Macfarlanes first year insight scheme 2027

If you’re at the start of your undergraduate degree and curious about a career in law, our first year insight scheme is designed for you.

Over five days, you’ll get a genuine taste of life at a law firm – from shadowing a trainee and sitting in on client calls, to taking part in group exercises and networking with our lawyers. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of what law involves, practical advice for future applications, and a better idea of whether a legal career is right for you.

The first year insight scheme is also an excellent first step towards our vacation scheme and training programme.

Key information

• Applications open: Monday 2 November 2026
• Application close: Friday 15 January 2027
• Scheme dates: Monday 28 June to Friday 2 July 2027
• Cohort size: c.25 participants
• Salary: £525 for the week

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from first-year students on a three-year undergraduate course, and second-year students on a four-year course.

You don’t need to be studying law – we welcome applications from all degree backgrounds. What matters is that you have an open mind, curiosity, and a willingness to get involved, along with an interest in building a career at the highest level of private capital, private wealth, M&A and disputes.

What to expect: The scheme

Across five days, you’ll take part in a mix of workshops and networking opportunities, and experience real-life legal situations, including:

• a group negotiation exercise;
• an application skills workshop, including top tips from our early careers team;
• speed networking with lawyers from across our practice areas;
• socials with associates and trainees; and
• shadowing a trainee, which could mean sitting in on a client call, helping with research or reviewing a draft agreement.

Our aim is to give you a realistic view of how a law firm works and have the opportunity to learn directly from our lawyers.

What to expect: The recruitment process

Stage 1: Application and online assessment

To apply, complete our application form.

You will then be sent a link to our online assessment, which you’ll have seven days to complete. You will work through a series of scenarios from different practice areas, designed to test your situational judgement and critical reasoning. The assessment also offers a small insight into life as a trainee, helping you work out whether a legal career at Macfarlanes is right for you.

We recommend that all candidates visit the Cappfinity Preparation Hub before completing the Macfarlanes online assessments.

Stage 2: Telephone interview

If successful, you will be invited to a short telephone interview with a member of the early careers team.

Need support?

We are committed to making the application as straightforward as possible, so please contact our early careers team if you require adjustments or additional support.