Our GDL Scholarships support candidates undertaking full-time, part-time and multi-year law conversion courses. A law conversion course is any postgraduate course that qualifies a student to undertake the vocational component of Bar training upon completion.
All GDL scholars automatically qualify for an interview in any subsequent Bar Course Scholarship application and, if successful, receive an enhanced minimum financial award.
This year, Gray’s Inn will launch a new GDL Double Scholarship. This scholarship will offer aspiring barristers undertaking their law conversion course sustained financial support through both the academic (GDL) and vocational (Bar Course) components of Bar training. Find out more about the GDL Double Scholarship.
One of the Double Scholarships will be the Gatehouse Chambers Scholarship, a new Scholarship awarded to one outstanding candidate who has indicated a preference in pursuing a career in commercial or chancery areas of law, particularly for those under-represented at the Bar.
- Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for any scholarship at the Inn, you must intend to practice at the Bar of England and Wales.
There are a variety of eligible course options available for the current application cycle, which are outlined below.
Full-time courses
Start date Eligible September 2025 No January 2026 No September 2026 Yes January 2027 Yes Part-time / senior status
Start date Eligible September 2025 Yes January 2026 Yes September 2026 Yes January 2027 Yes - Application
Application
All applications must be submitted through our online application portal.
Status: Open
Login to Scholarship Applications
Key dates Applications open 13 March 2026 Applications deadline 1 May 2026 Reference deadline 8 May 2026 Written assessment outcome 15 June 2026 Interviews 23 & 24 June 2026 Oral assessment outcome 29 June 2026 - Assessment
Assessment
To be awarded a scholarship, a candidate must pass a written and oral assessment.
For each assessment, evidence is considered against the published assessment criteria.
Candidates are strongly advised to read our guide to application assessment, selection for interview and scoring (PDF).
Academic ability
Demonstrates the strong academic foundation necessary to succeed as a barrister.
Advocacy
Can develop a well-structured, succinct, grammatically correct, and persuasive argument. As a public speaker can communicate clearly, concisely, convincingly and persuasively.
Drive & determination
Possesses drive, determination and a strong work ethic to overcome adversity or achieve goals, whilst remaining calm when under pressure.
Problem solving
The ability to apply lateral and original thinking to solve problems and work with complex information to extract key information and facts to develop an argument.
Motivation to succeed
Demonstrates a clear interest in the Bar and has got the conviction and ambition to become a barrister. Has taken well considered steps to gain an understanding of the profession.
- Financial
Financial
All GDL Scholarships at Gray’s Inn have a guaranteed minimum financial award.
Scholarship Number Minimum GDL financial award Double Scholarship William Charnley 1 £12,000 Yes Dame Joyanne Bracewell 1 £10,000 Yes David Karmel 5 £2,500 Yes Gatehouse Chambers 1 £2,500 Yes All other scholarships ~ 25 £2,500 No (Bar Course Scholarship interview guaranteed) All scholars will be invited to apply to the financial assessment. The aim of this assessment is to distribute all additional funding to scholars based on their relative financial circumstances.
Recipients of a Double Scholarship are guaranteed a Bar Course Scholarship with a minimum financial award of £7,500.
GDL scholars who are not in receipt of a Double Scholarship are guaranteed the same minimum financial award, if their subsequent Bar Course Scholarship application is successful.
- Statistics
Statistics
2022 2023 2024 2025 Number of eligible applications 58 71 58 69 Number of interviews 42 44 41 52 Number of scholarships award 22 26 20 34 Highest financial award £13,000 £12,000 £15,000 £12,000 - Scholarships Q&A
Scholarships Q&A
We will host one Q&A session on Wednesday 1 April. Join us for essential insights from previous scholars and interviewers about what expect and how to prepare effectively.
Gray’s Inn Scholarship Q&A Webinar 2026
- Policies
Policies
Rules applicable to Bar Course Scholarship candidates, including eligibility requirements.
Application and awarding policy (PDF)
Rules applicable to all Members, information about how the Inn is run and access to further details on our policies and guidelines.