First year insight scheme

The first year insight scheme is for those in their first year of a three year course or second year of a four year course at university who are considering a career in law. It gives you an opportunity to meet partners, associates and trainees at the firm so come along with plenty of questions.

Key information:

  • Scheme dates – Monday 14 to Thursday 17 April 2025
  • Salary - £450 per week
  • Application open date – Monday 23 September 2024
  • Application close date – Friday 24 January 2025

About the scheme

During the week, you take part in:

  • a negotiation exercise;
  • an application skills workshop;
  • a group project;
  • lunch with associates and trainees;
  • speed networking with all our practice areas; and
  • work shadowing a trainee.

The application skills workshop walks you through our application form. Our early legal careers team also provide you with their top tips for success. Shadowing a trainee offers invaluable experience, and you get to see first-hand the work that goes on in a practice area. You may sit in on a conference call, help with research or look through a draft agreement.

The insight scheme is a good first step towards the vacation scheme and the training programme. You leave having had a real behind-the-scenes experience of working at a commercial law firm.

Assessment process

Complete this application form if you would like to apply for a place on our first year insight scheme. You will then be sent a link to our online assessment, which you will have seven days to complete. If you are progressed to the next stage, we will arrange a telephone interview to learn more about you and to give you the opportunity to ask us questions.

It was the exposure to real work and to associates across practice areas and at different levels at Macfarlanes that really impressed me.
George Mitkov Associate