TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

Do you know of any city law firms that do allow people to retake SQE 1 and/or 2 if they don’t pass it the first time? 🥲

Also, why do firms clawback money they give as a grant? How are people expected to pay the money back? 🫤​

I don’t have a list of these details to be able to comment on who does or doesn’t. Just based on the number of conversations I have about this topic, it’s not rare. I think a lot of it can come down to discretion rather than a hard policy too.

Some firms will just see it as appropriate to get the money back from someone, especially given the size of the money invested. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but I can understand why they 1) have the policy and 2) utilise it. It could be very costly to be seen as a firm who is generous and doesn’t reclaw money - this is not just about people failing the SQE but also people reneging TC offers or leaving their TC part way through.

Some firms have these terms that mean you could still be paying back some money if you leave upon qualification. It isn’t unknown that you have to get to 1-2 years PQE before you don’t have to pay something back.

I have never heard of a firm trying to clawback all the money immediately though. That’s unrealistic and, IMO, try dangerous in terms on the impact it could have on the individual and their families mental health.

I responded to Chris Lee’s post - years ago I did a clawback that was over £30k and the individual was paying it back over about 7-8 at around £300 a month. That was agreed with the individual based on what they thought they could afford.

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

after a string of rejections I have decided to self-fund the PGDL/MA Law conversion course next year. Can anybody advise on the structure of these courses at ULaw in London? If I am to land vac schemes in the winter/spring/summer break how would that line up with the class schedules? Half the reason I could not apply to more winter vac schemes this year was because they clashed with uni.

 

[VacSchemer]

Has Pinsent Masons gotten back to anyone regarding their direct TC?

 

[legallyells]

after a string of rejections I have decided to self-fund the PGDL/MA Law conversion course next year. Can anybody advise on the structure of these courses at ULaw in London? If I am to land vac schemes in the winter/spring/summer break how would that line up with the class schedules? Half the reason I could not apply to more winter vac schemes this year was because they clashed with uni.

ive self funded the MA Law at Moorgate ULaw, alongside this i’ve obtained a vac scheme and final interviews and got distinctions in my exams, whilst working part time 2 days a week. the first semester is much more manageable in terms of work load, i did 1-2 applications a week by focussing on them every evening. you only have classes two days a week, with two two-hour tutorials on each of those days, meaning the rest of the week is reading prep, consolidating notes from class and time for applications. i know some of my classmates got winter vs and they fell in the winter break before exams with 3 weeks (ish) left to revise. spring vs fall in the easter break with two weeks left to revise (depending on firm ofc). ive never known of anyone here missing class at ULaw for a vs, except for interviews. also if you ever cant make a class, you can reschedule and join another class for that weeks works to ensure nothing is missed! it’s an intense year but very possible and rewarding - id recommend! feel free to pm me for more specifics!

 

[trainee4u]

after a string of rejections I have decided to self-fund the PGDL/MA Law conversion course next year. Can anybody advise on the structure of these courses at ULaw in London? If I am to land vac schemes in the winter/spring/summer break how would that line up with the class schedules? Half the reason I could not apply to more winter vac schemes this year was because they clashed with uni.

the classes are done every day for different students over a whole week. So for example if you've a class scheduled for Monday you can apply to switch (for that week) to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, but not to a different week.

If you miss a whole week and are self-funding there are no formal consequences - just a need to catch up/self study.

 

[James Wakefield]

Does anyone else seem to have more luck with some application websites than others? I have never got past the application stage if the firm uses cvmail...

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone else seem to have more luck with some application websites than others? I have never got past the application stage if the firm uses cvmail...

Vantage + AllHires >>> CvMail. I don’t know how to work CvMail, especially the work experience entries. Those tiny text boxes are a nightmare and pain to navigate. Whoever designed the layout needs to go outside and touch grass. 🥲

I have yet to get past the application stage for a firm that uses CvMail as well. If Paul Hastings do get back to me with an interview invite, that might change things. That seems unlikely at this point though. It’s been 3 weeks. 🥲​

 

[danjones]

I was rejected yesterday for the summer scheme at SH - hopefully there is still hope if you haven't heard back yet

SH is strange. I emailed them on the 19th for an update (thinking they might have missed sending me a rejection), and they replied that they’re still reviewing applications. But I’ve seen that many people have already received tests and even offers!

