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Macfarlanes
Macfarlanes is an independent law firm headquartered in London, with a Brussels office and a New York representative office. Its principal strengths include private capital, private wealth, M&A and disputes. The New York office provides market intelligence and does not provide legal services.
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 - Training Programme
Type: Training Contract
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Application timing: Applications are closed and are expected to reopen in 2027; exact dates are not yet published.
- Programme dates: Training Programme starts in September 2029.
- Duration: 2 years
- Places: 33 places per year.
- Status: closed
Published application and programme dates
- Applications are closed and are expected to reopen in 2027; exact dates are not yet published.
- Programme: Training Programme starts in September 2029.
- Who can apply: Law students from penultimate year and non-law students from final year; graduates and career changers
- Eligibility: all universities and degree subjects: true graduates and career changers: true law students from penultimate year: true non law students from final year: true
- Academic requirements: No minimum A-level requirement. Usually a 2:1 degree or equivalent; PGDL/LPC commendation at first attempt if already completed; SQE1 and SQE2 passed at first attempt if already completed. Extenuating circumstances are considered.
- Application process: Application Online assessments In-person assessment day Offer Online application Online assessment Second-stage job simulation In-person assessment day Offer
- Assessments: Situational judgement and critical reasoning Job simulation Business case study and competency interview Written exercise Group negotiation exercise
- Progression: Potential NQ role.
- Funding: PGDL fees plus £17,000 grant where required. SQE course, examination and bespoke module costs plus £20,000 grant. bespoke macfarlanes modules: Covered independent sqe reimbursement: Course and exam fees may be reimbursed if a training contract is secured within one year pgdl fees: Covered where required pgdl grant gbp: 17000 provider: BPP Holborn sqe course and exam fees: Covered sqe grant gbp: 20000
- Right to work: Employment is subject to UK right-to-work requirements. Sponsorship should be checked in the current offer.
- Disability support: Recruitment and study adjustments can be requested individually.
United Kingdom - upReach Professional Experience Week
Type: Work Experience
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Programme dates: Ongoing support or partner-controlled dates.
- Duration: Programme specific
- Status: variable
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Ongoing support or partner-controlled dates.
- Who can apply: Eligible upReach students from socially mobile backgrounds
- Eligibility: audience: Eligible upReach students from socially mobile backgrounds disability specific: false positive action: true
- Academic requirements: Programme-specific social-mobility, disability or application-stage criteria apply.
- Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Use the current firm or partner route
- Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
- Progression: Supports later legal applications.
- Funding: No separate financial award. note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Macfarlanes has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
- Expenses: Underlying programme rules apply.
- Right to work: The underlying paid programme or employment route controls right-to-work requirements.
- Disability support: Adjustments can be requested.
United Kingdom - Training Programme via Vacation Scheme
Type: Training Contract
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Programme dates: Training Programme starts in September 2029.
- Duration: 2 years
- Places: 33 places per year.
- Status: no_application
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Training Programme starts in September 2029.
- Who can apply: Successful Vacation Scheme candidates
- Eligibility: all universities and degree subjects: true graduates and career changers: true law students from penultimate year: true non law students from final year: true
- Academic requirements: No minimum A-level requirement. Usually a 2:1 degree or equivalent; PGDL/LPC commendation at first attempt if already completed; SQE1 and SQE2 passed at first attempt if already completed. Extenuating circumstances are considered.
- Application process: Application Online assessments In-person assessment day Offer Vacation Scheme application Online assessments Vacation Scheme assessment day Vacation Scheme Training Programme decision
- Assessments: Situational judgement and critical reasoning Job simulation Business case study and competency interview Written exercise Group negotiation exercise
- Progression: Potential NQ role.
- Funding: PGDL fees plus £17,000 grant where required. SQE course, examination and bespoke module costs plus £20,000 grant. bespoke macfarlanes modules: Covered independent sqe reimbursement: Course and exam fees may be reimbursed if a training contract is secured within one year pgdl fees: Covered where required pgdl grant gbp: 17000 provider: BPP Holborn sqe course and exam fees: Covered sqe grant gbp: 20000
- Right to work: Employment is subject to UK right-to-work requirements. Sponsorship should be checked in the current offer.
- Disability support: Recruitment and study adjustments can be requested individually.
United Kingdom - The Macfarlanes Training Scholarship
Type: Scholarship / Bursary
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-03-16
- Closing date: 2026-06-12
- Application timing: The 2026 application window ran from 16 March to 12 June 2026. Applications are closed and are expected to reopen in 2027; exact future dates are not yet published.
