Vacation Scheme
Get real experience, real insight and see if Macfarlanes is right for you
If you’re in at least your penultimate year of study and want to experience life as a Trainee Solicitor, our Vacation Scheme is the best way to see what makes Macfarlanes distinctive.
Over two weeks, you’ll sit in two different practice areas, work on real matters, and take part in workshops, networking and social events. You’ll leave with a real sense of our culture and the quality of our work, and have a better insight into whether a career here is right for you.
Eligibility
The Vacation Scheme is open to students in at least their penultimate year of undergraduate study. You don’t need to be studying law – we welcome applications from all degree disciplines and backgrounds. What matters is that you are intellectually curious, motivated, and have a genuine interest in law.
What the scheme involves
Across two weeks, you’ll get first-hand insight into the life of a Macfarlanes Trainee. You will:
- sit with two different practice groups, shadowing Trainees and working alongside Partners and Associates;
- take part in a mock transaction negotiation that runs throughout the fortnight;
- attend introductory sessions on our practice areas, business development and international strategy;
- join sessions with our Inclusion and CSR teams;
- have a one-to-one conversation with an Associate to learn more about life beyond being a Trainee;
- sit in on client meetings, contribute to live research, and help draft documents; and
- join social events with Trainees and other scheme participants.
Our aim is to give you both a realistic view of Trainee life and the space to decide whether Macfarlanes is the right firm for you.
How to apply and the assessment process
Stage 1: Application and online assessment
To apply, complete our [application form]. You’ll then be sent a link to our online assessment, which you’ll have seven days to complete.
The assessment process will work through a series of scenarios from different practice areas, designed to test your situational judgement and critical reasoning. The assessment also offers a small insight into life as a Trainee, helping you work out whether a legal career at Macfarlanes is right for you.
Applications close on Friday 5 December 2025.
Stage 2: Second stage online assessment
If successful, you’ll be invited to complete a second stage online assessment. This is based around a job simulation, where you will join a fictional project team working on a fictional event. You will respond to realistic situations similar to those faced by our Trainees, giving you the opportunity to show your potential in a setting that closely reflects life at the firm.
We recommend that all candidates visit the Cappfinity preparation hub before completing the Macfarlanes online assessments.
Stage 3: Vacation Scheme assessment day
We invite candidates with the strongest applications to attend an in-person Vacation Scheme assessment day.
There are three assessments which are all application blind:
- an interview, which is split into two sections: a business case study and a competency-based interview;
- a written exercise; and
- a group negotiation exercise.
We are committed to making the application as straightforward as possible, so please contact our Early Careers team if you require adjustments or additional support.
Early Careers FAQs
Clear answers to the most common questions about our schemes, applications and training.
Macfarlanes Bursary
Practical support to help remove financial barriers for aspiring lawyers with grants for tech, travel and time.