Programme Eligibility

Yes. We welcome applications from students and graduates from all degree backgrounds.

You may apply if you are:

• In the final year of a non-law undergraduate degree
• A graduate
• Looking for a career change

No prior legal study or legal work experience is required.

Yes. We welcome applications from graduates who have already completed a law or non-law degree.

Graduates, career changers and individuals returning to education or employment are all encouraged to apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for their chosen office and programme.

You can apply for the Summer Internship programme if you are in the final year of a non-law degree, a law student, a graduate, or looking for a career change.You must also have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the Summer Internship, and meet the academic requirements (136 UCAS points and on track to achieve a 2:1 degree.)

To qualify as a solicitor in Scotland, the Law Society of Scotland requires candidates to complete both an accredited LLB and the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP).

To be eligible for the Edinburgh Summer Internship, you must be either:

Law students

• A penultimate-year or final-year student on an accredited LLB programme; or
• A graduate of an accredited LLB programme

Non-law students

• A graduate who is completing, or intending to complete, the accelerated LLB route and able to progress to the DPLP upon completion.

You must also have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the Summer Internship, and meet the academic requirements (136 UCAS points and on track to achieve a 2:1 degree).

Our Discovery Days are open to both law and non-law students. If you are studying a law degree, you can apply for the programme if you are a second-year student on a three-year course, a third-year student on a four-year course or a final-year student. If you are studying a non-law degree, you can apply if you are in the final year of your course.

Our Law, unlocked programme is open to students from any degree background studying at a UK or Irish university. If you are studying a law degree at an English university, you can apply if you are a first-year student on a three-year course or a second-year student on a four-year course. If you are studying a non-law degree, you can apply if you are in your second year of study.

We welcome applications from candidates studying any degree subject. You should have achieved, or be on track to achieve a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and have achieved equivalent to 136 UCAS Tariff points (for example, AAB at A-level or AAAAB at Scottish Higher, GPA 3.4 minimum). We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications and will consider equivalent academic achievements from other education systems and qualification routes. We recognise that everyone's circumstances are different and will consider mitigating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility requirements for one of our programmes, please review the programme information available on our Programme Filter. 

Applications are reviewed individually and eligibility may depend on your qualification route and chosen office location.

We accept applications from candidates with a wide range of qualifications and educational backgrounds. Examples broadly equivalent to 136 UCAS Tariff points include AAB at A-Level, AAAAB at Scottish Higher and a minimum GPA of 3.4. Equivalent qualifications from other education systems, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) and other international qualifications, will also be considered. We assess academic achievements in the context of the qualification being studied.

You can still submit an application if your final results have not yet been confirmed. Please ensure that your application accurately reflects your current grades and any predicted results where requested. If your academic circumstances change after submitting your application, we may ask you to provide updated information during the recruitment process.

Yes. If you have not studied law at degree level, you'll complete the PGDL as part of your qualification journey. The Early Careers team will provide guidance on the appropriate qualification pathway once you have secured a place on the Future Lawyer Pathway.

Yes. Trainees joining offices in England and Dubai are required to complete both SQE1 and SQE2. The firm funds the tuition and examination fees and provides support throughout the process. This requirement applies even if you have already completed the LPC.

Yes. We welcome applications from international candidates and value the diverse perspectives that people from different backgrounds bring to our firm. However, successful applicants will need to satisfy the relevant right-to-work and immigration requirements before joining the firm. Candidates who are on a visa must make this known on the application form.

You must have the right to work in the country where the Summer Internship takes place on a full-time basis for the entire duration of the programme.

If you hold a Student visa or equivalent immigration status, you must be able to demonstrate that you are permitted to work full-time from the internship start date, based on your university’s official term and vacation dates.

DLA Piper is unable to provide visa sponsorship for the Summer Internship programme. However, candidates who successfully secure a place on our Future Lawyers Pathway and subsequently receive an offer to join the firm may be eligible for visa sponsorship when they commence the Future Lawyers Pathway, subject to local immigration requirements.

To participate in a Summer Internship, you must already have the right to work for 40 hours per week in the relevant location for the duration of the programme.

While DLA Piper cannot provide visa sponsorship for Summer Internships, sponsorship may be available for successful candidates joining the Future Lawyer Pathway, subject to immigration requirements and the firm's sponsorship policies at that time.

Yes. We welcome applications from those studying oversears. However, your must meet the eligibility requirements for the chosen programme and location, including any right-to-work requirements. You must attend an assessment centre in-person.

We understand that personal circumstances can affect academic performance. If you have experienced circumstances that have impacted your studies, you will have the opportunity to share details within your application. Mitigating circumstances are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be considered alongside your academic results as part of our overall assessment process.