Applications for our winter, spring, and summer vacation schemes, as well as our direct training contract, will open on 1 October.

What is the vacation scheme?

A vacation scheme is a great way for you to experience life at Burges Salmon and see whether it could be right for you. It's also an excellent opportunity for us to get to know you and help shape your career.

During your vacation scheme, you'll gain a real insight into our award-winning law firm as you:

  • work in one or two departments of your choice
  • get involved in 'real' work
  • have the chance attend client meetings and visit court
  • attend skills sessions run by trainees and solicitors
  • get to know colleagues across the firm through social and sports events.

Bristol office

Every year we run a winter vacation scheme (one week), spring vacation scheme (two weeks) and two summer vacation schemes (two weeks each), which are open to anyone who is eligible to apply for a training contract - regardless of your degree discipline or the length of time since you graduated.

We recruit between 70 - 80% of our trainees from the vacation scheme. Successful applicants will be invited back for a training contract interview after the scheme has taken place, and if we decide that we're right for each other, you'll be offered a training contract.

Edinburgh office

We run two vacation schemes in our Edinburgh office; one in April and one in June.

The spring vacation scheme (two weeks) will take place between 7 – 18 April 2025.

The summer vacation scheme (two weeks) will take place between 16 – 27 June 2025.

We will be recruiting trainees to be based from the Edinburgh office for September 2025, September 2026 and September 2027 start dates. 2025 applicants should apply for the spring vacation scheme and 2026 & 2027 applicants should apply for the summer vacation scheme.

Successful applicants will be invited back for a training contract interview after the scheme has taken place, and if you both decide that you're right for each other, you'll be offered a training contract.

Trainees in our Edinburgh office will become qualified in Scotland.

Vacation scheme application timeline

  • Applications open 1 October 2024

    Applications open for Bristol-based winter, spring and summer vacation schemes, and our Edinburgh spring and summer vacation schemes. Applications also open for Bristol 2027 Training Contract.

  • Winter vacation scheme deadline 28 October 2024

    Applications close for the winter vacation scheme in Bristol. Assessment centres will take place in-person in Bristol on 11 & 13 November 2024 only.

  • Winter vacation scheme 2 - 6 December 2024

    One week winter vacation scheme in Bristol begins. Successful applicants will be invited back for a training contract interview on 12 December 2024.

  • Edinburgh spring/summer vacation scheme deadline 10 January 2025

    Applications close for the Edinburgh spring and summer vacation schemes. Assessment centres will take place in-person in our Edinburgh office on 4, 5 & 6 March 2025 only. Successful applicants will be invited back for a training contract interview after the scheme has taken place.

  • Bristol spring/summer vacation scheme deadline 10 January 2025

    Applications close for the spring and summer vacation schemes in Bristol. Assessment centres will take place in-person in Bristol on the 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 February 2025 only.

  • Edinburgh Spring vacation scheme 7 - 18 April 2025

    Two-week spring vacation scheme begins in Edinburgh. Successful applicants will be invited back for a training contract interview after the scheme has taken place.

  • Bristol spring vacation scheme 7 - 18 April 2025

    Two-week spring vacation scheme begins in Bristol. Successful applicants will be invited back for a training contract interview after the scheme has taken place.

  • Summer vacation scheme #1: 2 - 13 June 2025

    Two-week summer vacation scheme begins in Bristol. Successful applicants will be invited back for a training contract interview after the scheme has taken place.

  • Summer vacation scheme #2: 16 - 27 June 2025

    Two-week summer vacation scheme begins in Bristol. Successful applicants will be invited back for a training contract interview after the scheme has taken place.

  • Edinburgh summer vacation scheme: 16 - 27 June 2025

    Two-week summer vacation scheme begins in Edinburgh. Successful applicants will be invited back for a training contract interview after the scheme has taken place.

  • 20 June 2025
    Bristol training contract application deadline (subject to change).

Training contract

Our six seat training contract will provide you with the best start to your legal career.
Find out more

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