TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[shadowboxer909]

They don't have a date yet (they're not sure if there would be a vac scheme). If they decide to have one, it'll be in june-july during the term break.

I love how every other firm plans out whether they'll have a vacation scheme or not well in advance while Kirkland just decides near the time whether they feel like it or not lol.

 

[Natasha Hermer]

does anyone know how long the window is to do the online tests after submitting freshfields online form for training contract application

 

[bh.sa]

They do something called PHirst Steps which is a 1 week work experience for both students and graduates. But I can’t find any info that this scheme will lead to a TC

I asked about PHirst at a law fair, grad rec said it won't lead to a TC - you still have to apply, but the scheme will give you more things to discuss regarding why PH

 

[Lawlawland]

I love how every other firm plans out whether they'll have a vacation scheme or not well in advance while Kirkland just decides near the time whether they feel like it or not lol.

Attending K&E Vac Scheme AC as an aspiring Solicitor would be a canon event. What's in store, A life-changing direct TC Or a painful rejection?

You may never know.

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Freshfields stage 1 online test invite received today, I thought I applied too late 😅

 

[M_m]

Has anyone who submitted Freshfields stage 1 test on Nov 9th or after received a stage 2 invite?

 

[WeGotThis!]

Is K& E rolling basis?

 

[Suii]

Is there any point applying to DLA for their summer internship if they have a rolling deadline and it closes on the 21st? Surely too late at this stage

Lol your username love it. Award for the best username haha.

Yes they are non rolling and as they have not closed applications yet means you still have a chance.

 

[Trophy]

Do you mean the VIs? Or why?

the actual test itself was fine although repetitive to stage one. The VI’s are scattered throughout.
It’s not a long assessment but it definitely requires brain power as there’s a written part after one of the vi’s. The written is untimed from what I gathered.

Extra time and adjustments are applied automatically if you put these in your application and I believe this may be a reason as to why it took soo long for me to progress as they apply these individually.

All the information is provided in the instructions, I think the main basis is to see how you think rather than blurting out how much you know about the firm.

I felt one of the video interview questions left me watching a video unnecessarily wasting prep time.

Do I think I passed? No absolutely not but happy to provide guidance to others where I can. I don’t know if the competition is more fierce than the past couple years but it seems that ppl are less inclined to trade/provide information on firms they’ve progressed with😛

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

I completed the test on the 8th and received the invite today. Hbu?

Did mine on the 2nd 😬 for my mental health’s sake, I’ll assume they’re sending them in no particular order

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Hey. Please don't beat yourself up. I applied on the first day and got my invite on Monday. It's rolling, and different people in the team look at different applications. Wishing you all the best

Thank you for this honestly 🫶🏽🥲

 

[member7830]

does anyone know the ratio roughly of how many people HL interview to vac scheme offers, and then vac scheme to tc offer rate? thank you!!!!

 

[Bbhu19]

the actual test itself was fine although repetitive to stage one. The VI’s are scattered throughout.
It’s not a long assessment but it definitely requires brain power as there’s a written part after one of the vi’s. The written is untimed from what I gathered.

Extra time and adjustments are applied automatically if you put these in your application and I believe this may be a reason as to why it took soo long for me to progress as they apply these individually.

All the information is provided in the instructions, I think the main basis is to see how you think rather than blurting out how much you know about the firm.

I felt one of the video interview questions left me watching a video unnecessarily wasting prep time.

Do I think I passed? No absolutely not but happy to provide guidance to others where I can. I don’t know if the competition is more fierce than the past couple years but it seems that ppl are less inclined to trade/provide information on firms they’ve progressed with😛

Did they ask any motivational questions or was it all scenario based

 

[yk1906]

the actual test itself was fine although repetitive to stage one. The VI’s are scattered throughout.
It’s not a long assessment but it definitely requires brain power as there’s a written part after one of the vi’s. The written is untimed from what I gathered.

Extra time and adjustments are applied automatically if you put these in your application and I believe this may be a reason as to why it took soo long for me to progress as they apply these individually.

All the information is provided in the instructions, I think the main basis is to see how you think rather than blurting out how much you know about the firm.

I felt one of the video interview questions left me watching a video unnecessarily wasting prep time.

Do I think I passed? No absolutely not but happy to provide guidance to others where I can. I don’t know if the competition is more fierce than the past couple years but it seems that ppl are less inclined to trade/provide information on firms they’ve progressed with😛

I'm so sorry to hear that. I felt that 2 minutes, especially for the last question, was not enough to answer...

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Has anyone else heard from W&C post final interview?

 

[Dannie]

Does anyone have any insights on the Links first stage test? Happy to share things too! And do you need to complete both the test and WG by the deadline?

 

[LawAspirer]

I see Baker's is rolling. Is someone at an advanced stage yet? I'm trying to see if its still worth it

 

[NomenEstOmen]

Also applied to the Kirkland OD end of Oct. and have not heard back. Was your friend told what date the event is scheduled for?

He’s doing the end of november open day, I believe on the 24th. But he submitted it on the 3rd of November, when the application process was officially already closed. From what l gathered so far, no reply means rejection :/

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi I just wanted to ask for some advice! I'm applying to A&O but for the university section they require module/subject grades but they only allow you to put in 20 modules max and I have 30. Should I just record my overall grade for each year instead?

Hello!

I would put the 20 most recent ones and include a full module breakdown elsewhere so that the graduate recruitment team are aware (for example, email them your transcript or add your module grades in an "additional information" section)

 

[JBM]

does anyone know the ratio roughly of how many people HL interview to vac scheme offers, and then vac scheme to tc offer rate? thank you!!!!

No clue as to how many for interview but theyre looking to recruti 8 winter trainees