Ashfords Summer Scheme 2027

Based in Exeter and Bristol.

NoSummer Scheme

No. Ashfords does not sponsor its summer scheme for international students who need a visa. Ashfords runs two Exeter summer scheme weeks and one Bristol week in June and July 2027, each preceded by a named assessment centre date. The firm's application FAQ, which covers both training contracts and vacation schemes, confirms no sponsorship is currently available for candidates without existing right to work in the UK.

Sponsors grads?: No
Pay vs threshold: Clears the threshold
Opportunity: vacation scheme
Pay: not stated on page
2027 cycle: Exeter summer scheme 1: 7 to 11 June 2027 (assessment centre 1 June 2027). Exeter summer scheme 2: 14 to 18 June 2027. Bristol: 28 June to 2 July 2027 (assessment centre 3 June 2027)
Confidence: high

Ashfords Summer Scheme: at a glance

Ashfords' Summer Scheme is a week at its Exeter or Bristol office, where participants meet the firm's people and do trainee work across three different departments. During the week, participants can secure a Training Contract by taking part in an assessment centre. Applications cover the firm's 2029 training contracts. Source

Duration: 1 week“Spending a week at either our Exeter or Bristol office”Source
Start date: 7 June 2027 (Exeter summer scheme 1); 14 June 2027 (Exeter summer scheme 2); 28 June 2027 (Bristol)“Exeter summer scheme 1: Monday 7 June - Friday 11 June 2027”Source
Who can apply: Students at least in the second year of a law degree (third year for a 4-year law degree), or at least the third year of a non-law degree; Ashfords cannot currently sponsor applicants without the right to work in the UK“Anyone who is at least in their second year of their law degree, or at least third year non-law degree is eligible to apply for either a Summer Scheme or standalone Assessment Centre day.”Source
Locations: Exeter, Bristol“Spending a week at either our Exeter or Bristol office”Source

How Ashfords recruits

2027 Summer Schemes for 2029 training contracts (applications 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027). 4 stages, from Ashfords's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where Ashfords names them.

Application form
Application form
Online application form for either a Summer Scheme or a standalone Assessment Centre, with questions on skills and experience. One application only.
“The first step is to complete our online application form, either for one of our Summer Schemes or a standalone Assessment Centre. The application form provides us with basic information about your qualifications and work experience. You will also be asked some questions to elaborate on your skills and experience.”
Source
Critical thinking test
Online tests
Shortlisted applicants complete a critical thinking exercise; scores plus the application decide who gets a Summer Scheme or Assessment Centre place. Provider not named.
“If your application is shortlisted, you will be asked to complete a Critical Thinking exercise and we will use these scores, in conjunction with your application, to determine whether you will be offered a place on a Summer Scheme or Assessment Centre.”
Source
Summer Scheme
Other stage
Five-day scheme in Exeter or Bristol across three departments, June to July 2027.
“Our Summer Scheme runs over five days and immerses you into life at Ashfords. You'll sit in three different departments during the week, with your Assessment Centre day taking place on either Wednesday or Thursday.”
Source
Assessment Centre day
Assessment centre
Assessment centre held on the Wednesday or Thursday of the scheme week, deciding training contract offers. Content not published.
“During the week, you will have the opportunity to secure a Training Contract with the firm by participating in an assessment centre.”
Source

Every programme and stage at Ashfords

“Unfortunately, we cannot currently provide sponsorship for those who do not have legal right to work in the UK, however, this is kept under constant review.”

Ashfords, from its own careers pages

The catch: Candidates may only apply to one Summer Scheme or Assessment Centre location per cycle; multiple applications to different schemes are not considered.

Ashfords early careers Verify on gov.uk See the licence record

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What Ashfords publishes about this programme

Checked against Ashfords's own careers pages on 2026-09-23. Anything not published is worth asking the early careers team before you apply.

Visa sponsorship policy: published
Application dates: published
Programme description: published
Duration and start date: published
Who can apply: published
Pay: published
Locations: published
Degree requirement: not published
Recruitment stages: published

More early careers programmes at Ashfords

Training Contract (2029 intake)training contract, no
Paralegal and Professional Services Apprenticeshipsapprenticeship, no published policy
First-year insight daysspring week, no published policy

Sources

Verdict last checked 2026-09-23. How we check programme verdicts

Common questions

Does Ashfords sponsor visas for its summer scheme?

What is the Ashfords summer scheme?

Does the pay clear the UK Skilled Worker salary threshold?

The pay for this scheme clears the Skilled Worker salary threshold.

What is the catch international students miss with Ashfords?

Candidates may only apply to one Summer Scheme or Assessment Centre location per cycle; multiple applications to different schemes are not considered.

When do applications open for the Ashfords summer scheme?

Exeter summer scheme 1: 7 to 11 June 2027 (assessment centre 1 June 2027). Exeter summer scheme 2: 14 to 18 June 2027. Bristol: 28 June to 2 July 2027 (assessment centre 3 June 2027). Checked on 2026-09-23 against Ashfords's own site.

How long is the Ashfords summer scheme?

1 week, according to Ashfords's own careers information.

When does the Ashfords summer scheme start?

7 June 2027 (Exeter summer scheme 1); 14 June 2027 (Exeter summer scheme 2); 28 June 2027 (Bristol), according to Ashfords's own careers information.

Who can apply for the Ashfords summer scheme?

Students at least in the second year of a law degree (third year for a 4-year law degree), or at least the third year of a non-law degree; Ashfords cannot currently sponsor applicants without the right to work in the UK, according to Ashfords's own careers information.

Where is the Ashfords summer scheme based?

Exeter, Bristol, according to Ashfords's own careers information.

How should I confirm Ashfords's sponsorship before applying?

Read the specific vacancy on Ashfords's careers site, ask its early-careers team directly, and check the employer on the gov.uk Register of Licensed Sponsors. Policies and thresholds change, so treat this page as a starting point and confirm for the exact role and cycle.

Related guides

All visa and sponsorship guides

Other law schemes

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