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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
I was wondering this too i thought i wrote the date down wrong lol - I'm not sure why they changed it tho
Congrats !! I'm assuming you did well on the online test 🎉🎉 Do you have any advice for completing it, tips for prep etc... is it just VR and QR or is there an SJT component? 🤗
The interviews are after the scheme. First stage is an hour interview with a partner + grad rec (sort of competency/motivation/commercial, but also just getting to know you). Didn’t get to the final stage but I think it’s another interview with 2 more senior partners (office heads) and a written task.
Things may have changed since last year so I’m sure they’ll explain the process
They posted a TikTok this evening (feat. This is What Dreams are Made Of from the Lizzie McGuire movie 😂) saying they were reviewing final applications and would make placement scheme offers soon
Bristows first round interview! (for DTC, post-WE)
It is just a verbal analysis, like short paragraph comprehension. lowkey reminds me of lnat but much more time pressured, there is a practice test that i feel like is broadly accurate of the level of difficulty of the actual one. they also tell u if u got the answers right in the practice test which was so so helpful.
I’m international as well and I had to apply for one the first time I worked in the UK! You can apply online
Hey!
Of course! I would say that there are a couple of main reasons why preparation for a DTC AC can take longer than for a vac scheme AC.
The first is that DTC ACs often include a wider range of assessed tasks, as others have mentioned. This will vary between firms, but it is quite common to see additional written exercises, case studies, or multiple interviews. As the firm only has a few hours to assess candidates (as opposed to a week or two on a vacation scheme), they tend to test more competencies within that shorter timeframe. As a result, you often need to prepare for a broader range of assessments, which naturally takes more time.
The second reason is that the AC is usually your only opportunity to demonstrate your motivation for the firm. On a vacation scheme, the firm can observe how you work over several days, see how you interact with others, and hear your thoughts in more informal settings. For a DTC AC, they do not have that extended exposure to you, so it is particularly important to be able to articulate clearly why you want to train at that specific firm and what draws you to their work. I found that this required doing more in-depth research beforehand so that I could communicate my interest convincingly in interviews.
A related point is that, on a vacation scheme, you are often learning about the firm as you go and can tailor your understanding throughout the week (before the final TC interview). With a DTC AC, you generally need to have that level of understanding before you arrive, which can mean spending more time preparing in advance.
I hope that makes sense!
Hey!
This is a really sensible question, and in general I don't think you necessarily have to avoid topics that touch on social or political issues altogether, particularly if it is something you are passionate about. However, I would usually lean towards something that is clearly framed as a legal or practical reform rather than a purely political one.
The key thing that firms are assessing with these questions is your ability to identify an issue, explain why the current law is problematic, and propose a clear / well-reasoned solution. Therefore, topics that are a bit more technical (e.g. within regulation or procedural reform) can sometimes make it easier to focus on the legal reasoning without your answer becoming more values-driven.
However, if you do choose something with a social element, it is usually best to keep the tone quite balanced and analytical - I would acknowledge different perspectives and focus on the practical impact of the reform, rather than presenting it as a strongly opinion-based argument.
Overall, I don't think you have to avoid those topics entirely, but some people do find it slightly safer and easier to demonstrate their reasoning with a more "legal" or technical reform
Hi!
A structure that I always used to follow was to focus on three clear reasons for why you're interested in the firm, as this is usually enough to show depth without your answer becoming too long or unfocused. For example, your points could cover areas such as:
- The firm's practice areas or specific deals / work that interest you
- The culture or training style
- Pro bono opportunities
- International opportunities
- Something else distinctive about the firm (e.g. strategy, international presence, sector focus, etc.)
In terms of detail, the interviewers won't be expecting (or necessarily wanting!) a long speech. A clear and structured answer that discussing two or three well-explained reasons should be more than enough - the quality and specificity of your points will matter more than the number of them.
Best of luck with the AC!!
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