Solicitor Apprenticeships

image of three women, one in the foreground, two behind, with the title apprenticeships.

An Introduction to Solicitor Apprenticeships

For those who aspire to become solicitors, the traditional path of attending university and then completing a postgraduate law qualification may seem like the only option. However, in more recent years, a new pathway to a legal career has emerged – the solicitor apprenticeship. Solicitor Apprenticeships were introduced in 2016 as an alternative route to the traditional route of qualifying as a solicitor and has become more common following the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) in 2021.

A solicitor apprentice is someone who is training to become a qualified solicitor through a combination of on-the-job experience and part-time study. Apprenticeships are an increasingly popular route into many professions, and the legal sector is no exception. Apprentices are salaried employees and their training and assessments are paid for by the apprenticeship levy.

Under the scheme, apprentices are employed by a law firm or in-house legal department and work alongside qualified solicitors. They spend at least 20% of their time studying for a law degree or equivalent qualification and the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), culminating in qualification as a solicitor. The apprenticeship usually takes around six years to complete, during which time the apprentice will gain experience in a range of legal practice areas and develop the skills and knowledge required to become a solicitor.

One of the key benefits of the solicitor apprenticeship is that it is a more accessible route into the legal profession. Apprentices do not need to have a degree or any formal legal qualifications to start the programme, although some law firms may require certain qualifications or grades. This means that young people from a wider range of backgrounds can enter the legal profession, providing greater diversity and inclusion in the sector. Another advantage of the solicitor apprenticeship is that apprentices are able to earn a salary while they train, which can help to make the legal profession more financially accessible.

The solicitor apprenticeship is still a relatively new route into the legal profession, and it is still developing. However, it has already been successful in attracting a diverse range of applicants, including those who may not have considered a career in law otherwise.

While the solicitor apprenticeship may not be suitable for everyone, it is certainly an option that aspiring lawyers should consider. With the opportunity to earn while you learn, gain valuable practical experience, and make the legal profession more accessible and diverse, the solicitor apprenticeship is a pathway that is here to stay.

There are two types of solicitor apprenticeships.

The level 7 apprenticeship, which is equivalent to a masters degree and is a 6 year programme for school leavers with A-Levels or equivalent or graduates with a degree in any subject. It consists of 5 years of work-based learning and part time study leading to LLB and SQE1 and then a year for preparation for SQE2.

The level 6 apprenticeship, which is equivalent to an undergraduate degree and is a 4 year programme for law graduates. It consists of 3 years of work-based learning and part time study leading to SQE1 and then a year for preparation for SQE2.

Other legal apprenticeships include the level 3 paralegal apprenticeship (an a level equivalent for school leavers with GCSEs or equivalent).