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training contract

  1. T

    Applying for TC with no legal work experience and no previous VS

    Hello all, Now, don't boo me for this thread but I did want to ask this question about my specific situation. I am doing a PGDL currently and I am applying to TCs but without any previous legal work experience to back it up. I just got a rejection for the Shoosmiths VS and I have a sinking...
  2. Francis G.

    What degree is better if an international student want to apply for a TC? LLM, senior LLB or MA in law

    I am an international student with an LLB degree from another country and would like to apply for a TC from ifirm in the UK, what is the best degree for me? Can you help me choose? 1. LLM from Russell University. For law firm HR, would prestigious schools such as LSE and UCL be more worthwhile...
  3. 20tunnj

    Do I Keep Applying to TCs/VSs or Take the NY Bar?

    Hi everyone! Feels surreal to finally post for the first time after lurking here for the past 6 months. We're at the tail-end of the application cycle now, and I'm at a cross-roads. I'm contemplating. Do I — (a) take my chances and continue applying for TCs as an international student...
    • 20tunnj
    • Thread
    • bar international student magic circle new york training contract ucl vacation scheme
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Introduce Yourself Here!
  4. J

    CMS or DLA Piper?

    I'm in the very fortunate position of having passed ACs for both CMS and DLA Piper - happy to offer tips to anyone who's yet to go through the process :) (not that I'd feel especially qualified for this!) However, the CMS offer is for a direct TC, and DLA for a Summer Internship. I really...
  5. G

    BBC Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship Written Task

    Hi everyone, I’ve recently been invited to complete the pre-assessment centre written task for the BBC. However, I’ve received very little information about what to expect. All I know is that I’ll have 5 hours to complete the task via HireVue, but I’m unsure of how to approach it. Should I...
  6. A

    Kennedy's TC/ SQE programme 2025

    Hi all, i applied to the SQE programme 2025 in professional liability team, does anyone know how long it roughly takes for them to respond?
  7. ihatelaw

    Poor A-level Grades - Is it possible to get a TC ??

    I'm currently studying a non-law course at King's College London (a Russell Group university), and I'm interested in pursuing a career in law. However, I’m concerned that my A-level grades (ABC) might affect my chances of securing a training contract at top law firms. I understand that...
  8. sleepylawyer

    Journey to a TC

    Hi, I previously posted on here a while back introducing myself and my journey and now I have come to a very important milestone in this journey, my first application cycle. As a penultimate year law student, I am looking to apply to a few vacation schemes this year, I have selected the...
  9. AA711

    Advice on getting a TC with bad A-levels but in RG Uni and potential mitigating circumstances?

    Hello, I would like advice on how to increase my chances of having a TC. Unfortunately, I didn't get the grades I wanted as I got BBC in Bio, Chem and History A-levels with an A in the EPQ. I was able to get into my Firm in York, as I had completed a Summer School program between Years 12 and...
  10. S

    Gap in studies and career progression due to mental health — will this affect my VS/TC applications?

    Hi all, I graduated this summer from Manchester University with a first (77) in Philosophy. However, I had to take two years out from studying for mental health reasons. I used that time to firstly address the mental health issues and then to get work experience, first at a restaurant and then...
  11. lawyer wannabe80@

    Bad GCSE and A Levels - Will this affect my chances at getting TC?

    Hello, I don't know how to start this so imma just speed through it in the best way I can. Basically, I came to England when I was 12 and I knew zero English, by the time I was somewhat good at English language I was in year 11. I only got the full grasp of English language by the time I was...
  12. S

    Chances I land a US/MC/SC Vac Scheme (low 2:1)?

    Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well. As I'm preparing and sending out vacation scheme applications for the upcoming cycle, I wanted to get some thoughts from the community on how competitive I might be for schemes at top firms (US/MC/SC). I'm asking because, while I'm at a strong...
  13. hush-hush

    applying for vac Schemes to TC Dreams

    Hey everyone! a little bit about me - I'm an international student and graduated from a non-Russell group university in London (can you guess?) with high merit in LLB Law honours. My current stage is studying the LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2) starting this September, and I'm self-funding it. I...
  14. N

    HFW vacation scheme (conversion to TC)

    Hi, hope everyone's good :) I have the Vacation Scheme at HFW coming up next week. V excited, and v keen to convert this VS to a TC. Does anyone have any experience of the firm, or any advice on performing well during the VS? Thanks!
  15. W

    Can I still get a training contract?

    Hi everyone, I've recently been worrying about whether I can obtain a TC, as my grades are not appealing. I got a B C C in my A levels and will get a 2:1 (65%) in my law degree from a non-Russell group university this year. I know my portfolio is not good, but I really enjoy learning law and...
  16. tatianavlt

    Qualifying as a solicitor in London as an international student ?

    Hello everyone! I'm an international student, who will graduate this September from a university outside the UK. I have studied an LLB and Master's degree in law from a top University in France. I have significant experience in common law, having completing a 2 year Diploma on the topic during...
  17. R

    Slaughter and May 2026 TC

    Hey has anyone recently interviewed with Slaughters in the past week or two. The post-interview wait is absolutely agonising.
  18. K

    CV section: bullet points or paragraph?

    I was under the impression that the CV section of one's application should be kept succinct, and well, in CV-like form with bullet points. However, a friend who has been successful in securing a TC at a top firm told me she had written out her work experience more elaborately, as an explanatory...
  19. P

    Uni of law LPC and TC

    Hi all I have been studying the LPC online since Jan and haven’t rlly had the chance to meet many people on the course. I was wondering if there’s anyone else studying who would like to do a study support session. I have also been trying to apply for direct TC and happy to discuss that too :)
  20. BJosh1928

    Assessment Centre preparation for someone that has no knowledge of law?

    Somehow received assessment centre offers to a few law firms and have made it near to the assessment centre rounds for top law firms (MC firms/US). I applied on a whim as I used to be interested in law but due to familial pressure of not going down that route, for years I just left the idea of...
    • BJosh1928
    • Thread
    • application advice assessment centre assessment centre case study commercial awareness interview prep magic circle training contract us law firm vacation scheme
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Applications Discussion

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The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

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