Securing a training contract as a foreign student.
More than 30,000 candidates apply for 5,500 training contracts in the UK every year. Each candidate has a 1-3% chance of securing a training contract with each firm. Being an outsider to the UK education system and corporate culture presents extra hurdles for foreign students to surmount. This article aims to highlight the key difficulties in the journey of a foreign student in securing a training contract in the UK to facilitate planning for the undeterred.
First, familiarity with foreign qualifications and degrees. Notwithstanding the competency of the individual, the Graduate Recruitment team’s unfamiliarity with their foreign credentials, particularly those further down the University League Tables (e.g., QS ranking, Times Higher Education) may mean that applicants may not be ranked as favourably as UK-educated students in the application process.
Ideally, foreign students should try to do their Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in the UK if working in the UK is their end goal. An LLB provides foreign students with a fundamental understanding of the English legal system and universities and firms often hold relevant career workshops to enhance LLB students’ employability. Alternatively, doing a non-law undergraduate degree in the UK is also feasible as many firms reserve as much as 50% of their training contract for non-law graduates. A three-year undergraduate degree in the UK allows foreign students plenty of time to decide whether and how to apply to law firms.
If an undergraduate degree is not an option, consider doing a postgraduate degree. It is not necessary to do a Master of Laws (LLM) because law firms are open to hiring non-law graduates. However, it can be considerably more difficult to convince law firms that, as a foreign student, you understand the English legal system sufficiently to be a proficient employee. Furthermore, the short runway of Master students (typically around one year) also allows a very limited amount of time to (a) understand the English legal system and industry; (b) participate in firm events and undertake internships; and (c) drafting strong tailored applications to a sufficient number of firms. Therefore, students with a foreign undergraduate but a UK postgraduate degree (including LLM) will likely face greater odds than their UK undergraduate counterparts.
Those considering doing the SQE or, going a step further, the New York bar, to ‘boost their chances’ in securing a UK training contract should temper their expectations. Given that law firms are happy to hire non-law graduates, legal qualification is not a pre-requisite. Firms will sponsor their candidates to do the SQE. Doing the SQE shows your interest and commitment (and, perhaps, buys you more time) but do not expect that you would necessarily have an edge against others. Comparatively, doing the NY bar yields even lesser utility for training contract applicants because NY qualification is irrelevant to law firms based in the UK since, if hired, you will not be using your US qualification in your daily work as an English lawyer.
Second, Visa issues. Generally, foreign students would first secure a vacation scheme in the UK before securing a training contract. Getting a vacation scheme offer is like a stamp of approval from firms, allowing other firms to be confident that you’d also be a good fit for them. However, most firms do not sponsor visas for vacation schemes. Thus, foreign students outside the UK are culled off the application process even before they start. While it is possible to secure a direct training contract offer without having done a vacation scheme or internship with law firms in the UK, the success rate is considerably lower because firms are unfamiliar with the calibre and compatibility of these foreign students.
Therefore, foreign students should apply for vacation schemes or training contracts from within the UK with a valid visa. Studying in the UK is perhaps one of the easiest ways to secure a study and, subsequently, a graduate visa. Alternatively, foreign graduates may also apply for a High Potential Individual Visa if they are from an eligible foreign university.* Not only is applying within the UK logistically convenient, but it also frames the applicant into the right headspace through informal coffee chats and firm events in the city. The psychological impact of being in London, knowing the right lingo and people, might mean the difference between getting hired or not.
Third, cultural compatibility. Most candidates possess the requisite technical expertise or potential to excel in the role. Besides competency, cultural compatibility is paramount to enable lawyers to trust their colleagues and work effectively to deliver on mandates at the cutting edge of the industry. Many foreign students struggle with this point.
Start by reaching out to people in the industry on LinkedIn. Even a phone call with them is a win; coffee is a bonus. Attend firm events such as insight days or open days and observe how the lawyers speak with each other. Once you get a hang of the corporate ‘lingo’, it will manifest in your application questions and, if you are lucky, interviews.
If you manage to secure an internship, that is a massive win whether you ultimately secure the training contract. You now have a foot in the door and success is around the corner. Keep applying and adapting your profile to suit the new environment. Notwithstanding the fascinating diversity London has to offer, focus on similarities between your own culture with that of the UK and let your diversity add positively to your organisation. Humour, sincerity, humility, and reliability will go a long way.
* Students are advised to do their diligence to find eligible visa schemes to work in the UK.
The writer, Leon, is a First Class LLM graduate from King's College London and a future trainee solicitor at Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher UK LLP.
Law Tutors Online, UK Law Tutor, UK Law Notes, Manchester Law Tutor, Birmingham Law Tutor, Nottingham Law Tutor, Oxford Law Tutor, Cambridge Law Tutor, New York Law Tutor, Sydney Law Tutor, Singapore Law Tutor, Hong Kong Law Tutor, London Tutors, Top Tutors Online and London Law Tutor are trading names of London Law Tutor Ltd. which is a company registered in England and Wales. Company Registration Number: 08253481. VAT Registration Number: 160291824 Registered Data Controller: ZA236376 Registered office: Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London, UK W1J 6BD. All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2012-2024.
