Bird & Bird

Singapore - Practice Training Contract / Relevant Legal Training

Type: Training Contract

Location: Singapore: Singapore

• Applications open: 2026-07-01
• Closing date: 2026-09-30
• Application timing: Applications opened 1 July 2026 and close 30 September 2026.
• Programme dates: Practice Training Contract or Relevant Legal Training for 2028; exact start date is not published.
• Status: open

Published application and programme dates

• Applications opened 1 July 2026 and close 30 September 2026.
• Programme: Practice Training Contract or Relevant Legal Training for 2028; exact start date is not published.

• Who can apply: Future trainee solicitors
• Eligibility: Applicants submit the documents listed on the official Singapore page.
• Progression: Practice training toward qualification.
• Funding: Funding details are not published.

Bird & Bird Virtual Experience Programme

Type: Virtual Experience

• Application timing: Applications are open; the official page does not publish an exact closing date.
• Programme dates: Exact programme dates are published on the relevant official student page when available.
• Duration: 7–8 hours
• Status: open

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are open; the official page does not publish an exact closing date.
• Programme: Exact programme dates are published on the relevant official student page when available.

• Who can apply: Open to all
• Eligibility: access: Open access application required: false
• Academic requirements: Academic requirements are not published on the reviewed programme master page unless stated below.
• Application process: No formal application for the core resource Open the official Bird & Bird or Forage page Complete the resource or register for an individual event where applicable
• Assessments: No formal recruitment assessment
• Progression: No automatic progression; the resource may support later applications.
• Right to work: Not applicable to the online resource.
• Disability support: Accessibility concerns can be raised with Bird & Bird or Forage.

United Kingdom - Spring Vacation Scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Application timing: Applications are closed; the next application window has not yet been published.
• Programme dates: 13 to 24 April 2026
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Places: Up to 40 places shared across the Spring and Summer schemes.
• Status: closed

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are closed; the next application window has not yet been published.
• Programme: 13 to 24 April 2026

• Who can apply: Law and non-law students, graduates, PGDL and SQE candidates
• Eligibility: academic requirement: AAB at A level and 2:1 degree or equivalent degree discipline: Law and non-law one scheme only: Applicants may apply to either Spring or Summer, not both right to work: Right to work in the UK is required for the vacation scheme training contract start: September 2028 or sooner
• Academic requirements: Minimum AAB at A level and a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent, with mitigating circumstances and contextual recruitment considered.
• Application process: Online application form Contextual recruitment review Online assessment Video interview or recorded responses Assessment centre Scheme offer Training-contract assessment during the scheme Online application Online assessment Video interview or recorded responses where required Assessment centre Vacation-scheme offer
• Assessments: Online assessment Video or recorded interview Assessment-centre exercises Performance during the vacation scheme
• Progression: All vacation-scheme attendees are considered for a Bird & Bird training contract.
• Right to work: Applicants need the right to work in the UK and must check their visa conditions. If later offered a training contract, Bird & Bird states it will offer reasonable assistance with necessary work permits and visas where required.
• Disability support: Confidential adjustment advice is available from the Early Careers team for disability, neurodivergence, mental-health conditions and long-term health conditions.

Hong Kong - Training Contract

Type: Training Contract

Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong

• Application timing: There is no separate direct application; trainees are selected from the Hong Kong summer internship.
• Programme dates: Starts September 2028 and lasts two years.
• Duration: Two years
• Status: no_application

Published application and programme dates

• There is no separate direct application; trainees are selected from the Hong Kong summer internship.
• Programme: Starts September 2028 and lasts two years.

• Who can apply: Future trainee solicitors
• Eligibility: Selection is through the Hong Kong summer internship.
• Progression: Training contract leading toward qualification.
• Funding: Funding details are not published in the reviewed brochure.

Virtual Experience Programme

Type: Virtual Experience

• Application timing: Applications are open; the official page does not publish an exact closing date.
• Programme dates: Exact programme dates are published on the relevant official student page when available.
• Duration: 7–8 hours
• Status: open

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are open; the official page does not publish an exact closing date.
• Programme: Exact programme dates are published on the relevant official student page when available.

• Who can apply: Open to all
• Eligibility: access: Open access application required: false
• Academic requirements: Academic requirements are not published on the reviewed programme master page unless stated below.
• Application process: No formal application for the core resource Open the official Bird & Bird or Forage page Complete the resource or register for an individual event where applicable
• Assessments: No formal recruitment assessment
• Progression: No automatic progression; the resource may support later applications.
• Right to work: Not applicable to the online resource.
• Disability support: Accessibility concerns can be raised with Bird & Bird or Forage.

United Kingdom - Training Contract

Type: Training Contract

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Application timing: There is no separate direct application window for this route; follow the linked student programme or selection route.
• Programme dates: September 2028 intake; exact start day not published.
• Duration: 2 years
• Status: no_application

Published application and programme dates

• There is no separate direct application window for this route; follow the linked student programme or selection route.
• Programme: September 2028 intake; exact start day not published.

• Who can apply: Candidates converted from a Bird & Bird vacation scheme
• Eligibility: character and suitability: SRA requirements apply degree: UK-awarded degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification law foundation: Law degree or PGDL required before the LLM in Legal Practice qwe: Two years of qualifying work experience route: Vacation scheme required sqe: SQE1 and SQE2 must be passed
• Academic requirements: AAB at A level and a 2:1 degree or equivalent, with contextual consideration and mitigating circumstances reviewed.
• Application process: Vacation-scheme online application Contextual recruitment review Online assessment Video interview or recorded responses Assessment centre Vacation scheme Training-contract decision Apply for Spring or Summer Vacation Scheme Complete vacation-scheme recruitment assessments Attend the vacation scheme Training-contract decision
• Assessments: Vacation-scheme recruitment assessments Assessment centre Performance during the vacation scheme
• Progression: Qualification as a solicitor and potential retention into an NQ role.
• Funding: All PGDL fees plus £10,000 maintenance grant; all SQE fees plus £15,000 maintenance grant. pgdl fees: All fees covered pgdl maintenance grant gbp: 10000 programme: Bespoke SQE+ provider: The University of Law sqe fees: All fees covered sqe maintenance grant gbp: 15000
• Right to work: Vacation-scheme applicants need the right to work in the UK. Bird & Bird states that successful training-contract candidates will receive reasonable assistance with obtaining necessary work permits and visas where required. sponsorship guaranteed: false training contract: Reasonable assistance with necessary work permits and visas where required after a successful training-contract offer vacation scheme: Right to work in the UK required
• Disability support: Barrier-free recruitment adjustments are available through the Early Careers team.

United Kingdom - Early Bird Scholarship

Type: Scholarship / Bursary

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Applications open: 2026-04-06
• Closing date: 2026-07-30
• Application timing: Applications open 6 April 2026 and close 30 July 2026.
• Programme dates: Commencing September 2026
• Duration: 3 years
• Status: closed

Published application and programme dates

• Applications open 6 April 2026 and close 30 July 2026.
• Programme: Commencing September 2026

• Who can apply: Students from low socio-economic backgrounds
• Eligibility: a levels: Expected AAB or equivalent degree: Law or law-related degree at a UK university distance learning: Part-time distance learning considered where circumstances warrant first generation: First generation in immediate family to attend university gcses: At least 5 GCSEs including English and Maths at grades 9-4/A*-C school: State non-fee-paying school or sixth-form college in the UK
• Academic requirements: At least 5 GCSEs including English and Maths at grades 9–4/A*–C and expected AAB or equivalent at A level.
• Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Online scholarship application Rolling screening Selection process Scholarship offer
• Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
• Progression: Automatic Flying Start place and mentoring toward later vacation-scheme and training-contract applications.
• Funding: £7,500 financial assistance paid in instalments over the student’s time at university. payment method: Paid in instalments over university total financial assistance gbp: 7500
• Right to work: Scholarship eligibility is based on UK school and university criteria; later paid placements have separate right-to-work requirements.
• Disability support: Application adjustments can be requested through Early Careers.

Singapore - Summer Internship

Type: Internship

Location: Singapore: Singapore

• Applications open: 2026-02-01
• Closing date: 2026-04-30
• Application timing: Applications opened 1 February 2026 and closed 30 April 2026.
• Programme dates: May–June 2026; internships are typically two to four weeks and normally run in June.
• Duration: Two to four weeks
• Status: closed

Published application and programme dates

• Applications opened 1 February 2026 and closed 30 April 2026.
• Programme: May–June 2026; internships are typically two to four weeks and normally run in June.

• Who can apply: Law students
• Eligibility: Applicants submit the documents listed on the official Singapore page.
• Progression: May lead to consideration for a practice training contract.
• Funding: Funding details are not published.

Germany - Apprenticeship

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: Germany

• Application timing: Application dates vary by office, cohort or live student vacancy; no single deadline is published.
• Programme dates: Exact programme dates are published on the relevant official student page when available.
• Duration: Not published
• Status: variable

Published application and programme dates

• Application dates vary by office, cohort or live student vacancy; no single deadline is published.
• Programme: Exact programme dates are published on the relevant official student page when available.

• Who can apply: Applicants to German paralegal training
• Eligibility: audience: Applicants to German paralegal training country: Germany criteria: Country-specific official page or vacancy
• Academic requirements: Academic requirements are not published on the reviewed programme master page unless stated below.
• Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Use the official Bird & Bird country careers page Follow the live vacancy or programme instructions
• Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
• Progression: Country-specific progression.
• Right to work: Country-specific employment and immigration requirements apply.
• Disability support: Country-specific recruitment teams should be contacted for adjustment requests.

Belgium - Internship

Type: Internship

Location: Belgium: Brussels

• Application timing: Applications are accepted throughout the year; no fixed deadline is published.
• Programme dates: Internship dates are arranged with the Brussels office.
• Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are accepted throughout the year; no fixed deadline is published.
• Programme: Internship dates are arranged with the Brussels office.

• Who can apply: Students
• Eligibility: Submit the academic and motivation information requested on the official page.
• Progression: Work-experience route in the Brussels office.
• Funding: Funding details are not published.

Ireland - Trainee Solicitor Programme

Type: Traineeship

Location: Ireland: Dublin

• Application timing: Applications are closed; the next application window has not yet been published.
• Programme dates: PPC Fusion followed by in-office training; exact start dates and salary are not published on the reviewed official Bird & Bird page.
• Duration: 2 years
• Status: closed

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are closed; the next application window has not yet been published.
• Programme: PPC Fusion followed by in-office training; exact start dates and salary are not published on the reviewed official Bird & Bird page.

• Who can apply: Future Irish solicitors
• Eligibility: audience: Future Irish solicitors fe1: Current intake criteria apply location: Dublin
• Academic requirements: Academic requirements are not published on the reviewed programme master page unless stated below.
• Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Official careers application Shortlisting Interview Offer
• Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
• Progression: Qualification as an Irish solicitor.
• Right to work: Irish employment and immigration requirements apply.
• Disability support: Hiring-process accommodations can be requested through the relevant HR contact.

Germany - Internship

Type: Internship

Location: Germany: Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich

• Application timing: Application dates vary by office, cohort or live student vacancy; no single deadline is published.
• Programme dates: Exact programme dates are published on the relevant official student page when available.
• Duration: Not published
• Status: variable

Published application and programme dates

• Application dates vary by office, cohort or live student vacancy; no single deadline is published.
• Programme: Exact programme dates are published on the relevant official student page when available.

• Who can apply: Law students
• Eligibility: audience: Law students country: Germany criteria: Country-specific official page or vacancy
• Academic requirements: Academic requirements are not published on the reviewed programme master page unless stated below.
• Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Use the official Bird & Bird country careers page Follow the live vacancy or programme instructions
• Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
• Progression: Potential continuation as a student employee.
• Right to work: Country-specific employment and immigration requirements apply.
• Disability support: Country-specific recruitment teams should be contacted for adjustment requests.

Singapore - Winter Internship

Type: Internship

Location: Singapore: Singapore

• Applications open: 2026-08-01
• Closing date: 2026-10-31
• Application timing: Applications opened 1 August 2026 and close 31 October 2026.
• Programme dates: November–December 2026; internships are typically two to four weeks and normally run in December.
• Duration: Two to four weeks
• Status: open

Published application and programme dates

• Applications opened 1 August 2026 and close 31 October 2026.
• Programme: November–December 2026; internships are typically two to four weeks and normally run in December.

• Who can apply: Law students
• Eligibility: Applicants submit the documents listed on the official Singapore page.
• Progression: May lead to consideration for a practice training contract.
• Funding: Funding details are not published.

United Kingdom - Flying Start Programme

Type: Insight Programme

Location: United Kingdom

• Applications open: 2026-04-06
• Closing date: 2026-07-02
• Application timing: Applications open 6 April 2026 and close 2 July 2026.
• Programme dates: 14 to 15 July 2026
• Duration: 2 days
• Status: closed

Published application and programme dates

• Applications open 6 April 2026 and close 2 July 2026.
• Programme: 14 to 15 July 2026

• Who can apply: First-year law, second year of a four-year law degree, or penultimate-year non-law students
• Eligibility: audience: First-year law, second year of a four-year law degree, or penultimate-year non-law students location: Online study stage: AAB and on track for a 2:1, with contextual consideration
• Academic requirements: AAB and on track for a 2:1, with contextual consideration.
• Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Online application
• Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
• Progression: Supports later vacation-scheme and training-contract applications.
• Right to work: Not stated as a requirement for this online insight programme.
• Disability support: Candidates can request application adjustments through Early Careers.

