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Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons is an international law firm headquartered in London, with offices across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the United States. Its work is organised around highly regulated sectors including asset management and investment funds, financial institutions, healthcare and life sciences, technology, media and telecommunications, and energy, natural resources, infrastructure and construction.

London, United KingdomOfficial website (opens in new tab)

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 46 office records
Practice areas 10 listed

Available routes

How can students join?

Student opportunities

Opportunities

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

Ireland - Dublin trainee programme

Type: Traineeship

Location: Ireland: Dublin

  • Application timing: There is no separate direct application window for this route; follow the linked student programme or selection route.
  • Programme dates: Trainee start from May 2028; exact duration and seat dates are not published on the reviewed page.
  • Duration: Not published
  • 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: Trainee start from May 2028; exact duration and seat dates are not published on the reviewed page.
  • Who can apply: Candidates who complete the Dublin summer internship
  • Eligibility: intake: May 2028 onwards route: Dublin summer internship required
  • Academic requirements: At least a 2:1 is expected, with potential also considered.
  • Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Apply for Dublin summer internship Complete online application Complete virtual assessment centre Complete internship Trainee decision
  • Assessments: Case study Competency interview In-tray exercise Internship performance
  • Progression: Irish solicitor qualification route.
  • Funding: Simmons & Simmons pays Law Society tuition fees for the PPC. It does not reimburse fees retrospectively where an applicant has already completed the FE1 exams or PPC. ppc tuition fees: Paid by Simmons & Simmons retrospective payment: Not offered where FE1 or PPC has already been completed
  • Right to work: Applicants must satisfy Irish employment and immigration requirements.
  • Disability support: Recruitment adjustments can be agreed with the graduate recruitment team.
View Ireland - Dublin trainee programme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - AI Internship 2027

Type: Internship

Location: United Kingdom

  • Applications open: 2026-10-15
  • Closing date: 2026-12-15
  • Application timing: Applications open 15 October 2026 and close 15 December 2026.
  • Programme dates: 5–16 April 2027.
  • Duration: Two weeks
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications open 15 October 2026 and close 15 December 2026.
  • Programme: 5–16 April 2027.
  • Who can apply: Penultimate-year and final-year students and graduates from all degree disciplines.
  • Academic requirements: Most candidates have around 120 UCAS points and are on course for or hold at least a 2:1; contextual consideration applies.
  • Application process: Online application, blended assessment and, except for the spring insight scheme, an assessment centre.
  • Progression: Career insight and application preparation.
  • Funding: £500 per week.
View United Kingdom - AI Internship 2027 official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Spring Insight Scheme 2027

Type: Insight Programme

Location: United Kingdom

  • Applications open: 2026-12-10
  • Closing date: 2027-01-31
  • Application timing: Applications open 10 December 2026 and close 31 January 2027.
  • Programme dates: 20–21 April 2027, London.
  • Duration: Two days
  • Status: upcoming

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications open 10 December 2026 and close 31 January 2027.
  • Programme: 20–21 April 2027, London.
  • Who can apply: Undergraduate students exploring a legal career.
  • Academic requirements: Most candidates have around 120 UCAS points and are on course for or hold at least a 2:1; contextual consideration applies.
  • Application process: Online application, blended assessment and, except for the spring insight scheme, an assessment centre.
  • Progression: Career insight and application preparation.
  • Funding: £150 for the two-day scheme.
View United Kingdom - Spring Insight Scheme 2027 official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Bristol training contract

Type: Training Contract

Location: United Kingdom: Bristol

  • Application timing: There is no separate direct application window for this route; follow the linked student programme or selection route.
  • Programme dates: The Bristol training-contract intake starts in September 2029.
  • 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: The Bristol training-contract intake starts in September 2029.
  • Who can apply: Future solicitors seeking a Bristol career
  • Eligibility: academic guidance: Around 120 UCAS points and a 2:1 are typical, with contextual consideration degree discipline: All disciplines route: Relevant Simmons & Simmons vacation scheme required
  • Academic requirements: Academic requirements are not published on the reviewed programme master page unless stated below.
  • Application process: Vacation-scheme online application Situational-judgement assessment Applied-intellect assessment Video-interview questions Assessment centre Vacation scheme Training-contract decision Apply for the relevant vacation scheme Complete blended assessment and assessment centre Complete the vacation scheme Training-contract decision
  • Assessments: Blended assessment Assessment centre Performance during vacation scheme
  • Progression: Qualification as a solicitor and possible progression to a permanent associate role.
  • Funding: Sponsored SQE course plus £13,000 maintenance grant. location: Bristol maintenance grant gbp: 13000 sqe course fees: Sponsored
  • Right to work: Applicants must satisfy the right-to-work requirements for the relevant UK training-contract intake. Sponsorship is not inferred.
  • Disability support: Special arrangements can be requested during the vacation-scheme and training-contract assessment process.
View United Kingdom - Bristol training contract official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Solicitor apprenticeship programme

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: United Kingdom: Bristol, London

  • Applications open: 2026-12-01
  • Closing date: 2027-02-05
  • Application timing: Applications open on 1 December 2026. London applications close on 15 January 2027 and Bristol applications close on 5 February 2027.
  • Programme dates: Six-year solicitor apprenticeship starting in September 2027 in London or Bristol.
  • Duration: 6 years
  • Status: upcoming

