TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Apple]

Seeing more SH SVS offers (for which congrats!!!!) and i’m still waiting post-app … I only applied for summer but still guessing this is a pfo🥲

As I ticked the box to be on the disability confident offer an interview scheme I thought I’d get invited to the VI ??

Really thought my application was strong and I’m not sure how I don’t meet the ‘minimum criteria’ that they use for the disability confident scheme… I have really strong academics and non-legal, legal and volunteering work experience, went to an open day at the firm, really put a lot of effort into the (incredibly long) application

I must have messed something up I guess 😭

Pretty sure the "guaranteed interview" is misleading. It is guaranteed if you meet their arbitrary requirements, which can be judged on work experience, test results etc etc. So it really isn't guaranteed.

 

[Chris Brown]

Has anyone received a Paul Hastings PFO post interview for the Phirst Steps SVS? I had my interview a while ago but I have not heard back so assuming it is a PFO. 🥲​

 

[baj5]

does anyone have any tips on how to prep for critical reasoning tests and group exercises? At the end of my VS I will have to do a critical reasoning test and a group exercise and I'm not sure what resources there are out there.

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Applicants who reached the interview/AC stage for Paul Weiss this cycle, could you please tell me what your academic profile looked like? Thanks!

 

[johnafleck6]

Has anyone received a Paul Hastings PFO post interview for the Phirst Steps SVS? I had my interview a while ago but I have not heard back so assuming it is a PFO. 🥲​

Yeah I haven’t heard back either. Has anyone?

 

[jfb]

If I got a PFO from a firm but have since (a month later) received an email that they will give me an update soon, do I presume that the second email was a mistake?

 

[aphelion]

has anyone who got a summer VS offer from mishcon received an email after the phone call? they did say it would take about a fortnight but would be good to know

 

[ashwright]

Hi guys! I have some quick questions I'd really appreciate some help with

I've got a legal role lined up for when I graduate. The position is for a year & so would finish August/September 2026. It's in-house & the work is transactional so I'm hoping that I could just straight-up apply for TCs rather than VS (I'd prefer not to request as much time off).

1. Can I apply for TCs/VS for the upcoming cycle (i.e. those with applications opening in autumn/winter 2025)? I don't really know what turnaround time firms expect between them offering someone a TC and them starting the SQE. If i applied for TCs this upcoming cycle, might my SQE start in September 2026?

2. The timeline of things is a bit fuzzy for me so I'd also really appreciate any insight on a rough timeline between getting your TC offer, starting your SQE, doing the exam(s), starting the TC etc.

3. Will applying for TCs be sensible given my circumstances? Or would vac schemes be better? Other than this upcoming grad role, I've had no formal legal experience.

4. Hypothetical: a TC deadline closes in September 2025. By that point, I would have been in my graduate role for a couple weeks. Would that be a sufficient basis for me to apply for the TC or would it still be too early (and should therefore apply to the VS, and only apply to TCs once I've been in my grad role for a few months?)

Thank you in advance

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi guys! I have some quick questions I'd really appreciate some help with

I've got a legal role lined up for when I graduate. The position is for a year & so would finish August/September 2026. It's in-house & the work is transactional so I'm hoping that I could just straight-up apply for TCs rather than VS (I'd prefer not to request as much time off).

1. Can I apply for TCs/VS for the upcoming cycle (i.e. those with applications opening in autumn/winter 2025)? I don't really know what turnaround time firms expect between them offering someone a TC and them starting the SQE. If i applied for TCs this upcoming cycle, might my SQE start in September 2026?

2. The timeline of things is a bit fuzzy for me so I'd also really appreciate any insight on a rough timeline between getting your TC offer, starting your SQE, doing the exam(s), starting the TC etc.

3. Will applying for TCs be sensible given my circumstances? Or would vac schemes be better? Other than this upcoming grad role, I've had no formal legal experience.

4. Hypothetical: a TC deadline closes in September 2025. By that point, I would have been in my graduate role for a couple weeks. Would that be a sufficient basis for me to apply for the TC or would it still be too early (and should therefore apply to the VS, and only apply to TCs once I've been in my grad role for a few months?)

