NEW: Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026-27

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi all!

Vacation Scheme application season is here!

Here are the firms that have announced their application open and closing dates for Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes 2026/27 so far:

(This list is dynamic and will be updated as firms release their application windows) LAST EDITED: Monday 3rd August 2026

Autumn Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026/27:

Opening Date	Closing Date	Scheme Dates	Firm Name	Rolling/Non-Rolling
15 July 2026	27 August 2026	2 November - 13 November 2026	Simpson Thacher & Bartlett	Non-Rolling

Winter Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026/27:

Opening Date	Closing Date	Scheme Dates	Firm Name	Rolling/Non-Rolling
15 July 2026	13 September 2026	30 November - 11 December 2026	Simpson Thacher & Bartlett	Non-Rolling
3 August 2026	28 August 2026	30 November - 11 December 2026	Macfarlanes	Non-Rolling
3 August 2026	7 September 2026 (5pm)	30 November - 4 December 2026	A&O Shearman	Non-Rolling
24 August 2026	25 September 2026	30 November - 11 December 2026	Paul, Weiss	Non-Rolling
17 August 2026	25 September 2026	7 December - 11 December 2026	Sidley Austin	Rolling
1 September 2026	5 October 2026	30 November - 11 December 2026	Hogan Lovells Cadwalader	Rolling

Spring Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026/27:

Opening Date	Closing Date	Scheme Dates	Firm Name	Rolling/Non-Rolling
15 July 2026	20 December 2026	5 April - 16 April 2027	Simpson Thacher & Bartlett	Non-Rolling
24 August 2026	14 December 2026	5 April - 16 April 2027	Paul, Weiss	Non-Rolling
1 September 2026	30 October 2026	Scheme 1: 30 March - 9 April 2027 Scheme 2: 12 April - 23 April 2027	Macfarlanes	Non-Rolling
1 September 2026	4 December 2026	12 April - 23 April 2027	Mayer Brown	Rolling
1 September 2026	8 January 2027	30 March - 9 April 2027	Gibson Dunn	Rolling
3 September 2026	11 December 2026	22 March - 2 April 2027	Milbank (Leveraged Finance Track)	N/A
3 September 2026	11 December 2026	5 April - 16 April 2027	Milbank (Traditional Track)	N/A
28 September 2026	8 January 2027	5 April - 16 April 2027	Sidley Austin	Rolling

Summer Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026/27:

Opening Date	Closing Date	Scheme Dates	Firm Name	Rolling/Non-Rolling
15 July 2026	20 December 2026	14 June - 25 June 2027	Simpson Thacher & Bartlett	Non-Rolling
28 August 2026	15 January 2027	28 June - 9 July 2027	Covington	N/A
1 September 2026	4 December 2026	21 June - 2 July 2027	Mayer Brown	Rolling
1 September 2026	10 December 2026	Scheme 1: 21 June - 9 July 2027 Scheme 2: 19 July - 6 August 2027	Hogan Lovells Cadwalader	Rolling
1 September 2026	8 January 2027	21 June - 2 July 2027	Gibson Dunn	Rolling
14 September 2026	9 November 2026 (5pm)	5 July - 16 July 2027	A&O Shearman	Non-Rolling
28 September 2026	8 January 2027	21 June - 2 July 2027	Sidley Austin	Rolling

I will keep this thread updated as firms announce their application windows, so feel free to bookmark this thread and check back regularly.

If you notice any firms I have missed or have any suggestions for improving the thread, please let me know. Best of luck with your applications, and don't forget to keep us updated on how you get on!

 

[cooked2000]

Will there be a version of this for Open Days?

 

[BubbleTeaFan]

Sidley Austin (rolling) website
2026 Winter vacation scheme:
Application open: 17 August 2026
Application deadline: 25 September 2026
Scheme dates - Winter: 7 December – 11 December 2026
2027 Spring/Summer vacation schemes:
Application open: 28 September 2026
Application deadline: 8 January 2027
Scheme dates - Spring: 5 April – 16 April 2027
Scheme dates - Summer: 21 June – 2 July 2027

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader (rolling) website
2026 Winter vacation scheme:
Applications open: 1 September 2026
Applications close: 5 October 2026
Scheme runs 30 November - 11 December 2026
2027 Summer vacation schemes:
Applications open: 1 September 2026
Applications close: 10 December 2026
Scheme 1: 21 June – 9 July 2027
Scheme 2: 19 July – 6 August 2027

Mayer Brown (rolling) website
Spring/Summer vacation schemes
Applications open: 1 September 2026
Application deadline: 4 December 2026
Scheme dates - Spring: 12 to 23 April 2027
Scheme dates - Summer: 21 June to 2 July 2027

