Solicitor apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer an alternative route into the legal sector. You can complete an apprenticeship to qualify as a:
- solicitor
- paralegal
- legal technician
- chartered legal executive
This page focuses on solicitor apprenticeships.
GOV.UK has more information on other legal sector apprenticeships.
We have more information for solicitors and law firms on hiring an apprentice.
Solicitor apprenticeships are not currently available in Wales, but there are other legal services apprenticeships in Wales.
University compared to apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer many benefits compared to university.
While completing your apprenticeship, you’ll:
- earn while you learn and have no student debt
- put your study into practice and contextualise your learning
- develop work-ready skills and understanding of law in practice
- have the support of your employer throughout your studies. This includes networking opportunities, events, mentoring and resources
- build relationships with your team and colleagues
- develop your personal and business skills by learning from and watching more experienced professionals
Success rates
Apprenticeships are sometimes seen as ‘lower quality’ than university degrees. This is not true.
In fact, apprentice solicitors have a higher pass rate for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
According to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) SQE review, 97% of apprentices passed SQE2 in April 2023 compared to 75% of non-apprentice candidates.
How long it takes to qualify
It takes between three and six years to qualify as a solicitor by completing an apprenticeship.
This will depend on the type of solicitor apprenticeship you complete.
It usually takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor if you study law full time at university.
Qualification level
Solicitors who complete an apprenticeship gain a level 7 qualification. This is equivalent to a master’s degree.
Your work as an apprentice also counts as qualifying work experience. This means you won’t have to complete a separate period of training.
University graduates must complete additional training to qualify as a solicitor.
Career path
A solicitor apprenticeship is specifically designed for those who want to enter the legal profession as a solicitor.
If you’re interested in law but aren’t certain you want to be a solicitor, studying for a law degree may be a better choice.
A law degree can open various career paths in other fields as well law.
Learn more about alternative careers with a law degree.
Types of solicitor apprenticeships
Level 7 apprenticeship
Level 7 apprenticeships usually take between five and six years to complete. If you’ve completed any previous legal training this might reduce the time.
You should consider a level 7 apprenticeship if:
- you don’t have a degree
- you’d like to gain work experience while studying
Level 7 apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 18 and over. This includes school leavers and those looking for a change of career.
Graduate apprenticeship
Graduate apprenticeships are for people who already have a level 6 undergraduate degree.
Graduate apprenticeship training programmes generally last between two and three years.
You should consider a graduate apprenticeship if you already have a degree and:
- you’ve developed an interest in law later in your academic or professional career
- you’d like to take a quicker route to qualify as a solicitor
Graduate apprenticeships are open to people with degrees in any subject.
If your degree is not in law, you may need to complete a conversion course before starting the apprenticeship. A conversion course teaches the foundations of legal knowledge.
Learn more about qualifying with a non-law degree.
Apprenticeships in Wales
Solicitor apprenticeships are not currently available in Wales.
We are campaigning to change this. In November 2024 we conducted a survey to gather views on bringing level 7 legal apprenticeships to Wales.
Other legal services apprenticeships are available in Wales. If you’re a Welsh student aged 16 or over, you may be able to apply for a paralegal or advanced paralegal apprenticeship.
Learn more about Welsh legal services apprenticeships.
Qualifications and entry requirements
The recommended entry requirements for a level 7 solicitor apprenticeship are:
- five GCSEs, including mathematics and English. These must be:
- grade C or above (or equivalent) if you received your GCSEs before 2017
- grade 4 or above if you qualified after 2017
- three A Levels (or equivalent). Minimum grade C
And/or one or more of the following:
- relevant employer-led work experience
- level 3 advanced apprenticeship in a relevant occupation. For example, business administration, legal services, or providing financial services
- level 4 higher apprenticeship in a relevant occupation. For example, legal services, professional services or providing financial services
- paralegal apprenticeship
- legal executive apprenticeship
- law degree, graduate diploma in law (GDL), or a legal practice course (LPC)
If you’ve already completed a relevant level 4, paralegal, or legal executive apprenticeship, or have a law degree or diploma, you may be able to skip some of the solicitor apprenticeship training.
Many employers have their own entry requirements. Make sure you check these in the apprenticeship advert.
