The Clifford Chance Brussels LL.M. Scholarship

Job Description

Scholarship Benefits

• A scholarship of €10,000, to be applied towards tuition fees, living expenses, or other costs related to the LL.M. programme.
• Access to mentoring and networking opportunities with lawyers of Clifford Chance.

The Scholarship is awarded on the basis of (i) academic merit and excellence, (ii) a motivation letter, and, for shortlisted candidates, (iii) the quality of the applicant's performance during an interview at our offices.

The Scholarship constitutes a one-time, non-renewable award and does not constitute an offer of employment or professional collaboration with Clifford Chance.

Qualifications

Terms and Conditions

The following terms and conditions govern the Scholarship awarded by Clifford Chance. By submitting an application for the Scholarship, applicants agree to comply with these terms and conditions.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a Master's degree in law from a recognized university in Belgium by the start of the LL.M. program. Only applicants who have obtained, or will obtain, their Master's degree in 2024, 2025, 2026, or 2027 are eligible to apply for the Scholarship.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English.
• Have been accepted or have applied for admission to a full-time LL.M. program at a leading university outside Belgium, commencing in the next academic year.
• Show evidence of an excellent academic record, leadership potential, community engagement, and a commitment to contributing to the legal profession in Belgium upon completion of studies.
• Demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and ethical standing.

Additional Information

Online Application

The application period for the Scholarship runs from 1 October 2026 to 15 December 2026. Please review the list of required documents carefully and ensure that your application is complete before submission. Applications missing any required documents or received after the 15 December 2026 deadline will not be considered.

Please note that applications sent via email or post will not be considered. All applications must be submitted via our online portal.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages).
• Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining academic achievements, career goals, reasons for pursuing an LL.M., and how the Scholarship will contribute to your professional development.
• Copy of university degree(s) and transcripts of academic records for all years of study (Bachelor and Master).
• Proof of application or admission to an LL.M. program (conditional admission is acceptable at the time of application).

Selection procedure

All applications will be evaluated and screened after the deadline has passed. Please do not contact us regarding the status of your application, as we are unable to respond to individual enquiries.

In February, a select group of shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview in March 2027 with a panel of Clifford Chance lawyers and HR representatives at our Brussels office.

The successful applicant will be notified in April 2027. Please note that the award of the grant is contingent upon receipt of the official admission letter from the host university. Scholarship funds will only be transferred once the candidate has formally accepted and enrolled in the LL.M. programme. The successful applicant may also be required to participate in a standard background screening process prior to the award of the Scholarship.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email in April 2027 and will be considered for exclusive invitations to events and initiatives organised by Clifford Chance Brussels. The decision of the judging panel is final and not subject to appeal.

Other scholarships

You may combine the Scholarship with other scholarships/awards/grants from different institutions or other professional income, provided there is no conflict with their terms and you disclose any additional funding in your application file, or immediately after being granted that additional scholarship, whichever occurs first. However, Clifford Chance LLP reserves the right, in its own discretion, to reduce the amount of the Scholarship or to withdraw the award if it is determined that you have received a single, comprehensive scholarship from another source that covers the majority of your LL.M. expenses.

Obligations of Recipient

The Scholarship funds must be used solely for lawful purposes directly related to the LL.M. programme, such as tuition fees, living expenses, or other legitimate educational costs. The recipient must not use the Scholarship funds for any unlawful, unethical, or unauthorised activities.

Clifford Chance LLP reserves the right to withhold or withdraw the Scholarship if the recipient does not meet the eligibility criteria, including upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethical standing, or is found to have used the funds for improper purposes. If the Scholarship is terminated due to misconduct, breach of these terms, or misuse of funds, the recipient will be required to repay any funds already received.

Data Protection

Clifford Chance is dedicated to safeguarding the privacy of all applicants. Personal data collected during the application process, such as name, contact details, academic records, and any other information provided, will be processed to assess eligibility for the Scholarship, conduct the selection process, invite you to potential interviews and events, and administer the Scholarship. The legal basis for this processing is Clifford Chance's legitimate interest in managing the Scholarship and fulfilling obligations to applicants and scholarship recipients.

For more detailed information on how Clifford Chance processes personal data, please refer to Clifford Chance full privacy notice at https://jobs.cliffordchance.com/privacy-policy.

General Provisions

Clifford Chance reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of Belgium.

Contact Information

For any queries regarding the Scholarship, please contact Emily Roos at emily.roos@cliffordchance.com.