Solicitor Apprenticeships (Law Degree Apprenticeships)

Can I be a solicitor without a law degree?

Absolutely! You can become a solicitor without a traditional law degree through a solicitor apprenticeship. You'll earn a law degree as part of your apprenticeship while gaining practical work experience.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requires all solicitors to:

• Have a degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification

• Pass both stages of the SQE assessment (SQE1 and SQE2)

• Complete two years of work experience.

A solicitor apprenticeship will give you all three of these and more, as it's considered a law degree apprenticeship.

What is a solicitor apprenticeship?

During your apprenticeship, you’ll be taught the fundamentals of law and legal practice. Once you’ve finished your programme, you’ll have the same knowledge as someone who took the traditional route through university.

Solicitor apprenticeships can be split into two types:

What you do during your apprenticeship will depend from programme to programme. In some apprenticeships, you rotate between departments by working six months in one and another six months elsewhere during your first year. You’ll then spend time working across different divisions such as real estate, corporate and family law.

In some schemes, you might specialise in one area of law from the start. You have options, so it’s worth checking the course content when searching for your perfect apprenticeship.

However, what all solicitor apprenticeships have in common is that you’ll work full-time, with four days gaining on-the-job skills and one day towards your educational qualification.

You'll also be paid a full salary for the duration, and pay NO tuition fees. That's right. That means zero student loans or debt.

Looking for a graduate job? We have a guide for that. Read all about Law Graduate Schemes and how you can get involved.

How long is a solicitor apprenticeship?

Standard solicitor apprenticeships last around six years, while graduate solicitor apprenticeships typically take two years.

Once you’ve finished your apprenticeship, you’ll have:

• LLB (Hons) Degree in Legal Practice

• Level 7 qualification (equivalent to a master's degree)

• An SQE qualification.

You’ll also become a newly-qualified solicitor!

What qualifications do you need for a solicitor apprenticeship?

To get onto a solicitor apprenticeship, you’ll need:

• At least five GCSEs graded at 5 and above (A*-C), including Maths and English

• Three A Levels (graded at AAB) or similar (like a Level 4/5 Higher apprenticeship)

• If you’re applying for a Level 7 apprenticeship, you’ll need a Level 6 qualification or similar.

One of the best parts of a solicitor apprenticeship is that you don’t have to come from a law background or have a law degree. You’ll gain all of this during your apprenticeship, anyway. 

Outside of those. Having a truckload of soft skills is always a huge advantage. Employers are looking for candidates who can show:

• Strong communication skills

• Attention to detail

• Problem-solving

• Time management

• Collaboration skills.

While lots of law firms have similar entry requirements, it’s always worth double-checking to see what else they might be looking for or if you don’t necessarily have the above.

Ever wanted to know what it’s like working for WTW? Here’s what one solicitor apprentice had to say about their time there:

How much do trainee solicitors get paid in the UK?

As an apprentice, you’ll at least be paid the National Apprenticeship Wage. However, you’ll be very happy to know that law firms pay well above the national wage.

You could earn between £24,000 and £35,000 in the first year of your apprenticeship. This will increase every year. Loads of solicitor apprenticeships also come with a sign-on bonus between £500 and £3,000. These are one-off payments to help you settle in at the start your your programme.

Once you qualify as a solicitor, you could earn:

How to apply

Start your search in September, one year before programmes begin, even if you're still studying at college or sixth form. Getting an early start gives you the best chance of securing a place at the firm you want.

For most law firms, you’ll be asked to complete an online form where you’ll include all your experience and qualifications so far and attach your CV. You’ll also be asked why you want to apply for the programme, so it’s worth doing your research. 

The next stage involves either a video interview with practical scenario questions or a situational judgment assessment. These test how you might handle real workplace situations, so consider how you'd approach different challenges.

If you’ve passed that stage, you’ll be invited to an assessment day where you’ll take part in group activities, tour the office, meet the team and have your final interview. This is your chance to seriously make an impression.

Ready to apply? Great! Check out all our top-tier application advice, where you’ll find everything from crafting a showstopping CV to acing your assessment centre and interviews. Click below to get started.

We have loads of solicitor apprenticeships waiting for you. Get started below: