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Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG is a sector-focused international law firm with more than 1,500 legal professionals and offices in 19 cities across Canada, the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Firm overview
At a glance
A clear starting point for understanding the firm, its opportunities and the information students should check before applying.
Available routes
How can students join?
Student opportunities
Opportunities
Vacation schemes, training contracts, apprenticeships, insight programmes, work experience and other application routes.
United Kingdom - Paralegal Apprenticeship (Level 4)
Type: Apprenticeship
Location: United Kingdom
- Application timing: Applications re-open in February 2027 and the annual recruitment cycle closes in April. Exact opening and closing days are not yet published.
- Programme dates: Successful applicants begin the Paralegal Apprenticeship in September 2027. The initial programme lasts two years, with the opportunity to progress to the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship.
- Duration: Programme duration is published with the official apprenticeship information.
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Applications re-open in February 2027 and the annual recruitment cycle closes in April. Exact opening and closing days are not yet published.
- Programme: Successful applicants begin the Paralegal Apprenticeship in September 2027. The initial programme lasts two years, with the opportunity to progress to the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship.
- Who can apply: School leavers on track for 96 UCAS points
- Eligibility: audience: School leavers UCAS: On track for 96 UCAS points
- Academic requirements: See the official programme page. No unpublished academic threshold has been inferred.
- Application process: Application Route-specific assessment Apply through the official Gowling WLG route when open. Complete the programme-specific assessment process.
- Progression: Recognised paralegal qualification and potential progression within legal services.
- Funding: Recognised paralegal qualification funded during the apprenticeship.\nqualification: Recognised paralegal qualification funded\nstudy: Earn while learning
- Expenses: Not currently published.
- Travel support: Not currently published.
- Accommodation support: Not currently published.
- Right to work: Check the official programme page and local work-authorisation requirements. status: route_specific_or_not_published
- Disability support: Candidates can request reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
United Kingdom - Vacation schemes
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: United Kingdom: Birmingham, London
- Applications open: 2026-10-01
- Closing date: 2026-11-18
- Application timing: Applications are open and close on 18 November 2026.
- Programme dates: Birmingham scheme: 12–23 April 2027. London scheme: 21 June–2 July 2027.
- Duration: One week
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications are open and close on 18 November 2026.
- Programme: Birmingham scheme: 12–23 April 2027. London scheme: 21 June–2 July 2027.
- Who can apply: University / Graduate
- Eligibility: audience: Penultimate-year law students Final-year non-law students Graduates Career changers minimum A levels: No stated minimum A-level requirement minimum degree: No stated minimum degree classification
- Academic requirements: See the official programme page. No unpublished academic threshold has been inferred.
- Application process: Application form Online task-based assessment Video interview Immersive assessment centre Apply through the official Gowling WLG route when open. Complete the programme-specific assessment process.
- Assessments: Online task-based assessment Video interview Immersive assessment centre
- Progression: Vacation-scheme participants are assessed for a training contract.
- Funding: Not currently published.
- Expenses: Not currently published.
- Travel support: Not currently published.
- Accommodation support: Not currently published.
- Right to work: Check the official programme page and local work-authorisation requirements. status: route_specific_or_not_published
- Disability support: Candidates can request reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
Canada - Summer program in Calgary
Type: Internship
Location: Canada: Calgary
- Application timing: Calgary participates in both 1L and 2L Summer Student recruitment. Applications are submitted through the viDesktop Law Portal; on-campus interview application deadlines vary by law school and no single firm-wide deadline is published.
- Programme dates: Calgary Summer Program; exact next start and end dates are not published on the current firm page.
- Duration: Summer term; office-specific duration
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Calgary participates in both 1L and 2L Summer Student recruitment. Applications are submitted through the viDesktop Law Portal; on-campus interview application deadlines vary by law school and no single firm-wide deadline is published.
- Programme: Calgary Summer Program; exact next start and end dates are not published on the current firm page.
- Who can apply: Law student
- Eligibility: language: Office-specific language requirements apply office: Calgary study stage: Law student
- Academic requirements: See the official programme page. No unpublished academic threshold has been inferred.
- Application process: Application package Office or cooperative recruitment interview Offer according to the applicable recruitment timetable Cover letter Résumé Undergraduate transcript Law school transcript Office-specific supporting documents ViLaw or office-specified portal where applicable
- Assessments: Application review Interview
- Progression: The Canadian offices generally prefer or consider summer students for later articling recruitment.
- Funding: Not currently published.
- Expenses: Not currently published.
- Travel support: Not currently published.
- Accommodation support: Not currently published.
- Right to work: Candidates must meet Canadian and provincial work-authorisation requirements. status: route_specific_or_not_published
- Disability support: Candidates can request reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
Canada - Gowling WLG Life Sciences, Society & the Law Scholarship
Type: Scholarship / Bursary
Location: Canada
- Application timing: Annual scholarship; the next application window has not yet been published.
- Programme dates: Annual $5,000 award for a Canadian JD/LLB student writing on life sciences, society and the law. The next award-cycle dates are not yet published.
- Status: variable
Published application and programme dates
- Annual scholarship; the next application window has not yet been published.
- Programme: Annual $5,000 award for a Canadian JD/LLB student writing on life sciences, society and the law. The next award-cycle dates are not yet published.
- Who can apply: Law students enrolled, or due to be enrolled, in a JD/LLB programme at an accredited Canadian law school who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and interested in life sciences law.
- Eligibility: Current or upcoming JD/LLB enrolment at an accredited Canadian law school; Canadian citizen or permanent resident; interest in a legal career in the life sciences sector.
- Application process: Submit the official application form, a cover letter and the required 1,500-word legal paper when the next annual cycle opens.
- Funding: $5,000 annual scholarship. The successful applicant is also invited to participate in Gowling WLG’s annual Life Sciences, Society and the Law Symposium.
Canada - Summer program in Toronto
Type: Internship
Location: Canada: Toronto
- Application timing: Toronto primarily hires through the 2L Summer Student recruit governed by the Law Society of Ontario. Applications are submitted through the VI Portal; exact next dates are not published on the current firm page.
- Programme dates: Toronto Summer Program; exact next programme dates are not published.
- Duration: Summer term; office-specific duration
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Toronto primarily hires through the 2L Summer Student recruit governed by the Law Society of Ontario. Applications are submitted through the VI Portal; exact next dates are not published on the current firm page.
- Programme: Toronto Summer Program; exact next programme dates are not published.
- Who can apply: Law student
- Eligibility: language: Office-specific language requirements apply office: Toronto study stage: Law student
- Academic requirements: See the official programme page. No unpublished academic threshold has been inferred.
- Application process: Application package Office or cooperative recruitment interview Offer according to the applicable recruitment timetable Cover letter Résumé Undergraduate transcript Law school transcript Office-specific supporting documents ViLaw or office-specified portal where applicable
- Assessments: Application review Interview
- Progression: The Canadian offices generally prefer or consider summer students for later articling recruitment.
- Funding: Not currently published.
- Expenses: Not currently published.
- Travel support: Not currently published.
- Accommodation support: Not currently published.
- Right to work: Candidates must meet Canadian and provincial work-authorisation requirements. status: route_specific_or_not_published
- Disability support: Candidates can request reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
United Kingdom - UK Real Estate Training Contracts
Type: Training Contract
Location: United Kingdom: Birmingham, London
- Applications open: 2026-10-01
- Closing date: 2026-11-18 23:55:00 Europe/London
- Application timing: Applications opened on 1 October 2026 at 08:00 and close on 18 November 2026 at 23:55.
- Programme dates: Separate Birmingham and London Real Estate Training Contract routes for the 2029 intake; each programme lasts two years.
- Duration: Two years
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications opened on 1 October 2026 at 08:00 and close on 18 November 2026 at 23:55.
- Programme: Separate Birmingham and London Real Estate Training Contract routes for the 2029 intake; each programme lasts two years.
- Who can apply: Aspiring solicitors with a strong interest in real estate law
- Eligibility: audience: Aspiring solicitors with a strong interest in real estate law location: United Kingdom study stage: Graduate
- Academic requirements: See the official programme page. No unpublished academic threshold has been inferred.
- Application process: Application Route-specific assessment Apply through the official Gowling WLG route when open. Complete the programme-specific assessment process.
- Progression: Qualification as a solicitor with specialist real estate experience.
- Funding: The firm funds required postgraduate legal study for its training-contract routes; exact specialist-route terms should be confirmed on the official application page.\nmaintenance grant: Published firm training-contract grant applies subject to route terms\nPGDL course fees: Paid where required\nSQE course and exam fees: Paid
- Expenses: Not currently published.
- Travel support: Not currently published.
- Accommodation support: Not currently published.
- Right to work: Check the official programme page and local work-authorisation requirements. status: route_specific_or_not_published
- Disability support: Candidates can request reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
United Kingdom - Discover Gowling WLG: Sector Series
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Programme dates: 8 October–5 November 2026, virtual.
- Duration: Event series
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: 8 October–5 November 2026, virtual.
- Who can apply: Students and aspiring lawyers interested in Gowling WLG’s sectors and careers
- Eligibility: audience: Students and aspiring lawyers interested in Gowling WLG’s sectors and careers location: Virtual / United Kingdom study stage: School / University / Graduate
- Academic requirements: See the official programme page. No unpublished academic threshold has been inferred.
- Application process: Application Route-specific assessment Apply through the official Gowling WLG route when open. Complete the programme-specific assessment process.
- Progression: Supports later vacation-scheme, training-contract and apprenticeship applications.
- Expenses: Not currently published.
- Travel support: Not currently published.
- Accommodation support: Not currently published.
- Right to work: Check the official programme page and local work-authorisation requirements. status: route_specific_or_not_published
- Disability support: Candidates can request reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
United Kingdom - Training contracts
Type: Training Contract
Location: United Kingdom: Birmingham, London
- Applications open: 2026-10-01
- Closing date: 2026-11-18
- Application timing: Applications opened 1 October 2026 and close 18 November 2026.
- Programme dates: Two-year Training Contract beginning in 2029.
- Duration: Two years
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications opened 1 October 2026 and close 18 November 2026.
- Programme: Two-year Training Contract beginning in 2029.
- Who can apply: Graduate
- Eligibility: Applicants who meet Gowling WLG’s current graduate eligibility requirements for London or Birmingham.
- Academic requirements: See the official programme page. No unpublished academic threshold has been inferred.
- Application process: Application form, online task-based assessment, video interview and immersive assessment centre.
- Assessments: Online task-based assessment Video interview Immersive assessment centre
- Progression: Qualification as a solicitor and potential newly qualified role.
- Funding: PGDL and SQE course fees are funded. Maintenance grants are £7,000 for London and £5,500 for Birmingham.
- Expenses: Not currently published.
- Travel support: Not currently published.
- Accommodation support: Not currently published.
- Right to work: Applicants should check current Skilled Worker sponsorship and right-to-work wording on the live vacancy before applying. status: route_specific_or_not_published
- Disability support: Candidates can request reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
United Kingdom support
UK Visa and Funding
UK qualification funding, maintenance support and published visa-sponsorship or right-to-work information for joining the firm in the United Kingdom.
UK visa sponsorship and right to work
Not confirmed on the firm's official careers site this pass — pages found only address funding for the PGDL/SQE law conversion course, not UK immigration sponsorship.
View official source for UK visa sponsorship and right to work (opens in new tab)
Pay and funding
UK training-contract offers include sponsorship for required postgraduate study and maintenance support; current grant amounts are not published on the official page.
