Sidley Austin early careers: how to get in
Last checked 2026-10-04 against Sidley Austin's own careers pages. Every stage below links to where it was read. GoRizzume is independent and not affiliated with Sidley Austin. How we check
At a glance
- Training Contracttraining contractOpenVisa sponsorship: Sponsors5 stages
- Spring and Summer Vacation Schemesvacation schemeOpenVisa sponsorship: Sponsors4 stages
Training Contract
How Sidley Austin recruits
Training contracts recruited only via the 2026 winter and 2027 spring and summer vacation schemes. 5 stages, from Sidley Austin's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-04. Test providers are named only where Sidley Austin names them.
Online application form
Application form
Short online form on academic background, extracurricular activities and work experience, checked against eligibility. Reviewed on a rolling basis.
“We ask all candidates to complete a short online application form sharing details of their academic background, extra-curricular activities, and work experience.”
Situational judgment test
Situational judgement test
Invited candidates take a situational judgement test with scenario-based, numerical and verbal questions. Provider not named.
“The situational judgment test helps us understand your strengths, your thinking and how you approach different scenarios. It is made up of scenario-based, numerical and verbal questions.”
Video interview
Other stage
Straight after the test: a video interview of four questions on commercial awareness, the legal landscape and the firm, with two minutes to prepare and two to answer each.
- 4 questions
- 2 minutes to prepare
- up to 2 minutes per answer
“Following this, you will move straight into a video interview, where you will be asked four questions. These questions focus on your commercial awareness, understanding of the legal landscape and knowledge of the firm and the work we do. During the interview, you will have two minutes to prepare for each question, and two minutes to respond.”
Interview at the London office
Final interview
In-person interview at the London office with two Senior Managing Associates or partners.
“If you perform well at the video interview stage, we will invite you to our London office for a 1:1 interview with two of our Senior Managing Associates or partners.”
Vacation scheme
Other stage
All trainees are recruited from the vacation schemes; there is no direct training contract application.
“Yes, we recruit all of our trainees from the vacation schemes, and we do not have a direct training contract application.”
Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes
How Sidley Austin recruits
2027 spring (5 to 16 April) and summer (21 June to 2 July) vacation schemes; applications 28 September 2026 to 8 January 2027. 4 stages, from Sidley Austin's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-04. Test providers are named only where Sidley Austin names them.
Online application form
Application form
Short online form on academic background, extracurricular activities and work experience, checked against eligibility. Reviewed on a rolling basis.
“We ask all candidates to complete a short online application form sharing details of their academic background, extra-curricular activities, and work experience.”
Situational judgment test
Situational judgement test
Invited candidates take a situational judgement test with scenario-based, numerical and verbal questions. Provider not named.
“The situational judgment test helps us understand your strengths, your thinking and how you approach different scenarios. It is made up of scenario-based, numerical and verbal questions.”
Video interview
Other stage
Straight after the test: a video interview of four questions on commercial awareness, the legal landscape and the firm, with two minutes to prepare and two to answer each.
- 4 questions
- 2 minutes to prepare
- up to 2 minutes per answer
“Following this, you will move straight into a video interview, where you will be asked four questions. These questions focus on your commercial awareness, understanding of the legal landscape and knowledge of the firm and the work we do. During the interview, you will have two minutes to prepare for each question, and two minutes to respond.”
Interview at the London office
Final interview
In-person interview at the London office with two Senior Managing Associates or partners.
“If you perform well at the video interview stage, we will invite you to our London office for a 1:1 interview with two of our Senior Managing Associates or partners.”
Visa sponsorship
Training Contract
Sidley explicitly sponsors visas for vacation scheme applicants, the firm's sole route into the Training Contract
“I am a mature/international student, can I still apply? Do you sponsor visas? Yes, you are welcome to apply. We sponsor visas for successful vacation scheme applicants.”
Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes
Sidley Austin explicitly sponsors visas for successful vacation scheme applicants, one of the few firms researched to state this plainly.
“We sponsor visas for successful vacation scheme applicants”
Sidley Austin on the Home Office sponsor register
This is general information, not immigration advice. Check gov.uk and the employer's own FAQ before you apply: rules change.
Common questions
- What is the Sidley Austin training contract application process?
- Sidley Austin's own careers pages describe 5 stages: Online application form, then Situational judgment test, then Video interview, then Interview at the London office, then Vacation scheme.
- Does Sidley Austin sponsor visas for graduates?
- Sidley explicitly sponsors visas for vacation scheme applicants, the firm's sole route into the Training Contract
Related guides
Other schemes we track
Deadlines, stages and tests for each scheme. Not affiliated with any firm.
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GoRizzume is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Sidley Austin. Names are used only to identify Sidley Austin's recruitment process. Practice in GoRizzume is original material written in the style of common assessment formats, not the employer's or provider's actual tests. Processes change, so always check Sidley Austin's official careers site before applying.
Sponsorship data: Home Office register + job ad wording. Not immigration advice, verify on gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we check this data.