Germany - Legal Clerkship

Type: Referendariat

Location: Germany

• Application timing: Applications are vacancy-led; no single annual deadline is published.
• Programme dates: Clerkship dates depend on the agreed legal-training stage and office.
• Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are vacancy-led; no single annual deadline is published.
• Programme: Clerkship dates depend on the agreed legal-training stage and office.

• Who can apply: German legal trainees
• Eligibility: Applicants should have completed the first state examination and meet the criteria on the official page.
• Progression: Practical legal training with access to selected Bird & Bird Academy courses.
• Funding: Funding details are not published.

Finland - Associate Trainee

Type: Student Role

Location: Finland: Helsinki

• Application timing: Applications are currently available through the official Finland careers page; no fixed closing date is published.
• Programme dates: Helsinki associate-trainee timing is vacancy-specific.
• Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are currently available through the official Finland careers page; no fixed closing date is published.
• Programme: Helsinki associate-trainee timing is vacancy-specific.

• Who can apply: Law students
• Eligibility: Requirements are stated in the live role.
• Progression: Early-career legal experience in Helsinki.
• Funding: Vacancy-specific.

Australia - Summer Clerkship

Type: Clerkship

Location: Australia: Sydney

• Application timing: Applications follow the Law Society of New South Wales clerkship timetable; Bird & Bird does not publish a separate deadline on the reviewed page.
• Programme dates: Sydney summer clerkship; exact next scheme dates are not published on the reviewed page.
• Status: variable

Published application and programme dates

• Applications follow the Law Society of New South Wales clerkship timetable; Bird & Bird does not publish a separate deadline on the reviewed page.
• Programme: Sydney summer clerkship; exact next scheme dates are not published on the reviewed page.

• Who can apply: Penultimate-year law students
• Eligibility: Applicants should meet the current NSW clerkship eligibility requirements.
• Progression: Main pathway into the Australian Graduate and Associate Programme.
• Funding: Paid; rate not published.

Hong Kong - Summer Internship

Type: Internship

Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong

• Closing date: 2026-01-11
• Application timing: Applications closed 11 January 2026.
• Programme dates: Four weeks in June or July 2026.
• Duration: Four weeks
• Status: closed

Published application and programme dates

• Applications closed 11 January 2026.
• Programme: Four weeks in June or July 2026.

• Who can apply: Law students and graduates eligible for the Hong Kong route
• Eligibility: Applicants must meet the Hong Kong programme requirements.
• Progression: Interns are assessed for the September 2028 Training Contract.
• Funding: Paid status or rate is not published in the reviewed brochure.

Finland - Thesis Trainee

Type: Student Role

Location: Finland: Helsinki

• Application timing: Open application; no fixed closing date is published.
• Programme dates: Helsinki thesis-trainee timing is arranged with the office.
• Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

• Open application; no fixed closing date is published.
• Programme: Helsinki thesis-trainee timing is arranged with the office.

• Who can apply: Law students preparing a thesis
• Eligibility: Requirements are stated on the official Finland careers page.
• Progression: Student experience alongside thesis work.
• Funding: Vacancy-specific.

Netherlands - Student Internship

Type: Internship

Location: Netherlands

• Application timing: Applications are accepted by email; no fixed closing date is published.
• Programme dates: Internship timing is arranged with the Amsterdam or The Hague office.
• Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are accepted by email; no fixed closing date is published.
• Programme: Internship timing is arranged with the Amsterdam or The Hague office.

• Who can apply: Law students
• Eligibility: Applicants send a CV, motivation letter, marks and any available internship assessments.
• Progression: Student work-experience route in the Netherlands.
• Funding: Funding details are not published.

Australia - Graduate and Associate Programme

Type: Graduate Programme

Location: Australia: Sydney

• Application timing: Graduate places are normally offered through the Australian summer clerkship; no separate public deadline is published.
• Programme dates: Graduate intakes are normally in February or July.
• Status: no_application

Published application and programme dates

• Graduate places are normally offered through the Australian summer clerkship; no separate public deadline is published.
• Programme: Graduate intakes are normally in February or July.

• Who can apply: Law graduates
• Eligibility: Normally recruited from the Australian summer clerk cohort.
• Progression: Graduate-to-associate pathway.
• Funding: Bird & Bird states that eligible graduates receive practical legal training support and study leave.

Germany - Student Collaboration

Type: Student Role

Location: Germany

• Application timing: Application dates vary by office, cohort or live student vacancy; no single deadline is published.
• Programme dates: Exact programme dates are published on the relevant official student page when available.
• Duration: Not published
• Status: variable

Published application and programme dates

• Application dates vary by office, cohort or live student vacancy; no single deadline is published.
• Programme: Exact programme dates are published on the relevant official student page when available.

