TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[trainee4u]

Conversely, it could be argued that it is discriminatory to expect a graduate who may be undertaking paid work or postgraduate education to be able to make themselves available for a vacation scheme.

Not really sure it would have much impact on postgraduate education, and it seems less arguable that it is unlawful, because any indirect discrimination (which there also might not be -workers can take time off) is more likely to be justifiable in that a VS is, I believe, a more effective way of screening candidates than an AC, so requiring candidates to participate does seem like it is a proportionate means of achieving the legitimate aim of selecting the best candidates for the jobs.

 

[Ns2600]

Hi, is not having AAA at A levels - a deal breaker. I do have a 2:i from Law School but A levels were kinda bad. Does that hurt my chances a lot?

 

[trainee4u]

Hi, is not having AAA at A levels - a deal breaker. I do have a 2:i from Law School but A levels were kinda bad. Does that hurt my chances a lot?

Depends what you mean by "not having" - EE is different from ABB, say, and depends which law school, if you went to a reputable one or one that's not particularly rated.

There are no formal "deal breakers", but chances for candidates with a first from Oxford are much much higher than those with 2:2s from Hull.

Partly that reflects ability - some people who get poor A-levels had difficult circumstances and are actually very bright. Some otoh are not very bright and have little to offer employers. It's a good idea to be self-reflective about which category you might fall into.

 

[Ns2600]

Depends what you mean by "not having" - EE is different from ABB, say, and depends which law school, if you went to a reputable one or one that's not particularly rated.

There are no formal "deal breakers", but chances for candidates with a first from Oxford are much much higher than those with 2:2s from Hull.

Partly that reflects ability - some people who get poor A-levels had difficult circumstances and are actually very bright. Some otoh are not very bright and have little to offer employers. It's a good idea to be self-reflective about which category you might fall into.

This clarifies so much. Thanks a lot 😭

 

[dannyp123]

Hi, What kind of questions do you usually ask future/current trainees to help you with your applications?

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Not really sure it would have much impact on postgraduate education, and it seems less arguable that it is unlawful, because any indirect discrimination (which there also might not be -workers can take time off) is more likely to be justifiable in that a VS is, I believe, a more effective way of screening candidates than an AC, so requiring candidates to participate does seem like it is a proportionate means of achieving the legitimate aim of selecting the best candidates for the jobs.

OK not discriminatory in a lawful way but less inclusive then. I guess you haven't had full time employment before if you think you can just take annual leave as many times as you need, ar short notice and for specific dates. And it's good to know that you would be able to take 2 to 3 weeks out of study and it not affect your grades. Hence why often the better route for graduates is the direct TC route.

 

[amrita6399]

Does anyone have a list or know any firms that sponsor candidates for VS? Such as Sidley Austin sponsors successful candidates for their VS if required.

 

[FM302989]

Hi, What kind of questions do you usually ask future/current trainees to help you with your applications?

well what do you want to know about the firm?

Ask about the work, the firm generally, how they're supervised/learning, any transactions/dispites they've enjoyed, how involved they are etc.

 

[lawschool123]

Hi, is it advisable to recycle answers from past applications if they have been successful - particularly with respect to VIs? For motivational questions, my reasons for applying to a particular law firm haven't changed and with competency-based questions, the example I might have used for a past application still remains stronger than more recent ones

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi everyone!

I need some advice about the next application cycle and would appreciate any insights. I'm an international student about to start my LLM (SQE1&2) course at ULaw this September. However I've just realised that being under a student visa, I wouldn't be able to apply for vac schemes as my term time lasts from September - October 2026. This means that I will only be able to apply via the Direct TC route. I also have a scholarship for this LLM course. Another reason why I'm leaning towards this option is because an LLM may look better to employers than just a diploma alone. I'm really hoping to secure a TC next year and now I'm thinking if I should switch to BPP's 8 month SQE 1 & 2 Diploma course that would enable me to apply to both vac schemes and Direct TCs. I'm not to keen on BPP since I've not heard good things about its teaching and support and obviously my main priority is passing the SQE.

Would it be best to pursue Option 1 (LLM at ULaw) or Option 2 (Diploma at BPP) in order to both pass the SQE and get a TC next year? I'd appreciate any advice as I'm really worried about this situation. Also for context- I've done a couple ACs for Direct TC routes (I've always been more successful at this route compared to the vac scheme route, not sure why), have 4 legal internships (outside the UK), 30+ insight days/workshops at London law firms, Law Clinic work experience and a 2:1 from a RG uni.

Many thanks!

Hi @hfbjsdhfbhf

Wanted to get some initial thoughts together for you. You've already hinted at some of this in your post, but thought I'd try to set it out here for some clarity.

You’re right that your visa restrictions during term time would likely prevent you from participating in vacation schemes that take place during the winter 2025 or spring 2026. That would make it difficult to pursue the vac scheme route while doing a full-length LLM course like the one at ULaw. I would try to speak with anyone in a similar position to see how feasible it was to do any summer vacation schemes during their term breaks on the LLM.

You mentioned that one reason for considering the ULaw LLM is that it “may look better to employers than just a diploma.” This is something I've heard many people say, but I think it’s worth gently clarifying that the ULaw LLM is often understood in the legal market to be more of a vocational course with a dissertation attached, rather than an academically research-intensive LLM like those offered by Oxbridge, LSE, UCL etc. It won’t carry significantly more weight in employer assessments than the diploma, especially if your goal is to secure a training contract. The key difference is financial (e.g. eligibility for scholarships or postgraduate loans) and logistical (term dates and visa restrictions), and not reputational. If your main concern is passing the SQE and securing a TC, I wouldn’t let the LLM label sway your decision too much.