- Programme dates: Runs across the Brunel LLB, including three weeks of paid work experience during selection and a paid Year in Industry in year three.
- Duration: 3 academic years including paid Year in Industry
- Places: Up to six internship candidates and up to three Training Scholars each year.
- Status: closed
Published application and programme dates
- The 2026 application window ran from 16 March to 12 June 2026. Applications are closed and are expected to reopen in 2027; exact future dates are not yet published.
- Programme: Runs across the Brunel LLB, including three weeks of paid work experience during selection and a paid Year in Industry in year three.
- Who can apply: First-year LLB law students at Brunel meeting social-mobility criteria
- Eligibility: course: First-year LLB social mobility criteria: true university: Brunel University London
- Academic requirements: First-year LLB law student at Brunel University London meeting the firm’s social-mobility criteria under Rare contextual recruitment.
- Application process: Application and online assessment Assessment day Three-week paid internship Scholar selection Application form Macfarlanes scenario-based online assessment In-person assessment day Business case study and application interview Group negotiation task Written exercise Three-week Summer Internship for up to six candidates Selection of up to three Training Scholars
- Assessments: Situational judgement Critical reasoning Business case study Application interview Group negotiation Written exercise Internship performance
- Progression: Long-term legal-development support; no automatic Training Programme offer is stated.
- Funding: Full Brunel tuition fees, paid work experience, paid Year in Industry and senior mentoring. full university tuition: true paid three week work experience: true paid year in industry: true senior mentoring: true
- Right to work: Paid work experience and Year in Industry are subject to UK work-authorisation requirements.
- Disability support: Additional support and adjustments are available throughout the application process.
United Kingdom - Accommodation Grant
Type: Scholarship / Bursary
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Application timing: There is no separate public application window; eligible participants are contacted directly by the Early Careers team.
- Programme dates: Linked to the qualifying programme or event.
- Duration: Programme linked
- Status: no_application
Published application and programme dates
- There is no separate public application window; eligible participants are contacted directly by the Early Careers team.
- Programme: Linked to the qualifying programme or event.
- Who can apply: Eligible First Year Insight, Vacation Scheme and upReach Professional Experience Week participants living outside London
- Eligibility: grant type: Accommodation Grant social mobility or financial need: true uk undergraduate: true
- Academic requirements: Undergraduate status and the relevant financial, social-mobility, geographic or lost-income criteria apply.
- Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Join an eligible First Year Insight or Vacation Scheme Meet social-mobility and geographic criteria Early Careers contacts eligible participants directly
- Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
- Progression: Enables attendance at London programmes.
- Funding: Fixed contribution towards London accommodation. exact amount published: false grant type: Accommodation Grant
- Right to work: No work-authorisation requirement applies to a standalone grant, but underlying paid programmes have their own rules.
- Disability support: Application support and alternative formats can be requested.
United Kingdom - Winter Vacation Scheme
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-08-03
- Closing date: 2026-08-28
- Application timing: Applications open 3 August and close 28 August 2026.
- Programme dates: 30 November to 11 December 2026.
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Places: Approximately 55 Vacation Scheme places per year across all sittings.
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 3 August and close 28 August 2026.
- Programme: 30 November to 11 December 2026.
- Who can apply: Students from penultimate year onwards from any degree discipline
- Eligibility: all degree subjects: true graduates and career changers: true penultimate year or later: true
- Academic requirements: Open from penultimate year onwards in any degree discipline. Macfarlanes usually looks for a 2:1 or equivalent and considers extenuating circumstances.
- Application process: Application and first online assessment Second-stage job simulation Assessment day Vacation Scheme Training Programme decision Online application form First online scenario assessment within seven days Second online job-simulation assessment In-person Vacation Scheme assessment day Vacation Scheme Training Programme consideration
- Assessments: Situational judgement Critical reasoning Job simulation Business case study and competency interview Written exercise Group negotiation exercise
- Progression: Potential Training Programme offer.
- Funding: Paid at £525 per week. Accommodation and participation support may be available through the Macfarlanes Bursary. note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Macfarlanes has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
- Expenses: Travel expenses are reimbursed for in-person events and assessment days.
- Travel support: Reasonable travel reimbursement for assessment days.
- Accommodation support: Eligible socially mobile students living outside London may receive the Accommodation Grant.