Thank you in advance

1) Yes - if you are applying in the autumn/winter, then most likely you wouldn't start the SQE until September 2026. You could potentially join a January/Feb SQE intake, but given most firms are recruiting for intakes at least 30 months ahead at that point, you would have plenty of time to start the SQE in September 2026 (or even later).

2) For the next cycle, firms will be generally recruiting for September 2028 or Feb/March 2029 TCs. If we take September 2028 as a minimum, your timeline is likely to be:

• October 2025 to July 2026 - Recruitment process
• August/September 2026 - SQE prep
• January 2027 - Sit SQE1
• April 2027 - Sit SQE 2
• August 2027 - Receive SQE2 results
• August 2027 - September 2028 - Gap year

The gap year and SQE period could potentially be swapped over.

3) Yes - unless a firm recruits exclusively or exceptionally heavy from their VS

4) I wouldn't worry about this as TC roles won't close as early as September. It would be November by the earliest (and for some it will be as late as July 2026) and by then you would have many months of experience.

 

[ashwright]

1) Yes - if you are applying in the autumn/winter, then most likely you wouldn't start the SQE until September 2026. You could potentially join a January/Feb SQE intake, but given most firms are recruiting for intakes at least 30 months ahead at that point, you would have plenty of time to start the SQE in September 2026 (or even later).

2) For the next cycle, firms will be generally recruiting for September 2028 or Feb/March 2029 TCs. If we take September 2028 as a minimum, your timeline is likely to be:

• October 2025 to July 2026 - Recruitment process
• August/September 2026 - SQE prep
• January 2027 - Sit SQE1
• April 2027 - Sit SQE 2
• August 2027 - Receive SQE2 results
• August 2027 - September 2028 - Gap year

The gap year and SQE period could potentially be swapped over.

3) Yes - unless a firm recruits exclusively or exceptionally heavy from their VS

4) I wouldn't worry about this as TC roles won't close as early as September. It would be November by the earliest (and for some it will be as late as July 2026) and by then you would have many months of experience.

Thank you so much, Jessica!!! This is super helpful & reassuring!! I really appreciate your help - you're the best!! <3

1. What do people tend to do during the 'gap year'? I've tried having a look at some LinkedIn profiles but the people I've come across seem to list their SQE taking place over 2 years - I assume because they've also done an LLM (usually from the University of Law etc.) along with their SQE.

2. This is probably a silly question but do firms ever accomodate earlier start dates for the seat-rotation bit (i.e., skip the gap year)?

3. Is there a benefit to doing an LLM along with your SQE? It seems like the choice is spending the gap year either in a job or doing an LLM (which I'm assuming the firm does not fund & maintain you for?). [edit: a benefit other than a pure love for learning ]

Thank you

Edit - Apologies, I just remembered another two questions!
5. I understand that there's no disadvantage to doing the SQE independently - although I'm not really sure if firms prefer you to study it in a certain way (e.g., ULaw vs. BPP, the City Consortium version seems to have an extra element)?

6. If I self-funded the SQE whilst I'm in this grad role (it's full-time, not finishing ridiculously late so maybe 7pm finishes), would it be more sensible to go for a 24-month course or a 12-month SQE course? I would have already done a law degree so have some legal knowledge already

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thank you so much, Jessica!!! This is super helpful & reassuring!! I really appreciate your help - you're the best!! <3

1. What do people tend to do during the 'gap year'? I've tried having a look at some LinkedIn profiles but the people I've come across seem to list their SQE taking place over 2 years - I assume because they've also done an LLM (usually from the University of Law etc.) along with their SQE.

2. This is probably a silly question but do firms ever accomodate earlier start dates for the seat-rotation bit (i.e., skip the gap year)?

3. Is there a benefit to doing an LLM along with your SQE? It seems like the choice is spending the gap year either in a job OR doing an LLM (which I'm assuming the firm does not fund & maintain you for?).

Thank you

1) An LLM would only take a year unless it was part time - I think the people you are looking at have done an LLM level SQE prep course rather than two separate courses. People may have taken longer than a year if they had to resit either SQE1 or SQE2 though. People can do anything in the gap year - work in the legal industry, work outside of it, go travelling. Most lawyers would encourage you to use the time for whatever you want to do as its unlikely you'll ever get a year out to do something like that again without it being a big financial commitment to doing so.

