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Ask 4 future trainees ANYTHING! *New TCLA Team Members*

rain2801

Star Member
Jan 8, 2025
26
21
Hi, I'm a final year student from a law school in India. I have not been educated in the UK and would require a right to work there. I tried for VS and DTCs last year, but didn't make it past the application stage. I applied to Links, HSF, AOSS, Freshfields, Milbank and CC. I want to apply for VS and DTCs more seriously this year and apply to more firms as well, since I didn't have any guidance when applying last year. If there's anyone who can assist me in how best to approach the applications as an international applicant, please let me know. Would appreciate your insights as well @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman, thank you!
 

ZNadeem

Legendary Member
Staff member
Future Trainee
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Premium Member
Forum Team
Mar 16, 2025
180
178
Hi, I'm a final year student from a law school in India. I have not been educated in the UK and would require a right to work there. I tried for VS and DTCs last year, but didn't make it past the application stage. I applied to Links, HSF, AOSS, Freshfields, Milbank and CC. I want to apply for VS and DTCs more seriously this year and apply to more firms as well, since I didn't have any guidance when applying last year. If there's anyone who can assist me in how best to approach the applications as an international applicant, please let me know. Would appreciate your insights as well @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman, thank you!

Congrats on pushing forward with this process, it can definitely feel overwhelming but you’re taking the right steps!

I believe most firms don’t sponsor vacation scheme students, so I’d recommend aiming for direct TC applications. Try to be as strategic as possible: between now and December, make a list of firms you’d like to apply to, note their deadlines and whether they recruit on a rolling or non-rolling basis, and then work through them with 1–2 strong applications each week. I’d aim for at least 10 well-targeted applications to maximise your chances.
 
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