Vacation Scheme (London)

Pinsent Masons' two-week Vacation Placement provides candidates with practical experience of life at an international law firm and a direct pathway towards a training contract.

The programme is designed to reflect the experience of a trainee solicitor. Candidates will work within one specific practice area, gain responsibility for practical tasks and develop relationships with lawyers and other members of the firm.

What the Programme Involves

The placement begins with a UK-wide induction, giving candidates the opportunity to meet other participants and learn more about Pinsent Masons and its working environment.

Candidates will spend the placement within a specific practice area, allowing them to become closely involved with the team's work. Each candidate will have a dedicated supervisor and a buddy who will provide guidance, allocate work, give feedback and answer questions throughout the placement.

The programme is intended to provide genuine exposure to the work of a trainee solicitor, rather than simply offering an introduction to the firm. Candidates can expect to take on practical work and build an understanding of how legal teams operate.

From Vacation Placement to Training Contract

A successful vacation placement can lead directly to a training contract with Pinsent Masons.

Candidates who receive a placement do not need to submit a separate training contract application. They will already be considered for a training contract, with feedback gathered throughout the placement to assess their suitability.

Candidates typically apply for the vacation placement two years before the intended start of their training contract. Those who secure a training contract following the 2027 placement will start their training contract in September 2029.

Practice Areas

Candidates can indicate their top three practice group preferences when offered a placement. Pinsent Masons will seek to accommodate these preferences, subject to business requirements at the time.

The firm's practice includes areas such as corporate, finance, dispute resolution, employment, intellectual property, real estate, construction and projects, regulation, technology and data, and other specialist legal services.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must meet the following minimum academic requirements:

• ABB at A-Level, or an equivalent qualification worth 128 UCAS points, achieved within one examination period without resits.

• A 2:1 degree or above, either already obtained or predicted.

• Applicants must be in the penultimate year of a law degree or beyond, in the final year of a non-law degree or beyond, or already graduated.

Candidates with mitigating circumstances who do not meet the minimum academic criteria can provide details of those circumstances in the application. Graduates and career changers are eligible to apply.

What Pinsent Masons Looks For

Pinsent Masons looks for candidates who can contribute to a respectful, inclusive and supportive working environment. Resilience, the ability to respond constructively to feedback and a willingness to learn from experience are important.

Candidates should also demonstrate curiosity and openness to change, including an interest in new ideas, technology and different ways of working. The firm values people who can identify opportunities for improvement and use technology and information responsibly.

Salary and Training Contract

The Vacation Placement is a paid programme. As of June 2026, vacation placement students received:

London: £520 per week

If a candidate secures a training contract after the placement, the starting trainee salary is £54,000 in London and £35,500 in Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. Salaries are reviewed annually.