Diversity Access Scheme - Applications to the DAS 2026 are open!
Diversity Access Scheme - Applications to the DAS 2026 are open!
The Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) is a unique scholarship programme. It is designed to address key barriers to the solicitors’ profession faced by those from less advantaged backgrounds.
Applications are open from Wednesday 18 February and close at 9am on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
Read the application guidance and apply now
Eligibility
Funding
How to apply
Application process
Our sponsors
The DAS supports aspiring solicitors of all ages from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
It helps those who lack the financial support and professional networks needed to pursue their legal education and career.
The scheme also aims to support candidates who are from care backgrounds and those who are disabled, where they meet the eligibility criteria.
Through the DAS we’re supporting talented, aspiring solicitors to pursue their legal education and careers through: Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) scholarships mentoring and work experience
The scheme offers the chance to be matched with a professional mentor and get work experience during your studies.
Learn more about the impact of the Diversity Access Scheme.
Read our report on applications for the 2025 DAS round of awards (PDF 615 KB).
Eligibility
Before starting your application, make sure you are eligible for the scheme.
If you apply and do not meet the eligibility criteria, your application will not be reviewed and will be withdrawn from the application process.
For more details, download and carefully review the eligibility criteria and application guidance.
Eligible courses
The DAS is open to candidates who wish to undertake:
the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) SQE1 and SQE2 assessment/s and SQE preparation course/s
SQE assessment/s and SQE preparation course/s combined with LLM
SQE assessments and a combined SQE1 preparation course with law foundations course/conversion course and a SQE2 preparation course
The DAS does not provide funding for the following courses:
a law degree (LLB)
a combined law degree – for example law and politics
a standalone law conversion (PGDL)
a standalone law foundations course
a standalone master’s in law (LLM)
a legal doctorate (PhD)
We understand that most, if not all, of our awardees will need to work alongside study.
You can apply if you wish to study part-time (online or in-person). We encourage you to check that your SQE1 preparation course leads to the July 2027 SQE1 sitting, as per the eligibility criteria.
SQE preparation course providers
We don’t have preferred providers.
If you are selected for an award, where reasonable, we may require you to take a specific SQE course at one of our sponsor institutions:
a combined law degree – for example law and politics
a standalone law conversion (PGDL)
a standalone law foundations course
a standalone master’s in law (LLM)
a legal doctorate (PhD)
We understand that most, if not all, of our awardees will need to work alongside study.
You can apply if you wish to study part-time (online or in-person). We encourage you to check that your SQE1 preparation course leads to the July 2027 SQE1 sitting, as per the eligibility criteria.
SQE preparation course providers
We don’t have preferred providers.
If you are selected for an award, where reasonable, we may require you to take a specific SQE course at one of our sponsor institutions:
the University of Law
BPP University
Barbri
the College of Legal Practice
QLTS School
Nottingham Trent University
the University of Westminster
Assessment timeframes
You do not need to have a confirmed SQE preparation course or LPC place at the time of applying.
If you secure a DAS award, you must be ready to start your SQE preparation course or LPC between September 2026 and February 2027, and sit your SQE assessments within the timings set out in the guidance.
You cannot apply to the DAS and defer your SQE preparation course or LPC start date.
See the application guidance for a full breakdown of all assessment timeframes.
Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) assessments
We expect awardees to complete both SQE assessments by January 2030. Funding will not be extended beyond this date.
If you haven’t started your SQE1 preparation or assessments yet, you are expected to take the SQE1 assessments in July 2027.
If you are taking a combined SQE1 preparation/law foundations course, a January 2028 SQE1 assessment will be considered.
The 2026 DAS awards are not suitable for those who wish to take the SQE1 in July 2026 as the award will not be confirmed until July.
If you have already passed SQE1 and are looking to prepare for and sit SQE2, the earliest SQE2 sitting available under the scheme is January 2027.
Legal Practice Course (LPC)
The LPC will still run in 2026/27, but you must make sure you are eligible to qualify through this route.
If you apply to study the LPC, we will ask you for evidence that you are eligible.
If you began a qualifying law degree in September 2022 or later, you can only qualify as a solicitor through the SQE.
Financial eligibility
To make sure the DAS reaches those who need it most, we include annual household income-based eligibility criteria: you live outside London and your household income does not exceed £25,000, or
you live in London and your household income that does not exceed £28,000
You must also not have access to available savings, monetary gifts or loans to fund your studies. If shortlisted, we will ask you for evidence of this.
