Once students have completed the Smart Start Experience, they are invited to apply for our e-mentoring programme, Smarter Futures. Depending on government restrictions, the mentoring will largely take place on-line with a mix of virtual and in-person masterclasses and where you will have the opportunity to meet your mentor from Allen & Overy (or one of our commercial clients, usually an in-house lawyer).

"Without Smart Start, I don’t think I would have applied to Oxford or for a training contract. I’ve overcome hurdles to access these opportunities and I think it’s vital that organisations continue to ensure people like me can realise their potential. The most difficult element of this is eradicating the hidden prejudice that people can face and also understanding the interplay between gender, race and social background. I would love to work my way up at A&O and help to achieve that.”

Anisa Khan, Future Trainee Solicitor at A&O

Successful applicants will be awarded £15,000, paid in instalments of £5,000 over a 3 year degree. Along with the financial support Smart Start Scholars receive as part of the scholarship programme, they are also given access to a dedicated mentor and provided opportunities to attend exclusive events delivered by our Graduate Recruitment Team.

Eligible students benefit from support including: a dedicated programme coordinator to help students explore career options, access to work experience opportunities and internships, and a professional mentor from one of UpReach’s partner employees.

Smart Start students’ acceptance on the programme is subject to UpReach’s eligibility criteria. A successful applicant’s place on UpReach’s programme is fully funded by Allen & Overy for three years. Only students who have completed both Smart Start and Smarter Futures will be invited to apply.

“UpReach has been hugely important to my professional development journey. Since joining I was given unparalleled support in completing applications for first-year schemes. I don’t know what I would have done without UpReach this year, thank you so much!”

Vinay Naik, A&O First and placement on Winter Vacation Scheme A&O (2020)

There are certain things you need to be a lawyer. You’ve got to be determined. Hard-working. Switched on to the world around you. But at PRIME, we know those are traits anyone can have. They can’t be bought. They don’t come from private school education, or your parents’ finances. They’re part of who you are, and the person you want to be. So if you want to work in law, you can come from any background at all. Any culture. Any social group. If you’ve got the right attitude, you can become a great lawyer. It all starts here, with legal work experience from PRIME.

Discover more about PRIME.