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Converting VS to a TC as a non-law student?

wqueens8

Active Member
Jun 28, 2024
17
8
Hey everyone,

This is so so premature but is more of a curiosity question than anything, as it's something that only just occurred to me. I'm going into my second year of non-law and looking to apply to some vacation schemes in the next few months.

I know for many/most vacation schemes there is the opportunity to convert to a TC at the end of the scheme, and that plenty of firms recruit mainly/only from their vacation scheme. However I also know that law firms usually recruit 2 years in advance, which is why most firms only open vacation schemes to final year non-law students.

My question is for the small number of firms that do offer vacation schemes to penultimate year non-law, is it possible to get a TC offer 3 years in advance, or would you just be expected to do a direct TC application the following year even if you were successful on the scheme?

Thanks
 

LawyerInMaking

Well-Known Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Jul 20, 2023
24
72
If you are successful in converting your VS to TC as a non-law in the penultimate year (assuming they let you do the scheme), you are all set 3 years in advance! There is no need to apply for TC in the final year. Your 3 years will be (after the penultimate year) as 1) one final year , 2) one year for GDL study + exams, and 3) one year for SQE1 + 2 study & exams. Most big firms will sponsor 2 & 3 and also pay maintenance grant .
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
14,239
19,887
Hey everyone,

This is so so premature but is more of a curiosity question than anything, as it's something that only just occurred to me. I'm going into my second year of non-law and looking to apply to some vacation schemes in the next few months.

I know for many/most vacation schemes there is the opportunity to convert to a TC at the end of the scheme, and that plenty of firms recruit mainly/only from their vacation scheme. However I also know that law firms usually recruit 2 years in advance, which is why most firms only open vacation schemes to final year non-law students.

My question is for the small number of firms that do offer vacation schemes to penultimate year non-law, is it possible to get a TC offer 3 years in advance, or would you just be expected to do a direct TC application the following year even if you were successful on the scheme?

Thanks
You’d most likely get a deferred offer. However some firms don’t require you do to a year long GDL, and so it is possible in those cases to start earlier and not need two years post graduation to complete the SQE.
 

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