-
📅 Vacation Scheme & Open Day Applications 2025–26
Planning to apply for vacation schemes, open days or insight schemes? Join our dedicated threads for support, deadlines, and discussion:
-
2025–26 Vacation Scheme Deadlines
Includes winter, spring and summer deadlines + a handy rolling/non-rolling checklist. -
2025–26 Open Day & Insight Scheme Deadlines
Comprehensive list of open day and insight scheme application deadlines across top law firms. -
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread
Ask questions, share tips, and support each other through the application cycle.
Let’s make this your strongest application season yet 💼
Looking for personal help to secure a training contract this year? Check out the new TCLA Premium →
-
2025–26 Vacation Scheme Deadlines
Recent content by trainee4u
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
so are graduates eligible or not?- trainee4u
- Post #677
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Have you spoken to the firm? I've been told "we won't interview you again" at one, but in another have been reinterviewed with substantially the same application.- trainee4u
- Post #312
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
SHL Test
I think I've done this test twice now - it's not that popular for law firms. Have unfortunately gone down a bit of a rabbit hole and it seems that you can practise a lot and basically guarantee success. I'm not a huge fan of this type of test for that reason. Practice tests are here...- trainee4u
- Thread
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
to advise, SQE1 is "memorising lots of legal knowledge and answering MCQs", then SQE2 is "reinforcing that legal knowledge and using it in orals and written exams". So you'd want to do them one after another, January and April. Not sure if the paralegal work is for experience or money more...- trainee4u
- Post #6,086
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Questions: 1. is the firm paying a bursary? 2. what's their SQE course - some use Ulaw at specific locations, others CLP online. 3. SQE1 in January? 4. Do you have a paralegal job now? If you're sitting SQE1 in January then it seems like you wouldn't have time to find paralegal work, start and...- trainee4u
- Post #6,078
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
no mention of a VI, but maybe there is!??!?- trainee4u
- Post #6,070
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Well I got an invite for SHL 'General Ability' test. It says "pen and paper & calculator required". However I'd probably use Excel & Windows Notepad. Anyone know the rules here!?- trainee4u
- Post #6,056
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Just done my last application of 24/25. My final tally of applications is 115, give or take, of which three are outstanding, but let's just assume it's a bust.....- trainee4u
- Post #6,032
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
I think that this is true, but also if you are the type of candidate that top firms want, e.g., first from Oxford, underrepresented group, then doing five great applications makes sense, because you've got the right blend of being an attractive candidate on paper for any firm and a great...- trainee4u
- Post #234
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/03/23/my-team-is-winning-or-are-they/ the plural form, i.e. advise- trainee4u
- Post #228
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Me too! Last two days: Edwin Coe PFO Sinclair Gibson PFO (twice, for some reason) Birketts PFO Boodle Hatfield PFO (they already PFOed my VS, so I'd already marked them off) Paul Hastings have a "we won't even bother telling me you to PFO" policy, although maybe they've not actually got to...- trainee4u
- Post #6,016
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
I think the commercial issue chosen is also relevant. It makes sense to have something to talk about that is relevant to the firm's clients.- trainee4u
- Post #200
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
They could have sent out the wrong email, IDK, because the email is quite unambiguous that it was based on the SJT overall score which does not include VI: The "video interview items - can be assessed for successful candidates only" does make it clear that AJ does allow firms to waste...- trainee4u
- Post #5,979
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
I was specifically told that it was a PFO for the scores - the email suggests it was not for the VI aspect: Thank you for completing the Amberjack assessment for your Stephenson Harwood application. Unforunately, your overall score has not met our criteria and we are unable to progress you to...- trainee4u
- Post #5,969
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
I was rejected from VS for Verbal High Numerical Medium Grit 7/9 Applied Intellect 4/9 Creative Force 6/9 Digital Mindset 9/9- trainee4u
- Post #5,960
- Forum: Applications Discussion