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 Hong Kong Summer Internship if you are:

Law students

• In the second year of a three-year degree
• In the third year of a four-year degree
• In the final year of study

Non-law students

• In the final year of an undergraduate degree
• Graduates and career changers
• Graduates from any discipline
• Individuals pursuing a career change
• Candidates who have already completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL)

Applicants must satisfy any applicable right-to-work requirements before joining the programme.

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.

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. 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.