If you were to switch to BPP’s 8-month SQE Diploma, I think you’d likely have more flexibility to apply for both vac schemes and direct TCs. I’ve personally found ULaw’s SQE1 prep to be well-resourced and supportive, but I’ve also met plenty of candidates who’ve been successful using BPP’s materials. Also worth noting that both providers seem to achieve comparable pass rates based on the data available (though it's important to take those statistics with a grain of salt). I think the most important thing is to say that, as long as you’re able to dedicate enough time to your studies (e.g. not working excessive hours during your studies), you should be in a strong position to pass with either provider.

Finally, I think the choice depends partly on the firms you're interested in joining. You've already had some traction through the direct TC route and I think that's a good indication that you don’t necessarily need to pivot to the vac scheme route to land a TC. But just bear in mind that the vac scheme route does remain the most common route into firms (especially at US firms). So limiting yourself to the direct TC route may close off some options unless you’re very targeted.

Hope I haven't rehashed anything you already know, but let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone know how strict Ashurst is with the 2:1? Unfortunately I had a bad module that dragged my average under 64 and wonder if it’s worth the effort

Hiya @tobywstress

If your overall average is still 2:1, I think it's definitely still worth applying, particularly if it's only one bad module that dragged down your overall average. If there's any space for mitigating circumstances that could explain the bad module, I'd include that in your application form. Good luck!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi all - with Sidley's application form giving space for 4 work experiences, I am unsure what to put for my fourth option. I could go for open days (of which I have attended a substantial number), an insight week at a sports marketing firm, coaching at school football clubs or an initial shadowing experience at a city firm in 2019.

For context, the other three are work at a high street firm, work as a barista and a vac scheme.

Would appreciate any thoughts

Hiya @ghost08

I think any of those could work well as a fourth option, however I’d suggest choosing the one that helps round out your profile or adds something that isn’t already captured by your other experiences/application answers. For your fourth entry, you might consider:

• The insight week at the sports marketing firm if you want to show broader commercial awareness and interest beyond law (especially if you can tie the experience to specific skills like stakeholder communication or exposure to business strategy).
• The open days, highlighting any that particularly stand out (e.g. involved a group exercise, case study, or detailed Q&A with partners on issues that might resonate with Sidley's work in London). You can also briefly mention what you enjoyed learning from them.
• The coaching experience if you want to highlight leadership, teamwork, or your ability to support others in achieving their goals.
• The shadowing at the city firm if you had any meaningful interaction or insight that you think might have been distinct from the vacation scheme.

Ultimately, I’d go with whichever one you feel you can write most clearly and meaningfully about, especially in terms of what you learned, how it helped develop transferrable skills, or how it helped shape your understanding of working in a commercial environment.

Hope that helps!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

For the Sidley app, are we capped to only 4 work experiences? I was hoping there was a way to add more

Hi @lawyergal101

Yep, I think that's the case with any law firm application that uses CVmail as the platform. You’re effectively limited to four work experience entries. If you have more than four experiences, you can often group similar ones together; for example, multiple open days can be combined into one entry, or several retail/restaurant roles can be summarised together. That way, you can still showcase a broad range of experience while sticking to the four-entry limit.

Good luck with your application!

 

[Tclarocks123]

Back at it again !

 

[big hot man]

Hello everyone, I have AC experience with Sidley Austin, Davis Polk, Milbank and A&O Shearman from this past recruiting cycle. I also did vacation schemes at a couple of them. The application grind is gruelling and not particularly enjoyable at the best of times, so please feel free to ask me any questions you may have! Happy to help if I can.

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Hi, does anyone have any tips and guidance on how to answer/structure written case studies specifically rather than oral. Many thanks

 

[amrita6399]

One of the applications I am working on is asking me to list any academic scholarships or prizes (in 200 words), as well as any postgraduate qualifications. Should I present this information in bullet points or in a paragraph? Additionally, should I provide explanations for each award, or is it sufficient to simply list the names?

Thank you!

 

[Hanzeeb]

If I haven’t received any academic scholarships or prizes , is that bad?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

If I haven’t received any academic scholarships or prizes , is that bad?

Hiya @Hanzeeb

Not at all! Not having any academic scholarships or prizes isn’t a disadvantage when it comes to training contract applications. I just wouldn't overestimate the importance of things like awards, one or two weaker grades, or even a lack of legal work experience. In reality, these tend not to be the deciding factors. Firms know that candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds. I've said this before, and I'll keep saying this until the cows come home: What really moves the needle is the quality of your application; how well you’ve researched the firm, how clearly and persuasively you explain your motivations, and whether you avoid the common pitfalls (like generic answers and overused clichés). Please don’t worry at all about any lack of academic prizes. Just focus your energy on putting together a strong application that shows you understand what the firm does, what makes it different, and why you’d be a great fit.

 

[Hanzeeb]

Hiya @Hanzeeb

Not at all! Not having any academic scholarships or prizes isn’t a disadvantage when it comes to training contract applications. I just wouldn't overestimate the importance of things like awards, one or two weaker grades, or even a lack of legal work experience. In reality, these tend not to be the deciding factors. Firms know that candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds. I've said this before, and I'll keep saying this until the cows come home: What really moves the needle is the quality of your application; how well you’ve researched the firm, how clearly and persuasively you explain your motivations, and whether you avoid the common pitfalls (like generic answers and overused clichés). Please don’t worry at all about any lack of academic prizes. Just focus your energy on putting together a strong application that shows you understand what the firm does, what makes it different, and why you’d be a great fit.

Thank you, I really appreciate this!