2) Some firms can accommodate earlier start dates but its very dependent on the people in those earlier intakes. If they are full and no one wants to move to a later intake, then you may not be moved forward. You should speak to your firm at the point you are made an offer as to the feasibility of starting earlier.

3) You wouldn't do a separate LLM and SQE - I don't think this is feasible in terms of balancing your studies. There are LLM SQE prep courses though and some firms will sponsor you through this type of course. It isn't really an LLM as such though - its just the SQE prep with some additional modules/dissertation level type project to take it up to a masters level course. The only real benefit of these courses is that you can apply for post-graduate student finance and then move from a student visa to a post-study visa if appropriate (can be a benefit if the firm does not sponsor skilled persons visas). A firm is highly unlikely to sponsor a separate LLM course because it is not necessary for you to become a solicitor. They only sponsor the courses needed to allow you to train and qualify.

 

[ashwright]

1) An LLM would only take a year unless it was part time - I think the people you are looking at have done an LLM level SQE prep course rather than two separate courses. People may have taken longer than a year if they had to resit either SQE1 or SQE2 though. People can do anything in the gap year - work in the legal industry, work outside of it, go travelling. Most lawyers would encourage you to use the time for whatever you want to do as its unlikely you'll ever get a year out to do something like that again without it being a big financial commitment to doing so.

2) Some firms can accommodate earlier start dates but its very dependent on the people in those earlier intakes. If they are full and no one wants to move to a later intake, then you may not be moved forward. You should speak to your firm at the point you are made an offer as to the feasibility of starting earlier.

3) You wouldn't do a separate LLM and SQE - I don't think this is feasible in terms of balancing your studies. There are LLM SQE prep courses though and some firms will sponsor you through this type of course. It isn't really an LLM as such though - its just the SQE prep with some additional modules/dissertation level type project to take it up to a masters level course. The only real benefit of these courses is that you can apply for post-graduate student finance and then move from a student visa to a post-study visa if appropriate (can be a benefit if the firm does not sponsor skilled persons visas). A firm is highly unlikely to sponsor a separate LLM course because it is not necessary for you to become a solicitor. They only sponsor the courses needed to allow you to train and qualify.

Awesome - thank you so much! I'm a British national so visa sponsorship wouldn't be a consideration and my student debt has already piled up so I hesitate to add to it sadly..a little holiday & work sounds like what I'll likely end up doing!

I'll also add two bonus questions here

1. I understand that there's no disadvantage to doing the SQE independently - although I'm not really sure if firms prefer you to study it in a certain way (e.g., ULaw vs. BPP, the City Consortium version seems to have an extra element)?

2. If I self-funded the SQE whilst I'm in this grad role (it's full-time, not finishing ridiculously late so maybe 7pm finishes), would it be more sensible to go for a 24-month course or a 12-month SQE course? I would have already done a law degree so have some legal knowledge already but it is a bit foggy!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Awesome - thank you so much! I'm a British national so visa sponsorship wouldn't be a consideration and my student debt has already piled up so I hesitate to add to it sadly..a little holiday & work sounds like what I'll likely end up doing!

I'll also add two bonus questions here

1. I understand that there's no disadvantage to doing the SQE independently - although I'm not really sure if firms prefer you to study it in a certain way (e.g., ULaw vs. BPP, the City Consortium version seems to have an extra element)?

2. If I self-funded the SQE whilst I'm in this grad role (it's full-time, not finishing ridiculously late so maybe 7pm finishes), would it be more sensible to go for a 24-month course or a 12-month SQE course? I would have already done a law degree so have some legal knowledge already but it is a bit foggy!

1) Doesn't matter where you study if you self fund. Firms only have preferred suppliers because it is commercially/financially better for them to do so where they are putting a cohort of students through the same course - it basically means they get cheaper rates than individual's buying the course.

Some firms run bespoke SQE prep courses, but 80% of it will be a SQE prep course. If they are very keen for you to do the additional/bespoke modules, they could have an arrangement with the provider for you to complete just the additional modules at an appropriate time, but many firms won't think this is necessary.