Right to work in the UK
You must have the right to work in the UK to complete a level 7 solicitor apprenticeship. This means you must have the appropriate visa or residency status.
Employers will usually check your eligibility when you apply for an apprenticeship.
Salary, expenses and funding
Apprentice salary
One of the benefits of training as an apprentice is you will earn while you learn.
You can expect to earn between £14,000 and £28,000 in the first year of your solicitor apprenticeship. This will vary a lot depending on the law firm you’re working for and the region you’re based in.
Your employer must pay you at least National Minimum Wage.
Generally, firms will pay above National Minimum Wage. Our recommended minimum salary for trainee solicitors is £27,418 in London and £24,320 outside London.
Many firms raise apprentices’ salaries yearly as they complete their training.
Once you’ve qualified, you can expect to earn between £43,000 and £88,000 per year as a solicitor. This will depend on your practice area, sector and location.
Learn more about solicitor salaries.
Benefits
You’ll be entitled to holiday pay and other employee rights while completing your apprenticeship. Your employer must also provide time for training and study.
Some firms may offer company benefits, such as a company phone or private medical cover.
If you’re based in London, you can apply for an apprentice Oyster photocard for discounts on travel.
You can sign up for an Apprentice Totum Card for discounts and offers on a range of products.
Expenses
As with any other job, you’ll likely be responsible for paying your own travel and food expenses, unless these are included in the company benefits.
You’ll also have to pay income tax and National Insurance.
Financial support
You may be able to access funding and support during your apprenticeship studies.
Working and training as an apprentice solicitor
As an apprentice you'll spend 20% of your working week studying and the rest working in a law firm.
Your firm will decide how you take the 20% studying time. Many firms give apprentices one day a week to do coursework and study.
While at work, you’ll receive practical, on-the-job training and learn from experienced colleagues. As well as training, your day-to-day work might include:
- finding information and files
- researching cases
- working with clients
Your employer will make sure you meet the requirements of the apprenticeship standard for a solicitor in England.
Sitting the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
During your apprenticeship, you’ll spend your study time preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
This is the exam all aspiring solicitors need to pass to qualify as a solicitor. You’ll sit the exam at the end of your apprenticeship training.
Your apprenticeship will allow you to apply your learning in a practical setting. Your work as an apprentice will also count as qualifying work experience. This means you won’t have to complete a separate period of training to qualify.
The cost of completing the SQE exams will be covered by the government’s apprenticeship levy fund.
Apply for a solicitor apprenticeship
The application process
Applying for an apprenticeship is similar to applying for a job.
Application processes vary, but often you’ll be asked to:
- complete an online application or provide a CV and cover letter
- complete an online assessment
- attend an interview
- attend an assessment day
Most apprenticeships begin in September to coincide with the start of the school year. While September is the most common start date, some apprenticeships will start at different times throughout the year.
Many law firms will start advertising their vacancies from November the year before. Again, this can vary depending on the firm.
Find a solicitor apprenticeship
Many leading law firms in the UK offer level 7 solicitor apprenticeships. Some in-house legal teams also offer solicitor apprenticeships.
You should spend some time researching which areas of law most interest you and what opportunities are available in your local area.
A lot of firms have open days which they’ll advertise on their website. They may also advertise through schools and sixth form colleges.
You can use the following services to find opportunities:
- GOV.UK has a large searchable database of apprenticeship opportunities
- UCAS has a list of current law and legal studies apprenticeship vacancies
- City Century can connect you to solicitor apprenticeship opportunities in the City of London
- you can also search our Legal Jobs platform
Top tips, advice and resources
It’s a good idea to apply for more than one apprenticeship to increase your chances of success.
You can use the UK government’s guides on:
Make sure to ask for feedback if your apprenticeship application is unsuccessful. This can provide useful insights to help improve your next application.
If you have questions about becoming a solicitor, you can ask our social mobility ambassadors.
If you’d like help with your apprenticeship application, contact the National Careers Service.
Apprenticeship story: Jacob Reilly
Image credit: Jam Pond Photography.
“I was convinced that the legal world was beyond the grasps of someone like me”.
Thanks to his apprenticeship, Jacob Reilly went from working in the world's largest restaurant chain to working for the world's largest global law firm.
Learn more about Jacob's apprenticeship journey and read his advice for aspiring solicitor apprentices.