hi everyone, I just wanted to some guidance on law applications this year. I sound like newbie because I very much am. for context I am a non-law student going into my third year. do I apply for vacation schemes or direct training contracts? when does sqe begin/do I need to factor that in when training contracts state they begin 2027 or 2028? I get so confused with the dates. sorry if I sound stupid, the entire thing is really stressful and I don't know where to begin or what to do.
also does
slaughter and may and cc not have vacation schemes? am I eligible for all training contracts now? is there a general thing people know about certain firms and their VS and TC's when it comes to non-law and law students? do these firms always pay for my sqe and give me a law uni spot, is the sqe a full year programme of which if I pass I start the TC in 2027?
any clarification would be so helpful
Hi
@annalise.joyn !
Welcome to the forum! First of all, don't worry - you definitely do not sound stupid! Everyone finds this process confusing at the start, especially as there are so many factors to take into consideration.
As a non-law student going into your third year, I would focus on applying for Vacation Schemes (VS). This will give you the opportunity to experience different areas of law and gain some legal experience, whilst learning more about the specific firm! I would say that Direct TC applications are more suitable for candidates who already have legal experience, or who are unable to complete Vacation Schemes.
Key Dates & The SQE
As a non-law student, you will need to do the PDGL (the law conversion course) before the SQE. This is typically why TC start dates are so far out (2027/2028). A typical timeline would look like this:
- 2026 - 2027: Following graduation, you will do the PDGL (the 1-year law conversion course)
- 2027 - 2028: You'll do the SQE preparation course and exams (the 1-year course, consisting of SQE1 and SQE2)
- 2028 onwards: You are able to start a TC from September 2028 onwards
Therefore, you would be eligible to apply for any TC's that state 2028/29 onwards.
Yes, most city firms will pay for your PGDL and your SQE fees. Additionally, most firms will also give you a maintenance grant to live on during that time as well. If you have a look at the 'The Firms Most List' on Legal Cheek, this should give you a rough idea of each firm's policy in relation to course fees / maintenance.
Specific Firms
To answer your queries in relation to
Clifford Chance and
Slaughter and May:
- Clifford Chance (CC): They do not have a traditional vacation scheme, as the SPARK programme is only open to first-year law students (three-year degree), second-year law students (four-year degree), and penultimate year non-law students. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for Clifford Chance, this would be through their Direct TC route.
- Slaughter and May: From what I can see on their website, as a final year student, you would only be eligible to apply for their Direct TC route. However, they offer Virtual Insight Afternoons for final year students and graduates, which would be a great way of gaining some insight into the firm without the traditional Vacation Scheme. Crucially, if you are a non-law student, you can apply for a training contract in the autumn of your final year or as a graduate.
As a final year non-law student, you are likely to be eligible for the vast majority of training contract applications.
Starting Point
As a starting point, I would do some research into firms and practice areas / sectors that you think you might be interested in and make a list of your top choices and their key deadlines. This could focus on Vacation Schemes and Open Days, as they will give you the best insight into each individual firm.
In preparation for making applications, I would see if you can get some legal extracurricular experience (such as in your university's Law Society) and work on your commercial awareness. This sounds like a big task (and something I struggled with a lot at first), but something as small as following the news, listening to podcasts such as The FT News Briefing, and reading resources on TCLA can really help build the foundational knowledge that will help you be successful in applications.
As a non-law student, you are in a great position as firms love diverse degree backgrounds. It's typically quite an even split between law and non-law graduates in intake years. The process between the two is nearly identical - you will just need to complete the PGDL as well.
I hope that all makes sense! This process is definitely a lot to wrap your head around when you start, so don't feel silly about asking any questions as everyone on the forum is more than happy to help. If you need me to clarify / expand on something, just shout!
