How U2 Tuition Helps You Succeed in Vacation Scheme & Training Contract Applications

Contents

• What Leading Law Firms Look For in Vacation Scheme & Training Contract Applicants

• When and How to Apply: Navigating Deadlines, Timelines & Eligibility

•  What Makes a Stand-Out Application? (CV, Cover Letter & Assessment Insights)

• How We Build Your Commercial Awareness (Without Overwhelming You)

• How U2 Tuition’s Trainee Solicitor Tutors Support You at Every Stage

• Vacation schemes provide valuable insight into what it is actually like to work at a particular firm, including its culture, values, and expectations. They’re often also the ticket to a coveted training contract!

• At U2 Tuition, we understand that vacation scheme applicants are under considerable pressure. With multiple multi-stage applications, tight deadlines and demanding academic workloads, the process can quickly feel overwhelming.

• Our guide and tutors can help you understand what the process involves, whether a vacation scheme leads to a training contract, how to build commercial awareness, and what firms are really looking for.

• Whether you are looking for support from start to finish or want help perfecting a cover letter, our trainee solicitor tutors are here to guide you. We can help you craft an application that genuinely stands out.

What Leading Law Firms Look For in Vacation Scheme & Training Contract Applicants

• Most firms expect strong academics (typically a minimum 2:1 degree), a clear motivation for pursuing a legal career and evidence of key personal qualities.

• Within their job descriptions, they often list detailed competencies, but there is no single “type” of applicant they hire.

• Firms value qualities such as ambition, integrity, collaboration, commercial awareness, critical thinking, attention to detail, adaptability, resilience, and strong written and verbal communication.

• Different firms emphasise different qualities:

  • Clifford Chance, for example, looks for a global mindset.

  • Freshfields and A&O Shearman highlight the importance of collaborative problem-solving.

• It’s essential to conduct thorough research to find a firm that is a good fit for you.

• Our tutors can explain the nuances of what specific firms are looking for and help you tailor your application accordingly, drawing on their own successful experiences.

When and How to Apply: Navigating Deadlines, Timelines & Eligibility

Vacation Schemes

• Firms typically offer vacation schemes across Spring, Summer, and Winter.

  • Spring and Summer schemes are the most common, while Winter schemes are often targeted at finalists or graduates.

  • The type of scheme you apply for can determine when your training contract begins.

• Recruiting timeline:

  • Most firms recruit between October and January for Spring and Summer schemes.

  • Winter schemes are usually recruited between August and October, though exact dates vary.

  • Law students usually apply for vacation schemes in their penultimate and final years, while non-law students typically apply in their final year of study.

  • Many schemes operate on a rolling deadline, which can make it tricky to know when to apply.

• Can First-years apply?

  • First-year students are typically not eligible to apply for vacation schemes, but they can apply for insight days, which usually involve an online application and sometimes an assessment.

• What about graduates?

  • Most firms typically welcome graduates from any discipline, although some firms may have specific eligibility requirements.

  • For example, Freshfields vacation schemes are only open to penultimate-year undergraduates, with graduates applying directly for training contracts.

• Do you need a vacation scheme to secure a training contract?

  • Not strictly, but many firms increasingly recruit almost exclusively through their schemes.

  • White & Case hires around 80% of its London trainees from its vacation schemes, while Covington recruits entirely through its vacation schemes.

  • Not all firms are as reliant on vacation schemes; Freshfields recruits roughly half of its candidates through direct training contract applications.

Training Contracts

• As noted, some firms do recruit trainees via applications for training contracts, not just vacation scheme attendees.

• Of these firms, the application timelines vary greatly.

• For instance, A&O Shearman typically opens them from September to November, whereas White & Case opens from October to May.

With high application volumes, early openings, and rolling deadlines, timing is crucial. If you’re unsure about when to apply or how to structure your application timeline, our tutors can help you plan strategically and answer any questions you may have.

What Makes a Stand-Out Application? (CV, Cover Letter & Assessment Insights)

There’s no one set application format that firms follow, but most firms require the following:

• CV or detailed academic and work experience information, a cover letter, and an online assessment.

• Online tests often measure situational judgement, numerical reasoning and logical deduction.

  • A common assessment is the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Test, which evaluates inference, deduction and interpretation skills.

