Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has teamed up with University College London (UCL) to launch a bursary scheme that will see two law students each year selected to receive £10,000, in addition to work experience and a guaranteed training contract interview with the firm.

The scheme, intended for students from less privileged social and economic backgrounds, will see the students receive an annual bursary of £10,000 towards maintenance expenses as well as eight weeks' paid work experience each year, split across university holidays.

Candidates will also be provided with mentoring support and guaranteed a training contract interview, which if successful, will see them receive a full grant to cover the cost of their legal practice course.

The scheme will start in the 2012 academic year with eligible first year students needing to meet specified academic as well as socio-economic criteria outlined by the firm, such as qualifying for free school meals or being the first in their family to go to university.

The chosen candidates will also be able to apply for a further £3,500 bursary scheme provided by UCL for additional support.

Freshfields' senior partner, Will Lawes, said: "Whether the legal profession likes it or not City law firms are seen as too remote and closed to many students and families from less privileged backgrounds.

"The purpose of this partnership with UCL is to provide students from less privileged backgrounds with a genuine opportunity of building a successful career in the law and is a further demonstration of Freshfields' commitment to making social mobility a reality.

"By 2014 we will have six scholarships running at the same time and, whilst our financial contribution is important to these students, we believe our commitment to work experience and mentoring will be equally critical to their success."

The news comes after the Government increased the cap on university tuition fees, allowing institutions to charge up to £9,000 per annum, with many universities charging the maximum amount.

Freshfields has made a concerted push to increase diversity at the firm over the last year with a number of new initiatives including unconscious bias training for the partnership, in an effort to alert partners to bias that could affect decisions regarding recruitment, promotion and attitudes to others at the firm.