We accept applications from candidates receiving universal credit and other benefits.
Residence
You must: live in and have the right to work and study in England or Wales, and
intend to continue living in England or Wales throughout your SQE/LPC studies
Academic criteria
You must either: hold a minimum 2:2 degree (or equivalent if you secured your degree outside the UK), or
be on course to graduate with a minimum 2:2 degree by August 2026
If you are shortlisted, we will ask for evidence of this before interview. You will need to supply either a degree certificate or official university transcripts if you have not yet graduated.
If you do not provide this documentation, you will be withdrawn from the process.
English or Welsh language requirements
You must either: have English or Welsh as your first language, or
be proficient in spoken and written English and have achieved at least level IELTS 7.5 (or equivalent score from an alternative SELT provider), which is the SRA’s required standard
If you are shortlisted, we will ask you for evidence of this before interview.
Candidates with a criminal record
Candidates with a criminal record may apply.
You must apply to the SRA for an early character and suitability assessment by 1 March 2026 and before submitting your DAS application.
If you are invited to interview, we will ask you to provide evidence showing your SRA-approved assessment.
If you apply without an early character and suitability assessment, you are ineligible and will be withdrawn from the process.
Candidates whose assessments have been refused by the SRA are not eligible for the DAS.
Unlock – support for people with criminal records
Other eligibility criteria
You must meet a minimum of the two following criteria: you attended a non-fee-paying school in the UK (or a non-selective public school overseas)
you were part of the first generation of your family to attend university
you were eligible for free school meals due to low household income growing up
your parents or carers were not in professional occupations, and you don’t have access to professional legal networks through family and friends
For information on what ‘professional occupations’ covers, see the application guidance.
Who cannot apply
We do not accept applications from qualified legal practitioners in any jurisdiction, including the following examples:
BPP University
Barbri
the College of Legal Practice
QLTS School
Nottingham Trent University
the University of Westminster
Assessment timeframes
You do not need to have a confirmed SQE preparation course or LPC place at the time of applying.
If you secure a DAS award, you must be ready to start your SQE preparation course or LPC between September 2026 and February 2027, and sit your SQE assessments within the timings set out in the guidance.
You cannot apply to the DAS and defer your SQE preparation course or LPC start date.
See the application guidance for a full breakdown of all assessment timeframes.
Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) assessments
We expect awardees to complete both SQE assessments by January 2030. Funding will not be extended beyond this date.
If you haven’t started your SQE1 preparation or assessments yet, you are expected to take the SQE1 assessments in July 2027.
If you are taking a combined SQE1 preparation/law foundations course, a January 2028 SQE1 assessment will be considered.
The 2026 DAS awards are not suitable for those who wish to take the SQE1 in July 2026 as the award will not be confirmed until July.
If you have already passed SQE1 and are looking to prepare for and sit SQE2, the earliest SQE2 sitting available under the scheme is January 2027.
Legal Practice Course (LPC)
The LPC will still run in 2026/27, but you must make sure you are eligible to qualify through this route.
If you apply to study the LPC, we will ask you for evidence that you are eligible.
If you began a qualifying law degree in September 2022 or later, you can only qualify as a solicitor through the SQE.
Financial eligibility
To make sure the DAS reaches those who need it most, we include annual household income-based eligibility criteria: you live outside London and your household income does not exceed £25,000, or
you live in London and your household income that does not exceed £28,000
You must also not have access to available savings, monetary gifts or loans to fund your studies. If shortlisted, we will ask you for evidence of this.
We accept applications from candidates receiving universal credit and other benefits.
Residence
You must: live in and have the right to work and study in England or Wales, and
intend to continue living in England or Wales throughout your SQE/LPC studies
Academic criteria
You must either: hold a minimum 2:2 degree (or equivalent if you secured your degree outside the UK), or
be on course to graduate with a minimum 2:2 degree by August 2026
If you are shortlisted, we will ask for evidence of this before interview. You will need to supply either a degree certificate or official university transcripts if you have not yet graduated.
If you do not provide this documentation, you will be withdrawn from the process.
English or Welsh language requirements
You must either: have English or Welsh as your first language, or
be proficient in spoken and written English and have achieved at least level IELTS 7.5 (or equivalent score from an alternative SELT provider), which is the SRA’s required standard
If you are shortlisted, we will ask you for evidence of this before interview.