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications open on 1 December 2026. London applications close on 15 January 2027 and Bristol applications close on 5 February 2027.
  • Programme: Six-year solicitor apprenticeship starting in September 2027 in London or Bristol.
  • Who can apply: School leavers
  • Eligibility: audience: School leavers education provider: BPP University locations: London Bristol study pattern: Four working days and one study day each week
  • Academic requirements: Current vacancy criteria apply; exact grades should be taken from the live vacancy.
  • Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Online application Online assessment Selection process Offer
  • Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
  • Progression: Solicitor qualification after successful completion.
  • Funding: provider: BPP University tuition: Employer-funded apprenticeship training
  • Right to work: Applicants must meet the employment right-to-work requirements in the live vacancy.
  • Disability support: Special arrangements can be requested during recruitment and study.
View United Kingdom - Solicitor apprenticeship programme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

Singapore - Training Contract

Type: Training Contract

Location: Singapore: Singapore

  • Application timing: There is no separate published application window; candidates normally enter through the Singapore vacation scheme.
  • Programme dates: Two-year Singapore training programme; exact start date is not published.
  • Duration: Two years
  • Status: no_application

Published application and programme dates

  • There is no separate published application window; candidates normally enter through the Singapore vacation scheme.
  • Programme: Two-year Singapore training programme; exact start date is not published.
  • Who can apply: Future trainee solicitors
  • Eligibility: Selection is normally through the Singapore vacation scheme.
  • Progression: Supports qualification in Singapore and England and Wales.
  • Funding: Simmons & Simmons states that it sponsors the SQE.
View Singapore - Training Contract official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Evolve Placement Year 2027-2028

Type: Internship

Location: United Kingdom

  • Applications open: 2026-10-15
  • Closing date: 2027-02-05 Europe/London
  • Application timing: Applications open 15 October 2026 and close 5 February 2027.
  • Programme dates: Placement year from September 2027 to August 2028.
  • Duration: Placement year
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications open 15 October 2026 and close 5 February 2027.
  • Programme: Placement year from September 2027 to August 2028.
  • Who can apply: Students able to undertake a placement year and interested in law and legal innovation.
  • Academic requirements: Most candidates have around 120 UCAS points and are on course for or hold at least a 2:1; contextual consideration applies.
  • Application process: Online application, blended assessment and, except for the spring insight scheme, an assessment centre.
  • Progression: May lead to a Simmons & Simmons training contract.
  • Funding: Paid placement.
View United Kingdom - Evolve Placement Year 2027-2028 official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Future City Lawyers x Simmons & Simmons Insight Day

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

  • Closing date: 2026-10-18
  • Application timing: Applications close on 18 October 2026.
  • Programme dates: 4 November 2026 at the Simmons & Simmons London office.
  • Places: 25 places.
  • Status: closed

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications close on 18 October 2026.
  • Programme: 4 November 2026 at the Simmons & Simmons London office.
  • Who can apply: Non-Russell Group, Irish and PGDL law students and graduates; PGDL students must have an undergraduate degree from a non-Russell Group university.
  • Eligibility: Non-Russell Group, Irish and PGDL law students and graduates; PGDL students must have an undergraduate degree from a non-Russell Group university.
  • Funding: Simmons & Simmons reimburses reasonable travel expenses up to £100 for participants travelling from outside London.
  • Expenses: Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed up to £100 for participants travelling from outside London.
  • Travel support: Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed up to £100 for participants travelling from outside London.
View United Kingdom - Future City Lawyers x Simmons & Simmons Insight Day official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - London Summer Vacation Scheme 2027

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom

  • Applications open: 2026-10-15
  • Closing date: 2026-12-15
  • Application timing: Applications open 15 October 2026 and close 15 December 2026.
  • Programme dates: 28 June–9 July 2027, London.
  • Duration: Two weeks
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications open 15 October 2026 and close 15 December 2026.
  • Programme: 28 June–9 July 2027, London.
  • Who can apply: Penultimate-year and final-year students and graduates from all degree disciplines.
  • Academic requirements: Most candidates have around 120 UCAS points and are on course for or hold at least a 2:1; contextual consideration applies.
  • Application process: Online application, blended assessment and, except for the spring insight scheme, an assessment centre.
  • Progression: May lead to a Simmons & Simmons training contract.
  • Funding: £500 per week.
View United Kingdom - London Summer Vacation Scheme 2027 official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Bristol Summer Vacation Scheme 2027

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom

  • Applications open: 2026-10-15
  • Closing date: 2027-02-05
  • Application timing: Applications open 15 October 2026 and close 5 February 2027.
  • Programme dates: 14–25 June 2027, Bristol.
  • Duration: Two weeks
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications open 15 October 2026 and close 5 February 2027.
  • Programme: 14–25 June 2027, Bristol.
  • Who can apply: Penultimate-year and final-year students and graduates from all degree disciplines seeking a long-term Bristol career.
  • Academic requirements: Most candidates have around 120 UCAS points and are on course for or hold at least a 2:1; contextual consideration applies.
  • Application process: Online application, blended assessment and, except for the spring insight scheme, an assessment centre.
  • Progression: May lead to a Simmons & Simmons training contract.
  • Funding: £450 per week.
View United Kingdom - Bristol Summer Vacation Scheme 2027 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.

Corporate and Commercial

Corporate, M&A, commercial and governance work.

Dispute Resolution

Litigation, arbitration and investigations.

Employment

Employment, incentives, pensions and workforce matters.

Financial Markets

Banking, finance, capital markets and derivatives.

Funds and Asset Management

Investment funds, asset management and regulatory advice.

Intellectual Property

IP transactions, disputes and brand protection.

Real Estate

Real estate investment, development, finance and disputes.

Tax

Domestic and cross-border tax advice.

Technology and Digital

Technology, AI, data, privacy and cyber matters.

Competition and Regulatory

Competition, regulatory and public-law advice.

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.

Solicitor Apprentice

Six-year apprenticeship, seven seats including compliance and legal technology

Trainee Solicitor

Two-year training contract, ~24 seats/year across London and Bristol

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.