Travers Smith
Travers Smith is an independent UK law firm advising listed and private companies, financial institutions, private equity firms and other organisations on major transactions, disputes and advisory matters. The firm operates offices in London and Brussels. Its early-careers recruitment is London-based and includes a Summer Vacation Scheme, a Direct Training Contract route and a Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship, alongside events, school work experience, access, mentoring and outreach programmes.
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 - THRIVE (formerly PRIME)
Type: Work Experience
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Duration: One week
- Places: 20 places
- Status: unknown
- Who can apply: Sixth-form students from underprivileged backgrounds meeting current criteria.
- Application process: Apply only when a current official Travers Smith application route is published.
- Progression: Paid work experience and insight.
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments may be requested where the route involves Travers Smith recruitment.
United Kingdom - Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship
Type: Apprenticeship
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Closing date: 2026-01-14
- Application timing: Applications closed at 12 noon on 14 January 2026; the next exact window has not been published.
- Programme dates: The current intake starts in September 2026; the exact day is not published.
- Duration: Six years
- Places: Four solicitor apprentices
- Status: closed
Published application and programme dates
- Applications closed at 12 noon on 14 January 2026; the next exact window has not been published.
- Programme: The current intake starts in September 2026; the exact day is not published.
- Who can apply: School leavers who meet the published academic, apprenticeship-funding and right-to-work criteria.
- Eligibility: academics: Seven GCSEs at grade 6+ including English and Maths; AAB at A level or equivalent course provider: BPP University prior legal study: Not required right to work: Relevant UK right to work required undergraduate degree: Applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree are not eligible visa sponsorship: false
- Academic requirements: Seven GCSEs at grade 6 or above including English and Maths, and AAB at A level or equivalent, or on track; contextual information and mitigating circumstances are considered.
- Application process: Online application Legal High Potential Assessment Optional pre-assessment workshop for invited Recruitment Day candidates Recruitment Day Offer Online application with academic history, experience and four written motivation questions Online Legal High Potential Assessment with scenario-based numerical and verbal questions and short recorded video questions In-person Solicitor Apprentice Recruitment Day
- Assessments: Scenario-based numerical questions Scenario-based verbal questions Short pre-recorded video interview questions Written exercise Group commercial discussion exercise Face-to-face interview
- Progression: LLB (Hons), SQE and solicitor qualification route, followed by eligibility to apply for an NQ associate role.
- Funding: All BPP tuition and assessment fees are covered and a £3,000 one-off support payment is made before joining. course fees: All tuition and assessment fees covered study time: One paid study day each week support payment gbp: 3000
- Travel support: Reasonable travel expenses are covered for candidates invited to a Solicitor Apprentice Recruitment Day.
- Right to work: Applicants must have the relevant right to work in the UK. Travers Smith does not provide visa sponsorship for the solicitor apprenticeship. sponsorship: false
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments are available. The apprenticeship FAQ contains older Level 2 wording, while the current graduate FAQ and responsible-business report confirm Level 3 Disability Confident Leader status; the guaranteed-interview commitment remains published.
United Kingdom - Legal Experts in Schools
Type: School Programme
Location: United Kingdom
- Duration: School programme
- Status: unknown
- Who can apply: Students in participating schools.
- Application process: Participation is through a partner school.
- Progression: Legal literacy and career awareness.
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments may be requested where the route involves Travers Smith recruitment.
United Kingdom - Pathways to Law
Type: Access Programme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Duration: Multi-year support
- Status: unknown
- Who can apply: University students from state-school backgrounds.
- Application process: Apply through the relevant programme administrator where available; Travers Smith does not publish a direct application route.
- Progression: Work experience, mentoring and training.
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments may be requested where the route involves Travers Smith recruitment.
United Kingdom - The Next Grand Prix Programme
Type: School Programme
Location: United Kingdom
- Duration: Programme-specific
- Status: unknown
- Who can apply: Students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Application process: Access is programme or school based.
