The access to Law Scholarship Programme is a new initiative of the alumni and development office of UCD's faculty of law and the Southside Partnership. This year, for the first time the programme will offer three scholarships, each worth £2,000 annually, to three students residing in one of the 21 designated areas of disadvantage in south Co Dublin. "The idea is to level the playing field," explains Kathy Bradley, Southside Partnership's education co-ordinator. "We want to create positive role models in areas where there is little tradition of third-level education." Three schools in the area have put forward candidates - Cabinteely Community School, St Laurence's College and the Holy Child Community School, Sallynoggin. Students obtaining scholarships will be admitted to UCD if they meet the minimum entry requirements - and will therefore be exempt from the points race. The faculty promises academic and mentoring support for the students.

"The students will need extra support and encouragement," notes Bradley. Coming from a background where there is no experience or even knowledge of third-level can mean that going to college is a daunting experience. The scholarships will mean that students can fully participate in college, she says. "They won't have to take part-time jobs to make ends meet, since the scholarships will top up their maintenance grants."