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The Macfarlanes bursary

Macfarlanes is committed to removing financial barriers that can hinder students from accessing the legal profession. The Macfarlanes bursary is a financial support package open to socially-mobile undergraduates attending any UK university.

We have designed the bursary to account for the financial demands of being a university student and prospective trainee solicitor.

There are three grants available.

  1. Technology grant: for those who need support accessing technology.
  2. Accommodation grant: for those participating on our vacation scheme, first year insight scheme, first year skills development initiative and upReach work experience.
  3. Participation grant: for working students who cannot afford to miss work to attend a Macfarlanes

The accommodation grant will be automatically assigned to eligible participants on schemes. To apply for the technology or participation grants, please complete the relevant application form, which you can find on our apply page. 

We have designed our application forms so that they are as straightforward as possible. We encourage you to include as much information as you can, so that we can understand your needs. If you need advice at any stage of your application, please contact our early legal careers team.

I would like to express my gratitude for this support. I plan to use the laptop for digitising my law degree notes, which will make my studying more efficient and organised. It will also be immensely helpful in advancing my project, ‘Equal Opportunity’, aiming to assist others by demystifying the journey of becoming a trainee solicitor. I am inspired by this generosity and hope that one day I can pay it forward and support others in a similar manner.
Technology grant recipient

Technology grant

What is the technology grant?

The technology grant is available to those who need support accessing technology. We will consider all reasonable requests for any form of technology, whether that is a laptop, a WiFi connection or any other devices or accessories. Please note, when laptops or tablets are requested, we will provide a model and make decided by the firm. Where appropriate, we may award a sum which covers all or part of the purchase, depending on the request.

When can I apply for the technology grant?

The technology grant opens once a year, usually around the first semester of the academic year. This year the technology grant will be open from Monday 7 October – Friday 1 November.

Who is eligible for the technology grant?

Any person currently enrolled, or with a place confirmed, on an undergraduate course at any UK university.

How can I apply for the technology grant?

To apply, please complete this application form. On the application form, you will be asked to outline what your technology needs are and how access to this technology will support your journey towards a career in law.

Accommodation grant

What is the accommodation grant?

The accommodation grant is a fixed payment to cover some or all of the cost of accommodation in London, so that students who live outside London are still able to access our vacation and first year insight schemes.

Who is eligible for the accommodation grant?

Participants on our vacation and first year insight schemes who meet our social mobility and geographic criteria.

How can I apply for the accommodation grant?

Eligible participants will be contacted directly by our early legal careers team.

Participation grant

What is the participation grant?

The participation grant is available to undergraduates attending a Macfarlanes event who need to miss work to attend.

Who is eligible for the participation grant?

Working students who meet our social mobility criteria and can demonstrate they are missing work to attend a Macfarlanes event.

How can I apply for the participation grant?

To apply, please complete this application form. You will also need to provide evidence that you are scheduled to work.

The Macfarlanes bursary