The Lemn Sissay Law Bursaries for students of Black heritage

• Identify as belonging to one of the following ethnic groups:
  • Black or Black British – Caribbean;
  • Black or Black British – African;
  • Mixed - White and Black Caribbean;
  • Mixed - White and Black African;
  • Other Black background.
• Have accepted and enrolled in the 1st year of either the LLB Law, LLB Law with Criminology or the LLB Law with Politics degree programme;
• Have been assessed for fee status as a 'home' student;
• This is your first degree; you must not already hold a degree or equivalent higher-level qualification.

Priority will be given to those who:

• Live in Greater Manchester, or studied at an institution in Greater Manchester;
• Have had experience of being in local authority care;
• Live in a so-called 'disadvantaged' neighbourhood. This is defined by the applicants' home postcode using the University's contextual data eligibility checker;
• Have been assessed for financial support through your regional funding authority with a verified household income of less than £25,000 per annum. The funding authorities are Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance NI and the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

The bursary may be held in conjunction with other bursaries. See the Student Finance for undergraduate students guidance for more information on financial support.

“As a black African student at The University of Manchester, I’m proud to be part of an exceptional community which values ethnic pride and I’m beyond grateful to have been selected as an individual entitled to the Lemn Sissay Law bursary which will help me to tackle the financial or economic worries which may arise during my study at the University of Manchester.

As an individual with black ethnic background within the legal field, it can often be clear  that there’s a particular lack of black, especially male, professionals in the legal and criminal justice field; and as recognised by the University of Manchester -this is ‘keenly felt in the Greater Manchester area’.

Therefore, receiving this bursary for the duration of my law degree programme, strongly reminds me of the extraordinary quote by Lemn Sissay in his poem titled ‘Inspire and be inspired’  in which he recalls of the ‘strength of unassailable us’ – and hearing this stood out to me as an encouragement to myself and surely to the countless of other individuals with a black or ethnic minority background that the resilience and collective power within our diverse communities and more importantly ourselves can enable us to reach our full potential; and ultimately we do belong within the legal field or any other area of interest.

Therefore, receiving this award makes me feel more empowered and supported; and despite the challenges I may face, I am reminded that the beautiful, capable, and strong nature my Black-African heritage is recognised and appreciated.”

“As a student from a lower socio-economic background, I was beyond grateful when I learnt I would receive this bursary. My main concerns with attending university were how I’d manage my finances but thanks to the university’s commitment to uplifting marginalised groups, I am very confident that I can now do my best in my study of law.”

“Receiving the University of Manchester’s Lemn Sissay Law Bursary is deeply meaningful to me, not only as a source of financial support but as an affirmation of my position in this academic space. Coming from a socio-economically underrepresented background, my journey into higher education — and particularly into the study of law — has not been straightforward.

However, The University of Manchester has been guiding me on my journey to law since sixth form through the Sutton Trust Pathways program. The help of charities and donations like this bursary have been integral features of my success. For a long time, becoming a Lawyer felt like a distant aspiration rather than an achievable goal, now I can clearly envision my future in the legal profession.

Growing up in an environment where progression into higher education was not the norm, I often had to navigate academic spaces without the guidance, networks, or financial security that many of my peers could rely on. Studying law, a discipline traditionally dominated by those from more privileged backgrounds, can intensify feelings of imposter syndrome.

There are moments where the weight of representation is felt — where you are aware that you are not only working for yourself but also challenging long-standing barriers that have excluded people who look like you or share similar experiences.

The Law Bursary has eased the financial pressures that can distract from academic focus. It will allow me to dedicate more time to my studies, engage in enrichment opportunities, and plan for my future in the legal profession without constant financial anxiety. More importantly, it has given me confidence.

Knowing that the University recognises and invests in students from underrepresented backgrounds affirms that my place in legal academia is both valid and valued.”

"Receiving the Lemn Sissay Law Bursary has helped remove the financial and practical barriers of going into the legal profession as a Black African woman. This bursary will support me in my Law studies and further encourage my ambition of becoming a barrister while contributing to greater diversity within the legal sector."