Vacation Schemes - London | A&O Shearman careers

Experience what it means to be empowered

Our vacation schemes are designed to show you exactly what it’s like to tackle exciting challenges every day and experience global success as part of our friendly, supportive and dynamic culture.

Programme overview

What you'll gain

On this programme, you’ll be able to gain real and valuable skills you will use and develop throughout your career, working with industry-defining clients and industry-leading colleagues. You’ll have a diverse range of events and presentations at your disposal that will show you what it takes to excel as a successful international commercial lawyer.

Work experience

As well as gaining insights into the work we do, there will be plenty of time to socialise with our early careers recruitment team, lawyers and partners as well as the other students on your scheme - broadening your knowledge of the firm, building your network and giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself into the culture that will define your experience with us should you join as a trainee.

The schemes we offer

For our Winter 2026 Vacation Scheme, you will need to be in your final year of study in any degree discipline. Please note, this will be for a spring intake start date. For our Summer 2027 Vacation Scheme, you need to be in your penultimate year in any degree discipline. Please note, this will be an autumn intake start date. These schemes will give you an insight into who we are, what we do and how we can support you, while giving you exposure to the work we do and a taster of the responsibility you can have as a trainee.

Growth and development

With us, you will constantly be learning and growing. We offer exceptional professional and personal development - providing training, mentoring and practical support. Our REACH buddy scheme is also run by A&O Shearman’s race and ethnicity network, and is open to everyone taking part in our vacation schemes.

All those successful in gaining a vacation scheme place will be paid GBP500 per week and will be considered for a training contract.

Programme details

We offer two vacation schemes for undergraduate students of any degree discipline

Winter vacation scheme - for final-year undergraduates. Successful candidates may be offered a training contract for a Spring intake (March).

Summer vacation scheme- for penultimate-year undergraduates. Successful candidates may be offered a training contract for an Autumn intake (September).

Application window

Winter vacation scheme

Applications open: Monday 3rd August 2026
Applications close: Monday 7th September 2026

Summer vacation scheme

Applications open: Monday 14th September 2026
Applications close: Monday 9th November 2026

Scheme dates

Winter vacation scheme
Monday 30th November 2026 – Friday 4th December 2026

Summer vacation scheme
Monday 5th July 2027 – Friday 16th July 2027

Salary

GBP500 per week

Requirements

There is no one single type of person who succeeds here. Whether you’re determined, curious, resilient or open-minded - whoever you are - this programme is a chance for you to start your journey early and develop your legal expertise. You can earn your qualifications without the burden of tuition fees - and open the door to people from all academic and social backgrounds.

Our academic requirements are AAB (136 UCAS points) or equivalent at A-Level and on track for/achieved a 2:1 undergraduate degree. We also require seven GCSEs at grade 6 or above (including Maths and English). We do take into account mitigating circumstances.

What’s law got to do with it?

You don’t have to study law to be a lawyer. Hear from some of our people as they explain how their degree skills transferred to a career in commercial law.

These videos, originally produced under the A&O legacy, authentically showcase the experiences and opportunities synonymous with A&O Shearman.

History

What do pirates, smuggling and witchcraft have to do with law? Watch as Euan explains how transferable skills - including persuasive writing, evaluating sources and understanding motivations behind action - have been essential to his career at A&O Shearman.

Mechanical engineering

Imagination and collaboration are as essential to mechanical engineering as they are to a career in law, explains Jade. Find out how a growth mindset has been applicable to becoming a trainee solicitor at A&O Shearman.

Application process

Online application

You will be required to submit an online application which details your work and education history.

Assessment

You will then be sent an email which will contain a link to complete our online experience, which includes situational judgement questions, verbal and numerical reasoning items and two short motivation questions to complete via video. The online experience is untimed and should take around 45 minutes.

You will need to complete your application and online experience ahead of the deadline.

You can read our preparation tips on Situational Judgement Tests or take a practice test.

Interviews

If your application is successful, the next stage will be an assessment day comprising two one-on-one interviews.

The first interview is based on a commercial case study, where you’ll have time to work through a brief and prepare a short presentation to deliver to your interviewer. This will be followed by a discussion on the key points from the case study.

In the second interview, you will be asked a series of questions based on scenarios you may encounter as a trainee.

Offer

After your interviews, we will review your performance and aim to get back to you with a decision as quickly as possible.

Regardless of the outcome, we’re committed to providing constructive feedback on your interview performance to help you going forward in your career.

A word of caution

There are a number of websites purporting to provide free samples of A&O Shearman application forms and assessment questions, including questions from our online experience. A&O Shearman takes cases of plagiarism and copyright extremely seriously.

We strongly caution applicants against using, or paying for, unofficial sources claiming to provide information on the A&O Shearman application process. We encourage every potential candidate to review our website for details of our application process and a sample SJT.