- Progression: Business and employability skills.
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments may be requested where the route involves Travers Smith recruitment.
United Kingdom - Early Careers Events
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Duration: Event-specific
- Status: unknown
- Who can apply: School leavers, university students and graduates.
- Application process: Register through the official Travers Smith event listing when a current event is published.
- Progression: Firm insight, networking and application guidance.
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments may be requested where the route involves Travers Smith recruitment.
United Kingdom - Just Like Us and Travers Smith Mentoring Programme
Type: Mentoring
Location: United Kingdom
- Duration: Programme-specific
- Status: unknown
- Who can apply: LGBTQ+ young adults at a pivotal education or career stage.
- Application process: Apply through the current programme route when published.
- Progression: Mentoring, networks and career planning.
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments may be requested where the route involves Travers Smith recruitment.
United Kingdom - GROW Mentoring
Type: Mentoring
Location: United Kingdom
- Duration: Programme-specific
- Status: unknown
- Who can apply: Students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Application process: Apply through the relevant programme route when open.
- Progression: Mentoring and career insight.
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments may be requested where the route involves Travers Smith recruitment.
United Kingdom - City Solicitors Horizons
Type: Access Programme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Duration: Programme-specific
- Status: unknown
- Who can apply: University students from state-school backgrounds.
- Application process: Apply through the relevant programme administrator where available.
- Progression: Work experience, mentoring and training.
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments may be requested where the route involves Travers Smith recruitment.
United Kingdom - BEE Scheme
Type: School Programme
Location: United Kingdom
- Duration: School programme
- Status: unknown
- Who can apply: Young people in participating schools or communities.
- Application process: Participation is school or partner based.
- Progression: Reading and economic literacy.
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments may be requested where the route involves Travers Smith recruitment.
United Kingdom - Direct Training Contract
Type: Training Contract
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Programme dates: Training contracts start from September 2028, with earlier starts available; exact dates are not published.
- Duration: Two years
- Places: Up to 35 trainees recruited across the firm’s routes
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Training contracts start from September 2028, with earlier starts available; exact dates are not published.
- Who can apply: Law and non-law students, graduates and career changers meeting the published criteria.
- Eligibility: academics: AAB or equivalent and 2:1 or on track contextual review: Rare Recruitment CRS degree discipline: Any mitigating circumstances: Considered pgdl sqe: Commendation obtained or expected where applicable
- Academic requirements: Minimum AAB at A level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree or on track; contextual information and mitigating circumstances are considered.
- Application process: Online application and cover letter Application review Virtual competency and commercial-awareness interview Written assessment before Recruitment Day In-person Recruitment Day with written and group assessments Final interview with the Co-Heads of Early Careers Offer Online application form and cover letter Virtual first-stage interview Pre-Recruitment-Day written assessment In-person Recruitment Day Written and group assessments Final in-person interview
- Assessments: Competency and commercial-awareness interview Written assessment Group assessment Final interview
- Progression: Solicitor qualification in England and Wales, subject to successful completion and regulatory requirements.
- Funding: For non-law future trainees, Travers Smith pays all PGDL fees and a £13,500 maintenance grant in three instalments. For all future trainees, it pays SQE course and exam fees and a £20,000 maintenance grant in four instalments. course fees: PGDL for non-law graduates and SQE route supported; exact current maintenance amounts are not published on the checked official pages
- Right to work: International applicants may apply. Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available for eligible training-contract candidates, assessed individually. skilled worker: Firm holds an immigration sponsor licence and may sponsor eligible future trainees who satisfy mandatory requirements
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments and a Disability Confident guaranteed-interview route are available for disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria and contact the Early Careers team.
United Kingdom - Summer Vacation Scheme
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Closing date: 2026-01-14
- Application timing: Applications closed at 12 noon on 14 January 2026; the next exact window has not been published.
- Programme dates: 15–26 June 2026 and 29 June–10 July 2026.
