Bird & Bird FAQs

Use the FAQs section below to find out the answers to key questions you might have about Bird & Bird.

I have a disability and require adjustments, what do I do?

We’re a disability, neurodiversity and mental health inclusive employer and want to ensure that you have a barrier-free recruitment experience. If you need adjustments during the recruitment process or require assistance completing an application as the result of disability, you can get confidential advice from our Early Careers team at earlycareers@twobirds.com or call +44 (0)20 7415 6000.

How do you become a commercial solicitor at Bird & Bird?

There are different pathways to qualification as a solicitor at Bird & Bird. If you’ve not attended university, you can become a solicitor apprentice by applying to our Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme. If you’re studying or have studied at university, you can become a trainee solicitor by applying to a vacation scheme, as all vacation scheme participants are assessed for a training contract. If you can start a training contract in 2025 or 2026, you can apply directly for a training contract.

For the trainee solicitor role, can I apply to the two training contract routes at the same time?

No – you can only apply directly for a training contract or one vacation scheme in the same recruitment year.

When is the best time to apply?

We recruit on a rolling basis, which means we review and progress applications as they’re received. We encourage applicants to apply as early as possible.

I am an international student, can I apply?

To apply for our vacation scheme, you need the right to work in the UK and will need to check the conditions of your visa. If you require support to get a visa in the UK, we recommend applying directly for a training contract. If you’re successful in securing a training contract, we’ll offer reasonable assistance with obtaining the necessary work permits and visas where required.

What are your minimum academic requirements?

We accept applications from those who have, or will expect to have, a minimum of AAB at A-Level and a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). For our Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, we accept applications from those who have at least 5 GCSEs at grade 4-9/C-A*, including Maths and English. For our Early Bird Scholarship, we accept applications from those who have at least 5 GCSEs at grade 7/A, including English and Maths.

I do not meet the minimum academic requirements; can I still apply?

We understand that you may not have received the grade you hoped for due to extenuating or mitigating circumstances. Please detail any relevant information in your application form for us to take into consideration. We also use a Contextual Recruitment System (CRS) to enable us to recruit people from all kinds of backgrounds and help us understand your achievements in the context in which they were gained.

Apply now!