Candidates with a criminal record
Candidates with a criminal record may apply.
You must apply to the SRA for an early character and suitability assessment by 1 March 2026 and before submitting your DAS application.
If you are invited to interview, we will ask you to provide evidence showing your SRA-approved assessment.
If you apply without an early character and suitability assessment, you are ineligible and will be withdrawn from the process.
Candidates whose assessments have been refused by the SRA are not eligible for the DAS.
Unlock – support for people with criminal records
Other eligibility criteria
You must meet a minimum of the two following criteria: you attended a non-fee-paying school in the UK (or a non-selective public school overseas)
you were part of the first generation of your family to attend university
you were eligible for free school meals due to low household income growing up
your parents or carers were not in professional occupations, and you don’t have access to professional legal networks through family and friends
For information on what ‘professional occupations’ covers, see the application guidance.
Who cannot apply
We do not accept applications from qualified legal practitioners in any jurisdiction, including the following examples:
solicitor
barrister
legal counsel
attorney
lawyer
advocate
This list is not exhaustive.
We accept applications from candidates who are paralegals or completing qualifying work experience (QWE), if they meet the eligibility criteria.
We do not accept new applications from candidates who have already received a DAS award or SQE/LPC funding from the Law Society.
Funding
The DAS will cover the full costs of the SQE preparation course and assessment fees or LPC fees.
These fees are paid directly to your institution or course provider. We will not pay any funds to you.
No additional funding is available to assist with any living expenses or other costs that may be incurred in taking the assessments or preparation courses.
This includes re-sits and any charges/penalties from the course provider.
We cannot reimburse you for any deposits already paid.
How to apply
You must read the full eligibility criteria and application guidance before starting your DAS application:
barrister
legal counsel
attorney
lawyer
advocate
This list is not exhaustive.
We accept applications from candidates who are paralegals or completing qualifying work experience (QWE), if they meet the eligibility criteria.
We do not accept new applications from candidates who have already received a DAS award or SQE/LPC funding from the Law Society.
Funding
The DAS will cover the full costs of the SQE preparation course and assessment fees or LPC fees.
These fees are paid directly to your institution or course provider. We will not pay any funds to you.
No additional funding is available to assist with any living expenses or other costs that may be incurred in taking the assessments or preparation courses.
This includes re-sits and any charges/penalties from the course provider.
We cannot reimburse you for any deposits already paid.
How to apply
You must read the full eligibility criteria and application guidance before starting your DAS application:
DAS eligibility criteria 2026 (PDF 188 KB)
DAS application guidance 2026 (PDF 320 KB)
All applications are checked for eligibility first. If you apply to the DAS and are ineligible, your application will be withdrawn from the selection process.
To apply, you must complete and submit three documents that make up the full application form:
DAS application guidance 2026 (PDF 320 KB)
All applications are checked for eligibility first. If you apply to the DAS and are ineligible, your application will be withdrawn from the selection process.
To apply, you must complete and submit three documents that make up the full application form:
application form part one (Word 473 KB): name and contact details, eligibility, application details and referees
application form part two (Word 529 KB): scored application questions
application form part three (Word 467 KB): diversity questionnaire
The diversity questionnaire is for monitoring purposes only. It will not be seen by anyone involved in the selection process.
If any part of your application forms is incomplete, your application will not be reviewed and will be withdrawn from the process.
When you are ready to submit your application, make sure all three parts are fully complete and attached to one email as three separate documents.
Email your completed application to DAS.application.submission@lawsociety.org.uk by 9am on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
All applications are assessed solely on the information you provided in the application forms. Any additional attachments or information will not be considered.
Additional support
If you have read all the guidance and are still unsure whether you are eligible or have questions about the process, email diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk.
Where possible, fill in your application form using Microsoft Word or another digital format.
If this is not possible, email us to discuss your needs so we can provide the application form in a suitable format.
Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in your application
We accept that you may use AI to assist with:
application form part two (Word 529 KB): scored application questions
application form part three (Word 467 KB): diversity questionnaire
The diversity questionnaire is for monitoring purposes only. It will not be seen by anyone involved in the selection process.
If any part of your application forms is incomplete, your application will not be reviewed and will be withdrawn from the process.
When you are ready to submit your application, make sure all three parts are fully complete and attached to one email as three separate documents.
