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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
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.Congrats !! I'm assuming you did well on the online testDo you have any advice for completing it, tips for prep etc... is it just VR and QR or is there an SJT component?
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!!
Hiya
You need to apply for one through the gov.uk website. I think you need a couple of id's and you'll get in within a month or less
Me waiting for Sidley to send me my post app PFO cos it feels like it’s been 18384050000 years:
If you have applied for an NI before you could check here:
Find your National Insurance number
Information on how to find your National Insurance number and how to get a letter with your National Insurance number on.
if you have not you can apply for one online. it's very quick!
Hi! I'm not eligible, but it sounds interesting! I was just curious how the app assesses the safety because perhaps the walking routes only differ by a small stretch of road or that it might be hard to gather minute details of crime data or CCTV coverage of each stretch of streets. No worries if you don't wish to answer, and all the best!Hey everyone,
I know it sounds wired to post this here (and I'm also not sure if I'm allowed to post this - will delete if it's against the forum's rules), but I'm currently working on my final-year dissertation on "Does using a safety app increase women's perceived safety while walking in London?" and I'm looking for 20 participants to complete a short study. I've been struggling quite a bit to recruit participants and have been on the forum over the past few months, so I thought it might be worth giving it a try here (again will delete immediately if I'm not allowed to post it here).
I'm looking for 20 participants who:
- Identify as a woman
- Currently living in London
- Have felt unsafe at least once while walking in London
- Are aged 18-65
Participants will be asked to complete 2 short surveys (2 mins + 5 mins). Between the two surveys, you will be asked to use a safety app called Safest Way for 7 days. The app provides 3 types of pedestrian routes: safest, fastest, and safety-time balanced routes. It also has safety score for each route, which is calculated based on the street lighting, previous crime data, CCTV coverage etc. You don't need to use the app every day, but you will need to use it at least three times during the 7-day period.
Participants who successfully complete the study will receive a £10 reimbursement.
If you are interested in taking part, please send me a DM and I will share the survey link with you (and further information on downloading and using the app). I would really appreciate your help with this study. Thank you so much!!
Any advice on how to ask a firm about transportation subsidies for a VS? I have found family to stay with in the South East so I do not need to pay for a hotel, but just help with the train ticket would be nice. I would understand if they do not offer this/reject my request since they are paying me for the VS, but I would still like to ask in a way which does not seem disrespectful or taking advantage. Advice? Should I just not ask?
Thank you so much for this Abbie!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!
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