- Duration: Two weeks
- Places: 40 places across the summer schemes
- Status: closed
Published application and programme dates
- Applications closed at 12 noon on 14 January 2026; the next exact window has not been published.
- Programme: 15–26 June 2026 and 29 June–10 July 2026.
- Who can apply: Applicants in the second year of any degree or above, including postgraduates and career changers.
- Eligibility: academics: AAB or equivalent and 2:1 or on track contextual review: Rare Recruitment Contextual Recruitment System degree discipline: Law and non-law accepted equally mitigating circumstances: Considered study stage: Second year or above, postgraduate or career changer
- Academic requirements: Minimum AAB at A level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree or on track, with contextual information and mitigating circumstances considered.
- Application process: Online application and cover letter Application review after the deadline Virtual first-stage interview Vacation scheme Group and written assessments Training-contract decision Online application form Cover letter Virtual competency and commercial-awareness interview Two-week vacation scheme Three scheme assessments Training-contract decision
- Assessments: Competency and commercial-awareness interview Group tasks Written assessments Negotiating exercise
- Progression: Consideration for a Travers Smith Training Contract.
- Funding: Paid at the most recently published rate of £750 per week, subject to completing all three assessments.
- Right to work: Applicants must hold immigration permission covering two weeks of paid work in London. Travers Smith cannot sponsor a visa for the vacation scheme. vacation scheme sponsorship: false
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments are available. Eligible disabled applicants may request Disability Confident guaranteed-interview consideration by contacting the Early Careers team.
United Kingdom - Economic Experts in Schools
Type: School Programme
Location: United Kingdom
- Duration: School programme
- Status: unknown
- Who can apply: Students in participating schools.
- Application process: Participation is through a partner school.
- Progression: Economic literacy and career awareness.
- Disability support: Recruitment adjustments may be requested where the route involves Travers Smith 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
Training-contract and vacation-scheme immigration positions are different. The firm holds a sponsor licence and may sponsor eligible Skilled Worker visas for future trainees meeting mandatory requirements. Vacation-scheme participants cannot be sponsored under that licence and must secure immigration permission covering two weeks of paid work.
View official source for UK visa sponsorship and right to work (opens in new tab)
Pay and qualification support
Published pay is stored only where Travers Smith states an amount.
View official source for Pay and qualification support (opens in new tab)
Areas of work
Practice areas
The legal services and capabilities listed by the firm.
Offices
Locations
Office locations and the student opportunities available in each location where confirmed.
United Kingdom, London
Head office
3 Stonecutter Street, London EC4A 4AW, United Kingdom
View United Kingdom, London official page (opens in new tab)
Belgium, Brussels
Branch office
Avenue des Arts 44, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Career paths
Roles
Early-career routes, legal careers, knowledge and innovation roles, legal support and specialist leadership titles.
Senior Counsel
Senior lawyer title.
Location: London
View official information for Senior Counsel (opens in new tab)
Vacation Scheme Student
Paid two-week work-experience role assessed for a training contract.
Location: London
View official information for Vacation Scheme Student (opens in new tab)
Legal Project Manager
Legal-delivery project-management role.
Location: London
View official information for Legal Project Manager (opens in new tab)
Senior Associate
Experienced qualified lawyer role.
Location: London and Brussels
View official information for Senior Associate (opens in new tab)
Solicitor Apprentice
Six-year school-leaver solicitor qualification route.
Location: London
View official information for Solicitor Apprentice (opens in new tab)
Paralegal
Legal support role working with lawyers and matters.
Location: London
Trainee Solicitor
Early-career solicitor training role.
Location: London
View official information for Trainee Solicitor (opens in new tab)
Partner
Senior lawyer and firm owner role.
Location: London and Brussels
Professional Support Lawyer
Knowledge and practice-support lawyer role.
Location: London
View official information for Professional Support Lawyer (opens in new tab)
Business Services Professional
Professional role supporting firm operations.
