The annual HighFliers report found that graduate salaries are set to increase in 2022 for the first time in 8 years. And, offering a median graduate salary of £50,000, investment banking and law are the two highest-paying industries for graduates. With high employability and a competitive salary, there has been an increase in searches for legal graduate schemes UK.
If you’re a law student or recent graduate looking for a law graduate scheme in the UK, we have rounded up 5 of the best schemes available. What’s more, we break down how to apply and when you should start the process.
What is a Legal Graduate Scheme?
Before we dive into the best legal graduate schemes in the UK, let’s take a look at what a legal graduate scheme is.
A graduate scheme is a structured training scheme provided by an employer. Graduate schemes are designed to develop graduates’ skills and foster the next generation of leaders within the organisation. In particular, a legal graduate scheme will arm law graduates with the training, tools, and experience to kickstart a career in the legal field.
In general, legal graduate schemes last between a year and two years. That being said, they can last longer in some organisations or more specialised areas of the law industry. During the scheme, you will gain hands-on experience, work within different areas of the business, and receive support as you develop your skills.
Many legal graduate schemes are comprised of placements, meaning you will work across various business functions and collaborate with different teams. This gives you a 360 view of the business and the industry. It also requires you to adapt to different situations and build your collaboration and teamwork skills.
Legal graduate schemes are in high demand, making the application process competitive. With limited places available, it’s important to apply early and make your application stand out from the crowd.
We recommend having a graduate CV and cover letter prepared well before the applications open. That way, you have plenty of time to perfect them before it’s time to apply. Our CV writing tips for students and graduates offer support and tangible advice on how to make your CV shine.
When Should I Apply For Legal Graduate Schemes UK?
Since each legal graduate scheme is different, we recommend checking the company website to confirm the application process and deadline. Having said that, you can usually start applying at the end of your second year of university (from June onwards). The deadline for most legal graduate schemes is November or December, but we definitely advise getting your application in early. In some cases, organisations close the application process after a certain number of applications are received.
Realistically, you should start researching graduate schemes at the beginning of your second year as an undergraduate. That way, you can narrow down the schemes you want to apply for by January and begin preparing your CV well before June. Having said that, don’t give up if you have left it late. Some legal graduate schemes will keep applications open until as late as December. You will just need to make sure yours really shines.
How to Apply for a Legal Graduate Scheme
There is a wide array of legal graduate schemes UK. As such, you have plenty of options available to you as a law graduate. However, such a wide selection can be overwhelming. Many graduates find it tough to juggle researching the application process on top of their studies. To support you in this, we have outlined how to apply for a legal graduate scheme below.
Step 1: Choose the Legal Graduate Scheme You’re Interested In
This is probably the most difficult step of all. The best way to choose the right legal graduate scheme for you is to put your research skills to good use. Find out as much as you can about the company, what the graduate scheme entails, and the next steps of graduates who have completed the programme. It can be tempting to apply for every graduate scheme out there, however, it’s much better to hone in on one or two that really fit your values.
Step 2: Apply Online
Once you have found the legal graduate scheme you want to apply for, you need to prepare your application. Start by combing the job description looking for keywords. This will give you insight into the skills and characteristics the business is looking for. Next, add these keywords to your CV, using real-life examples to support each one.
Once your CV and cover letter are ready, ask a friend or family member to proofread them. You want to come across as prepared and professional as possible, so pay attention to the details.
Step 3: Focus on Your Online Presence
91% of employers are now using social media in the recruitment process. So, make sure that your online presence is up to par before you send your application. Use our checklist below to make sure your online presence is employer-proof.
- Make personal social media accounts private and delete any pictures or posts that could be deemed unprofessional.
- Set up a LinkedIn account and ensure your profile is fully complete.
- Start to build your personal brand by getting active on professional networking sites. This should include following the organisations you are applying to and engaging with them online.
- Connect with other professionals in the law industry for tips, advice, and industry insight.
- Start networking both in-person and online.
Step 4: Prepare for the Job Interview
Rejection is part of life. Not only does it build resilience, but it makes you grateful when the right opportunity comes along. If you aren’t successful with your first couple of applications, just remember not to give up. Even though you may not hear back from the graduate employer of your dreams, we still think it’s worth being prepared.
So, once you have sent off your applications, start researching interview questions. This will build your confidence and prepare you for future interviews. As they say, practice makes perfect, so get familiar with common interview questions and how you will answer them. We suggest learning the STAR method. It’s a technique used to give succinct, behaviour-based answers during a job interview.
Want to know more? Check out our comprehensive guide on how to apply for graduate schemes for more advice on the application process.
The Best Legal Graduate Schemes UK
Are you still trying to decide which programme to apply for? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone. To help you, we’ve rounded up 5 of the best legal graduate schemes in the UK.
- KPMG Law Graduate Programme:
This 27-month tax and law programme includes formal training courses, leadership knowledge, networking events, and continuous on-the-job learning. - EY Law Graduate Programme:
In this 2-year programme, you will complete four, six-month seats within various business areas. You will learn the skills to be a well-rounded lawyer and collaborate seamlessly with other business functions. - Addleshaw Goddard Innovation and Legal Technology Graduate Scheme:
The 2-year graduate scheme for the Innovation & Legal Technology Team helps you develop the skills needed to innovate the delivery of legal work. During the programme, you will hone your problem-solving, technology, client engagement, and consultancy skills. - MPL Search Legal Recruitment Graduate Scheme:
This scheme is best suited to law graduates who want to break into the dynamic world of recruitment. This 3-month programme trains you to profile candidates, present them to law firm clients, and manage the interview processes.
Having second thoughts? Many law graduates decide to follow a different career path once they finish their degree. During your law degree, you have developed transferable skills such as analysing, reasoning, research, and problem-solving. These skills are highly desirable in a host of other industries, giving you plenty of options if you no longer want to pursue a career in law. In this case, a graduate scheme in another field could be the best way to start a new career path. To inspire you, take a look at our guide on the best graduate schemes for 2022.
Final Thoughts
A legal graduate scheme will set you up with the hands-on experience and skills to pursue a career in law. During the programme, your employers will support you as you develop the knowledge and skillset needed to excel. What’s more, you will have the opportunity to work across different parts of the business and learn more about every aspect of the organisation. Thanks to competitive salaries and plenty of development opportunities, legal graduate schemes are particularly in demand. Therefore, we advise applying for programmes early.
Looking for legal graduate schemes UK? Be sure to check out our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for fantastic opportunities in your area.
Our website has a wealth of useful resources for graduate jobseekers, including CV writing tips and advice on writing an impactful cover letter. If you have specific questions, feel free to contact us or sign up for the free Developing a Student email newsletter using the form below.
