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Osborne Clarke

Osborne Clarke is an international law firm focused on transformation, technology and sector-led legal advice. Its current official location directory lists lawyers in 25 cities across Europe, Asia and the United States, while the homepage describes 26 locations. This profile records the 25 individually listed city locations and preserves the official count conflict for audit.

Firm overview

At a glance

A clear starting point for understanding the firm, its opportunities and the information students should check before applying.

Head office London, United Kingdom
Locations 50 office records
Practice areas 12 listed

Available routes

How can students join?

Student opportunities

Opportunities

Vacation schemes, training contracts, apprenticeships, insight programmes, work experience and other application routes.

United Kingdom - Solicitor Apprenticeship

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Applications for the 2027 cohort open in February 2027.
  • Programme dates: Six-year programme for the 2027 cohort.
  • Duration: 6 years
  • Status: upcoming

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications for the 2027 cohort open in February 2027.
  • Programme: Six-year programme for the 2027 cohort.
  • Who can apply: School and college leavers
  • Eligibility: School and college leavers eligible for the Level 7 apprenticeship route.
  • Academic requirements: ABB at A level, predicted or obtained.
  • Application process: Apply online when the 2027 application window opens and complete the published selection process.
  • Progression: Potential solicitor career with the firm.
  • Funding: Paid apprenticeship with tuition fees funded by the firm.
  • Right to work: UK right-to-work and apprenticeship-funding eligibility requirements apply.
  • Disability support: Recruitment adjustments and workplace support can be requested confidentially.
View United Kingdom - Solicitor Apprenticeship official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - OC Talent Programme

Type: Access Programme

Location: United Kingdom

  • Programme dates: Current cohort dates are not published on the reviewed official pages unless stated in the individual partner application.
  • Duration: 1 week plus 12 months mentoring
  • Status: variable

Published application and programme dates

  • Programme: Current cohort dates are not published on the reviewed official pages unless stated in the individual partner application.
  • Who can apply: Students from diverse backgrounds interested in law
  • Eligibility: audience: Students from diverse backgrounds interested in law disability specific: false partner or cohort specific: true positive action: true
  • Academic requirements: Programme-specific social-mobility, ethnicity, disability, education or partner eligibility applies.
  • Application process: Programme or partner application Eligibility screening Selection Programme participation Use the current Osborne Clarke or partner programme route Complete programme-specific eligibility checks Attend selection or interview stages if required
  • Assessments: Programme-specific; no universal assessment process is published
  • Progression: Career insight and future application support.
  • Funding: Programme funding or expenses are not fully itemised on the reviewed page. note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Osborne Clarke has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
  • Right to work: Paid internships are subject to UK work-authorisation requirements.
  • Disability support: Recruitment adjustments can be requested where the programme includes selection.
View United Kingdom - OC Talent Programme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Reading Apprentice Open Evening

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Registration is available through the event page.
  • Programme dates: 11 February 2027
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Registration is available through the event page.
  • Programme: 11 February 2027
  • Application process: Register through the official events page.
View United Kingdom - Reading Apprentice Open Evening official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - IP law in practice: patents, trademarks and beyond | LawCareers.Net masterclass

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Registration is provided through the official events page; no application deadline is published.
  • Programme dates: 29 October 2026
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Registration is provided through the official events page; no application deadline is published.
  • Programme: 29 October 2026
View United Kingdom - IP law in practice: patents, trademarks and beyond | LawCareers.Net masterclass official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - First Year Law Fair 2026

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Registration is provided through the official events page; no application deadline is published.
  • Programme dates: 4 November 2026
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Registration is provided through the official events page; no application deadline is published.
  • Programme: 4 November 2026
View United Kingdom - First Year Law Fair 2026 official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Osborne Clarke Scholars

Type: Scholarship / Bursary

Location: United Kingdom

  • Programme dates: Current cohort dates are not published on the reviewed official pages unless stated in the individual partner application.
  • Duration: Multi-year
  • Places: Current cohort size not published.
  • Status: unknown

Published application and programme dates

  • Programme: Current cohort dates are not published on the reviewed official pages unless stated in the individual partner application.
  • Who can apply: Undergraduate students from underrepresented ethnic communities
  • Eligibility: audience: Undergraduate students from underrepresented ethnic communities disability specific: false partner or cohort specific: true positive action: true
  • Academic requirements: Programme-specific social-mobility, ethnicity, disability, education or partner eligibility applies.
  • Application process: Programme or partner application Eligibility screening Selection Programme participation Use the current Osborne Clarke or partner programme route Complete programme-specific eligibility checks Attend selection or interview stages if required
  • Assessments: Programme-specific; no universal assessment process is published
  • Progression: Includes vacation-scheme access and mentoring.
  • Funding: Financial support, paid work experience, a Vacation Scheme place and mentoring are confirmed. note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Osborne Clarke has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
  • Right to work: Paid internships are subject to UK work-authorisation requirements.
  • Disability support: Recruitment adjustments can be requested where the programme includes selection.
View United Kingdom - Osborne Clarke Scholars official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - STEM in Law

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Registration is available through the event page.
  • Programme dates: 12 November 2026
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Registration is available through the event page.
  • Programme: 12 November 2026
View United Kingdom - STEM in Law official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Insight Scheme

