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 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.

Please note that Transferring Qualified Lawyers intending to sit the Bar Transfer Test are not eligible for a Bar Course scholarship.

The criteria for the Bar Course are:

• Academic Achievement 
  • Demonstrates strong achievement at either undergraduate or postgraduate level.
  • Generally, we are looking for either a 2:1 or above (undergraduate) or a merit and above (postgraduate) or equivalent.
  • Extenuating circumstances will be considered. In these cases, we will consider both the circumstances and the candidate’s wider academic record, including academic achievement at school.

• 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.
  • Responds appropriately and treats people with courtesy and respect, regardless of their background or circumstances.
  • Communicates effectively

• 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 – make sure to scroll down.

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.

The Inner Temple recognises that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a supportive tool during the application process when it is used appropriately. When applying you be will be asked to confirm that you have read the statements below and understand what is the acceptable use of AI in scholarship applications.

Inappropriate use of AI is subject to the terms of the Misconduct Policy.

What is considered acceptable use of AI:

• Checking spelling and grammar in your written answers
• Refining the structure of your written answers
• Refining sentences or phrases to aid clarity of your written answers
• Supporting interview preparation e.g. practising responding to interview questions

What is not considered acceptable use of AI

• Generating ideas or experiences which are not your own
• The use of AI is strictly prohibited during interviews and any exercise that forms part of the interview process (e.g. legal case, advocacy exercises)
• Presenting work or ideas which are not your own without appropriate credit is defined as plagiarism by the Inner Temple.

You will be asked to acknowledge any use of AI on your application. This will not impact how we treat your application unless it breaches our acceptable use.

Applications which are suspected of plagiarism or inappropriate use of AI will be investigated under the Misconduct Policy.

Guidance for using AI

AI can be a supporting tool in the application process if used effectively. However, where not used effectively it could impact negatively on the effectiveness of your application. We advise all candidates to consider the guidance below.

• We want to learn about you from your application. AI can provide generic responses which do not tell assessors what they need to know about you.
• AI will often produce similar and repetitive responses where multiple candidates use AI. This is often noticeable and impacts on the authenticity of your application.
• AI can hallucinate information. It is your responsibility to ensure that your answers are accurate.

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.