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  4. Summer Vacation Scheme 2026
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Explore your potential with our work experience opportunity at our London office and decide whether we're the right firm for you.

To become a trainee solicitor at Bird & Bird, you can apply to a vacation scheme, as all vacation scheme participants are assessed for a training contract commencing in 2028.

A vacation scheme with us is much more than just work experience. It's an opportunity to discover your potential and kick-start your career in law, taking you straight to the heart of our global firm. Alongside working in a department, you'll be provided with training, skill sessions, and the opportunities to meet a breadth of people from across the firm. You'll also have the chance to network and socialise with colleagues through our socials and events, immersing yourself in our friendly, vibrant culture.

Summer Vacation Scheme (two weeks) – Monday 15 June to Friday 26 June 2026

Applying to us

Applications open: Midday on 15 September 2025

Deadline: Midday on 11 December 2025

We operate rolling recruitment, which means we screen applications as they are received, rather than after our deadline. Therefore, we encourage you to apply as early as possible.

At the time of submitting your application, you should:

  • have achieved AAB in your A-Levels; and
  • be on track to achieve 2:1 in your degree.

AND

  • be in your final year of a non-law degree; or
  • be in the penultimate or final year law degree; or
  • have already graduated.

You must be able to attend the entire two-week vacation scheme to be eligible for this opportunity.

We understand that you may not have received the grades you hoped for due to extenuating or mitigating circumstances. Please detail any relevant information in your application for us to take into consideration. We also use a Contextual Recruitment System (CRS) to enable us to recruit people from different backgrounds and help us understand your achievements in the context in which they were gained.

Recruitment process

  • Stage 1 - Online application form
  • Stage 2 - Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking test
  • Stage 3 - Pre-recorded video interview
  • Stage 4 - Virtual assessment centre

Go to our employability hub, The Nest, to develop your legal skills and commercial awareness, learn about the recruitment process and what we look for in successful candidates, and general advice on navigating your career in law.