TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Novaa]

@Abbie Whitlock - what are your thoughts on this? I am honestly not impressed with this because I have been told otherwise from early careers at many US / UK law firms.

Well, law is a fundamentally geographic profession so it would be tied to demand for non-English counsel.
If you’re interested in qualifying in the UK, I believe that you would have to sit SQE, but you then wouldn’t have the requirement for two years post-qualifying work if you’ve already practiced law abroad.
Trainee roles are for graduates with no prior legal qualification. If you’re a qualified lawyer, even abroad, I would guess that it’s simply not the role for you. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but I’d assume that it’s a bit like if a cardiologist wanted to become a neurosurgeon, they wouldn’t redo all of medical school

Just adding my two cents.

I think you’re both right, just about different routes. Technically, you can qualify in E&W via the SQE if the SRA accepts your foreign work experience.

But, plenty of firms still recruit foreign qualified lawyers onto TCs. I know HSF Kramer, Linklaters, and Baker McKenzie have all done this, so it’s definitely an option too.

 

[moousea]

For the latter yes

Thank you! May I ask if the same has been confirmed for Macfarlanes as well?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thank you @Abbie Whitlock thats super useful! With commercial awareness, what were you using to follow the stories? Did you just pick a sector on BBC/FT/The Times etc and read articles everyday in that section?

No problem - I'm glad to hear it!

I actually started with the FT News Briefing podcast most mornings during my commute, as I found it was a really manageable way to keep up with the main stories without feeling overwhelmed. If there was a story that I found particularly interesting or thought might be relevant to law firms, I'd then go away and read a bit more about it on websites like BBC News, the FT, or other news sources. I also regularly checked on LittleLaw, as this tended to involve stories that were relevant to law firms (but the articles come out less regularly, so it was less of a daily thing).

I didn't tend to follow one specific sector every day, unless I was researching a specific area ahead of a law firm's AC or interview. Instead, I would dig deeper into the ones that had interesting commercial or legal implications. I found that much more engaging than trying to read everything, and because I was genuinely interested in the stories I chose, it was much easier to remember them and discuss them in applications or interviews.

Over time, you'll start to notice recurring themes (e.g. AI, tariffs, energy transition, M&A activity, regulation, etc.) which makes it much easier to connect different stories together and build your commercial awareness naturally

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey, I missed today’s event with STB :/ for those who attended:regarding A-levels, if you do no meet their requirements do they take into account mitigating circumstances? They seem pretty strict and with the absence of of online tests I suspect the focus will be on grade.. @Jaysen @Abbie Reed Smith do you have any thoughts/advice?

Hey!

I don't have any firm-specific insight into STB's approach, so it may be worth emailing the graduate recruitment team directly if you are unsure, as they'll be able to give you the most accurate answer.

More generally though, most firms will take mitigating circumstances into account if you explain them clearly and concisely on the application form, even where they have quite strict academic requirements. They usually review those on a case-by-case basis rather than applying the grade requirements rigidly in every situation

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock - what are your thoughts on this? I am honestly not impressed with this because I have been told otherwise from early careers at many US / UK law firms.

Hey!

To be honest, I'm probably not the best person to give a definitive answer on this, as I don't have much experience with the route for internationally qualified lawyers.

My general understanding is that policies can vary quite a bit between firms. I have seen that some firms are happy to consider internationally qualified lawyers for trainee roles or other entry routes, whereas others may have restrictions depending on the jurisdiction, level of experience, or the pathway/route they want candidates to follow. That is why you may have received different messages from different firms, as I don't think there is a universal policy across them all.

Given that Macfarlanes appears to have given you a specific answer, I would be inclined to take that as their current policy, even if you were progressed in a previous cycle. It may be that their policy has changed, or that there are nuances around what counts as being "qualified" for the purposes of their specific recruitment processes.

I think this is one of those situations where it is worth going back to the graduate recruitment team for clarification on the reasoning behind the decision, and whether there are any alternative routes available

 

[Lawlawland]

Hi People!
Here for my second cycle, with one BigLaw experience added to my resume.

This time, I am also preparing for my SQE, so it will be double trouble, which I am hoping to embrace as best as I can.

All the best to everyone getting into another cycle with renewed hope. We are in this together!

