Law firms recruit a long time in advance so you need to be very well prepared. Here is a recommended timeline, but you should check with individual firm websites as not all of them have the same opening and closing dates for applications:

First year

It is early days, but if you want to get a head start thinking about doing some pro-bono work. Find out about your university’s scheme.

You could also get work experience in local or high street firms for a better idea of what is to come.

Second year

Things start to get a bit more serious. Make sure you go to your university’s law fair - they are usually held in November. Find out which firms will be there and ask as many questions as you can; it can be a really good opportunity to chat with trainees and graduate recruiters.

It is recommended that you take part in a vacation scheme the summer of your penultimate year but many firms also offer Christmas and Easter placements. Apply for summer schemes after Christmas. The earlier you apply the better: often places are first come, first serve and numbers are limited.

If you don’t get on a vacation scheme, don’t panic. Try to go to some open days to show your commitment and find out a bit more about different firms.

You should start applying for training contracts to start in two years time during the summer. The earlier you apply, the earlier your interview will be.

Non-law students need to apply to a GDL course this year.

Third/fourth year

Interviews for training contracts begin from September 1. Priority is usually given to law students as non-law students will have to get a GDL.

In the spring you should enrol at the Law Society as an associate member.

The summer is the deadline to apply to LPC courses.

LPC year

If you have not yet secured a training contract, keep applying. LPC providers are normally good at notifying you of positions that come up and many people find one during this year as places can suddenly become available.

Next step… two years of training!

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