Pathways to Law

The University of Manchester Law School is proud to be a part of the innovative Pathways to Law programme, a widening participation scheme which inspires and supports academically-able state school students in year 12 and 13 from backgrounds under-represented at university who are interested in a career in law.

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Pathways to Law brochure

Download a copy of the Pathways to Law brochure 2021.

To qualify for the programme students must either be in the first generation of their family to go to university or have been eligible for free school meals. Preference is given to those in lower-performing state schools and from low participation neighbourhoods. 

What's involved

Students attend a varied programme of events across the two-year scheme. Events held at The University of Manchester include events and workshops delivered by The Bar Council, local solicitors, barristers and judges, mooting competitions, opportunities to meet and work with legal professionals, UCAS workshops and academic taster days. Our programme also includes events hosted around the country. In the past, this has included a three-day residential event at the University of Warwick and visits to The Inner Temple in London.

Students will also undertake at least one work experience placement at a leading law firm, barrister's chambers or legal organisation in Manchester city centre. Pathways students are also mentored by a current University of Manchester Law School student.

Law will also offer students who successfully complete the Pathways to Law programme a one-grade drop on all law courses at The University of Manchester, eg LLB Law AAA would be a reduced offer of AAB, Law with Criminology AAB would be ABB. 

Application process

At the School of Law, we recruit 35 students a year across Greater Manchester. Students join the programme in October of Year 12 and must be able to participate for the full two years of their A levels. For full details of the application process and the entry, criteria see the Sutton Trust website.

The next cohort of students will be recruited immediately after GCSE results have been published, in August or September. If you meet the eligibility criteria and would like us to email you when the application process opens, please email us using the email address below.

Student stories

Read the first-hand experiences of students that have completed the programme at Manchester and find out what they’re doing now.

Contact us

If you would like a school visit from a member of staff from the School of Law to discuss Pathways to Law, or for further information on any aspect of the programme, please contact us: