RDJ Scholarship - Open for applications

5 Oct 2026

RDJ is pleased to award two scholarships to students from any BCL or LLB programme, or to undergraduate students at Cork University Business School who have completed at least one law module- €5,000 and a six-week summer work placement at RDJ’s Cork office.

At a glance

• Value:  €5,000 plus a six-week summer work placement at RDJ’s Cork office
• Students from the identified priority groups below who are registered in UCC School of Law for a BCL or LLB degree or who are undergraduate students registered at Cork University Business School who have undertaken at least one law module and who have achieved or who expect to achieve at least a 2H2 average in their results in previous year’s modules will be invited to apply for the bursary
• Questions and applications on this bursary should be directed to Prof. Conor O’Mahony, Dean, UCC School of Law, headoflawpa@ucc.ie

At RDJ, we combine legal insight and human intelligence to deliver long-lasting business impact.

With offices in Cork, Dublin and Galway, we represent clients from scaling and established Irish companies to multinationals, global insurance companies and financial institutions with unique cross-sectoral expertise.

Valuing the journey as much as the destination, we build meaningful relationships with clients and counsel to deliver tangible value for more sustainable businesses, becoming our client’s most trusted advisors and the number one employer of choice for legal talent in Ireland. And, by investing in the progress of our people and harnessing new technologies, we power agile decision-making that adds long-term value every step of the way.

RDJ is pleased to award two scholarships to students from any BCL or LLB programme, or to undergraduate students at Cork University Business School who have completed at least one law module- €5,000 and a six-week summer work placement at RDJ’s Cork office.

Entry criteria:

• The RDJ Scholarship is open to all students from the identified priority area groups outlined below:
  • Students from ethnic minorities;
  • Students who are migrants or refugees who are lawfully present in the State;
    

• Students must be registered in UCC School of Law for a BCL or LLB degree or must be registered as an undergraduate student at Cork University Business School and have previously undertaken at least one law module.

• Students must have achieved or expect to achieve at least a 2H2 average in their results in the previous year’s modules. Candidates are invited to submit an application, a personal statement (no more than 300 words), and an essay (no more than 1000 words) – see details below.

• From these applicants, the top 5 based on their academic results and the essay below will be invited for interview by a mixed RDJ-School of Law panel.

Details:

Each student must compose a short essay of 1000 words discussing the following:

''Examine the institutional significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the Irish legal sector, evaluate progress, and propose evidence-based strategies for systemic reform."

This must be submitted together with the application: 

RDJScholarshipApplication2026-2027.docx

Selection:

• A shortlist of students will be chosen and an interview will take place to discuss your application. The interview panel will include representatives from the School of Law and RDJ and success will be based on your interview, application form, academic results and the short essay.

  This must be submitted together with the application.

• Please note that if a scholarship holder withdraws from the programme for which they have registered, or fails to meet the attendance requirements throughout the year, they may be required to repay the whole or part of the bursary.

RDJScholarshipApplication2026-2027.docx

RDJ will host an information session on Wednesday, 7th October from 6-7pm in the Moot Court Room of Áras na Laoi. 

Opening Date for Applications: Thursday 8th October

Closing Date for Applications: 5pm, Friday 30th October

Since its launch in 2021, the RDJ Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship at UCC has provided meaningful support and opportunities to students from underrepresented backgrounds. To date, eight students have received bursaries through the programme, along with valuable summer work placements at RDJ, giving them first-hand experience of working in a leading Irish law firm. The scholarship has helped recipients build professional networks, develop practical legal skills and gain greater insight into career opportunities within the legal profession. The scholarship continues to deliver meaningful outcomes, with two recipients progressing to traineeships at RDJ.

Watch video: RDJ Diversity Scholars talk about their experience.