- Right to work: Paid scheme participation is subject to UK right-to-work requirements.
- Disability support: Individual adjustments are available for online assessments and the in-person assessment day.
United Kingdom - Spring Vacation Scheme - Scheme Two
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-09-01
- Closing date: 2026-10-30
- Application timing: Applications open 1 September and close 30 October 2026.
- Programme dates: 12 to 23 April 2027.
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Places: Approximately 55 Vacation Scheme places per year across all sittings.
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 1 September and close 30 October 2026.
- Programme: 12 to 23 April 2027.
- Who can apply: Students from penultimate year onwards from any degree discipline
- Eligibility: all degree subjects: true graduates and career changers: true penultimate year or later: true
- Academic requirements: Open from penultimate year onwards in any degree discipline. Macfarlanes usually looks for a 2:1 or equivalent and considers extenuating circumstances.
- Application process: Application and first online assessment Second-stage job simulation Assessment day Vacation Scheme Training Programme decision Online application form First online scenario assessment within seven days Second online job-simulation assessment In-person Vacation Scheme assessment day Vacation Scheme Training Programme consideration
- Assessments: Situational judgement Critical reasoning Job simulation Business case study and competency interview Written exercise Group negotiation exercise
- Progression: Potential Training Programme offer.
- Funding: Paid at £525 per week. Accommodation and participation support may be available through the Macfarlanes Bursary. note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Macfarlanes has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
- Expenses: Travel expenses are reimbursed for in-person events and assessment days.
- Travel support: Reasonable travel reimbursement for assessment days.
- Accommodation support: Eligible socially mobile students living outside London may receive the Accommodation Grant.
- Right to work: Paid scheme participation is subject to UK right-to-work requirements.
- Disability support: Individual adjustments are available for online assessments and the in-person assessment day.
United Kingdom - First Year Insight Scheme
Type: Insight Programme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-11-02
- Closing date: 2027-01-15
- Application timing: Applications open 2 November 2026 and close 15 January 2027.
- Programme dates: Monday 28 June to Friday 2 July 2027.
- Duration: 5 days
- Places: Approximately 25 places per year.
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 2 November 2026 and close 15 January 2027.
- Programme: Monday 28 June to Friday 2 July 2027.
- Who can apply: First-year students on three-year courses and second-year students on four-year courses
- Eligibility: first year three year degree: true law and non law: true second year four year degree: true
- Academic requirements: First year of a three-year degree or second year of a four-year degree. Any degree subject is accepted.
- Application process: Application Situational judgement and critical reasoning assessment Telephone interview Offer Online application form Macfarlanes online assessment within seven days Short telephone interview with Early Careers Offer
- Assessments: Scenario-based situational judgement Critical reasoning Telephone interview
- Progression: Supports later Vacation Scheme and Training Programme applications.
- Funding: Paid scheme. Eligible students may also receive accommodation support through the Macfarlanes Bursary. note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Macfarlanes has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
- Expenses: Travel expenses are reimbursed for candidates attending in-person events or assessment days.
- Travel support: Reasonable travel reimbursement for in-person events or assessment days.
- Accommodation support: Eligible socially mobile students living outside London may receive the Macfarlanes Accommodation Grant.
- Right to work: Paid scheme participation is subject to UK right-to-work requirements.
- Disability support: Applicants may request individual adjustments by disclosing on the form or contacting Early Careers.
United Kingdom - Technology Grant
Type: Scholarship / Bursary
Location: United Kingdom
- Application timing: Usually opens once a year around the first university semester; the official page does not identify the year for its displayed 7 October to 1 November dates.
- Programme dates: Usually opens once annually around the first university semester.
- Duration: Annual
- Status: variable
Published application and programme dates
- Usually opens once a year around the first university semester; the official page does not identify the year for its displayed 7 October to 1 November dates.
- Programme: Usually opens once annually around the first university semester.
- Who can apply: Undergraduates at any UK university requiring technology support
- Eligibility: grant type: Technology Grant social mobility or financial need: true uk undergraduate: true
- Academic requirements: Undergraduate status and the relevant financial, social-mobility, geographic or lost-income criteria apply.
- Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Complete the Technology Grant application form Explain technology requirements Explain how the support enables a legal career
- Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
- Progression: Reduces technology barriers.
- Funding: Support for laptops, WiFi, devices and accessories needed to pursue a legal career. exact amount published: false grant type: Technology Grant
- Right to work: No work-authorisation requirement applies to a standalone grant, but underlying paid programmes have their own rules.
