TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Saul_specter]

anyone heard from A&O regarding winter vac scheme? Seen that my portal has changed to under review earlier this afternoon/evening

 

[Enyonam]

Sorry I meant the tiem given like is it a week or two days etc. Thanks!

You have a week exactly to complete the test

 

[TheHamlet4]

Macfarlanes Stage 2 assessment...I have no words...

 

[ufdj]

Macfarlanes Stage 2 assessment...I have no words...

wow is it that bad guys..

 

[dannyp123]

wow is it that bad guys..

If it's the simulate assessment like last year god help me

 

[TJ360]

Yep Macfarlanes stage 2 was killer. I have no hope.

 

[TJ360]

Anyone heard back from STB for Autumn vac scheme? I applied one day before the deadline but nothing yet.

 

[TJ360]

And Latham and Watkins only give you three days for the test. Funny thing is, it's the second day today already and they have not even sent the link yet.

 

[zavshay]

And Latham and Watkins only give you three days for the test. Funny thing is, it's the second day today already and they have not even sent the link yet.

Same issue here!

 

[Louislitty]

Hey guys, I need advice.

I have a million different firms I to apply for, but I don't know if I should do winter or summer.

Honestly, I just want to get one! I hope once I get it I will do a good job and get TC. I know people spread out the applications to maximise how many schemes they can do in the year, but I'm choosing to maximise actually getting one in the first place.

What is easier? Does anyone know whether Winter or Summer (or Spring?) is more competitive?

For reference I'm a fourth year student with a predicted first.

Thanks!

 

[Louislitty]

Also, do Open Days actually boost your application or is more for you to learn abt the firm?

 

[supernovna]

Macfarlanes Stage 2 assessment...I have no words...

Hey! Congrats! Could you please share your Stage 1 report results if possible?

 

[Madison Pinewall]

literally submitted that Ashurst Perkins Coie by the skin of my teeth... hope there were no issues hahahaha

 

[Futuretrainee002]

Also, do Open Days actually boost your application or is more for you to learn abt the firm?

Hey, all schemes regardless of their date are the same, so you should choose to apply to ones that would be most convenient for you time wise and when you have availability.

Regarding open days, attending an open day doesn’t help increase your application succeeding apart from you having a stronger link to the firm and being able to learn more about them. Succeeding in an open day application is also a good indication that your application profile and grades are what the firm is looking for. I would recommend applying to the firms that you are most interested in just to learn more about them - but there isn’t any actual practical advantage to attending one.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

literally submitted that Ashurst Perkins Coie by the skin of my teeth... hope there were no issues hahahaha

Wooo congrats !

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hello @Antoni Trochimowicz

I'm currently writing my Skadden application, and have a few questions:

What qualities or skills do you possess that would enable you to thrive on the Skadden training contract? (300 words) - for this, is it better to include 2 or 3 qualities, and therefore paragraphs? I only have the capacity to write 2 due to words.

If you could choose a career other than Corporate law, what would you choose? - for this question, what's the best structure to follow to make sure the distinction between chosen career and corporate law is clear like to make it intertwined?

Thank you

Hi!

1) I would say, with 300 words, the firm is likely to expect 3 distinct qualities (therefore 3 paragraphs). That is not to say that 2 is too little or the fact they would discard your application, absolutely not. It is just more preferable to do 3 paragraphs for such a question. If it was 250 words, there is more leeway in regards to picking 2 or 3 as both would be fine.

2) For this question, there a multitude of ways to structure your response, most of which would be perfectly fine. However, what I would emphasise is having some form of a link between the chosen career and commercial law. By no means does this career have to be 'linked', for instance I chose being a Detective, but it would probably be good to pick out points that have some form of a connection, albeit loose, to this career. The point of this question is to see your personality and also your writing. And as such, you should be convincing in talking about your alternative career, but at the same time you wouldn't want graduate recruitment to come to believe that the careers are so opposite to the extent you no longer seem convincing for your motivations for commercial law. Consequently, I would add a small addition to your response, probably 50-80 words at the end talking about some aspect of commercial law that makes it the preferred career for you. Granted, I'm sure people have done it in different ways, I'm just speaking on my own experience.

