Pathways to Practice Mentoring Scheme
At the University of Nottingham, we believe that meaningful connections between students and industry professionals can shape futures. That’s why we’re so proud of our Pathways to Practice mentoring scheme, which connects ambitious law students with experienced barristers and solicitors.
It’s about providing our students with support, advice, and encouragement from someone who’s already out there doing the job. This is the kind of mentorship that not only clarifies the path forward, but also makes people feel more confident walking it.
What is the Pathways to Practice mentoring scheme?
A virtual mentoring scheme connecting students from the university's School of Law with practicing solicitors and barristers. While provisional deadlines are provided for completing mentoring meetings, the scheme is designed to be flexible to fit busy schedules. Mentoring can involve:
- One to one video calls between mentors and students
- Signposting students to relevant work experience opportunities
- And/or directly organising work experience opportunities
A welcome message from Olympia Bekou, Head of the School of Law and Professor of Public International Law.
Why get involved?
- Learn from the experts in the legal sector - this is the kind of mentorship that not only clarifies the path forward but also makes you feel more confident walking it.
- Build career confidence and readiness - fast-track your career planning with tips from seasoned professionals.
- Plan for assessment centres and interviews - get the inside track on how to prepare.
- Make professional connections - your network is your net-worth!
Are you a mentor looking to get involved? Visit our volunteer page for more information.
Testimonials
Mentee: With aspirations of becoming a solicitor, I wanted to understand more about the variety of roles available, and how I might prepare myself. Being partnered with a commercial lawyer in the Government Legal Department was a fantastic opportunity to explore this in a practical way.
My mentor John-Paul provided invaluable support, including helping me prepare for assessment centres and interviews. As a result, my confidence in pursuing a legal career has significantly improved. I feel much more career-ready, with a better understanding of how to navigate applications, interviews, and what to expect in practice.
I would highly recommend the scheme to other students. It's an incredible opportunity to expand your professional network, gain insider knowledge, and receive practical support - it’s significantly helped shape my career direction.
Hannah Devine (Law with European Law student)
Mentor: As a Nottingham alumnus, I always look for opportunities to support the university. As a mentor, I've been able to share my career journey with my mentee - including the challenges I faced and the skills they can build for practice. These insights allowed them to make more informed decisions and better prepared them for the path ahead. I also really enjoyed listening to my mentee's unique perspectives, allowing me to learn from their proactiveness, eagerness to learn, and open-mindedness.
To me, this mentoring scheme demonstrates the School of Law's continuing efforts to not only teach its students the theory, but also to help them put it into practice. I would definitely recommend the scheme to other legal professionals.
Trung Nguyen, (LLB Law, 2013 and MSc Law and Accounting, 2014) Senior Counsel - HSBC Vietnam
How to apply
In order to apply, please submit an application form. Places are limited, so please provide as much information as possible to maximise your chance of securing a mentor. Before applying, please also consult the Student Code of Conduct.
There are currently two mentoring pathways open to students - Solicitor Mentoring, and Barrister Mentoring. If you wish to apply to both pathways, you will need to submit a separate application for each one.
Application form
The closing date for students to apply for a mentor is Monday 27 October 2025.
Have a question before applying? Contact the Pathways to Practice Student team.