• Who can apply: Students who completed an internship
• Eligibility: audience: Students who completed an internship country: Germany criteria: Country-specific official page or vacancy
• Academic requirements: Academic requirements are not published on the reviewed programme master page unless stated below.
• Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Use the official Bird & Bird country careers page Follow the live vacancy or programme instructions
• Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
• Progression: Potential continued employment and development.
• Right to work: Country-specific employment and immigration requirements apply.
• Disability support: Country-specific recruitment teams should be contacted for adjustment requests.

United Kingdom - Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Closing date: 2026-01-30
• Application timing: Applications close 30 January 2026; the opening date was not published.
• Programme dates: Starts September 2026
• Duration: Level 7 apprenticeship; exact total duration not stated on the reviewed official page
• Status: closed

Published application and programme dates

• Applications close 30 January 2026; the opening date was not published.
• Programme: Starts September 2026

• Who can apply: Year 13 and recent school or college leavers
• Eligibility: a levels: AAB or equivalent gcses: At least 5 GCSEs including English and Maths minimum age at start: 18 right to work: Right to work in the UK required university status: School-leaver route
• Academic requirements: At least 5 GCSEs at grades 4–9/C–A*, including Maths and English, and 3 A levels at AAB or equivalent. Must be at least 18 at the start and have the right to work in the UK.
• Application process: Online application form Contextual recruitment review Online assessment Interview stage Assessment centre Offer Online application Online assessment Video or interview stage Assessment centre Offer
• Assessments: Online assessment Interview Assessment-centre exercises
• Progression: Qualification as a solicitor and potential retention into an NQ role.
• Funding: All tuition fees and course materials are covered. course materials: All course materials covered degree: LLB Law degree sqe: SQE assessments included tuition fees: All tuition fees covered
• Right to work: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. right to work required: true sponsorship confirmed: false
• Disability support: Barrier-free recruitment adjustments are available through the Early Careers team.

United Kingdom - Summer Vacation Scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Application timing: Applications are closed; the next application window has not yet been published.
• Programme dates: 15 to 26 June 2026
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Places: Up to 40 places shared across the Spring and Summer schemes.
• Status: closed

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are closed; the next application window has not yet been published.
• Programme: 15 to 26 June 2026

• Who can apply: Law and non-law students, graduates, PGDL and SQE candidates
• Eligibility: academic requirement: AAB at A level and 2:1 degree or equivalent degree discipline: Law and non-law one scheme only: Applicants may apply to either Spring or Summer, not both right to work: Right to work in the UK is required for the vacation scheme training contract start: September 2028 or sooner
• Academic requirements: Minimum AAB at A level and a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent, with mitigating circumstances and contextual recruitment considered.
• Application process: Online application form Contextual recruitment review Online assessment Video interview or recorded responses Assessment centre Scheme offer Training-contract assessment during the scheme Online application Online assessment Video interview or recorded responses where required Assessment centre Vacation-scheme offer
• Assessments: Online assessment Video or recorded interview Assessment-centre exercises Performance during the vacation scheme
• Progression: All vacation-scheme attendees are considered for a Bird & Bird training contract.
• Right to work: Applicants need the right to work in the UK and must check their visa conditions. If later offered a training contract, Bird & Bird states it will offer reasonable assistance with necessary work permits and visas where required.
• Disability support: Confidential adjustment advice is available from the Early Careers team for disability, neurodivergence, mental-health conditions and long-term health conditions.

United Kingdom - Early Bird Pioneer

Type: School Programme

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Application timing: The next application dates have not yet been published.
• Programme dates: Partner and cohort specific.
• Duration: Seven-year pathway from Year 10 through post-college support
• Status: unknown

Published application and programme dates

• The next application dates have not yet been published.
• Programme: Partner and cohort specific.

• Who can apply: Year 10 to Year 13 students from low socio-economic backgrounds
• Eligibility: audience: Year 10 to Year 13 students from low socio-economic backgrounds location: London schools recruitment: Partner-school and Young Professionals route
• Academic requirements: Academic requirements are not published on the reviewed programme master page unless stated below.
• Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Review the official Bird & Bird programme or careers page Use the official Bird & Bird application route when a vacancy is live
• Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
• Progression: Progression to Early Bird Alumni, Early Bird Scholarship or Solicitor Apprenticeship.
• Right to work: Not applicable to the school outreach stages; work-experience requirements are partner specific.
• Disability support: Individual support needs should be discussed with Bird & Bird and the programme partner.