Hope that helps !

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi! Probs an obvious question but could someone please confirm what Eversheds mean by *internal* TC applications (e.g., those already at the firm like paralegals) or is it open to anyone? Thanks!

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi everyone,
I’m a recent Durham law graduate (July 2026, 68% LLB) and I’ve received an offer to start the LLM at UCL on 28 September. My main goal is to secure a vacation scheme at a commercial law firm in London in this application cycle. So far, I’ve applied to around 15 vacation schemes but haven’t been shortlisted yet.
I’m trying to decide between:

• Accepting the UCL LLM offer and applying to vacation schemes while studying; or
• Declining the offer, moving to London regardless, and focusing on paralegal roles alongside vacation scheme applications.

I’d really appreciate any advice from people who’ve been in a similar position, or who have insights on:

• How much (if at all) an LLM helps with vacation scheme / training contract applications at commercial firms;
• Whether it’s worth taking on the LLM time‑wise if the primary aim is a TC;
• Any strategies that helped you get shortlisted after multiple rejections.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or experiences you can share.

Hi! Congrats on receiving the offer, that's fantastic ! I would like to preface this with the fact I haven't been in the same position so of course if anyone else can offer closer insights, that would be great.

Nevertheless, my takes are:
1) From my experience scouring TCLA, Reddit etc. I have come to the conclusion that widely an LLM doesn't really help in securing TCs, with potentially the exception of the BCL at Oxford (I believe). This is especially due to the fact you've graduated (with a strong grade) from Durham, which is on par with UCL in regards to law firm recruiting.

2) This is more dependent on you and how much time you think you would be able to dedicate to applications. Both aspects (LLM & Applications) are incredibly time-consuming and would need quite a strict schedule (but very very doable, I'm sure you'd manage ). If you think you would enjoy doing the LLM/regret not doing it, I'm sure it's worth it.

Then on the point of whether it's better to move to London regardless and look for Paralegal roles, that of course is a strong option. However, from what I've heard, the paralegal market has become extremely difficult too. As a result, I'm sure there would be some expectation of past experience. But please do take this with a pinch of salt as I personally haven't looked at Paralegal positions, I'm sure someone else can give some better insights to this.

Either way, you're in a good position with some strong options in front of you, I'm sure you're going to smash it ! Let us know if you have any further questions.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi everyone!

Just submitted my first application of this cycle to Ashurst Perkins Coie! One down, many more to go.

I have a question regarding A level grades and the "minimum" requirements of some firms. I wanted to apply to the Latham and Watkins vacation scheme, however, I achieved ABB in my A levels. Latham and Watkins say they want a minimum of AAB.

I know its often on a firm by firm basis, but would I be wasting my time in this instance? I achieved a first at a RG university (not sure if that makes a difference in this scenario...)

Thanks in advance.

Hi! Congrats
Of course I'm not entirely certain of law firm policies in regards to grades, but I would say achieving a first at a RG definitely should quell any grade concerns the firm may have from the A Level results (which are still strong grades nonetheless). I'm sure you're going to be fine !

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

I'm mostly wanting to apply to firms along the lines of Bird & Bird, Mishcon etc this cycle, however, there's one or two US firms, such as Cooley and White & Case, that I'd love to apply to. The problem is that I'm not sure if I'd be wasting my time given my academics.

I'm going into my final year as a non-law at a Bristol/Durham/etc. and I'm currently at a 64%, give or take, with some 2:2s from first and second year. I've got some good work experience, including a vac scheme at a regional office of an Eversheds/CMS/etc. and a year abroad spent as an in-house paralegal, as well as internships at some offshore firms.

I really like those US firms, but I'd like to hear if people think it's even worth applying given my uni grades?

Hi, I can't speak to the specific requirements of those two firms & what commonly is accepted there. But what I would say generally, particularly reading your experiences here, I certainly don't think it would be a waste. You have strong, probably much stronger than most, relevant work experience that would definitely be an asset for any firm. Your grades are also not fatal, they average out at a mid 2:1 which is what most firms look for anyways. As a result, I really think you should give it a shot, wishing you the best !