Macfarlanes Legal Academy

Find out a career in law is like and what skills you need to get there

The Macfarlanes Legal Academy (MLA) is our programme for sixth form and college students from less advantaged backgrounds who want to learn more about a career in a City law firm.

Our aim is to provide you with an insight into what it’s like to be a lawyer and help you build the skills you need to get there. 


Key information

Dates

  • Applications open: Monday 28 September 2026
  • Application close: Friday 27 November 2026
  • Scheme dates: Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2027

Financial support 

During the work experience week we will cover students' travel and lunch. We will also provide accommodation (where breakfast will be provided) for those who are not within a commutable distance to London.

Eligibility

To take part in the MLA, you must have permission from a parent or guardian. You must also make sure your February half term is between Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2027, as this is when the work experience will take place.

The MLA is also specifically for students who attend, and have always attended, a state-funded, non-fee-paying school or college, plus one or more of the following:

  • have been, or are currently, in local authority care;
  • be in receipt of/have received free school meals, Pupil Premium, Education Maintenance Allowance and/or 16 to 19 bursary;
  • be/have been a full-time or part-time carer;
  • have refugee or asylum seeker status;
  • the occupation of your main household earner is categorised as a routine or manual occupation;
  • regularly undertakes paid term-time work during secondary and/or higher education;
  • have grown up in a household where no parent or guardian attended university; or
  • attending a state school or college with:
    • below average A-Level or Higher point score; or
    • low rate of progression to higher education.

If you want to find out more about the eligibility, you can visit the PRIME website. We are a signatory to PRIME.

Please contact our Early Careers team if you have any questions.

What the scheme involves

The MLA is a combination of work experience, mentoring and workshops. The main structure of the programme is split across two school years:

Year 12

  • Virtual preparation sessions online, preparing you for your week at Macfarlanes.
  • Paid work experience week in the firm.

Year 13

  • Access to exclusive online network with resources, updates and advice from the Macfarlanes community.
  • A workshop day in October half-term to develop your practical skills, including networking and preparing for interviews.

How to apply and the assessment process

Stage 1: Application

To apply, complete our application form.

Apply for the 2027 Macfarlanes Legal Academy

Stage 2: Telephone interview

If successful, you will be invited to a short telephone interview with a member of the Early Careers team.

We are committed to making the recruitment process as straightforward as possible, so please contact our Early Careers team if you require adjustments or additional support.

Stage 3: Offer

Following your interview, we will review your performance and aim to let you know the outcome as soon as possible. Whatever the outcome, we provide constructive feedback to support your development and help you take the next steps in your career.

Early Careers FAQs

Clear answers to the most common questions about our schemes, applications and training.

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Macfarlanes Bursary

Practical support to help remove financial barriers for aspiring lawyers with grants for tech, travel and time.

Explore bursary support