SQE Access and Reinvestment Fund
Updated 5 August 2025
We are using the SQE Access and Reinvestment Fund to support schemes that help aspiring solicitors who face significant personal barriers to qualify. Organisations offering such schemes can apply for funding that will cover the cost of sitting the SQE assessments.
Where does the money come from
The fund was established at the outset of our contract with Kaplan, and financial penalties incurred by Kaplan have been paid into the fund when it failed to deliver agreed targets.
Application process
Following applications earlier in 2025, eleven organisations were successful in applying for a share of the fund (around £360,000) to support people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
These organisations will select candidates who will benefit from the funding; with each organisation running its own candidate selection process.
We will monitor the impact of this funding and use the findings to inform future access and reinvestment initiatives.
Successful organisations
Open allThis scheme is open to financially disadvantaged, aspiring solicitors in Wales who have faced personal barriers. And who are undertaking voluntary legal work experience at the clinic in their route to qualification.
This scheme is open to high-potential aspiring solicitors, particularly those from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The scheme supports Black heritage aspiring solicitors to qualify in England and Wales.
This scholarship scheme is open to aspiring solicitors who reside in the Bristol and Bath region and are committed to studying and working in that region. And who can demonstrate that their financial circumstances have acted as a barrier to qualification.
The scheme is open for self-funding candidates enrolled in a College of Legal Practice SQE preparation course and can demonstrate significant financial hardship. Plus at least one specific barrier limiting their progress to qualification.
This scheme supports aspiring solicitors from underrepresented backgrounds, including less privileged socio-economic backgrounds and those who face other challenging circumstances.
A scholarship scheme for self-funding candidates enrolled in a Law Training Centre’s SQE preparation course. This supports aspiring solicitors who have faced barriers to qualification.
Aspiring solicitors from low socio-economic backgrounds who are unable to fund the essential costs associated with entering the legal profession.
This fund is open to applicants who are employed in a role where at least 70% of their work is social welfare law. And can demonstrate financial need for support and a commitment to working in social welfare law for at least two years post qualification.
This scheme is open to the university's students who can demonstrate commitment and potential to qualify as solicitors. And are self-funding with limited or no access to family support, personal savings or private finance and have experienced significant personal hardship or disadvantage.
This scheme will support care-experienced students enrolled in a University of Law SQE preparation course, are self-funding and have the commitment and ability to qualify as a solicitor.
More information
If you have any queries about the schemes, please contact the organisation directly as they run their own candidate selection process. We are not involved in selecting candidates.