Type: Insight Programme

Location: United Kingdom: Bristol, London, Reading

  • Applications open: 2026-10-01
  • Closing date: 2027-01-15 13:59:00 Europe/London
  • Application timing: Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close at 13:59 UK time on 15 January 2027.
  • Programme dates: Runs over the Easter break through a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions in Bristol, London and Reading.
  • Duration: 2 days
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close at 13:59 UK time on 15 January 2027.
  • Programme: Runs over the Easter break through a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions in Bristol, London and Reading.
  • Who can apply: Early-stage law and non-law university students
  • Eligibility: degree type and year rules: See official Apply page graduates and career changers: false offices: Bristol London Reading
  • Academic requirements: Eligibility depends on degree type and year of study as set out on the official Apply page.
  • Application process: Online application Verbal reasoning test Selection Scheme Online application Online verbal reasoning test Selection Two-day scheme
  • Assessments: Online verbal reasoning test
  • Progression: Supports later vacation-scheme or training-contract applications.
  • Funding: note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Osborne Clarke has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
  • Right to work: Paid placements are subject to UK right-to-work requirements.
  • Disability support: Confidential recruitment adjustments and alternative formats are available.
View United Kingdom - Insight Scheme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Direct Training Contract

Type: Training Contract

Location: United Kingdom: Bristol, London, Reading

  • Applications open: 2026-10-01
  • Closing date: 2027-01-15 23:59:00 Europe/London
  • Application timing: Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close at 23:59 UK time on 15 January 2027.
  • Programme dates: Placements are anticipated to run from 14 to 25 June and from 5 to 16 July 2027; the official page states that these dates may change.
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Places: 30 places: Bristol 14, London 13 and Reading 3.
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close at 23:59 UK time on 15 January 2027.
  • Programme: Placements are anticipated to run from 14 to 25 June and from 5 to 16 July 2027; the official page states that these dates may change.
  • Who can apply: Final-year students, graduates and career changers applying directly for a training contract.
  • Eligibility: Open to eligible law and non-law applicants seeking a Bristol, London or Reading training contract.
  • Application process: Online application, online tests, recorded video interview, virtual assessment centre and partner interview.
  • Assessments: Verbal and numerical reasoning tests, recorded video interview, assessment-centre exercises and partner interview.
  • Progression: Two years of qualifying work experience leading toward solicitor qualification.
  • Funding: Where applicable, Osborne Clarke funds the PGDL and SQE course fees and provides published maintenance grants.
  • Right to work: Applicants must satisfy the applicable UK right-to-work requirements.
  • Disability support: Confidential adjustments and alternative formats are available throughout the recruitment process.
View United Kingdom - Direct Training Contract official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Reading Presentation Evening

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Registration is provided through the official events page; no application deadline is published.
  • Programme dates: 3 November 2026
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Registration is provided through the official events page; no application deadline is published.
  • Programme: 3 November 2026
View United Kingdom - Reading Presentation Evening official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - London Presentation Evening

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Registration is provided through the official events page; no application deadline is published.
  • Programme dates: 28 October 2026
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Registration is provided through the official events page; no application deadline is published.
  • Programme: 28 October 2026
View United Kingdom - London Presentation Evening official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Vacation Scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom: Bristol, London, Reading

  • Applications open: 2026-10-01
  • Closing date: 2027-01-15 23:59:00 Europe/London
  • Application timing: Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close at 23:59 UK time on 15 January 2027.
  • Programme dates: Placements are anticipated to run from 14 to 25 June and from 5 to 16 July 2027; the official page states that these dates may change.
  • Duration: 2 weeks
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close at 23:59 UK time on 15 January 2027.
  • Programme: Placements are anticipated to run from 14 to 25 June and from 5 to 16 July 2027; the official page states that these dates may change.
  • Who can apply: University students, graduates and career changers
  • Eligibility: University students, graduates and career changers should use the official application page to confirm the route for their degree and stage of study. Offices include Bristol, London and Reading.
  • Academic requirements: Eligibility depends on degree type and year of study as set out on the official Apply page.
  • Application process: Online application\nOnline verbal and numerical reasoning tests\nRecorded video interview\nVirtual assessment centre\nInterview\nVacation scheme
  • Assessments: Verbal reasoning Numerical reasoning Recorded video interview Assessment-centre exercises Interview
  • Progression: Training-contract assessment route.
  • Right to work: Paid placements are subject to UK right-to-work requirements.
  • Disability support: Confidential recruitment adjustments and alternative formats are available.
View United Kingdom - Vacation Scheme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

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.

Areas of work

Practice areas

The legal services and capabilities listed by the firm.

Banking and Finance

Banking, finance and lending.

Commercial

Commercial contracts and business operations.

Competition, Antitrust and Trade

Competition, trade and regulatory matters.

Corporate

Corporate transactions, M&A and investments.

Dispute Resolution

Commercial disputes and litigation.

Employment and Pensions

Employment, incentives and pensions.

Infrastructure Services

Projects, infrastructure and related services.

Intellectual Property

Patents, brands, copyright and IP disputes.

IT, Data and Digital

Technology, data, cyber and digital regulation.

Real Estate

Property, development and real estate investment.

Regulatory and Compliance

Regulatory, compliance and investigations.

Tax

Domestic and international tax.

Offices

Locations

Office locations and the student opportunities available in each location where confirmed.

Career paths

Roles

Early-career routes, legal careers, knowledge and innovation roles, legal support and specialist leadership titles.

Associate

Trainee Solicitor

Two-year training contract, ~35 seats/year

Legal Director

Confirmed via three named promotions in a single announcement

Business Services

Professional support roles

Associate Director

Partner

Access and inclusion

EDI

Recruitment adjustments, disability support, disability-specific programmes, mentoring, networks, partnerships and wider inclusion work.

Community and legal access

Pro bono

The firm’s published pro bono work, community projects, access-to-justice programmes and official partnerships.

Verified information for this section is being checked.

Firm research

Firm highlights

Published awards, sectors, notable work, clients and other information that helps students understand the firm.

Verified information for this section is being checked.