A&O Shearman (non-rolling) website
Winter vacation scheme
Applications open: Monday 3rd August 2026
Applications close: Monday 7th September 2026
Scheme dates - Winter: 30th November 2026 – 4th December 2026
Summer vacation scheme
Applications open: Monday 14th September 2026
Applications close: Monday 9th November 2026
Scheme dates - Summer: 5th July 2027 – 16th July 2027

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Sidley Austin (rolling) website
2026 Winter vacation scheme:
Application open: 17 August 2026
Application deadline: 25 September 2026
Scheme dates - Winter: 7 December – 11 December 2026
2027 Spring/Summer vacation schemes:
Application open: 28 September 2026
Application deadline: 8 January 2027
Scheme dates - Spring: 5 April – 16 April 2027
Scheme dates - Summer: 21 June – 2 July 2027

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader (rolling) website
2026 Winter vacation scheme:
Applications open: 1 September 2026
Applications close: 5 October 2026
Scheme runs 30 November - 11 December 2026
2027 Summer vacation schemes:
Applications open: 1 September 2026
Applications close: 10 December 2026
Scheme 1: 21 June – 9 July 2027
Scheme 2: 19 July – 6 August 2027

Mayer Brown (rolling) website
Spring/Summer vacation schemes
Applications open: 1 September 2026
Application deadline: 4 December 2026
Scheme dates - Spring: 12 to 23 April 2027
Scheme dates - Summer: 21 June to 2 July 2027

A&O Shearman (non-rolling) website
Winter vacation scheme
Applications open: Monday 3rd August 2026
Applications close: Monday 7th September 2026
Scheme dates - Winter: 30th November 2026 – 4th December 2026
Summer vacation scheme
Applications open: Monday 14th September 2026
Applications close: Monday 9th November 2026
Scheme dates - Summer: 5th July 2027 – 16th July 2027

Hi!

Thank you for this! These have now been added

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Will there be a version of this for Open Days?

Hi!

Yes, we will make a similar list for open days

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Covington Summer Vac Scheme:

Apps open: Friday 28 August 2026
Apps close: Friday 15 Jan 2027
VS dates: Monday 28 June - Friday 9 July​

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Covington Summer Vac Scheme:

Apps open: Friday 28 August 2026
Apps close: Friday 15 Jan 2027
VS dates: Monday 28 June - Friday 9 July​

Thank you for this - I've now added it!

 

[FutureLawyer_]

Has the main thread for the 26/27 VS cycle been removed? I can’t seem to find it :/

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Has the main thread for the 26/27 VS cycle been removed? I can’t seem to find it :/

Hi!

The main TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026/27 can be found here!

 

[TheHamlet4]

Covington Summer Vac Scheme:

Apps open: Friday 28 August 2026
Apps close: Friday 15 Jan 2027
VS dates: Monday 28 June - Friday 9 July​

I like that they announced the summer vac scheme dates before the winter one

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Milbank 2026-27 VSs:

Leveraged Finance track:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 11 Dec 2026
Scheme dates: 22 Mar 2027 - 2 Apr 2027

Traditional track:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 11 Dec 2026
Scheme dates: 05 Apr 2027 - 16 Apr 2027

There’s also two open days for each track:

Leveraged Finance track open day:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Oct 2026
Open day: 21 Oct 2026

Traditional track open day:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Oct 2026
Open day: 22 Oct 2026

 

[cooked2000]

Milbank 2026-27 VSs:

Leveraged Finance track:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 11 Dec 2026
Scheme dates: 22 Mar 2027 - 2 Apr 2027

Traditional track:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 11 Dec 2026
Scheme dates: 05 Apr 2027 - 16 Apr 2027

There’s also two open days for each track:

Leveraged Finance track open day:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Oct 2026
Open day: 21 Oct 2026

Traditional track open day:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Oct 2026
Open day: 22 Oct 2026

rolling?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

rolling?

Milbank was rolling last year so I assume it is for this year. Covington is non-rolling iirc (I forgot to put that on my previous post for their VS lmao).​

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Milbank 2026-27 VSs:

Leveraged Finance track:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 11 Dec 2026
Scheme dates: 22 Mar 2027 - 2 Apr 2027

Traditional track:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 11 Dec 2026
Scheme dates: 05 Apr 2027 - 16 Apr 2027

There’s also two open days for each track:

Leveraged Finance track open day:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Oct 2026
Open day: 21 Oct 2026

Traditional track open day:

Applications open: 03 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Oct 2026
Open day: 22 Oct 2026

Hey!