• Successful applicants are typically invited to an assessment centre.

Assessment Centres

Again, these vary greatly by firm, but it’s likely the following elements will be included in one form or another:

• Partner interviews

  • Questions vary from motivations to competencies to insights on current affairs.

    • For example, Slaughter and May asks candidates to read and refer to a recent news article during their interview.

  • It could be one partner, two, or a partner and a qualified lawyer interviewing you.

• Case studies, written exercises, and presentations

  • Candidates may be given a fictional scenario or client and asked to put forward recommendations based on documents you’re provided with.

  • In some cases, findings will be documented in writing; in others, a presentation is required.

• Group tasks and self-reflection activities

• You may also encounter other scenarios, such as a psychometric test on the day, an HR interview, or a role-play exercise.

The firm you apply to will provide you with all the necessary information for the day, should you be selected.

So what should a vacation scheme or training contract CV look like?

• Your CV should clearly outline your education, relevant experience, and skills.

• Firms do not typically expect extensive legal experience, although shadowing, paralegal work, or involvement in a university law society can be valuable.

• Non-legal experience is equally important if it demonstrates transferable skills such as teamwork or leadership.

• Ensure that every section is focused, concise, and relevant.

3 common application mistakes

• Generic “Why this firm?” answers

  • Ensure your covering letter or application reflects genuine motivation, thoughtful consideration, and thorough research.

  • Don’t just list firm accomplishments or practice areas; link these insights back to you and explain why they specifically interest you.

• No evidence of commercial awareness

  • You aren’t expected to be an economics expert, but some well-placed insights into the company’s market and current challenges demonstrate your research and potential.

  • Firms use the recruitment process to probe commercial awareness from the very beginning, so even a few thoughtful observations can elevate your application.

• Weak structure & formatting

  • Ensure that everything you mention is relevant to the points you are making.

  • Favour fewer, well-explained, punchy points over endless achievements but no elaboration.
    

Our tutors have reviewed successful applications for firms such as White & Case, Baker McKenzie, Linklaters, and more. If you’d like personalised feedback on your CV or cover letter, you can book a session with one of our trainee solicitor tutors. Book a complimentary 20-minute consultation to begin your vac scheme journey!

How We Build Your Commercial Awareness (Without Overwhelming You)

What does commercial awareness actually mean?

• Commercial awareness means understanding how businesses operate.

• At its core, it involves understanding how they generate revenue, what their customers value, and the risks or challenges they face in their market.

• This understanding shapes the legal advice that firms provide.

• Being commercially aware also means staying informed about business news, deals, mergers, regulatory changes, and broader political or economic developments.

• Law firm-relevant topics often include political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental trends.

Easy steps to boost commercial awareness

• Reading publications such as the Financial Times, The Economist or BBC Business News.

• LinkedIn and apps like Finimize offer concise updates.

• Publications like The Lawyer provide direct links to stories in the legal market.

• Many firms also produce podcasts, including the Clifford Chance Careers Podcast.

U2 Tuition’s Commercial Awareness Support

• At U2 Tuition, our commercial awareness support includes weekly structured reading, introductory sessions on market developments and simplified frameworks to help you link news to firms, practice areas and clients.

• With this coaching, you will learn to think like a trainee solicitor and stand out in interviews and assessments.

How U2 Tuition’s Trainee Solicitor Tutors Support You at Every Stage

Our tutors hold training contracts at Magic Circle and elite US firms. With first-hand insight into firm expectations, culture and interview formats, they understand exactly what top firms are looking for.

They have supported applicants across a wide range of firms and come from both law and non-law backgrounds at Oxbridge, offering relatable and diverse pathways into the profession.

Through our one-to-one mentoring, we offer:

• Application review and editing

• Mock interviews

• Case study preparation

• Commercial awareness coaching

• Tailored guidance for specific firms and practice areas

Every session is designed to strengthen your application, build your confidence and increase your chances of success.

Ready to Strengthen Your Application? Work With a U2 Trainee Solicitor Tutor. The journey to securing a vacation scheme or training contract is demanding, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. We provide personalised, first-hand guidance from trainees who have recently succeeded in the very applications you’re preparing for.

If you want to make the process feel lighter, more structured and more effective, book a complimentary 20-minute consultation to learn more about how we can support you.