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Are you the LGBT+ Undergraduate of the Year?
We’re searching UK universities to find the outstanding LGBT+ Undergraduate of the Year. We are looking for somebody who is creative and motivated, commercially aware and a natural people-person.
Applications for the awards are now closed.
Win
A place on Clifford Chance's SPARK scheme and, upon completion of the programme, a trip to an international office, where you will work shadow and attend Clifford Chance's annual Pride Art exhibition in 2021, run by Arcus, the firm's LGBT+ network. You will also have lunch with a senior Arcus partner.
Finalists
We are delighted to introduce the 2020 finalists for this award.
Duncan Thacker | University of Edinburgh | Mathematics
Jordan Edwards | University of Bath | Economics
Laura Cestaro | Queen Mary University of London | English and European Law
Luke Symington | University of York | English
Rebecca Heslop | Durham University | History
Zareen Roy-Macauley | University of Cambridge | Human, Social and Political Sciences
George Wright | Royal Holloway, University of London | Law
Harrison Tomkins | University of Liverpool | Physics
Jack Palmer | University of Nottingham | Law
Lizzie Finch | University of Surrey | Psychology
Matilda Morgan | London Metropolitan University | Law with International Relations
Monika Sakyte | King's College London | History
To enter you must:
- be an undergraduate student at a university in the UK
- be a self-defining LGBT+ student
- be on track to achieve a 2.1 or above
- have the right to work in the UK after graduation
What makes an award winner?
Our winner will be ready to seize this opportunity to showcase the contributions that you have made in the LGBT+ space and to be a role model for other students who might be struggling with their identity or questioning what they can achieve personally and professionally.
You will also possess:
- an analytical mindset
- great attention to detail
- the ability to think commercially
- a knack for problem solving
- strong teamwork skills
- leadership potential
- the ability to work under pressure
- ambition and a willingness to grasp new opportunities
How do I win?
Register
Register your details online and answer four questions set by Clifford Chance.
Must be completed by 31.01.20
Online tests
Receive an email inviting you to sit one online test designed exclusively by our partner SHL.
Must be completed by 31.01.20
Submit by 31.01.20
Your details must be submitted and all online tests completed by 31 January 2020.
If you are successful in getting through to the next stage, you will hear from us by 21 February 2020.
Assessment centre
If you pass the online tests and successfully make it to the next stage your application will be reviewed by Clifford Chance.
This stage will include the Watson Glaser test and an assessment centre featuring a combination of presentations, case studies and interviews.
Grand final
The final shortlist of ten students will be invited to the awards ceremony on 4 September 2020 at Canary Wharf, where the award winners will be announced!
Clifford Chance and the LGBT+ Undergraduate of the Year Award
We're delighted to be sponsoring the LGBT+ Undergraduate of the Year Award for the second year alongside National Student Pride and ATTITUDE. This award celebrates the diverse range of talent, endeavours, and achievements made by LGBT+ students.
If you identify as LGBT+, this is your opportunity to showcase the contributions that you have made in the LGBT+ space and to be a role model for other students who might be struggling with their identity or questioning what they can achieve personally and professionally.
But why would a global law firm sponsor this award, and why is your sexuality even important? Well, the answer is very simple.
Whether you've considered a career in law or not, providing legal services to our clients relies heavily on our amazingly talented and diverse people. Our clients are made up of a range of businesses, and to find ever better solutions to our clients’ most important challenges, we must build the best team, made up of people from a mix of backgrounds and identities.
It’s our aim to be the LGBT+ employer of choice in the legal sector, where our culture supports people to be themselves, all day, every day – so this award means everything to us.
"This award allows us to provide role models for students that might be questioning their identity or maybe what they can achieve personally and professionally. We’re keen to hear from people who might be able to support other students and be a role model themselves." Toby Horner, Graduate Recruitment Specialist and Co-Chair of Arcus London (LGBT+) Network
Find out more about Clifford Chance and our annual LGBT+ conference ACCEPT here.
Advice from Clifford Chance
Hear from previous winners and finalists
Thomas Moran
Management and Information Technology, Lancaster University
Winner of the LGBTQ+ Award, 2019
I would encourage anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+, especially those who are actively involved in the LGBTQ+ community to apply. The advice I would give to those who do, is to be yourself, openly and honestly. I also suggest that individuals who apply should consider this process as an experience to be enjoyed and to try to have fun throughout, without thinking necessarily about the potential career in law.
Read the blog
Cassandra Grützner
Philosophy and Psychology, University of Stirling
Finalist of the LGBTQ+ Award, 2019
Take your time writing your application. The application window is open for a couple of months, so you really have the time to think and polish your essay responses to properly represent what you think and feel. There is no reason to cram it all into the day of the deadline, and having the essay questions in the back of my mind for a few weeks certainly helped me solidify which aspects I wanted to highlight.
Read the blog Sara Borasio
Human, Social and Political Sciences, University of Cambridge
Finalist of the LGBTQ+ Award, 2019
I would tell anyone considering applying to definitely go for it. The application process itself is an interesting learning experience, so it is well worth the time it takes to apply. My other recommendation would be the somewhat clichéd statement to be yourself, which did prove true in my case.
Read the blog Joseph Luke
Mathematics, MMath, University of St Andrews
Finalist of the LGBTQ+ Award, 2019
To individuals considering applying next year, I would say this: if you want to learn, come to Clifford Chance. You shouldn’t be discouraged by your own negative thoughts - if you think you have the potential to do well in a career like law, at a firm like CC, then go for it. In my experience, CC really invest in their people, and put a big focus on training and continuous improvement. The worst that can happen is you don’t get the gig, and even then it will be a learning experience with good feedback. Of course, if you think you aren’t ready or it’s not right for you, don’t force it, but don’t hold yourself back.
Read the blog Shayna Mardenborough
Law, Lancaster University
Finalist of the LGBTQ+ Award, 2019
Be open and ready for the new experience. Make friends, it makes it so much easier. And remember, everyone is in the same/a similar boat to you. Don’t be afraid to talk on your experiences; we’re all growing and we’re all learning. Tell people about yourself and ask about them too. At this stage in your career, everyone you meet is important so learn about everyone at every different stage of the process. Lastly, believe in yourself!
Read the blog