Seeking Advice on Training Contract Timeline | International Applicant

[LLM Applicant 2026]

Hi All!

I am extremely glad to have come across this forum – it is literally a godsend. I have been spiraling for the past few weeks, reading about vac schemes, TCs, SQEs, etc. etc. etc. There’s just so much to grasp!!! Finding this forum and going through its posts has finally given me ample clarity to dissuade me from spiraling further.

A bit of my background - I am going to pursue my Master of Laws in Corporate Law from Durham University for the academic year 2026-27. I graduated with an LLB (corporate law specialisation) back in 2019 in another common law jurisdiction and have been working in corporate and commercial practice (M&A, PE/VC, and corporate advisory) for the past (almost) 6 years in top law firms of my country.

While I am now well-versed with the process of TC applications, I do have one doubt I have noticed that almost all the firms have opened applications for TCs commencing in 2028 (whereas I will be graduating in 2027), which are open for final year and penultimate students. Now my doubt is - whether I (as an LLM applicant) can apply for TCs now, even before starting with my LLM, or if I can only do so once I've graduated next year? I am afraid that once I graduate, the cycle for 2029/30 TCs will have begun, and I won't have a sufficient grace period for applications due to visa restrictions.

Anyway, I’m glad to be a part of this forum now! Sending positive energy to you all!


-Aayushi

 

[Jaysen]

Hi All!

I am extremely glad to have come across this forum – it is literally a godsend. I have been spiraling for the past few weeks, reading about vac schemes, TCs, SQEs, etc. etc. etc. There’s just so much to grasp!!! Finding this forum and going through its posts has finally given me ample clarity to dissuade me from spiraling further.

A bit of my background - I am going to pursue my Master of Laws in Corporate Law from Durham University for the academic year 2026-27. I graduated with an LLB (corporate law specialisation) back in 2019 in another common law jurisdiction and have been working in corporate and commercial practice (M&A, PE/VC, and corporate advisory) for the past (almost) 6 years in top law firms of my country.

While I am now well-versed with the process of TC applications, I do have one doubt I have noticed that almost all the firms have opened applications for TCs commencing in 2028 (whereas I will be graduating in 2027), which are open for final year and penultimate students. Now my doubt is - whether I (as an LLM applicant) can apply for TCs now, even before starting with my LLM, or if I can only do so once I've graduated next year? I am afraid that once I graduate, the cycle for 2029/30 TCs will have begun, and I won't have a sufficient grace period for applications due to visa restrictions.

Anyway, I’m glad to be a part of this forum now! Sending positive energy to you all!


-Aayushi

Welcome to the forum Aayushi . I am really glad it has been helpful.

And I can completely understand. It takes a long time for domestic applicants to understand the law firm process, let alone if you're looking to move to the UK.

Given your specific situation, I'd recommend emailing the graduate recruitment team at a firm you're interested in to confirm whether you can apply before starting the LLM. I'd keep it short and give them brief details of your situation.

I also attach a guide that you might find helpful.

Wishing you the best of luck this cycle

 

[LLM Applicant 2026]

Welcome to the forum Aayushi . I am really glad it has been helpful.

And I can completely understand. It takes a long time for domestic applicants to understand the law firm process, let alone if you're looking to move to the UK.

Given your specific situation, I'd recommend emailing the graduate recruitment team at a firm you're interested in to confirm whether you can apply before starting the LLM. I'd keep it short and give them brief details of your situation.

I also attach a guide that you might find helpful.

Wishing you the best of luck this cycle

Thank you, Jaysen!

Given that I have 5+ years of experience working in the corporate practice of law firms in my country, the best strategic course of action for me will be to apply directly to an NQ-level position once I graduate from LLM and pass SQE1 (I have come to this conclusion thanks to the support of multiple people in this forum, for which I am extremely grateful!).

 

[Jaysen]

Thank you, Jaysen!

Given that I have 5+ years of experience working in the corporate practice of law firms in my country, the best strategic course of action for me will be to apply directly to an NQ-level position once I graduate from LLM and pass SQE1 (I have come to this conclusion thanks to the support of multiple people in this forum, for which I am extremely grateful!).

That sounds sensible.

If you can, I'd still suggest speaking to some law firms. You are right that some firms will only want you to apply to NQ positions. But it's also worth confirming this with firms, largely because the question will be whether the prior training you've received would be sufficient for you to move straight to NQ level