Our legal summer work experience programme is tailored for students aged 16-19, offering a unique opportunity to explore whether a career in law is right for you. Over a 5-day placement, you will gain valuable insights into working within a leading commercial law firm, enhancing your understanding of commercial law in practice. Regardless of your background or prior experience, this programme aims to develop your skills and boost your confidence while enriching your CV.
During the programme, you'll work closely with some of our top legal talent, providing a practical and engaging experience. The programme includes the provision of a laptop and full IT equipment on your first day in the office. Additionally, the experience is designed to be informative and enjoyable, with previous students praising its immersive in-person nature.
If you successfully secure a place on our programme, you will receive compensation for your work as this is a paid work experience programme. In addition to shadowing experienced professionals, you will earn a salary for your contributions, and your lunch and transportation costs will also be covered when you attend the office.
Pinsent Masons values diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds.
After applying, consider checking out our open access virtual work experience programme for another way to gain insight into the commercial legal world. This online opportunity also offers a comprehensive overview of working in a top law firm, ensuring that you can discover what law in practice entails while further enhancing your CV.
You will need to have received your GCSE qualifications prior to applying. You cannot use predicted grades to apply.
Please note that you will not be eligible for this programme if you are currently studying at university.
If you don’t meet the above minimum academic criteria but you have mitigating circumstances, there’s an opportunity for you to include this information in your registration form. If you have any questions around the eligibility requirements for this programme, please contact us.
- Belfast, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh: 28 July 2025
- London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds: 18 August 2025
Our summer work experience programme pay is subject to review on an annual basis. The salary rate as of 2024 was above national minimum wage.
Answer questions on our registration form to make sure you are eligible for this programme. We also gather information about you to support our contextualized recruitment approach.
Provide information on your education history and any employment/work experiences. Read the questions carefully and think about why you would be a good fit for this programme.
Our shortlisting process starts once the application closing date passes. All applications are screened to a pre-defined framework and shortlisted candidates who best demonstrate that they meet our criteria will be contacted.
Whatever the outcome, we’ll be sure to inform you within three months from the application closing date. If you have been shortlisted at one our UK offices, we’ll be happy to make you an offer! You will be sent an offer letter for you to review and accept.
Once you have accepted your offer, our work experience and HR team will guide you through the onboarding process to ensure you’re all set to go before you join us. You can also expect a telephone call from our partner organisation to support you through the process.
After the programme, you can continue to develop your interest in commercial law through additional work experience at another firm or a virtual programme. If you choose to attend university, consider applying for our vacation placement or training contract, as we typically recruit trainees two years in advance.
Alternatively, you may explore our apprenticeship opportunities, which combine academic studies with work-based learning, allowing you to earn while gaining a professional qualification. You’ll also have the chance to join our alumni network, participate in events to enhance your skills, and maintain connections with Pinsent Masons.
To start your application, please click on apply now. Once you have registered an account, you will need to complete the following before the application closing date:
Once you have submitted all of the above, our work experience team will review your application and will be in touch in due course regarding your outcome.
Unfortunately we only offer work experience opportunities to school students who are over 16 years old and who are studying towards their AS/A Levels, Highers (or equivalent) or who will have completed their GCSEs, National 5’s (or equivalent) before the start of the programme.
Once the application closing date has passed, we screen candidates against a pre-defined framework and shortlist those who best meet our requirements. We will contact all candidates within three months after the application closing date.
Yes, we will be happy to cover the costs of travelling to the office and will provide you with lunch vouchers for each day.
You can get in contact with our helpful work experience team should you have any questions. During busy periods, please allow up to 3-5 working days for a response.
Hear from Charlotte and her experience at Pinsent Masons.
We understand that first year at a university can be quite daunting: it’s completely different to your school days. You’re the one who is totally in charge of organising yourself from attending classes, to meeting new people and basically forging ahead on your life as a ‘grown-up’.
Every summer, Pinsent Masons and Birmingham Law School welcome a group of first year students to our Birmingham office for an exclusive work experience programme. The participants spend 1 week in their dedicated department gaining hands-on experience, a chance to network with our lawyers and an opportunity to see what working in a commercial law firm is like.
Want to find out more about our work experience, apprenticeships, vacation placements or training contracts? You’ll find everything you need here.
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