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Our vacation scheme offers a comprehensive insight into life at Farrer & Co, combining hands-on experience with structured learning and networking opportunities.

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from:

  • University students in their penultimate or final year of study.
  • Graduates from any academic discipline.

Our minimum academic requirements are AAB at A Level (or equivalent) and a 2:1 degree, or a predicted 2:1 for those still studying. However, we are open to considering mitigating circumstances for candidates whose academics fall below this.

The scheme

We’ve designed a hybrid programme, which allows the opportunity to spend time in the office and to work remotely.

Each scheme includes:

  • Time in our legal teams: you will work closely with a supervising lawyer, gaining practical experience and insight into our work.
  • Lunchtime seminars: learn from our experts across a variety of topics.
  • Group case study: collaborate with fellow participants to tackle a real-world legal challenge.
  • Social events: build connections with our people and get a feel for our firm’s culture.

Key details

  • When? We run one Spring and two Summer vacation schemes each year.
  • Places? Ten places are available per scheme.
  • Allowance? Successful applicants will receive an allowance of £461.54 per week.

This is more than just a scheme – it’s a chance to experience the unique culture of Farrer & Co and take your first step towards a legal career with us.

Key dates

  • Applications open: 1 November 2024
  • Application deadline: 3 January 2025
  • February / early March: virtual assessment day
  • Spring vacation scheme: 7 April - 17 April 2025
  • First Summer vacation scheme: 16 June - 27 June 2025
  • Second Summer vacation scheme: 30 June - 11 July 2025

FAQs

Do you recruit on a rolling basis?

No, we wait until our application window has closed before informing candidates if they have been successful or not.

Can I re-apply if I am unsuccessful?

Yes, there is always lots of competition for available places. We would encourage candidates to apply to us again if they are initially unsuccessful but still interested in joining us. These candidates should ensure they have addressed any feedback from their previous application/assessment day and not submit exactly the same application again.

Do I have a better chance of gaining a training contract if I have completed a vacation scheme with Farrer & Co?

No, it varies each year. Our vacation scheme and training contract application processes are separate. 57% of our 2025 and 30% of our 2026 trainee cohorts completed a vacation scheme at Farrer & Co.

Do you run any assessment centres as part of your recruitment?

Yes, we typically run three virtual assessment mornings each year in early February as part of our process to select candidates for our vacation schemes. This involves a group task and a written exercise. Click here for guidance on how to prepare for these assessments.

Will the recruitment process accommodate adjustments?

Yes. We encourage anyone requiring adjustments for whatever reason to let the Graduate & Solicitor Apprentice team know so we can implement these for your assessments. All information disclosed will be managed confidentially.

Do you run any open days?

Yes, we host our own virtual open days in the autumn which anyone is eligible to attend and includes a variety of talks about what it is like to work at Farrer & Co. The dates for our 2025 open days will be confirmed in August 2025.

We also host open days as part of our partnerships with external associations, such as Aspiring SolicitorsAll About Law and Young Professionals. Details for how to sign up can be found on their respective websites.

These open days offer candidates the opportunity to find out more about our firm and the recruitment process in more detail as well as having their questions answered by individuals across the firm.

Can I participate in any of your events if I am a first-year university student?

Yes, we host our own open days in the autumn as well as open days as part of our partnerships with external associations, such as Aspiring Solicitors and All About Law, which are often open to first years. Details of how to sign up can be found on the respective websites.

We are regularly invited to host university virtual Q&A events and attend university panel sessions. For more details, please ask your university career advisor or law society.

Can I use GenAI in my application?

When it comes to recruitment, we realise that GenAI can help candidates with understanding questions and generating a structure to follow as a starting point when providing answers. However we strongly encourage candidates to avoid copying, pasting and then submitting all or large parts of their application from a GenAI tool. Instead, candidates should tailor and personalise their responses to avoid submitting a generic application which is unlikely to be successful.

Do you sponsor international individuals?

Yes, we do sponsor visas for those successful in our vacation scheme. Please indicate if you require one on your application.

How can you develop your commercial awareness to give your application the best chance of success?

We’ve produced a guide for anyone starting their career and looking to understand more about the world of work.

What tips can you provide to Vacation Scheme applicants?

We’ve put together some helpful tips to guide you through the application and virtual assessment process.

 

What do the virtual assessments involve?

If selected to participate in one of our virtual assessment days, you will be asked to complete a written task and a group exercise. You can find more information here.

Need help?

If you experience any difficulties with the online application process, please contact our Recruitment team who will be happy to help. We want to ensure candidates have the best experience possible. If you require any adjustments during the assessment or application process, please get in touch.

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Access helpful information, including applications tips and guidance on the assessment process.

Read here

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From supporting your development and providing a range of market-leading benefits, to giving back to our communities, and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive, discover how we put our values into practice.

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