Macfarlanes Legal Academy
Macfarlanes
Curious about life at a City law firm? Join Macfarlanes Legal Academy: a two-year programme with mentoring, skills workshops and a five-day in-office placement to build practical legal experience, boost your uni/career prospects and connect with industry contacts.
The Macfarlanes Legal Academy (MLA) is a targeted two-year programme for sixth form and college students from socially mobile backgrounds who want to learn about careers in a commercial City law firm. It combines a one-week in-office work experience, mentoring and skills workshops to give participants an insight into the legal profession and practical experience of legal workplace skills.
In Year 12 participants take part in virtual preparation sessions and a five-day work experience week (Monday 16 to Friday 20 February 2026) where they will be introduced to mentors and exposed to firm-based tasks and workshops. For Year 13 the programme provides continued mentoring, a practical workshop day in October half-term focusing on networking and interview skills, and a virtual wrap-up session after exams.
Macfarlanes supports access by covering travel and lunch costs during the work experience week and providing accommodation (including breakfast) for participants who live beyond a commutable distance to London. The scheme is open to students who attend state-funded non-fee-paying schools/colleges and who meet one or more of the social-mobility criteria listed in the eligibility section.
11 Aug 2025
05 Dec 2025
16 Feb 2026 – 20 Feb 2026
February 2026 cohort
Location
- Applicants must have permission from a parent or guardian to take part.
- Your February half term must fall on Monday 16 to Friday 20 February 2026 to apply.
- Must attend, and have always attended, a state-funded, non-fee-paying school or college.
- Be, or have been, in local authority care.
- Be in receipt of / have received free school meals, Pupil Premium, Education Maintenance Allowance and/or a 16 to 19 bursary.
- Be or have been a full-time or part-time carer.
- Have refugee or asylum seeker status.
- The occupation of the main household earner is categorised as a routine or manual occupation.
- Attend a state school or college with below average A-Level/Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression to higher education.
- Have grown up in a household where no parent or guardian attended university.
During the work experience week Macfarlanes will cover students' travel and lunch. Accommodation (including breakfast) will be provided for those not within a commutable distance to London.
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