How to apply

To be eligible, you must:

• have the intention to practice at the Bar of England and Wales once qualified
• be eligible to start the Bar Course (or equivalent conversion course) in the academic year following application
• must not have started the Bar Course, and will not have started, at the point of interview (March 2027)
• only apply for a scholarship from one of the four Inns of Court. Please note that names of applicants are shared between Inns to ensure that students have not applied to more than one Inn.
• Not have secured a Bar Course scholarship from Inner Temple or another Inn of Court

If your course start date changes between submitting your application, and the interview, you must inform us, as this could affect your eligibility.

For example, if you plan to start the Bar Course in autumn 2026 or January 2027, you cannot apply in our upcoming Bar Course scholarship round.

The criteria for the GDL are:

• Academic Achievement
  • Good degree result/predicted grade
  • Demonstrates strong academic achievement at university (taking into account any mitigating circumstances).
  • Demonstrates strong academic achievement at each academic stage or improvement in academic achievement at different stages.

• Advocacy Potential
  • Evidence of advocacy/public speaking experience in legal or non-legal contexts e.g. moots, debates, presenting to an audience, teaching, drama.
  • Uses precise and well-reasoned arguments.
  • Communicates with clarity and fluency.
  • Demonstrates persuasiveness and conviction.
  • Tailors style to the audience.

• Legal Analysis & Reasoning
  • Effectively analyses the case.
  • Identifies the important issues.
  • Identifies the key points of the parties’ argument(s).
  • Identifies the court’s decision and reasons.

• Interpersonal Skills
  • Builds productive working relationships.
  • Treats people with courtesy and respect, regardless of their background or circumstances.
  • Responds appropriately to people from diverse backgrounds
  • Responds appropriately to people with different abilities

• Motivation and Resilience
  • Demonstrates commitment to a career at the Bar.
  • Has a good understanding of the profession.
  • Demonstrates interest in one/more practice areas and explains why.
  • Demonstrates what steps they have undertaken to learn more about a career at the Bar. E.g. attending webinars, listening to podcasts, undertaking work experience/mini pupillages, shadowing, marshalling etc.
  • Demonstrates the ability to positively respond to setbacks.

Applications must be submitted via the online application form which is linked on the Bar Course homepage when the application window is open.

The application form is broken down into the following sections:

• your education
• work experience (legal and non-legal)
• supporting information (longer form questions)
• contextual recruitment

Candidates submit one application form and are considered for all Inner Temple Bar Course Awards at the same time.

• After submitting your application, you will be sent a link to provide details of 2 referees (academic or professional). If you are still studying at undergraduate level, at least one should be academic.
• Referees will then be contacted directly to upload their reference.
• Referees must have known you for at least 6-months and cannot be family members.
• Referees will be asked to comment on each of the scholarships criteria.
• References are due 1-week after the application deadline.

In 2025, the Inn introduced a shortlisting process. All application forms are assessed, and the shortlisted candidates are then invited to interview. More information about this process can be found in the ‘how we assess your application’ page.

• Shortlisted applicants are asked to complete a financial means assessment form in late January.
• You will be asked for details of your finances for the Bar Course year, including:
• Income and outgoings
• Savings and other funding (e.g. scholarships, grants, family support)
• Course fees
• This financial information is only considered after interviews have concluded and scholarship winners have been selected (based on merit).
• The Inn’s goal is to financially level the playing field amongst our scholars. The financial means assessment uses this data to determine each scholar’s available funding during their course.
• Means tested scholarships are a minimum of £3,000 and a maximum of £20,000.

• All shortlisted applicants are expected to attend an in-person interview, unless there are exceptional circumstances which necessitate an online interview.
• Interviews are held in London and in Leeds.
• Interviews last no longer than 20-minutes
• Questions will be based on the scholarship criteria
• Directly prior to your interview, you will be provided with a legal case to read for 30 minutes. During the interview, the panel will ask you questions about on the case.