- Disability support: Application support and alternative formats can be requested.
United Kingdom - Participation Grant
Type: Scholarship / Bursary
Location: United Kingdom
- Application timing: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the Participation Grant form.
- Programme dates: Linked to the qualifying programme or event.
- Duration: Event linked
- Status: rolling
Published application and programme dates
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the Participation Grant form.
- Programme: Linked to the qualifying programme or event.
- Who can apply: Working undergraduates meeting social-mobility criteria who lose income to attend a Macfarlanes event
- Eligibility: grant type: Participation Grant social mobility or financial need: true uk undergraduate: true
- Academic requirements: Undergraduate status and the relevant financial, social-mobility, geographic or lost-income criteria apply.
- Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Complete the grant application form Explain the income loss Provide evidence of scheduled work
- Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
- Progression: Enables participation in careers events.
- Funding: Financial support for income lost while attending an event. exact amount published: false grant type: Participation Grant
- Right to work: No work-authorisation requirement applies to a standalone grant, but underlying paid programmes have their own rules.
- Disability support: Application support and alternative formats can be requested.
United Kingdom - Spring Vacation Scheme - Scheme One
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-09-01
- Closing date: 2026-10-30
- Application timing: Applications open 1 September and close 30 October 2026.
- Programme dates: 30 March to 9 April 2027.
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Places: Approximately 55 Vacation Scheme places per year across all sittings.
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 1 September and close 30 October 2026.
- Programme: 30 March to 9 April 2027.
- Who can apply: Students from penultimate year onwards from any degree discipline
- Eligibility: all degree subjects: true graduates and career changers: true penultimate year or later: true
- Academic requirements: Open from penultimate year onwards in any degree discipline. Macfarlanes usually looks for a 2:1 or equivalent and considers extenuating circumstances.
- Application process: Application and first online assessment Second-stage job simulation Assessment day Vacation Scheme Training Programme decision Online application form First online scenario assessment within seven days Second online job-simulation assessment In-person Vacation Scheme assessment day Vacation Scheme Training Programme consideration
- Assessments: Situational judgement Critical reasoning Job simulation Business case study and competency interview Written exercise Group negotiation exercise
- Progression: Potential Training Programme offer.
- Funding: Paid at £525 per week. Accommodation and participation support may be available through the Macfarlanes Bursary. note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Macfarlanes has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
- Expenses: Travel expenses are reimbursed for in-person events and assessment days.
- Travel support: Reasonable travel reimbursement for assessment days.
- Accommodation support: Eligible socially mobile students living outside London may receive the Accommodation Grant.
- Right to work: Paid scheme participation is subject to UK right-to-work requirements.
- Disability support: Individual adjustments are available for online assessments and the in-person assessment day.
United Kingdom - Macfarlanes Legal Academy
Type: Work Experience
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Application timing: Applications for the 2026 cohort are closed; 2026/27 application dates are not yet published.
- Programme dates: The 2026 work-experience week ran from 16 to 20 February 2026. The wider programme spans Year 12 and Year 13; 2026/27 dates are not yet published.
- Duration: Two school years
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Applications for the 2026 cohort are closed; 2026/27 application dates are not yet published.
- Programme: The 2026 work-experience week ran from 16 to 20 February 2026. The wider programme spans Year 12 and Year 13; 2026/27 dates are not yet published.
- Who can apply: Sixth-form and college students from less advantaged backgrounds
- Eligibility: audience: Sixth-form and college students from less advantaged backgrounds disability specific: false positive action: true
- Academic requirements: Programme-specific social-mobility, disability or application-stage criteria apply.
- Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Programme application Eligibility review Year 12 preparation and work-experience week Year 13 mentoring and workshop day
- Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
- Progression: Supports future university and legal-career applications.
- Funding: Travel, lunch and qualifying accommodation support. note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Macfarlanes has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
- Expenses: Travel and lunch covered; accommodation and breakfast for eligible non-commuting students.
- Travel support: Travel covered.
- Accommodation support: Accommodation and breakfast for eligible students outside commuting distance.
- Right to work: The underlying paid programme or employment route controls right-to-work requirements.
- Disability support: Adjustments can be requested.
United Kingdom - Paralegal route to qualification
Type: Traineeship
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Programme dates: Vacancy-specific start date. Internal Training Programme application eligibility begins after six months, subject to conditions.
