Global giant extends funding beyond GDL and LPC costs to LLM fees
Queen Mary University of London has done a deal with Norton Rose Fulbright that will see the firm cover the cost of two students’ fees for its energy law masters course.
The tie-up is one of the first examples of a law firm extending its student funding beyond sponsorship of the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC) to other further education courses.
Under the arrangement, Norton Rose Fulbright — which is well-known for its international energy practice — will pay the chosen students’ course fees (which are £12,600 for a home/EU student or £18,000 for a non-home/EU student) and guarantee them a two-week vac scheme at the firm.
The scholarship commences at the beginning of the academic year this September, with applications — which are already live on Queen Mary’s website — closing on 30 April.
The news comes on the back of Queen Mary’s recent combination with Reed Smith to offer the first ever law sandwich degree, amid a mood of change in the legal education and training market that is being shaken up by changes such as the paralegal shortcut.
Queen Mary’s Norah Gallagher, who runs the university’s energy and natural resources law institute, described the partnership as “testament to the growing reputation of a new but popular programme with a practical focus.” She added:
“It underlines our commitment at CCLS [Queen Mary’s Centre for Commercial Law Studies] to building important links with energy partners in the legal profession, industry and commerce.”
Norton Rose Fulbright energy litigation partner Neil Miller said the deal was “both ideal and jointly beneficial”. He continued:
“We are delighted to be involved in a programme and initiative that provides students with invaluable skills which will enable them to build future careers in the energy law sector.”