2) Balancing a full-time job and the SQE will be tricky. I would speak to the specific SQE providers as to what is best suited to you, as some courses could be done more flexibly (those that are not post-graduate certificates, MAs or LLMs) while a prep course that is a full academic course (that you gain a qualification from) may need more time/effort, and therefore might be better suited to a part-time course. The other thing to be mindful with the LLM SQE prep courses is that some do not allow you to complete the course and gain your qualification until you have passed the SQE assessments. You also have to factor in the separate and additional costs of sitting the SQE assessments which are generally not included in the costs of any of the SQE prep courses.

 

[Flu1dity]

Anyone else still yet to hear from Mishcon post AC for summer vac? Pondering when it's reasonable to reach out to them as they said to expect correspondence by May 5th.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Anyone else still yet to hear from Mishcon post AC for summer vac? Pondering when it's reasonable to reach out to them as they said to expect correspondence by May 5th.

Maybe wait until late tomorrow or early Friday. They clearly didn't anticipate the 5th being a bank holiday if they said they would get back to you by then.

 

[Flu1dity]

Maybe wait until late tomorrow or early Friday. They clearly didn't anticipate the 5th being a bank holiday if they said they would get back to you by then.

Cheers, I was thinking I should leave some extra time for bank holiday so glad you agree!

 

[EzeLaylor]

Similar to the questions earlier - does this mean that the prospective date for starting the SQE for a March 2027 TC would be September 2026 or even earlier?

Also has anyone continued working full time alongside doing the SQE sponsored by the firm? Or is that not allowed?

 

[EzeLaylor]

1) Yes - if you are applying in the autumn/winter, then most likely you wouldn't start the SQE until September 2026. You could potentially join a January/Feb SQE intake, but given most firms are recruiting for intakes at least 30 months ahead at that point, you would have plenty of time to start the SQE in September 2026 (or even later).

2) For the next cycle, firms will be generally recruiting for September 2028 or Feb/March 2029 TCs. If we take September 2028 as a minimum, your timeline is likely to be:

• October 2025 to July 2026 - Recruitment process
• August/September 2026 - SQE prep
• January 2027 - Sit SQE1
• April 2027 - Sit SQE 2
• August 2027 - Receive SQE2 results
• August 2027 - September 2028 - Gap year

The gap year and SQE period could potentially be swapped over.

3) Yes - unless a firm recruits exclusively or exceptionally heavy from their VS

4) I wouldn't worry about this as TC roles won't close as early as September. It would be November by the earliest (and for some it will be as late as July 2026) and by then you would have many months of experience.

Sorry I thought I quoted this - This is the message I’m referring to

 

[Chris Brown]

Similar to the questions earlier - does this mean that the prospective date for starting the SQE for a March 2027 TC would be September 2026 or even earlier?

Also has anyone continued working full time alongside doing the SQE sponsored by the firm? Or is that not allowed?

The SQE would begin at least a year before the TC start date. If the prospective date for starting the TC is March 2027, the latest you would begin the SQE is Feb/March 2026. 😅

You could start the SQE in September 2025 and finish it in September 2026. This would mean a 6 month gap between finishing the SQE and commencing the March 2027 TC.

I think some firms stipulate you can’t be in full time employment whilst studying the SQE full time. I think these firms would offer bigger grants to future trainees to compensate. 🥲​

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Similar to the questions earlier - does this mean that the prospective date for starting the SQE for a March 2027 TC would be September 2026 or even earlier?

Also has anyone continued working full time alongside doing the SQE sponsored by the firm? Or is that not allowed?

Most firms will expect you to do the SQE in the 12 months before starting your TC. Some may allow you to do it earlier if you have spare time between your offer and your TC starting though.

I would not advise working full-time while doing the SQE unless it was a highly flexible job in terms of hours and the time off you can get. Many firms are paying you a tax free maintenance grant to ensure you don't have to work full-time during this period. Many firms will allow you to work part-time though. We have heard of a couple of firms that don't allow you to work at all, because they want you to focus on your studies, but I would say working part-time during your SQE is possible and manageable (many of our past and present TCLA team have done exactly this).