Location: London
View official information for Business Services Professional (opens in new tab)
Knowledge Lawyer
Legal knowledge and practice-development role.
Location: London
View official information for Knowledge Lawyer (opens in new tab)
Associate
Qualified lawyer role.
Location: London and Brussels
Access and inclusion
EDI
Recruitment adjustments, disability support, disability-specific programmes, mentoring, networks, partnerships and wider inclusion work.
THRIVE (formerly PRIME)
Current official name for the Year 12 work-experience scheme, formerly PRIME; a 2025 firm announcement describes an annual paid week-long scheme for 20 students.
View official source for THRIVE (formerly PRIME) (opens in new tab)
PRIME Scheme
Work-experience programme for local state-school students.
Pathways to Law and City Solicitors Horizons
Work experience, mentoring, training and undergraduate support for students from state-school backgrounds.
View official source for Pathways to Law and City Solicitors Horizons (opens in new tab)
Rare Recruitment contextual review
The early-careers process uses contextual recruitment to assess achievement in light of disadvantage.
View official source for Rare Recruitment contextual review (opens in new tab)
Disability Confident commitment
Level 3 accreditation and a guaranteed-interview commitment for eligible disabled candidates.
View official source for Disability Confident commitment (opens in new tab)
Aspiring Solicitors partnership
Partnership supporting people from groups underrepresented in the legal profession.
View official source for Aspiring Solicitors partnership (opens in new tab)
Recruitment adjustments
HR proactively asks candidates whether they need adjustments or support during recruitment.
View official source for Recruitment adjustments (opens in new tab)
Disability Confident guaranteed interview
Travers Smith states Level 3 Disability Confident Leader accreditation and offers a guaranteed interview where a disabled candidate meets the minimum criteria.
View official source for Disability Confident guaranteed interview (opens in new tab)
Application-platform accessibility support
Candidates experiencing accessibility issues with the application portal can contact the Early Careers team.
View official source for Application-platform accessibility support (opens in new tab)
Workplace support after an offer
The firm also considers adjustment or support requests relating to a role offered to a successful candidate.
View official source for Workplace support after an offer (opens in new tab)
Dedicated disability-specific student programme check
No current disability-only vacation scheme, internship, scholarship, apprenticeship, work-experience or mentoring programme was identified on the approved Travers Smith pages.
View official source for Dedicated disability-specific student programme check (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.
Legal advice and access to justice
Travers Smith publishes pro bono work as part of its wider social-impact activity. Individual matters and partners should be taken only from the current official pro bono page.
View official source for Legal advice and access to justice (opens in new tab)
Community engagement
The firm supports community organisations, education and employability initiatives through its corporate social responsibility work.
View official source for Community engagement (opens in new tab)
Firm research
Firm highlights
Published awards, sectors, notable work, clients and other information that helps students understand the firm.
Official recognition overview
Travers Smith maintains an official recognition page. Individual awards should be added only where the firm page publishes the awarding body, result and year clearly.
View official source for Official recognition overview (opens in new tab)
Official firm platforms
Links & Socials
Verified official websites, careers and application platforms, office directories and social-media accounts.
Official firm website
Official Travers Smith website.
Join us
Official careers landing page.
Early careers
Official school-leaver, university and graduate careers hub.
Early careers application portal
Official firm-linked Candid application portal.
Becoming a trainee solicitor
Official vacation-scheme and direct training-contract routes.
Solicitor Apprenticeship
Official Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship hub.
Law fairs and presentations
Official information about Travers Smith-hosted and attended student events.
Graduate Recruitment FAQ
Official early-careers eligibility and application FAQ.
Support and adjustments for candidates
Official recruitment adjustments and accessibility information.
Visit Support and adjustments for candidates (opens in new tab)
Widening access
Official work-experience, mentoring and access programme overview.
Contact and offices
Official London and Brussels contact page.
International
Official information about the firm’s international work and law-firm relationships.