Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

A three-year programme delivered by SEO London for first-year undergraduates (second years on a four-year degree) who attended non-fee-paying schools and meet at least one social mobility criterion: first in the family at university, care leaver, free school meals or other financial assistance, or a parent or carer. Each candidate gets a mentor at a sponsor firm, monthly commercial awareness sessions and application workshops, and some get a week's work experience at a sponsor.

The current cohort runs 2025 to 2028. The home page says applications are closed while the apply page says the next cohort is open, so check the apply page.

For Year 12 students who meet both the PRIME criteria and the Social Mobility Foundation's Aspiring Professionals Programme criteria. The firm recruits from that programme rather than taking direct applications. A week of workshops, shadowing and one-to-one mentoring, with 15 places for London students and 10 residential places for students elsewhere in the UK.

A week in the summer holidays, typically August. No direct applications: places come through the Social Mobility Foundation's Aspiring Professionals Programme.

Rare's development programme for Black African, Black Caribbean and mixed Black heritage students in their first year of a three-year course (second year of a four-year course), with AAA at A level or 38 IB points, contextualised. In-person group sessions with the ten participating firms, of which this is one, plus application and interview support.

The 2026 round took applications from 12 January to 16 February 2026, with interviews in February and March 2026. Apply through Rare.