This year, Gray’s Inn will award at least £1.5 million in scholarships.
The majority of the Inn’s scholarship funding is allocated to Bar Course Scholarships, which support candidates undertaking the vocational component of Bar training.
We also award a generous number of Residential Scholarships to Bar Course scholars. Residential Scholarships provide scholars with free accommodation within the Inn’s estate and are a fantastic opportunity to benefit from access to the Inn community and legal London during your studies.
- Eligibility
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for any scholarship at the Inn, you must intend to practice at the Bar of England and Wales.
The next Bar Course Scholarship application cycle will open in September 2026. Eligible study options for this scholarship are outlined below.
Full-time courses
Start date Eligible September 2026 No January 2027 No September 2027 Yes January 2028 Yes Part-time courses
Start date Eligible September 2026 Yes January 2027 Yes September 2027 Yes January 2028 Yes Two-part courses
Start date Eligible September 2026 No January 2027 Yes September 2027 Yes January 2028 Yes - Application
Application
All applications must be submitted through our online application portal.
Status: Closed
Login to Scholarship Applications
Key dates Applications open 11 September 2026 Applications deadline 30 October 2026 Reference deadline 6 November 2026 Written assessment outcome 18 January 2027 Interviews 2,3 & 4 March 2027 Oral assessment outcome by 9 March 2027 - 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 Bar Course Scholarships at Gray’s Inn have a guaranteed minimum financial award.
Scholarship Number Minimum financial award Baroness Hale of Richmond 4 £20,000 Keating 1 £15,000 All other scholarships < 100 £5,000 All scholars will be invited to apply to the financial assessment. This assessment distributes all remaining funding to scholars based on their relative financial circumstances.
- Statistics
Statistics
2022 2023 2024 2025 Number of eligible applications 274 292 313 363 Number of interviews 157 158 169 165 Number of scholarships award 83 88 91 99 Highest financial award £20,000 £23,000 £25,000 £25,000 - Scholarships Q&A
Scholarships Q&A
We host online Scholarship Q&As Scholarships Q&A each October. Join us for essential insights from previous scholars and interviewers about what expect and how to prepare effectively.
- 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.
Meet our scholars
We asked our previous successful Bar Course scholars what receiving a scholarship meant to them.
Discover why they applied to Gray’s Inn and top tips for making your application stand out.