 

[SemperParatus]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock
I was just wondering, does TCLA still do commercial awareness workshops where candidates discuss and debate an article or a case study? thank you so much

 

[Novaa]

Hi People!
Here for my second cycle, with one BigLaw experience added to my resume.

This time, I am also preparing for my SQE, so it will be double trouble, which I am hoping to embrace as best as I can.

All the best to everyone getting into another cycle with renewed hope. We are in this together!

As we go into this new application cycle, I thought I would share some words of hope for anyone out there who needs them (myself included lol).

The journey to getting a TC is such a tiresome one. I know firsthand how tiresome it is as someone who recently didn't convert a vac scheme. But as tiresome as it is, know that so much growth is happening in the process. Though it's difficult to see, with every application you write, every test you complete, every interview you attend, you're becoming a stronger applicant. So keep going; we're all doing so much better than we think

I truly do love the community which has been built on TCLA, like it’s 3pm on a Thursday and the positivity is beaming!!

Might print some “I LOVE TCLA” shirts, ( I won’t sell them Jaysen #CommerciallyAware)

 

[Novaa]

Btw does anyone know if there’s question bank somewhere with common video interview questions?

 

[Jaysen]

Hey, I missed today’s event with STB :/ for those who attended:regarding A-levels, if you do no meet their requirements do they take into account mitigating circumstances? They seem pretty strict and with the absence of of online tests I suspect the focus will be on grade.. @Jaysen @Abbie Reed Smith do you have any thoughts/advice?

Here's the recording

 

[Jaysen]

I truly do love the community which has been built on TCLA, like it’s 3pm on a Thursday and the positivity is beaming!!

Might print some “I LOVE TCLA” shirts, ( I won’t sell them Jaysen #CommerciallyAware)

I would buy a shirt!

 

[Lawlawland]

So... IDK how this positivity here worked...

I've received an offer for an in-house graduate Trainee role at an Investment Bank. I thought I did a terrible job in the interview. But here we are.

While it's a one year contract for now. This has given me hopes to produce a better CV for this cycle's application.

One Background check away from stop being unemployed ...

 

[WillKitchen]

@Lawlawland Congratulations, that's great news!

 

[SemperParatus]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock thank you, how do I join this group please? I would really like the opportunity to develop my commercial awareness

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Btw does anyone know if there’s question bank somewhere with common video interview questions?

Hey!

We have a question bank with 320+ questions here at TCLA - you can find it here! Whilst this list isn't specifically for video interviews, the type of questions that can pop up (especially motivational, competency, and strengths/personality questions) are very similar, so it will be useful practice

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock
I was just wondering, does TCLA still do commercial awareness workshops where candidates discuss and debate an article or a case study? thank you so much

Hi @Abbie Whitlock thank you, how do I join this group please? I would really like the opportunity to develop my commercial awareness

Hi!

Apologies for the confusion (I tend to tick messages that I intend to reply to!) - TCLA no longer runs these workshops

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Hi all, hope that you are well. I am currently waiting to see if I have managed to convert my Vacation Scheme into a Training Contract following a final stage interview I had a week and a half ago. It’s so hard not to think about it, but I have done the best that I can do.

 

[lucyindia]

Hi everyone, this will be my first cycle applying for VS (and really taking applications seriously as well).
Concerning Macfarlanes, I was wondering if there are any advantages to applying to the WVS vs the SVS - especially since the WVS only has c.15 places whereas the SVS has 20x2?

 

[Novaa]

Hi everyone, this will be my first cycle applying for VS (and really taking applications seriously as well).
Concerning Macfarlanes, I was wondering if there are any advantages to applying to the WVS vs the SVS - especially since the WVS only has c.15 places whereas the SVS has 20x2?

Hellooo!!

I’ve heard that usually fewer people apply to WVS’, so there’s less “competition” in that sense. But since they’ll be doing the same checks, I’d imagine Macfarlanes has a rough idea of their average applicant numbers and structured the WVS around filling 15 places. Also what firms advertise isn’t necessarily their absolute capacity, so they could potentially have room for more than 15

They’re both two weeks right? So yeah I see the WVS more as another option for scheme availability rather than there being a clear advantage to either.

 

[Euphrosynos]

Would greatly appreciate any helpful tips on how to make the most out of an Open Day. Will be attending my first one and I would love to be prepared pre/during/post open day. Thanks x