Slaughter and May

For first-year law students (and second years on a four-year degree) from lower socio-economic and/or ethnic minority backgrounds, with the right to work in the UK. A one-week placement in April paid £550, with help towards accommodation and a professional clothing grant, and support for summer scheme applications afterwards.

Applications for the 2027 programme are open and close 6 January 2027. The programme runs 5 to 9 April 2027.

upReach's two-year careers programme for first-year undergraduates (second years on a four-year degree) at any UK university, any degree subject, who are state-school educated with a household income below £42,620 and AAB at A level on a contextualised basis. A dedicated programme coordinator, application and interview support, and the chance to apply for work experience and a mentor at Slaughter and May, which sponsors the programme.

Applications for the 2027 programme open in December 2026. Register interest with upReach earlier.

For Year 12 students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds outside London who meet the PRIME criteria. A virtual work insight programme delivered with Futures for All, with three placements across the end of Year 12 and the start of Year 13 and priority for the Social Mobility Business Partnership's in-person weeks.

Applications open in March each year, during Year 12.

For Year 12 students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who meet the PRIME criteria, run with Rare. Twenty places a year, with one-to-one university application support, mentoring and in-person work insight across Years 12 and 13.

Applications open in autumn each year at the start of Year 12, through Rare. The 2026 intake is closed and applications for 2027 open in September 2026.

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.