Early careers

First Years Insight Scheme

The First Years Insight Scheme is open to first-year students of any degree discipline. This two-day workshop will enhance your understanding of our selection process and essential skills for securing a spot on our vacation schemes. You will need to submit a 400-word Personal Statement on ‘Why Freshfields’, ‘Why Commercial Law’, ‘Why You’, and what you hope to achieve from attending the First Years Insight Scheme at Freshfields.

You will then receive an invitation to complete the Law Online Assessment within 3 working days following the application deadline for the First Years Insight Scheme on 13 February 2025. The Law Online Assessment is an untimed assessment designed to test your skills, behaviours, preferences, and critical thinking. This blended assessment will provide you with a realistic preview into life at Freshfields and the types of problems we solve. Before attempting the assessment, we recommend visiting Cappfinity’s Preparation Hub to familiarise yourself with what to expect.

You will have 72 hours to complete the assessment. Unless you have extenuating circumstances, we are unable to provide an extension. It is your responsibility to keep an eye out for the test link, ensuring that you also check your spam or junk folder.

Your performance on the Law Online Assessment will determine whether we review your written application in detail. If successful, you will then be invited complete the Watson Glaser Test.

Following the First Years Insight Scheme, successful participants may be fast-tracked for an assessment centre on the 2026 Summer Vacation Scheme.

If you have any questions about our application process or require any reasonable adjustments through the assessment process, please email us at ukearlycareers@freshfields.com. As the Law Online Assessment is untimed, you do not need to contact us to request additional time for the assessment.

Graduate Workshop

For graduates of all disciplines, this practical one-day workshop tells you more about how to apply to Freshfields, including insights from lawyers who applied at a later stage.

Non-Law Workshop

For undergraduate students in their penultimate or final year studying non-law degree disciplines. This practical one-day workshop tells you more about how to apply to Freshfields, with insights from lawyers who studied a subject other than law.

Non-Russell Group Universities Workshops

For undergraduate students in their penultimate or final year studying at a non-Russell Group university. This informative one-day workshop aims to provide you with our top tips for a successful application and insight into life at Freshfields from lawyers who studied at a non-Russell Group university.

Law and Fintech

Experience Freshfields work adapted from real-life with our engaging programme, designed for everyone.

Help our (fictitious) client purchase a crypto asset business, navigating five modules that showcase a junior lawyer's responsibilities. Gain multiple perspectives from various practices, reflecting our full-service offerings. Each module will take about an hour, but feel free to take your time.

You’ll be given a score at the end and a certificate of completion signed by Cyrus Pocha, Freshfields Partner.

Access the programme.

Launch into Law

Are you new to and enthusiastic about commercial law?

Join our Launch into Law Virtual Experience Programme discover the life of a Freshfields lawyer.  You can expect to gain hands-on experience with clients and develop practical skills across five tasks simulating scenarios our junior solicitors might face.

Upon completion, you will receive a certificate signed by Annette Byron, Freshfields Partner, ready to showcase on your applications and social media.

Access the programme.