- Duration: Ongoing paralegal employment; Training Programme eligibility after six months subject to conditions
- Status: rolling
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Vacancy-specific start date. Internal Training Programme application eligibility begins after six months, subject to conditions.
- Who can apply: Macfarlanes paralegals
- Eligibility: current macfarlanes paralegal: true minimum service months before training programme application: 6 subject to conditions: true
- Academic requirements: Role-specific academic and experience criteria are stated in the live vacancy.
- Application process: Paralegal vacancy application Paralegal employment Six-month eligibility point Training Programme application Apply for a live Macfarlanes paralegal vacancy Complete at least six months of employment Receive tailored Early Careers guidance Apply to the Training Programme subject to conditions
- Assessments: Vacancy-specific paralegal assessment Standard Training Programme assessments if applying
- Progression: Potential application to the Training Programme after six months, subject to conditions.
- Funding: No separate scholarship or grant is published for this pathway. note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Macfarlanes has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
- Right to work: UK right-to-work requirements apply to the paralegal role.
- Disability support: Recruitment and workplace adjustments can be requested.
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
Vacatory checked Macfarlanes's official UK careers and firm websites on 18 August 2026. No public UK visa sponsorship statement was identified. This means the position is not publicly stated, not that sponsorship is unavailable.
View official source for UK visa sponsorship and right to work (opens in new tab)
PGDL and SQE funding
Future trainees receive funded study and published maintenance grants.
View official source for PGDL and SQE funding (opens in new tab)
Macfarlanes Training Scholarship
Up to six Brunel candidates reach the paid internship stage and up to three become Scholars with tuition, paid experience, Year in Industry and mentoring.
View official source for Macfarlanes Training Scholarship (opens in new tab)
Macfarlanes Bursary
Technology, accommodation and participation grants are stored separately; exact award amounts are not published.
View official source for Macfarlanes Bursary (opens in new tab)
Areas of work
Practice areas
The legal services and capabilities listed by the firm.
Banking and Finance
Banking, leveraged finance and structured finance.
Competition and Antitrust
UK and EU competition, merger control and regulatory advice.
Corporate and M&A
Public and private M&A, corporate advisory and governance.
Disputes and Investigations
Complex litigation, arbitration and investigations.
Employment
Employment, incentives and workforce matters.
Financial Services and Markets
Financial regulation and products.
Investment Management
Funds, asset management and sponsor advice.
Private Client and Wealth
Private wealth, tax, trusts, estates and family offices.
Private Equity
Private equity transactions and portfolio matters.
Real Estate
Commercial and residential real estate.
Tax and Reward
Corporate, funds, private-client tax and reward.
Technology and Digital
Technology, data, lawtech and digital solutions.
Offices
Locations
Office locations and the student opportunities available in each location where confirmed.
United Kingdom, London
Office
20 Cursitor Street, London EC4A 1LT
View United Kingdom, London official page (opens in new tab)
Belgium, Brussels
Office
Av. de Cortenbergh 71, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
United States, New York
Representative office
667 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
View United States, New York 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, ~33 seats/year, London only
Business Services
Professional support roles
Access and inclusion
EDI
Recruitment adjustments, disability support, disability-specific programmes, mentoring, networks, partnerships and wider inclusion work.
Early-careers recruitment adjustments
Individual adjustments are available for applications, interviews and assessment days.
View official source for Early-careers recruitment adjustments (opens in new tab)
Disability Confident Interview Scheme
Disabled applicants who best meet essential vacancy criteria are offered an interview.
View official source for Disability Confident Interview Scheme (opens in new tab)
DAWN disability and wellbeing network
Internal disability and wellbeing network supporting inclusion after joining.
View official source for DAWN disability and wellbeing network (opens in new tab)
Community and legal access
Pro bono
The firm’s published pro bono work, community projects, access-to-justice programmes and official partnerships.
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 Macfarlanes website.
Join us
Official careers hub.
Early Careers
Official early-careers hub.
First Year Insight Scheme
Official First Year Insight Scheme page.
Vacation Schemes
Official Winter and Spring Vacation Schemes page.
Training Programme
Official Training Programme page.
Training Scholarship
Official Brunel Training Scholarship page.
Widening Access
Official widening-access hub.
Macfarlanes Bursary
Official bursary page.
Macfarlanes Legal Academy
Official Legal Academy page.
Early Careers FAQs
Official eligibility, places, support and SQE FAQ.
Locations
Official office directory.
Paralegals
Official paralegal career and Training Programme pathway page.