 

[M_m]

Hi guys! I’ve been lucky enough to secure a summer vacation scheme this cycle. I’m quite new to the UK, and while I’ve done commercial law internships back in my home country, I have very little idea about how vacation schemes work. I get that you’re assessed on the work you do as well more formal assessments such as interviews, groups tasks, etc. My question is, what are the more subtle, unspoken things I’ll be assessed on/should keep in mind/ will help me stand out?

I’m particularly intrigued by the whole concept of “coffee chats”. How do you go about them? Is it strictly mandatory?

Is there anything else similar I should keep in mind?

 

[XXXXX]

I received an offer in regards to their Spring vacation scheme, they emailed over my offer in writing yesterday so you may have to wait . Congrats on your offer!

Congrats! And thank you

 

[aphelion]

When you were choosing your AC date, what was the last date available?

As far as I can recall it was 1 April

 

[Ash4202]

Vantage + AllHires >>> CvMail. I don’t know how to work CvMail, especially the work experience entries. Those tiny text boxes are a nightmare and pain to navigate. Whoever designed the layout needs to go outside and touch grass. 🥲

I have yet to get past the application stage for a firm that uses CvMail as well. If Paul Hastings do get back to me with an interview invite, that might change things. That seems unlikely at this point though. It’s been 3 weeks. 🥲​

I wouldn’t lose hope regarding PH bc i know someone who got an interview invite in the last 2 weeks of april last year.

 

[Bloo]

Amazing job @loe!!! They're an excellent firm!

Assuming the written assessment is similar to the one I completed in 2023, it's a fairly standard commercial/business-style task designed to test both your commercial awareness and your communication skills. I think the key to the task is demonstrating your ability to understand and analyse business scenarios from a client's perspective and then clearly articulating your advice in a concise, client-friendly manner.

To prepare effectively, I'd strongly recommend familiarising yourself with the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis method. Practising SWOT analyses on various businesses or commercial scenarios can help sharpen your ability to quickly identify relevant factors influencing a business decision. This skill will be especially useful in assessing opportunities or risks in the assessment scenario CRS gives you. I'm not sure if the TCLA written exercises have exactly the same scenario, but you may want to look into any practice exercises that involve scenarios that require such analysis. In addition to strengthening your analytical skills, I'd also take a stab at practising drafting memos or emails in clear, straightforward language (imagine you're addressing a client who might not have legal expertise). Aim for a balance of detail and simplicity, ensuring your advice is both professional and easily understandable.

Good luck with the written exercise!

Hi Ram! I was wondering how you would structure the SWOT analysis. Would you recommend using short bullet points, a paragraph for each Swot portion, or a mixture of both (i.e. bullet point + 1-2 sentences)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi TCLA community, i've always been a lurker but decided to put out a post to untangle my thoughts for anyone happy to read it. I've graduated from uni last year and have been unsuccessful in the application cycle again this year - I got to two ACs but unfortunately did not get through with either but I got much further than last year (a win!). Of course, I'm not planning to give up and will be trying again in September but I am just at a loss at this point in time.

Although I still want to be a commercial solicitor, i'm very much interested in the media and entertainment industry and find it difficult to articulate 'why this firm' or 'why me' when a lot of my experiences lean towards hobbies linking to the creative industries and less so towards the main industries that many city firms cater to, like finance, real estate, energy etc and the creative sector is often not a main selling point of the firm (although I have applied to places like Harbottle and Wiggin - i was also unsuccessful or am still waiting). Does anyone have any advice on articulating this interest without the mistake of coming across too focused on only one sector? and any stories of encouragement would be appreciated too or if anyone is up for a general chat navigating this process together

Hi! First off, I just want to say you’ve done really well to get to two ACs — that’s no small feat and shows real progress. In my view, the application stage is actually the hardest part because that’s where most candidates get filtered out — especially those who aren’t fully sure why they’re applying or what they want. The fact that you’re consistently getting through that hurdle suggests your written applications are strong and you’ve nailed the basics of showing motivation and commercial awareness.

