Early Careers in the United Kingdom

You will witness first-hand the work we do for our clients by shadowing partners and associates, attending meetings, and getting involved in real work for departments — leaving our programme with valuable mentors and a large professional and social network. All Vacation Scheme candidates are automatically considered for a place on our Trainee Solicitor Programme.

To be eligible to apply, you will need to be in at least the penultimate year of your law degree, final year of your non-law degree, or have already graduated.

Apply for a Vacation Scheme

Learn more about the application process

Applications open on 4 September 2026 and close on 4 December 2026.

Vacation Scheme dates: 5 – 16 April 2027 (two-week scheme)

Please note, we do not screen on a rolling basis.

We will host both virtual and in-person events throughout Autumn 2026 to learn more about our programmes and application process. Check out the upcoming events and reserve your spot.

Over two years, you will have the opportunity to spend six months across four of our practice areas, allowing you to rotate in Antitrust and Competition, Complex Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Employment, Financial Services, Investment Funds and Capital, Life Sciences, Private Equity, Real Estate, Tax, and Technology. This rotation will give you the widest exposure to our business, substantive responsibilities, and client interactions from the outset.

Once at the firm, trainees receive a comprehensive induction consisting of legal, legal technology and AI, and skills-based training. All trainees have both an associate supervisor and a partner supervisor to ensure a high level of support during the two-year period.

Our Vacation Scheme route is our primary recruitment route for our Trainee Solicitor Programme.

To be eligible to apply, you will need to be in at least the penultimate year of your law degree, final year of your non-law degree, or have already graduated.

Apply for the Trainee Solicitor Programme

Learn more about the application process

Applications for the 2029 Trainee Solicitor Programme open on 4 September 2026 and close on 4 December 2026.

Please note, we do not screen on a rolling basis. 

We will host both virtual and in-person events throughout Autumn 2026 to learn more about our programmes and application processes. Check out the upcoming events and reserve your spot.

You will leave our three-year programme with valuable mentors, a large professional and social network, and an idea of what it’s like to work in law and at Goodwin.

• Mentorship: We match you with one of our experienced lawyers who will serve as your trusted mentor. They will be able to offer advice and guidance throughout the programme.
• Work Experience: We provide opportunities for you to see the exciting work we do in our firm and give you access and exposure to hands-on work experience.
• Scholarship: We provide you with a scholarship of £3,750 per year of your three-year degree.
• Skills Sessions: We commit to your professional development, which begins on day one. Throughout the programme, we provide skills sessions that complement your university learning.
• Career Guidance: We work closely with you to understand your interests and career goals as they continue to develop and guide you through your studies into the world of work.

To be eligible, you must fulfill the below criteria at the time of application:

• Be in year 13 at a state (non-fee-paying) school, college, or academy
• Be actively applying to study law at a UK university

You must also fulfill one or more of the following:

• Be the first in your immediate family to attend university
• Are or were eligible for free school meals
• Attend a school with 20% or more students eligible for free school meals
• Spent time in local authority care
• Have refugee or asylum seeker status
• Are or were a parent or registered carer

Apply for the Go for Law: UK Scholarship and Mentorship Programme

Applications for the Go for Law: UK Scholarship and Mentorship Programme open in April 2027.

• Private Equity M&A
• Tech Early-Stage Financing
• Life Sciences Litigation
• Real Estate, Healthcare, and Investment Funds & Capital simulations coming soon!

• First-year trainee salary: £55,000
• Second-year trainee salary: £60,000
• Newly qualified associate salary: £175,000

• Private medical insurance for you and your eligible dependents
• Personal travel insurance
• Dental insurance for you and your eligible dependents
• Group term life insurance with income protection up to 75% of your base salary
• Season ticket loan
• Pension contribution of 6% of your base salary
• Tuition, certificate, and license reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Digital health and wellbeing service
• Mental health counselor
• Family planning services and reimbursement policies
• Family care support programme
• Eye test and glasses reimbursement
• Cycle to Work (with onsite lockers and shower facilities)
• Gym and wellness subsidies (including Headspace membership)
• Discounts and special offers with select retailers

• Law school sponsorship for the PGDL (where applicable) and the LLM SQE 1 and SQE 2 course (with a maintenance grant of £12,000 for the PGDL year and £18,000 for the LLM SQE 1 and SQE2 year of study)
• £1,000 technology allowance the year you begin your sponsored law school studies
• 12-month London Travelcard for the SQE LLM study year for those that meet eligibility requirements of the Go for Law programme

Our Healthcare practice empowers clients to accelerate growth, manage risk, and lead with confidence across the business lifecycle. We deliver strategic counsel on M&A, IPOs, financings, licensing, disputes, and regulatory matters, connecting innovators, investors, and operators with opportunities to scale and drive results.

Learn more about our Healthcare practice.

Our Investment Funds and Capital practice knows the deal terms, market trends, and mindsets of sponsors and investors. We advise clients worldwide on fund formation, operations, and transactions across asset classes and jurisdictions, delivering strategic, innovative counsel that helps them raise and deploy capital with confidence and impact.

Learn more about our Investment Funds and Capital practice.

Our Life Sciences practice is uniquely positioned to partner with innovators and investors operating in a fast-moving, technology-driven environment. We work with life sciences companies throughout the corporate lifecycle, as well as with investors, banks, and others in the life sciences ecosystem.

Learn more about our Life Sciences practice.

Our Private Equity team does more buyouts and growth equity deals than any other firm in the world. We represent private equity sponsors, early- through late-stage investors, portfolio companies, senior management teams, lenders, financial institutions, and alternative investors.

Learn more about our Private Equity practice. 

Our Real Estate practice takes a practical approach based on deep market insights to help private and public clients make the most of every investment decision. From private fund formation and financings to REITs and M&A, we specialize in structuring, raising, and deploying capital.

Learn more about our Real Estate practice.

Our Technology practice is strategically positioned at the intersection of new tech, investors, and emerging markets. We work with founders and investors from the earliest phases of development and commercialization through maturity, supporting clients at all stages of the corporate lifecycle.

Learn more about our Technology practice.