Law students Kofo Boboye and Emily Reed (left to right)
LSE’s commitment to improving under-representation in higher education and supporting social mobility and inclusion remains a top priority for the School.
LSE has been one of the pioneers of the Pathways to Law and Pathways to Banking and Finance programmes. Launched by the Sutton Trust, these schemes work in collaboration with LSE and other universities to support pupils in years 12 and 13 from less-advantaged background to access leading universities and careers.
Activities include regular subject-specific events and workshops, lectures, panel events, field trips, CV support sessions and work placements. Pupils benefit from being able to visit LSE, interact with staff and students and attend events on campus.
From LSE’s 2020-22 Pathways cohorts, 91 percent of students felt the programmes had provided them with skills relevant for their sector, and 94 percent of students stated they had influenced their next steps.
Second-year LSE Law student Kofo Boboye took part in the Pathways to Law programme when she was in sixth form. Speaking about her interest in studying law at university she says: “At sixth form, I really enjoyed studying humanities subjects and wanted something that could encompass my interests in literature, history, politics and ultimately, learning more about society.
“I’d also grown up noticing how different ‘democratic’ countries were governed and I was super interested in studying how governments and states received legitimacy. Applying for Pathways to Law allowed me to develop these interests and ultimately, decide to study law.”
On the benefits of the programme, she adds: “The programme is an amazing chance to learn more about law as a study and as a professional career and just gauge whether it is something you might be interested in.
“The other thing to remember is that it’s more of a chance to explore rather than something which means that you must go into law afterwards. I made some amazing friends on Pathways and some of us have gone on to study law whilst others realised that law was not the subject for them and have found other subjects which they enjoy more.”
Emily Reed, who is also a second-year Law student at LSE who took part in the programme agrees. She says: “The programme is very comprehensive and gives you a great taste of what law is like. It’s also an amazing opportunity to meet other likeminded students who have similar interests to you and who could even end up being your future university classmates.”
Both Kofo and Emily are now mentors for scheme. Explaining what the role entails, Emily says: “It involves a range of different tasks including mentor-led sessions to support students in thinking about and applying to university, during which some mentors go through ice breakers and various activities with students.
“At certain points during the programme, mentors are available on the e-mentoring platform TAP for mentees to ask us questions about things such as studying law [or a finance related degree for those on the Banking and Finance scheme], life at LSE and applying to university.”
If you’re interested in studying Law at university, applications are now open for Pathways to Law (London). Applications can be submitted through the Sutton Trust Website until 11:59pm, Sunday 23 October 2022.
If you’re interested in studying Banking and Finance, applications are now open for Pathways to Banking and Finance. Applications can be submitted through the Sutton Trust Website until 11:59pm, Sunday 30 October 2022.