On your passion for the media and entertainment industry, I completely understand how tricky it can be to balance that interest without sounding overly focused on one niche. A few thoughts that might help:

1. Explore in-house TCs in the creative space:

There are companies in that sector offering legal training contracts — for example, I think Channel 4 and the BBC do. These tend to be smaller intakes, but if the media/entertainment sector is something you’re genuinely passionate about, it’s worth looking into these options alongside private practice.

2. Target firms with strong (but not always obvious) media/entertainment practices:

Some firms might not market themselves heavily as media/entertainment specialists but still have solid practices in this space. Reed Smith comes to mind — their entertainment and media team is very reputable. Similarly, some US or international firms might have strong practices that get a bit lost when you’re looking at general Chambers or Legal500 rankings. It’s worth digging into the specific team work on firm websites, deal announcements, and directories.

3. Look for firms offering media/IP seats, even if it’s not a core focus:

You don’t necessarily have to target only niche media firms. Plenty of larger commercial firms might offer an IP or media seat — which gives you the exposure you’re after while still training at a broad-based firm. That way, you can frame your applications around wanting to develop as a well-rounded commercial lawyer, while also being drawn to firms that provide the opportunity to explore your specific interest in media and entertainment.

4. Target firms with strong IP practices:

As @Chris Brown mentioned on this forum, firms with a strong IP practice often work with clients in the creative and entertainment industries or on matters that overlap (copyright, trademarks, licensing, etc.). That could be a good middle ground — giving you sector-adjacent experience while also widening your pool of firms.

Finally, it’s worth saying — the fact you’re getting closer each year is a good sign. This process is challenging at times, but the progress is there. You’ve clearly got what it takes, and I’m confident your persistence will pay off. Happy to chat further or bounce ideas around if you ever need!

 

[dlc3266]

Vantage + AllHires >>> CvMail. I don’t know how to work CvMail, especially the work experience entries. Those tiny text boxes are a nightmare and pain to navigate. Whoever designed the layout needs to go outside and touch grass. 🥲

I have yet to get past the application stage for a firm that uses CvMail as well. If Paul Hastings do get back to me with an interview invite, that might change things. That seems unlikely at this point though. It’s been 3 weeks. 🥲​

Why — has Paul Hastings sent out interview invites already?

 

[Amma Usman]

Vantage + AllHires >>> CvMail. I don’t know how to work CvMail, especially the work experience entries. Those tiny text boxes are a nightmare and pain to navigate. Whoever designed the layout needs to go outside and touch grass. 🥲

I have yet to get past the application stage for a firm that uses CvMail as well. If Paul Hastings do get back to me with an interview invite, that might change things. That seems unlikely at this point though. It’s been 3 weeks. 🥲​

This actually made me laugh a bit.

One thing that helped me was indeed shortening my work experiences to only the key ones, as I know for some firms you can only include 4-6.

Another thing is that you usually can not go back to your application once sent off. Thus, it’ll be helpful to save a copy of it so as to easily refer to it during ACs and all. This is especially helpful for those firms that are not CV/application blind at interview stages.

 

[A worried graduate]

The top 20 is dominated by Magic and Silver Circle firms which all pay £100-£110k to their trainees and offer grants of £15-20k. It can’t be HL or NRF either as they offer similar amounts to future trainees. That’s at least 10 firms out of question, which leaves 10. 🤔

It is unlikely to be Addleshaw Goddard, CMS, Simmons & Simmons, Taylor Wessing, Osborne Clarke or Pinsent Masons as they also offer around £100k+ to trainees across their training contract. All these firms are top 20 UK headquartered law firms. The only exception is if OP’s TC was for a regional office, in which case it could be Osborne Clarke or Simmons & Simmons (Reading and/or Bristol). 🙂

The only firms it could be is one of these firms: Bird & Bird, Clyde & Co, Eversheds Sutherland or RPC. I suspect it’s probably Bird & Bird or RPC that the OP is referring to. These firms are all also in the top 20. 😮

It says the maintenance grant was in excess of 5 figures. I think this implies it was probably over £10k but below £15k, at least for the SQE grant itself. These firms have a SQE grant between that range, and/or trainee salaries above £90,000 but below £100,000 (see below):

1: Bird & Bird trainee salary is £47,000 (1st year) and £52,000 (2nd year). This adds up to £99,000. Their SQE grant is £15,000.

