Applications now open: Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme offered by Freshfields. 

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Doreen Lawrence, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE, are working together to broaden access to careers in large commercial law firms and other careers in the City of London. The Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme is designed to address the disproportionate under-representation in large commercial law firms and other City of London institutions of black men from less socially mobile backgrounds. The scheme is aimed at eligible first-year law students at participating universities UK-wide, and some other students at a small group of those universities. In addition to careers in commercial law, the scheme’s ongoing work with City of London organisations offers opportunities in other careers in the City of London.

Applications are welcome from exceptionally talented students who are open to the idea of pursuing a career in the legal profession or a career in the City of London, and who satisfy all of the eligibility criteria.

Freshfields will run an Insight Meeting on Monday 16 February at their offices in London for anyone who meets the eligibility criteria and would like to find out more about the scheme before applying (all expenses paid).

If you think you might be interested, we would love to hear from you!

The Faculty is responsible for submitting the Oxford student applications to the Scheme. To find out how you can take part, please contact Olga Pavlova at student.funding@law.ox.ac.uk.

• Wednesday 4 February: Faculty deadline for the University of Oxford students wanting to attend the Insight Meeting to contact Olga Pavlova.
• Monday 9 February: Deadline to register for Insight Meeting.
• Monday 16 February: Insight Meeting at the Freshfields office in London (all expenses paid).
• Monday 23 February: Faculty deadline for those who wish to apply to contact Olga Pavlova.
• Friday 6 March: Application closing date.
• Monday-Tuesday 30/31 March: Assessment centre dates (you only have to attend once).
• Wednesday-Thursday 8/9 April: Assessment centre dates (you only have to attend once).
• Summer: Results released. Scholarship support commences.