My name is Surabhi Agashe and I graduated from the University of Bristol in July 2023 after completing the LLB Law degree. In this blog, I want to give you my advice on how to navigate securing a Training Contract in the UK as an international student and the highlights of my course.
Learning from my professors renowned in their field, having access to networking opportunities through events and open days, and being part of a diverse student community were definitely the highlights of studying law at the University of Bristol.
I thoroughly enjoyed participating in extracurricular activities such as debate, negotiation and mooting, alongside my studies, which have been pivotal in developing my skills as a budding lawyer.
After graduating, I worked at multinational London-based law firm, Slaughter and May, as a paralegal in the Competition department. I’m currently studying the LLM in Legal Practice (SQE 1 & 2) course and will be joining American multinational law firm, Jones Day as a trainee solicitor in August 2025.
In my first year of university, I started attending and networking at legal and non-legal events, completed virtual work experience programmes, got involved with extracurriculars and applied for part-time roles to gain experience and transferable skills. After realising an interest in pursuing commercial law as a solicitor, I successfully applied for open days and first-year schemes at a few City law firms.
In my second year, I applied for vacation schemes and managed to secure one at an international law firm in London. Not being able to convert that vacation scheme into a training contract offer tested my resilience and determination. In my final year, I worked on the feedback I received, improved my applications, leveraged my legal and non-legal experience and continued applying for vacation schemes and training contracts in both London and other regions such as Bristol and Manchester.
In the summer of my final year, I completed a vacation scheme at Jones Day in London and was offered a Training Contract.
The journey to securing a training contract as an international student is challenging but definitely not impossible.
Here are my three top tips that I hope make the process smoother for you!
Start as early as you can. Researching the UK legal sector, networking, and attending virtual events early on helped me stay ahead of the curve and grasp the application process. Most law firms recruit trainees up to two years in advance, so it’s important to plan ahead. As an international student, you would require visa sponsorship from your Training Contract provider. When considering which firms to apply to, make sure to check if the firms will sponsor you as a trainee solicitor and whether the dates of any vacation schemes clash with your student visa working restrictions*.
Seize the opportunities provided by the University and the Law School.
- Start by utilising the university career services, especially the Law School’s Employability team. Throughout my first and second year, I regularly booked appointments with Jo Cooksley, the Faculty Employability Adviser, who very kindly helped review my applications, provided insights to the UK legal industry, and developed my job search strategies.
- Engage with international student societies and networks (such as the Bristol Law Club, Global Lounge and the International Students’ Network!) within your university or law school to access events and workshops, geared towards navigating the legal profession as an international candidate.
- Sign up to mentoring schemes and connect with university alumni who have transitioned from international students to practising solicitors. Their insights and mentorship, drawn from their own experiences in the legal industry, can be incredibly valuable.
Leverage your background into unique selling points.
- International Work Experience: Describe your international work experience, whether legal or non-legal, and explain the significance of the organisations or firms you have worked with. For instance, mention the reputation of the organisation in its home country, such as ‘Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is a leading Tier 1 Full-Service Law Firm in India.’
- Multilingual Abilities: Many City law firms operate globally with international clients and colleagues. Your proficiency in multiple languages can strengthen your application for these firms.
- Cultural Sensitivity: As an international student, you may have experience navigating multiple cultures. Highlight how this cultural sensitivity enhances your ability to engage with diverse individuals and work effectively within diverse teams.
So, in conclusion, use and maximise the resources provided by the University and the Law School, highlight your international background and experiences throughout the application process, and always believe in yourself and your capabilities.
From one international student to another – you’ve got this!
*Please ensure you check your own visa requirements carefully before applying to any opportunities by visiting the UK Council of International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.
Find out more about our undergraduate programmes on the University of Bristol Law School webpages.