2: Clyde & Co trainee salary is £47,000 (1st year) and £50,000 (2nd year). This adds up to £97,000. Their SQE grant is around £10,000.

3: Eversheds Sutherland trainee salary is £46,000 (1st year) and £50,000 (2nd year). This adds up to £96,000. Their SQE grant is £7,000.

4: RPC trainee salary is £46,000 (1st year) and £50,000 (2nd year). This adds up to £96,000. Their SQE grant is £12,000.

Whichever firm it is, I think it’s really unfair to not give the person at least 1 chance to retake the SQE. To then demand the cost of fees back despite being such a major UK firm, is pretty surprising tbh. 🫤​

I think this whole fiasco actually will create a much larger problem of killing off social mobility.

If someone can’t or won’t self-fund, having funding vs having funding IF you pass is one hell of a distinction especially if it could lead to serious financial problems.

Furthermore, getting a TC means having to study at BPP and live in London, both of which will add a lot of costs, especially as I have been told that the largest firms ban part time working while studying the SQE and even one of the smaller internationals (80k or so NQ) have told me that they would require approval.

I do wonder how it will work for the grad sol apprentices

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi guys! I’ve been lucky enough to secure a summer vacation scheme this cycle. I’m quite new to the UK, and while I’ve done commercial law internships back in my home country, I have very little idea about how vacation schemes work. I get that you’re assessed on the work you do as well more formal assessments such as interviews, groups tasks, etc. My question is, what are the more subtle, unspoken things I’ll be assessed on/should keep in mind/ will help me stand out?

I’m particularly intrigued by the whole concept of “coffee chats”. How do you go about them? Is it strictly mandatory?

Is there anything else similar I should keep in mind?

Congrats on securing the vac scheme — that’s such a huge milestone already! Honestly, a large part of the process is learning on the job, so don’t worry too much about having everything figured out before you start.

The assessed tasks you’ve mentioned — written work, group tasks, interviews — are really important (enough that they’re formally assessed), so I’d definitely take those seriously. Make sure you ask questions if you’re unsure about anything and take time to understand the task fully before diving in. Quality matters more than rushing to finish.

Another thing is making the most of the socials. They’re not officially assessed, but they give you a chance to get to know people at the firm and learn about the culture from different layers — trainees, associates, partners. People do notice if you make the effort to show up and engage. My advice is to relax, be yourself, and enjoy the process. You’ll naturally stand out more when you’re comfortable and curious.

On coffee chats, I think being targeted is key. You don’t have to chat with everyone, but try to reach out to people in practice areas you’re genuinely interested in or with similar backgrounds. It shows you’ve done your research and are thoughtful about your interests. Plus, you get better insights that way, which might help when you’re asked “Why this firm?” later. It’s less about ticking a box and more about building genuine connections.

Other than that, just remember — your attitude matters. Things like being approachable, asking good questions, showing curiosity, and being proactive go a long way. You’ve already done the hard part getting the scheme, so back yourself! Happy to chat if you need any more advice.

 

[Amma Usman]

I was rejected yesterday for the summer scheme at SH - hopefully there is still hope if you haven't heard back yet

I’m really sorry to hear that — but honestly, getting to the vac scheme stage is already a huge achievement. It definitely doesn’t take away from how capable you are.

Rejections hurt, but they don’t define your potential or your journey. A lot of people don’t get their first-choice schemes but still go on to secure TCs at other great firms. You’re clearly doing something right, so keep pushing — it will happen.

Here if you ever want to chat - you’re not alone in the process.

 

[BobThebIlly]

Guys this might sound like a daft qs but should I be preparing for a potential PH interview even tho I have heard nothing from them since my initial app?

I don’t really know how long you have between the interview invite and the interview itself. I also don’t want to tire myself out by preparing in advance if I don’t have an interview to begin with 😭