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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

lou1707

Star Member
Jan 12, 2025
32
45
I wouldn't necessarily raise it in the interview and instead raise it should you get an offer. If you are asked about it at interview, you can state that you are aware there may be issues given your term dates but that you would look to liaise with your university and the firm to ensure you are able to attend the scheme.

If you receive an offer, your options to discuss with the firm are:
  • Ask if alternative vacation scheme dates can be offered instead
  • Ask whether you can be considered for a direct TC process instead
  • Ask whether the firm could offer a part-time scheme where you only do 20 hours per week
Most universities these days will not mess around with term dates because of their concerns around going against their student visa terms (and risking their licence to be eligible for their students to get student visas) but I have heard of some instances where the candidate is able to get approval from their university where their term dates are effectively changed to allow them to attend an internship. The university effectively gives you a study break with the weeks added at the end of the course or to the next academic year instead.
thank you!
 

lou1707

Star Member
Jan 12, 2025
32
45
This is quite a common obstacle faced by plenty of international students. My friend had an issue with this with the W&C winter scheme and when she spoke to grad rec they were able to switch her to the spring scheme. If there are any other scheme dates that don't clash with term maybe ask if you can be considered for them instead? Or maybe switch to a direct TC route. Either way, my advice would be to speak to them earlier rather than later though so you can find a solution. If I was grad rec and I offered someone a place on a vac scheme and they came back to me and said they were unavailable and had known that was the case but didn't say anything I would be a bit annoyed and less inclined to go out of my way to help them
unfortunately they only run one VS :/ but thanks yeah it makes sense
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,171
21,164
Does anyone have good insight in to why they would choose a Traditional TC over a Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship (1 year as an apprentice whilst studying and 2 years doing the normal TC) and vice versa?

I have to make my decision by 5pm today!

Context: I’m a non law grad who has just joined the Civil Service Ministry of Justice. I also live in the midlands. The potential offer would mean I work in the firms London office.
The first thing is to stress you shouldn’t be pressurised into making a decision unless the role is starting soon. Do speak to the employer to see if they can give you more time to consider the offer if you are feeling pressurised to make a decision (even if it’s just until Monday).

Balancing an apprenticeship while working is tricky. You are effectively working four days a week and studying one, but it will be challenging balancing both. Most apprentices I know end up studying more like 2 days per week, which means they are often studying in the evenings or weekends alongside their study day.

But the benefit is that you are working from day 1. You will have more experience than your traditional TC peers when you qualify (which should help with finding an NQ role). You’ll be earning money, which even if the salary is minimum wage, will be financially better than being on a maintenance grant of £20,000 (which is the maximum I have seen for firms that sponsor their future trainees through the SQE before starting the TC). Given you are also getting all employee benefits on top such as annual leave, pension and NI contributions, sick leave etc which you won’t get as a future trainees through being sponsored through an SQE course.
 


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