Email your completed application to DAS.application.submission@lawsociety.org.uk by 9am on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
All applications are assessed solely on the information you provided in the application forms. Any additional attachments or information will not be considered.
Additional support
If you have read all the guidance and are still unsure whether you are eligible or have questions about the process, email diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk.
Where possible, fill in your application form using Microsoft Word or another digital format.
If this is not possible, email us to discuss your needs so we can provide the application form in a suitable format.
Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in your application
We accept that you may use AI to assist with:
checking the grammar, spelling and clarity of your application
preparing for your interview
Your application must be your own work and reflect your own experiences and voice.
You must not:
preparing for your interview
Your application must be your own work and reflect your own experiences and voice.
You must not:
answer questions with AI-generated answers
use AI to fabricate experiences or reflections
use AI during your online interview, should you reach interview stage
If we suspect overuse of AI in your application or any use of AI during your interview, your application will be withdrawn from the process.
Application process
For full detail on each stage of the application process, see the application guidance.
Our sponsors
The Diversity Access Scheme has been selected by the SRA to receive funding from the SQE Access and Reinvestment Fund.
Funding will be allocated to current applicants and existing awardees of the scheme. It will not be available for any new or future applications.
The scheme also benefits from the generous support of the A W Blackwell Bequest and the support of Kingsley Napley in offering the Brandusa Tataru-Marinescu Award for Diversity and Inclusion.
We are also supported by firms and in-house legal teams who generously offer work experience placements and internships for awardees:
use AI to fabricate experiences or reflections
use AI during your online interview, should you reach interview stage
If we suspect overuse of AI in your application or any use of AI during your interview, your application will be withdrawn from the process.
Application process
For full detail on each stage of the application process, see the application guidance.
Our sponsors
The Diversity Access Scheme has been selected by the SRA to receive funding from the SQE Access and Reinvestment Fund.
Funding will be allocated to current applicants and existing awardees of the scheme. It will not be available for any new or future applications.
The scheme also benefits from the generous support of the A W Blackwell Bequest and the support of Kingsley Napley in offering the Brandusa Tataru-Marinescu Award for Diversity and Inclusion.
We are also supported by firms and in-house legal teams who generously offer work experience placements and internships for awardees:
Arm
Bindmans
Browne Jacobson
Endava
Cerberus Capital Management
General Medical Council
Gowling WLG
Hickman and Rose
Justice
Kingsley Napley
Leeds City Council
Link City
Sackers
Santander
The National Trust
UBS
University of the Arts, London
Wedlake Bell
Withers
Zaiwalla & Co
We are deeply grateful to the family of Davina Ruprah for their generous donation to the Diversity Access Scheme in her memory.
Davina was a talented and dedicated law graduate with a bright future ahead. She worked as a paralegal while pursuing her LPC and was passionate about supporting others in their legal journey.
Her family’s donation embodies her inspiring spirit and commitment to helping aspiring legal professionals achieve their dreams.
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Diversity and inclusion
Career advice
Junior Solicitors Network
Paralegal
Event recording
Driving social mobility change in the profession
Go to events
Apply to the Diversity Access Scheme
Applications will close at 9am on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
Make sure you have read and understood the eligibility criteria and application guidance before starting your application.
Once completed, submit all three application forms to DAS.application.submission@lawsociety.org.uk
Bindmans
Browne Jacobson
Endava
Cerberus Capital Management
General Medical Council
Gowling WLG
Hickman and Rose
Justice
Kingsley Napley
Leeds City Council
Link City
Sackers
Santander
The National Trust
UBS
University of the Arts, London
Wedlake Bell
Withers
Zaiwalla & Co
We are deeply grateful to the family of Davina Ruprah for their generous donation to the Diversity Access Scheme in her memory.
Davina was a talented and dedicated law graduate with a bright future ahead. She worked as a paralegal while pursuing her LPC and was passionate about supporting others in their legal journey.
Her family’s donation embodies her inspiring spirit and commitment to helping aspiring legal professionals achieve their dreams.
Have you found this page helpful?
Save to bookmark
Diversity and inclusion
Career advice
Junior Solicitors Network
Paralegal
Event recording
Driving social mobility change in the profession
Go to events
Apply to the Diversity Access Scheme
Applications will close at 9am on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
Make sure you have read and understood the eligibility criteria and application guidance before starting your application.
Once completed, submit all three application forms to DAS.application.submission@lawsociety.org.uk
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