Vacation scheme deadlines

Vacation schemes, also known as vacation placements or (rarely) internships, are periods of work experience at a law firm. They usually last between one and three weeks, during which time you will get an insight into the work undertaken at the firm, as well as the culture and working environment. If you find that you’re suited to the firm, impressing during a vacation scheme can also improve your chances of gaining a training contract there.

While winter vacation schemes tend to be offered to finalists and graduates, summer schemes are generally open to penultimate-year students.

When should you send applications for vacation schemes?

Applications for winter vacation schemes typically open in the Autumn and applications for summer vacation schemes tend to open in the Winter, from around December to March.

Summer vacation scheme deadlines

• 3 December 2021 – Gowling WLG
• 3 December 2021 – Herbert Smith Freehills
• 10 December 2021 – Reed Smith
• 10 December 2021 – Slaughter & May
• 15 December 2021 – Allen & Overy
• 15 December 2021 – Bird & Bird
• 19 December 2021 – Simmons & Simmons
• 22 December 2021 – Mishcon de Reya
• 31 December 2021 – DLA Piper
• 31 December 2021 – Hogan Lovells
• 1 January 2022 – Baker McKenzie
• 2 January 2022 – Clyde & Co
• 2 January 2022 – Eversheds Sutherland
• 2 January 2022 – Irwin Mitchell
• 2 January 2022 – Latham & Watkins LLP
• 3 January 2022 – Dentons
• 3 January 2022 – Macfarlanes
• 4 January 2022 – Watson Farley & Williams
• 5 January 2022 – Ashurst
• 6 January 2022 – Addleshaw Goddard
• 6 January 2022 – Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (summer scheme)
• 9 January 2022 – BLM
• 9 January 2022 – RPC
• 10 January 2022 – Burges Salmon
• 10 January 2022 – Weil, Gotshal & Manges
• 14 January 2022 – Covington & Burling LLP
• 14 January 2022 – DWF Group
• 15 January 2022 – Osborne Clarke
• 15 January 2022 – Trowers & Hamlins
• 15 January 2022 – White & Case LLP
• 16 January 2022 – Norton Rose Fulbright
• 17 January 2022 – Travers Smith
• 26 January 2022 – Morgan Lewis & Bockius
• 28 January 2022 – Royds Withy King
• 28 January 2022 – Sidley Austin LLP
• 31 January 2022 – Bates Wells
• 31 January 2022 – Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
• 31 January 2022 – Fieldfisher
• 31 January 2022 – K&L Gates
• 31 January 2022 – Mayer Brown
• 31 January 2022 – Orrick
• 31 January 2022 – Stephenson Harwood
• 31 January 2022 – Withers
• 10 February 2022 – Clifford Chance
• 17 February 2022 – Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (spring scheme)
• 30 April 2022 – Ashfords