS offers SQE or LPC funding for candidates from lower-income backgrounds
The Law Society of England and Wales has opened applications for the 2026 round of its Diversity Access Scheme, a scholarship programme designed to support aspiring solicitors from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Applications opened on Wednesday, 18 February and close at 9 am on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.
The scheme provides funding for either the Legal Practice Course or the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, alongside mentoring and work experience opportunities. It is aimed at candidates who lack financial support and professional networks, and particularly seeks to support those from care backgrounds and disabled applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.
The DAS will fund the full cost of SQE preparation courses and assessment fees or LPC fees. Payments are made directly to institutions or course providers. No funding is available for living costs, resits or deposits already paid.
Eligible routes include the LPC, LPC combined with an LLM, SQE1 and SQE2 preparation and assessments, and various combined SQE and conversion pathways. The scheme does not fund undergraduate law degrees, standalone conversion courses, standalone LLMs or doctorates.
Awardees must be ready to begin their course between September 2026 and February 2027. Those who have not yet started SQE1 preparation are expected to sit the July 2027 SQE1 assessment. All awardees are expected to complete both SQE assessments by January 2030.
Financial eligibility is restricted to applicants with annual household incomes not exceeding £25,000 outside London or £28,000 within London. Applicants must also confirm that they do not have access to savings, gifts or loans sufficient to fund their studies.
Candidates must live in and have the right to work and study in England or Wales and intend to remain there during their studies. Academic requirements include holding or being on course to achieve at least a 2:2 degree by August 2026. English or Welsh language proficiency requirements also apply.
Applicants must meet at least two additional socio-economic criteria, such as attending a non-fee-paying school, being the first generation in their family to attend university, or having parents who were not in professional occupations.
Qualified legal practitioners in any jurisdiction are not eligible. Previous recipients of DAS or Law Society SQE or LPC funding may not reapply.
The Law Society has confirmed that while applicants may use artificial intelligence for grammar checks and interview preparation, applications must reflect their own experiences and voice. Use of AI-generated answers or fabrication of content will result in withdrawal.
Full eligibility guidance and application documents are available from the Law Society website.