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Clifford Chance SPARK 2027

Applications open 2 December 2026 and close 8 February 2027. Pays £110 a day in London.

Only some tracksSPARK

Only in part. Clifford Chance sponsors its spark for some tracks or offices, not all. SPARK is a nine-month programme for first-year students on three-year law degrees, second-years on four-year law degrees, and penultimate-year non-law students at UK or Irish universities. Eligibility explicitly requires candidates to be eligible to work in the UK already; paid elements are £110 per day for Insights and Skills training and £550 for a shadowing week, but this does not amount to sponsorship of a work visa for the programme.

Sponsors grads?
Some tracks
Pay vs threshold
Borderline
Opportunity
spring week
Pay
£110/day for Insights and Skills training, £550 for the shadowing week
2027 cycle
Applications open 2 December 2026, close 8 February 2027; programme launches 5 May 2027
Confidence
medium

Clifford Chance SPARK: at a glance

Clifford Chance SPARK is a paid early careers programme for students early in their first undergraduate degree, delivered in stages across two academic years. It starts with an offer reception in London, then three days of presentations, case study workshops and seminars at the London office, two days of external skills training and a shadowing week with a lawyer, plus virtual and in-person events and pro bono activities. Successful participants are invited to interview for a Training Contract at the end of the programme. Source

Duration
Nine months, across two academic years“Delivered over nine months and across two academic years”Source
Start date
5 May 2027 (programme launch)Source
Who can apply
First-year students on a three-year law degree, second-year students on a four-year law degree, or penultimate-year non-law students, studying their first undergraduate degree at a UK or Irish university and eligible to work in the UKSource
Locations
London“Over three days at our London office, you'll take part in an immersive learning experience”Source
Starting pay
£110 per day for the London insights and skills days; the shadowing week is paid as a weekly amount“Participants will receive £110 per day for attending the programme.”Source

How Clifford Chance recruits

SPARK 2027 (applications 2 December 2026 to 8 February 2027). 8 stages, from Clifford Chance's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where Clifford Chance names them.

  1. Online application form

    Application form

    Online application form.

    “To apply for the SPARK programme, you'll complete the following stages: Online application form”
    Source

  2. Clifford Chance Immersive Online Assessment

    Immersive assessment

    Bespoke online assessment new this cycle covering critical thinking, behavioural strengths, attention to detail and motivation; a practice version is emailed after applying.

    • about 60 minutes
    “It combines a range of assessment elements, including critical thinking, behavioural strengths, attention to detail and motivation, to provide a holistic view of your current ability and future potential. [...] The assessment should last around 45-60 minutes and should be completed within four days (including weekends).”
    Source

  3. Watson Glaser Test

    Online tests, Watson Glaser

    Watson Glaser critical thinking test taken after the immersive assessment: 30 minutes, 40 questions, four days to complete. AI use not permitted.

    • 40 questions
    • about 30 minutes
    “Once you have completed The Clifford Chance Immersive Online Assessment you will be required to complete the Watson Glaser test. [...] The test lasts 30 minutes and includes 40 questions that assess your critical thinking skills.”
    Source

  4. Pre-recorded video interview

    Recorded video interview

    Pre-recorded video interview for shortlisted applicants after the closing date. Platform, question count and timings not published.

    “Once the deadline has passed, you’ll be notified of the outcome and whether you’re progressing to the video interview stage.”
    SourceHow to prepare for a one-way video interview

  5. Assessment Day

    Assessment centre

    In-person assessment day at Canary Wharf, w/c 15 and 22 March 2027.

    “The Assessment Day will take place in person at our London office in Canary Wharf and is designed to assess the skills and potential needed to succeed on the SPARK programme and beyond.”
    Source

  6. Combined case study and competency interview

    Case study

    Case study and competency interview with two senior associates (the SPARK page itself says a partner and senior associate).

    • two senior associates
    “Combined case study and competency interview (with two Senior Associates)”
    Source

  7. Written task

    Written exercise

    Written task linked to the case study.

    “Written task aligned to the case study”
    Source

  8. Group exercise

    Group exercise

    Group exercise.

    “Group exercise”
    Source

Every programme and stage at Clifford Chance

“A guidance document and certificate of sponsorship will be provided by the firm.”
Clifford Chance, from its own careers pages
The catch: Runs across two academic years (nine months total), so it is a bigger commitment than a normal spring week and requires being eligible to work in the UK from the outset.
Clifford Chance early careersVerify on gov.ukSee the licence record

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What Clifford Chance publishes about this programme

Checked against Clifford Chance's own careers pages on 2026-09-24. 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 Clifford Chance

Sources

Verdict last checked 2026-09-24. How we check programme verdicts

Common questions

Does Clifford Chance sponsor visas for its spark?

Only in part. Clifford Chance sponsors its spark for some tracks or offices, not all. SPARK is a nine-month programme for first-year students on three-year law degrees, second-years on four-year law degrees, and penultimate-year non-law students at UK or Irish universities. Eligibility explicitly requires candidates to be eligible to work in the UK already; paid elements are £110 per day for Insights and Skills training and £550 for a shadowing week, but this does not amount to sponsorship of a work visa for the programme.

What is the Clifford Chance spark?

Clifford Chance SPARK is a paid early careers programme for students early in their first undergraduate degree, delivered in stages across two academic years. It starts with an offer reception in London, then three days of presentations, case study workshops and seminars at the London office, two days of external skills training and a shadowing week with a lawyer, plus virtual and in-person events and pro bono activities. Successful participants are invited to interview for a Training Contract at the end of the programme.

Does the pay clear the UK Skilled Worker salary threshold?

The pay for this scheme sits close to the threshold, so it can depend on the office, the occupation going rate, or the new-entrant discount.

What is the catch international students miss with Clifford Chance?

Runs across two academic years (nine months total), so it is a bigger commitment than a normal spring week and requires being eligible to work in the UK from the outset.

When do applications open for the Clifford Chance spark?

Applications open 2 December 2026, close 8 February 2027; programme launches 5 May 2027. Checked on 2026-09-24 against Clifford Chance's own site.

How long is the Clifford Chance spark?

Nine months, across two academic years, according to Clifford Chance's own careers information.

When does the Clifford Chance spark start?

5 May 2027 (programme launch), according to Clifford Chance's own careers information.

Who can apply for the Clifford Chance spark?

First-year students on a three-year law degree, second-year students on a four-year law degree, or penultimate-year non-law students, studying their first undergraduate degree at a UK or Irish university and eligible to work in the UK, according to Clifford Chance's own careers information.

Where is the Clifford Chance spark based?

London, according to Clifford Chance's own careers information.

What does the Clifford Chance spark pay?

£110 per day for the London insights and skills days; the shadowing week is paid as a weekly amount, according to Clifford Chance's own careers information.

How should I confirm Clifford Chance's sponsorship before applying?

Read the specific vacancy on Clifford Chance'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

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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.