TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Futuretrainee002]

Would anyone who got accepted onto a STB open day mind sharing their application answers with me please?

 

[tosin4774]

Did anyone apply for the Sep open day?

 

[user55998384]

Would anyone who got accepted onto a STB open day mind sharing their application answers with me please?

or even j their grade profile too would be super helpful

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I'd really appreciate some input on the following please, @Abbie Whitlock ?
This past cycle made me realise that my real strength lies in directly working with individuals rather than with businesses. So this cycle, I'll be applying for firms providing legal services to individuals, I'm open-minded on practice areas, although private wealth doesn't sound like me. I'm more interested in helping individuals facing challenging personal situations, eg fitness to practice investigation, medical negligence, employment dispute, challenges against public auhtorities etc.... I'd also be open to working with charities etc..

It'll be straightforward with firms like Irwin Mitchell (legal services for individuals), Kinglsey Napley, or Leigh Day as my interest in working with individuals matches their practice areas.

But I'm not sure how to approach firms with a mix of legal services across both individuals and corporates?
I think it'd be a waste of time to apply to heavily corporate firms with a few practice areas I'd be interested in, eg Fieldfisher (Legal 500 1 ranking in medical negligence), what do you think?

Thanks!

Hey!

I think you have already identified something really valuable from this cycle, which is where your motivations actually lie. Having that clarity should make it much easier to target firms and write convincing applications.

For firms with a mix of corporate and private client work, I don't think you necessarily need to rule them out! I would probably look at how significant the practice area you are interested in actually is within the firm. If it is a well-established and highly regarded team that the firm actively invests in, then it can still be a sensible application, even if the firm also has a substantial corporate practice.

However, I probably wouldn't spend lots of time applying to firms where the work you are interested in is only a very small part of what they do. This isn't necessarily because it is impossible to build a career there, but because your motivations are likely to align much more naturally with firms where that type of work is central to the business. Additionally, graduate recruitment teams like to see candidates have a bit of an open-mind when it comes to TC seats (as you might not always get your first choice, and you could change your mind!) - whilst it is a good idea to have a clear idea of what you are interested in, it also helps to have a few other practice areas that interest you too.

Ultimately, I would focus on where you would genuinely be excited to train rather than trying to make a firm fit. It sounds like firms such as Irwin Mitchell and Leigh Day are obvious targets, and then I'd be selective about mixed-practice firms where the teams you are interested in are market-leading rather than applying to every firm that happens to have a department in that area.

Hopefully that is helpful, and best of luck with applications!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi! Does anyone have any advice?

My last cycle I spend alot of times on 12 applications - I applied to insight days/open days, spoke to the recruitment team and trainees and lawyers on legal cheeks virtual vac scheme and any webinars I could attend, and out of 12 applications I got 3 Acs and 1 Vac Scheme, which I have been told is pretty good jobs.

This cycle, I have a 9-5, which is good work experience, but at this point i'm a little concerned about the quality of my applications (considering i'm planning on doing 20+) as I wont have the opportuntiy to speak to the majority of them as their events run from 9am to 5pm, which is the exact time I'm at work and unable to attend them. I also can't take days off to attend them as i'm already limited in my days and am wanting to use them incase I get an actual vac scheme.

I suppose i'm just worried and am wanting to hear about what people think about this issue. Thanks!

Hey!

I honestly would not worry too much about not being able to attend as many events this cycle.

From what you have said, it sounds like you had a really strong cycle last year! Three ACs and a vac scheme from 12 applications is a great return, and it suggests that your application approach was working.

For what it is worth, I don't think speaking to graduate recruitment or attending events is essential for every application. They can definitely help, but they are just one way of researching and learning more about a firm. You can still put together a strong application by using the firm's website, graduate recruitment materials, podcasts, webinars, legal news, and insights from trainees shared online.

Just to give you some reassurance from my own experience, I only attended an open day at one of the three firms where I ended up securing a vacation scheme. I also didn't attend an open day at the firm where I ultimately secured and accepted my direct training contract. Therefore, whilst these events can be useful, I don't think they are a prerequisite for success.

I would also question whether you need to jump from 12 to 20+ applications - if you are working full-time, it is completely reasonable to prioritise quality over quantity (+ it seems like the approach worked well for you last cycle). I think it is usually best to submit 12-15 really strong applications than spread yourself too thin trying to hit a higher number.

One other thing to remember is that your 9-5 is valuable in itself. You are gaining experience that will strengthen both your applications and interviews, so although you have less time for events, you are not necessarily "losing" that time - it is simply being replaced with something that is equally, if not more, beneficial.

Best of luck with this cycle!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

STB open day PFO!!! But A&O open day invite landed.

