Topgrad UK
Summer Vacation Scheme 2025
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See if we’re the ones for you on one of our comprehensive programmes. We offer three vacation schemes across each academic year: One in Winter and two in Summer, both open to Penultimate year, final year and graduates. We accept applications for all our programmes from both law and non-law students.
Designed to provide a taste of life on our training contract
Our schemes will enable you to experience our deals, culture and practice areas. With a current trainee as a buddy and a Partner Supervisor, you’ll be ready to face everything the programme has to offer, whether its group projects, immersive assessments, skills sessions or practice group Q&As, as well as a fun social where you can get to know each other better. Our 2023/ 2024 Vacation Schemes will be held in person, and accommodation will be provided for those who need it.
"I sat with a banking team on my vacation scheme. They’d just had elections in Nigeria, so I was helping with a client briefing, then a deal in Tanzania. It was incredible work."
All those invited to participate in the scheme will be considered for a training contract.
What will I get paid?
All those invited to participate in the scheme will be paid £450 per week.
Who can apply?
Whether you’re a penultimate-year student, or a finalist or graduate of any discipline, you’ll need to have:
- at least a 2:1 (or equivalent), or be on your way to getting one and
- AAB at A level (or equivalent)
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Application process
Upon submitting your online application form, you will be invited to complete a bespoke online test, a behaviour based gamification software, tailored to NRF. If you meet the minimum benchmark for our online test, your application will be screened against our criteria and if successful you will be invited to conduct a Teams video interview with a member of the Early Careers team. Passing this, you will be invited to a virtual assessment centre.
What does the assessment centre include?
- Individual timed assessment – reviewing a case study and presenting your thoughts to an assessor
- Group negotiation exercise
- Partner interview
“By being seated with a partner in project finance, I got an in-depth introduction to how projects are executed from start to finish and a first-hand look at how deals unfold in real time.”
Before you start
The legal world is fiercely competitive and we want you to perform the best you can at every stage of the programme. Before you join us on your vacation scheme, we offer each participant the opportunity to have an in-depth and honest feedback session with a member of the Early Careers team on your performance during the assessment day, and what you can keep in mind during the vacation scheme itself. That way, when you come to interview for a training contract or join the group assessments – even if it’s not with us – you’re more prepared to succeed.
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“I was amazed to find myself in high-level client meetings, internal strategy conference calls and crunch-time negotiations with opposing parties.”
What you’ll do
Your work experience is your chance to find out if law is right for you. You’ll spend time in various interactive sessions, sampling trainee life and learning how we operate. You’ll breathe in our culture too and as you move through a packed schedule – everything from social events to workshops – you’re guaranteed to find it an experience to remember. It is also a fantastic opportunity to build your network.
The best way to get the most out of your vacation scheme is to take part in every opportunity you can, from exposure in your department to social networking events. You’ll meet a variety of people from across the firm and it’s your chance to make every interaction count and get your questions answered.
During your time with us, we’ll treat you just as we treat our trainees. You’ll experience typical trainee tasks and get to explore a variety of work across our range of practice areas. But exactly what tasks are involved? Find out how you’ll fill your time.
"When I wrote a note explaining what private finance initiatives are for a potential injunction hearing, it felt like the work I did mattered, and I added value."
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
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