What is the vacation scheme?

A vacation scheme is a great way for you to experience life at Burges Salmon and see whether it could be right for you. It's also an excellent opportunity for us to get to know you and help shape your career.

During your two-week vacation scheme, you’ll gain a real insight into our award-winning law firm as you:

  • work in two departments of your choice
  • get involved in ‘real’ work
  • have the chance attend client meetings and visit court
  • attend skills sessions run by trainees and solicitors
  • get to know colleagues across the firm through social and sports events.

Every year we run a winter vacation scheme (one week), a spring vacation scheme (two weeks) and two summer vacation schemes (two weeks each), which are open to anyone who is eligible to apply for a training contract – regardless of your degree discipline or the length of time since you graduated.

We recruit between 60-70% of our trainees from the vacation scheme. You’ll be offered a training contract interview at the end of your scheme and if we decide that we’re right for each other, you'll be offered a training contract. 

Vacation scheme application timeline

  • Applications open 1 October 2022
    Applications open for winter, spring and summer vacation schemes and 2025 training contract.
  • Winter vacation scheme deadline 27 October 2022
    Applications close for the winter vacation scheme. Assessment centres will take place on 8 & 10 November 2022.
  • Winter vacation scheme 5 - 9 December 2022
    One week winter vacation scheme begins. Training contract interviews will be arranged at the end of the scheme and will take place in January.
  • Spring/summer vacation scheme deadline 12 January 2023
    Applications close for the spring and summer vacation schemes. Assessment centres will take place on the 6, 8, 10, 14 & 16 February 2023.
  • Spring vacation scheme 17 - 28 April 2023
    Two week spring vacation scheme begins. Candidates who complete the spring vacation scheme will be offered a training contract interview.
  • Summer vacation scheme #1: 5 - 16 June 2023
    Two week summer vacation scheme begins. Candidates who complete the summer vacation scheme will be offered a training contract interview.
  • Summer vacation scheme #2: 19 - 30 June 2023
    Two week summer vacation scheme begins. Candidates who complete the summer vacation scheme will be offered a training contract interview.
  • 23 June 2023
    Training contract application deadline (subject to change)

Training contract

Our six seat training contract will provide you with the best start to your legal career.
Find out more

Latest tweets

A very warm welcome to the individuals joining us for our summer vacation scheme! #Vacationscheme @ Burges Salmon L… https://t.co/30tzOWHiq1
RT @BurgesSalmon: The firm has been recognised for its work in acting for an environmentally sustainable future at @legalcheek's Lega… https://t.co/1XtEcQDFS4
Congratulations @UCLLawSociety on being awarded the ‘Best society for first-year students’ last night at the… https://t.co/lfpoWVBRei