Is there any point in applying for STB vacation scheme if I’ve literally not even qualified for the open day??

Hey!

Firstly, congratulations on the A&O open day invite!

I definitely wouldn't let the STB open day outcome put you off applying for the vacation scheme. Open day applications are often assessing slightly different things to vacation scheme applications, so being unsuccessful for one doesn't necessarily mean you'll be unsuccessful for the other.

For example, it could simply be that your open day application wasn't as strong at articulating why you wanted to attend the event or what you were hoping to learn from it. A vacation scheme application, on the other hand, gives you more opportunity to demonstrate why you are motivated to train at the firm, why you are a good fit, and what you could bring as a future trainee.

I would definitely encourage you to apply if you are genuinely interested in STB. Try not to read too much into the open day rejection - they are incredibly competitive, and plenty of people have had different outcomes across a firm's recruitment processes.

Best of luck with both applications!

 

[yellowbirds008]

I recently got rejected post vacation scheme. However, I had my feedback, where they essentially said everything was excellent but the final interview. They recommended reapplying in the next cycle- would you recommend doing this, or is it a waste of time?

 

[TheHamlet4]

Are A&O’s vac schemes only for students?

 

[anon78365222111]

Are A&O’s vac schemes only for students?

Following that can I apply for the winter if I’m completing my PGDL

 

[cutiewiththecontracts]

Are A&O’s vac schemes only for students?

Are graduates and career changers only eligible for A&O's DTC, then?

 

[lawstudent2]

I have recently graduated and will be applying for another cycle. Does anyone who has applied alongside a 9-5 have any advice for how to balance it successfully?
Additionally, are there any firms who prefer graduates to apply for DTC over the vac schemes, or just generally prefer graduates?

I don't know how different my approach should be as a graduate, if at all. I just did a vacation scheme at a US firm for context, so I am hoping this can be the final cycle that I apply and I want to put my best foot forward.

Thanks!

 

[RachelZane]

Is it the 12th August one? I hope to see you there! Let's connect?

Hey, does anyone know if they are still giving out offers for this?

 

[hlaw123]

hey everyone! going into another cycle yet again and i would love for it to be my last (dont we all). Does any one have tips on what changed the apps for them- what i can do over summer to help? Also, how to develop my commercial awareness- i tried FT news briefing and reading watsons daily but i feel like its just a lot of info and i cant actually discuss anything, not sure how to go about it and any advice would be super appreciated x

 

[user55998384]

for the STB open day - did anyone get fully rejected or did it just say you are rejected from this one, but we are still considering for any others you have applied for?

 

[cs3008]

Hey!

Firstly, congratulations on the A&O open day invite!

I definitely wouldn't let the STB open day outcome put you off applying for the vacation scheme. Open day applications are often assessing slightly different things to vacation scheme applications, so being unsuccessful for one doesn't necessarily mean you'll be unsuccessful for the other.

For example, it could simply be that your open day application wasn't as strong at articulating why you wanted to attend the event or what you were hoping to learn from it. A vacation scheme application, on the other hand, gives you more opportunity to demonstrate why you are motivated to train at the firm, why you are a good fit, and what you could bring as a future trainee.

I would definitely encourage you to apply if you are genuinely interested in STB. Try not to read too much into the open day rejection - they are incredibly competitive, and plenty of people have had different outcomes across a firm's recruitment processes.

Best of luck with both applications!

Thank you so much for your motivating words!!! Looking forward to smashing it.

 

[cs3008]

According to Macfarlanes, I can’t apply for their vacation scheme or DTC because I’m qualified in another jurisdiction?!?!?

But last cycle they progressed my application to the second stage ? What is this ? Can anyone let me know please if there are other firms with such policies?

 

[user55998384]

hey for macfarlanes first stage does anyone know if the camera is on?

 

[Deleted member 33582]

According to Macfarlanes, I can’t apply for their vacation scheme or DTC because I’m qualified in another jurisdiction?!?!?

But last cycle they progressed my application to the second stage ? What is this ? Can anyone let me know please if there are other firms with such policies?

If you’re a qualified lawyer, you should probably apply to NQ roles instead of TCs (because you are already qualified). I’d assume probably every firm has this policy

 

[phoenix11_]

Does anyone know what to expect from A&O's motivational questions in the end of the online test? Any tips how to prepare for these?

 

[cs3008]

If you’re a qualified lawyer, you should probably apply to NQ roles instead of TCs (because you are already qualified). I’d assume probably every firm has this policy

If I’m not qualified in the E&W, then why not trainee roles? A lot of firms don’t entertain applications for NQ roles if you’re not qualified in England.