Pinsent Masons FAQs

All your questions answered!

Can I apply for a vacation placement and training contract at the same time?

You can only submit one application per recruitment cycle (which usually runs from September - August). If we offer you a position on our vacation placement programme, we'll automatically consider you for a training contract.

Can I apply during my first year at university?

No, unfortunately we don’t offer in-house placements to first year students. If you’re a first-year student, we’d encourage you to develop your legal knowledge by attending law fairs and insight events. We also have a free virtual work experience programme that is open to all students.

Is the vacation placement the same as the 10,000 Interns programme?

Pinsent Masons partners with the 10,000 Interns Foundation to support diverse candidates by offering 6-week internship programmes for candidates from black-heritage, mixed-heritage, or disabled backgrounds. These opportunities run alongside our Vacation Placement programme.

Eligible candidates must register via 10,000 Interns Foundation within their allocated deadline, which may be different than our application deadline. The interns are then matched with suitable employers and, if you are allocated to Pinsent Masons, we will be in touch to advise you of the next steps.

Similarly to the vacation placement, the 10,000 Interns programme is a path to securing a training contract with the firm and selected interns will be invited to undertake the same assessments as our vacation placement candidates.

Do you recruit on a rolling basis?

No, we recruit as per recruitment cycle and we deliver all outcomes after the application closing date.

Do I get to choose which practice area I sit in?

If you are offered a position, we’ll ask you to tell us your top three practice group preferences and we’ll do our best to place you in one of these. However, this is subject to business requirements at the time of the placement.

Can I complete my placement at a different time?

We believe our interns benefit from completing the placement together, partaking in the same activities and building their network of support whilst they’re at the firm. For this reason, we do not offer ad hoc placements outside the core dates.

I've already graduated, can I still apply for a vacation placement?

Yes, if you have already graduated from a LLB or a non-law degree then you are eligible to apply.

I'm a career changer, can I still apply?

Yes, we welcome applications from individuals who have had previous careers. We often find career changers bring significant transferable skills and a unique perspective.

I'm an international student, can I still apply?

During your vacation placement, you must hold a valid right to work status to complete this programme, please ensure you have checked this before applying.

Due to the government's salary threshold for sponsorship under the skilled worker visa, Pinsent Masons are only able to accept applications from international candidates seeking tier-4 sponsorship, applicable only at our London office. We will work with candidates on a case-by-case basis, subject to current immigration legislation.

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer skilled worker sponsorship for this programme in our Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds offices.

I'm unable to attend an in-person assessment centre, can I attend a virtual assessment centre?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer virtual assessment centres for candidates and all our assessment centres for this programme will be in-person.

Do I need legal work experience to apply?

Legal work experience is not mandatory. Our application form allows you to provide up to 5 of your most relevant experiences. This can be anything you've done, such as employment, work experience, placement, volunteering, sports activities, positions of responsibility etc.

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