Thank you so much for this! I've now added them to the deadlines list and calendar

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Gibson Dunn 2026-27 VSs (rolling basis):

Applications open: 1 Sept
Applications close: 8 Jan

Spring vac scheme dates: 30 March - 9 April 2027
Summer vac scheme: 21 June - 2 July 2027

First year insight day (in-person): 18 March 2027
First year insight day (virtual): 25 March 2027

Applications open: 1 Sept 2026
Applications close: 12 Feb 2027

 

[OS23]

Hi! this will be my first cycle of applications. I was wondering whether it is better to apply to VCs or to DTCs where you can only apply once in the same application cycle ) thank you so much for any help!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi! this will be my first cycle of applications. I was wondering whether it is better to apply to VCs or to DTCs where you can only apply once in the same application cycle ) thank you so much for any help!

Hi!

If a firm offers both a vacation scheme and a direct training contract route, I would generally recommend applying for the vacation scheme if you are eligible.

Vacation schemes give you the opportunity to experience the firm firsthand, and the firm gets to assess you over one or two weeks rather than just through an interview. Because of that, many firms recruit a significant proportion (and usually the majority) of their trainees through their vacation schemes.

However, it is worth checking each firm's recruitment process, as it does vary. Some firms recruit only through their vacation schemes, while others recruit a meaningful number of trainees through the direct TC route as well. We had a thread in a previous cycle that showed the general recruitment behaviours of each firm - whilst this is likely a bit outdated, I have quoted it below as it is still a useful reference point. Additionally, some firms may expect more legal work experience when applying via the direct TC route, so the vacation scheme route may be more suitable if you have more non-legal work experience.

Whichever route you choose, I would focus on submitting the strongest application you can rather than worrying about which route is "better". I had always thought that the vacation scheme route would be best suited to me, but I ended up securing my TC through the direct TC route (despite completing a few vacation schemes). A well-researched and tailored application will always put you in a stronger position, especially when you are genuinely interested in the firm!

Best of luck with your first cycle - please do feel free to ask if you have any other questions

Hi folks!

To help you develop a well-rounded application strategy, we’ve put together the following thread highlighting where firms typically recruit from—whether it's through vacation schemes or direct training contract routes. We've organised firms into four categories:

1. Firms which recruit a significant portion of their trainees through the direct training contract route
2. Firms that recruit primarily through vacation schemes, but have a healthy direct trainee intake
3. Firms that recruit from vacation schemes in the first instance
4. Firms that recruit only through their vacation schemes

50%-100% from direct TC applications

Brown Rudnick
Charles Russell Speechlys
Clifford Chance
CMS
Cripps
Curtis
Farrer & Co
Fieldfisher
Freshfields
Fried Frank
Greenberg Traurig
Harbottle & Lewis
Hill Dickinson
King & Spalding
Kingsley Napley
Macfarlanes
McDermott, Will & Emery
Paul Hastings
Slaughter and May
Stephenson Harwood
Winckworth Sherwood

Mostly from Vacation Scheme but with a consistently healthy direct TC intake

These firms recruit predominantly from their vacation schemes, but they have frequently made more than one direct TC offer every year in recent years – a direct TC app to these firms will almost certainly be read and considered seriously for a TC.

Ashurst
Baker McKenzie
Bird & Bird
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Burges Salmon
Goodwin
HFW
Hogan Lovells
Irwin Mitchell
K&L Gates
Linklaters
Mayer Brown
Morgan Lewis
Trowers & Hamlins
Watson Farley & Williams
White & Case

From Vacation Scheme in the first instance

These firms recruit primarily through vacation schemes. Although direct TC routes exist at these firms, they are typically only used by firms when they don't find enough future trainees on their vacation schemes.

Arnold & Porter
Eversheds Sutherland
Gibson Dunn
Orrick
Osborne Clarke
Sullivan & Cromwell
Travers Smith
*Womble Bond Dickinson

*There is only one option which is to apply for their placement scheme - after the AC they offer candidates who cannot complete the placement scheme a chance to complete a direct TC interview day instead.

Only from Vacation Scheme

Akin
Cleary Gottlieb
Clyde & Co
Cooley
Covington & Burling
Davis Polk
Debevoise & Plimpton
Dechert
DLA Piper
Herbert Smith Freehills
Jones Day
Katten
*Kirkland & Ellis
Latham & Watkins
Milbank
Mills & Reeve
Mishcon de Reya
Morrison Foerster
Paul, Weiss
Reed Smith
Ropes & Gray
Sidley Austin
Simmons & Simmons
Skadden
Squire Patton Boggs
Taylor Wessing
Vinson & Elkins
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Winston & Strawn

*They have historically advertised a direct TC route, but in previous years they have cancelled their vacation schemes and awarded direct training contracts solely from their vacation scheme interviews.

This list is based mainly on information from Chambers UK and firm websites. However, please note that it’s a dynamic list, and we’ll keep updating it as we get more reliable information. If you have any suggestions on how we can improve this thread, we’d love to hear from you!

We hope this list helpful to you! Best of luck with your applications, and keep us posted on your progress!