Student scholarships and bursaries
Student support includes the annual C$5,000 Life Sciences, Society & the Law Scholarship and the Black Talent in Law bursary partnership.
View official source for Student scholarships and bursaries (opens in new tab)
Areas of work
Practice areas
The legal services and capabilities listed by the firm.
Corporate
Relevant to trainee seats, summer-student work and articling exposure.
Finance
Relevant to trainee seats, summer-student work and articling exposure.
Tax
Relevant to trainee seats, summer-student work and articling exposure.
Real Estate
Relevant to trainee seats, summer-student work and articling exposure.
Dispute Resolution
Relevant to trainee seats, summer-student work and articling exposure.
Intellectual Property
Relevant to trainee seats, summer-student work and articling exposure.
Employment, Labour and Equalities
Relevant to trainee seats, summer-student work and articling exposure.
Pensions
Relevant to trainee seats, summer-student work and articling exposure.
Projects and Infrastructure
Relevant to trainee seats, summer-student work and articling exposure.
Regulatory
Relevant to trainee seats, summer-student work and articling exposure.
Offices
Locations
Office locations and the student opportunities available in each location where confirmed.
United Kingdom, Birmingham
Office
View United Kingdom, Birmingham official page (opens in new tab)
United Kingdom, Leeds
Office
United Kingdom, London
Office
View United Kingdom, London official page (opens in new tab)
Belgium, Brussels
Office
Canada, Calgary
Office
Canada, Hamilton
Office
Canada, Kitchener
Office
Canada, Montréal
Office
Canada, Ottawa
Office
Canada, Toronto
Office
Canada, Vancouver
Office
China, Beijing
Office
China, Shanghai
Office
France, Paris
Office
Germany, Frankfurt
Office
Germany, Munich
Office
Germany, Stuttgart
Office
United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
Office
View United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi official page (opens in new tab)
United Arab Emirates, Dubai
Office
View United Arab Emirates, Dubai official page (opens in new tab)
Career paths
Roles
Early-career routes, legal careers, knowledge and innovation roles, legal support and specialist leadership titles.
Trainee Solicitor
Two-year training contract, technology seat available splitting time with an AI start-up
Paralegal Apprentice
Two-year Level 4 Paralegal Apprenticeship, with the option to progress into the Solicitor Apprenticeship afterward (4.5 years total)
Access and inclusion
EDI
Recruitment adjustments, disability support, disability-specific programmes, mentoring, networks, partnerships and wider inclusion work.
Social-mobility work placements
Early legal-career access.
View official source for Social-mobility work placements (opens in new tab)
Social-mobility insight day
School insight and route awareness.
View official source for Social-mobility insight day (opens in new tab)
Canadian inclusive student recruitment
Office-specific inclusive recruitment.
View official source for Canadian inclusive student recruitment (opens in new tab)
Recruitment adjustments
Candidates can request reasonable adjustments during application and assessment.
View official source for Recruitment adjustments (opens in new tab)
Canadian equal-opportunity and self-identification support
Canadian office pages encourage applicants who are Indigenous, racialized BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ or persons with a disability to self-identify.
Community and legal access
Pro bono
The firm’s published pro bono work, community projects, access-to-justice programmes and official partnerships.
Global pro bono and community investment
Provides public-interest and community context for students.
View official source for Global pro bono and community investment (opens in new tab)
Early-careers community and social-impact exposure
Relevant to applicants assessing social impact and access work.
View official source for Early-careers community and social-impact exposure (opens in new tab)
Firm research
Firm highlights
Published awards, sectors, notable work, clients and other information that helps students understand the firm.
Official firm platforms
Links & Socials
Verified official websites, careers and application platforms, office directories and social-media accounts.
Main website
Official global website
Careers
Official careers hub
UK Early Talent
Official UK early-talent hub
Canada Students
Official Canadian student hub
Office directory
Official office and global-reach directory
Official LinkedIn page
YouTube
Official YouTube channel