by Grace Light, Future Trainee Solicitor at a global law firm.

Are you in your first year of university studying Law, or in your second year studying a non-law degree? If so, a first-year scheme could be perfect for you.

What is a First-Year Scheme?

Many commercial law firms run first-year schemes designed for university students who are interested in a career in law. The schemes range from single-day insight events to week-long programmes, all aimed at giving you a real taste of what a trainee solicitor does.

Schemes vary from firm to firm, but you’ll usually hear from solicitors across different practice areas such as corporate, banking, litigation and more. Many firms also host Q&A sessions with current trainee solicitors, giving you the chance to ask questions about their journey to receiving a training contract offer and their everyday work.

Some schemes include commercial awareness workshops, which are invaluable. When I was a first-year student, I always found the concept of commercial awareness to be elusive; however, these workshops made the concept much clearer and gave me a head start for future vacation scheme applications.

Some firms may let you shadow a trainee solicitor. This can help you decide whether you are more drawn to contentious, transactional or regulatory work. Knowing what work you are interested in can help you make more informed choices when deciding which firms to apply to for a training contract.

Why Apply for a First-Year Scheme?

First-year schemes are not just for learning about life as a commercial lawyer, they are also about experiencing the culture of a firm first-hand. Culture is something you cannot truly understand from a firm’s website. A firm’s culture can help you refine which firms you would consider applying to for a vacation scheme or training contract.

There are also plenty of opportunities to meet people, from social events with your peers to networking with lawyers and graduate recruitment teams. These connections can be invaluable when it comes to future applications. A particular highlight of one of the first-year schemes in which I participated was getting to know my peers through a painting social!

Most schemes include workshops on application and interview tips. These sessions provide a great insight into what law firms are really looking for. First-year schemes are also great as they count as legal work experience. This can strengthen your applications for vacation schemes and set you apart from other applicants.

How Do First-Year Schemes Differ from Vacation Schemes?

While vacation schemes can lead to a training contract offer, first-year schemes do not typically lead to this. Rather, they can sometimes lead to you being fast-tracked for an assessment centre for a vacation scheme. First-year schemes are more about exploring your interest in a career in law. You will receive an insight into life as a solicitor, but you will not usually be doing real client work to the same extent as you would on a vacation scheme. They are, however, a great place to figure out which area of law fascinates you.

Application Process

Applications vary by firm, but here’s a general summary of what you can expect:

• Written application: This will cover your personal details, academic history, work experience, motivation for a career in commercial law, commercial awareness and why you want to undertake a first-year scheme at a particular firm.

• Online tests: These can include a Watson Glaser test, situational judgment test or job simulations.

• Interviews: First-year schemes sometimes require an interview that is either pre-recorded, live with a recruiter or occasionally both.

If this sounds intimidating, don’t panic! Law firms know that you are at the start of your journey and do not expect extensive legal experience. Instead, you can show your motivation for a career in law by completing free online job simulations on Forage, attending insight events on platforms such as Legal Cheek and LawCareersNet or attending firm-hosted sessions. Alternatively, you can use other work experience to exemplify the skills that a law firm is looking for. For example, if you work in retail, you could mention how this experience has developed your communication skills.

Application Timeline

Most first-year schemes take place over the Easter holidays, with applications typically opening in January. That means autumn is the perfect time to start preparing for your application by attending events on campus, joining virtual law firm sessions and connecting with any brand ambassadors your university may have.

Final Thoughts

A first-year scheme is one of the best ways to explore whether a career in commercial law is for you. You will gain valuable insights, build connections and strengthen your applications for future opportunities.

If you are eligible, do not hesitate to apply!