High-achieving law students at Queen’s University Belfast will have the chance to secure prestigious scholarships as part of a multi-year arrangement with law firm Carson McDowell.

The details have been revealed by Gerard Armstrong, partner in the firm’s corporate practice, and Dr Robin Hickey, head of QUB School of Law.

The Carson McDowell LLP Foundation Scholarship will be awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall average mark in Stage 1 of the LLB undergraduate programme.

The Carson McDowell LLP Scholarship will be awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall average mark in Stage 2 of the LLB undergraduate programme.

Each scholarship will include a substantial monetary award, work experience in the firm’s office in Belfast and career mentoring from some of Carson McDowell’s most experienced partners.

Speaking at its launch, Mr Armstrong said: “Carson McDowell has a strong track record of supporting young legal talent in Northern Ireland. It is important to us to assist the brightest and best from the next generation as they prepare to enter the profession.

“Carson McDowell is Northern Ireland’s largest independent law firm, working with some of the best local and international companies operating here and further afield. We are really pleased to partner with Queen’s School of Law to offer this package of support to students who are going the extra mile to make the grade.

“It is also a great opportunity for both the firm and the successful students to learn from each other. From a student’s perspective, we hope that the work experience and mentoring will, certainly in the long run, be even more valuable than the financial award.”

Welcoming the firm’s support for scholarships, Dr Hickey added: “The Law School at Queen’s is among the top schools in the UK and Ireland, and is currently ranked in the top 20 in the UK for Law, according to the 2017 The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.

“The support package announced by Carson McDowell, one of Northern Ireland’s leading law firms, is a strong endorsement of the law programme offered to law students here at Queen’s and will make a significant impact on the successful candidates.

“Not only will these generous scholarship awards acknowledge individual excellence but the inclusion of mentoring and work experience as part of the package will help set our students apart from others in today’s highly competitive jobs market.”

The inaugural recipients of the Carson McDowell scholarships will be announced at the School of Law prize-giving in autumn 2018.