The University of Law has created a ‘career changer scholarship’ to support professionals who have lost their jobs because of coronavirus.

The law school will provide up to 10 full fee scholarships and 300 individual awards as part of a £750,000 fund for those who want to re-train in the wake of the pandemic. Applicants must have worked full-time for at least three years and have a place on the university’s undergraduate law, policing or criminology course.

Professor Andrea Nollent, vice-chancellor and CEO of ULaw, said: ‘We have an absolute commitment to creating opportunities for students in what is an incredibly challenging time. In no way can we totally alleviate the stress many will be feeling at this moment, however for those looking to use this time to invest in themselves and a new path for the future, we can be there to help.’

The scholarship is available for September this year and applications must be submitted by 1 August. 

The Bar Standards Board has predicted a significant rise in the number of students training to be barristers next year. According to its latest business plan, the regulator expects income of £220,000 from examination fees in the 2020-21 financial year, 63% more than last year’s prediction. Meanwhile, income from the bar professional training course (BPTC) is expected to rise by £300,000 to £958,000.

However, the watchdog stressed that the budget was agreed before the impact of coronavirus could be assessed and ‘some impact on our income and on our costs will be inevitable’.

*The Law Society is keeping the coronavirus situation under review and monitoring the advice it receives from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Public Health England.