Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship — Master's Scholarship

The Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship supports one student on UCL’s full-time LLM in London. UCL Faculty of Laws delivers it with support from the Commercial Bar Association to widen access to the Commercial Bar.

The award is for a permanently UK-domiciled applicant who is Black or of mixed Black heritage, meets the LLM entry criteria, demonstrates academic excellence, and has a serious interest in a Commercial Bar career. Applications for 2026–27 are closed, and UCL has not announced the next cycle’s opening date.

Benefits & funding

Full tuition fees for the full-time UCL LLM.
£25,000 toward living expenses during the LLM.
Mentoring from a practising barrister selected by the Commercial Bar Association.
One scholarship is awarded.

Eligibility

Be permanently domiciled in the United Kingdom; no separate nationality requirement is stated.
Identify as Black or of mixed Black heritage within UCL’s listed categories: Black or Black British Caribbean, Black or Black British African, or another Black background including mixed Black background.
Meet the full-time UCL LLM entry criteria and receive an offer; applicants normally need a good 2.1 degree with evidence of first-class ability and a recognised law qualification. In very rare cases, UCL may consider applicants without a law degree who have at least five years of relevant professional experience; UCL describes this route as highly uncommon.
Demonstrate academic excellence and a serious interest in pursuing a career at the Commercial Bar.
Submit a complete LLM application, including the required reference, before accessing the scholarship form.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

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Residence required
UK
Education required
Bachelor

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Application process

1
Submit one complete application for UCL’s full-time LLM, including transcripts, personal statement, 750-word written work, and one academic reference.
2
After submitting the LLM application, complete the separate scholarship application form to confirm eligibility and interest.
3
Complete both applications by the scholarship deadline; the 2026–27 deadline was 12 noon UK time on 16 April 2026.
4
If shortlisted, attend an interview; interviews for the 2026–27 cycle were scheduled for May 2026.
5
UCL selects one scholarship recipient after interviews.

Program timeline

3 December 2025
UCL announced that 2026–27 applications were open.
Extended application deadline.
16 April 2026, 12 noon UK time
Shortlisted applicants were invited to interview.
May 2026
The full-time LLM entry began.
September 2026
Next cycle
UCL has not published an exact opening date.