Each university has a unique way of delivering the programme. Over the course of two academic years, every Pathways to Law student will gain access to Sutton Trust Online and have the opportunity to:
Apply for a Work experience placement
Find out what it’s like to be a lawyer. You will be able to apply for a work placement at a legal firm which may be delivered virtually. You can develop your skills and hear from practising professionals. Our placements range from big-city firms to barristers’ chambers to government departments. In the past we’ve worked with:
Access Sutton Trust Online
Attend university events
We will hold regular events to help prepare you for applying to, and attending, university. Until we are able to do so, we will be holding our events virtually either after school or during half-terms and holidays. We try to schedule most events in your first year to accommodate your A-level schedule. You will receive a full calendar of events in your first month so you can save the dates. In the past we have offered:
Get an undergraduate mentor
Get personalised guidance from an undergrad. You’ll be paired with a law student from your chosen university, who will guide you through your two years and give you insight into university life. They can share their experience picking a school, managing student finances, navigating social life and more!
Attend a summer school
Our national conference is a crucial part of the programme and will be held either online or residentially at Warwick University, depending on government guidance. You will get to go to lectures to see what university life has to offer. Meet students from around the country and network with professionals. Hone the skills that universities and employers look for and access expert advice on university applications. You can look forward to:
Access to our Alumni Network
Once you graduate from a Sutton Trust programme, you will become a member of our alumni community. Sutton Trust Alumni is the online home of the alumni community. Here you can create connections, access support and inspire change. With more than 3,500 alumni already active in the community, you can get advice from alums studying and working in areas you are interested in. You’ll also gain exclusive access to events, career opportunities and ways to stay involved with our work.
The more criteria you meet, the more likely you are to be offered a place on the programme.
Read more about our students’ time on their Pathways work experience.
Applications for all Pathways to Law programmes are now open!
Below are the application deadlines for each university hosting a Pathways to Law programme this year
To apply to the Exeter programme please apply through the Exeter scholars site. Applications will open 12th September
University | Application deadline |
Cardiff University | Closed |
University of Exeter | Closed |
University of Leeds | Closed |
University of Leicester | 11/11/2022 |
University of Liverpool | Closed |
University of Manchester | Closed |
University of Newcastle | 18/11/2022 |
University of Oxford | 28/11/2022 |
London programme (LSE and QMUL) | Closed |
University of Warwick | Closed |
Online | Closed |
The proportion of students who met 3 or more of our programme criteria.
The proportion of students who would be first generation university students.
The proportion of students who were eligible for Free School Meals at secondary school.
Pathways to Law students are 3.5x more likely to apply to a leading university.
Pathways to Law students are 4x more likely to accept an offer from a leading university.
The proportion of Pathways to Law students who study, or have studied, law at university.
Pathways to Law universities run activities and workshops for students in Year 11 at local schools and at the universities. If you are in Year 11 and interested in being involved please contact the universities directly to see how to get involved. The Pathways to Law programme runs for two academic years. It starts during the first term of Year 12 and finishes in the final term of Year 13. The programme is run in conjunction with the following universities:
With thanks to all our partners who generously provide funding alongside supporting students on the programme.