Solicitor Apprenticeships Explained

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What is a solicitor apprenticeship?

Have you ever thought about becoming a solicitor but wondered whether university is the only route? The good news is that it isn't! A solicitor apprenticeship allows you to earn a salary whilst gaining practical legal experience and studying towards the qualifications you need to become a solicitor.

Instead of going to university full time, you could work for a law firm, learning from experienced solicitors and supporting real legal work, whilst completing your academic studies and professional training. A solicitor apprenticeship usually takes five to six years, and you can qualify as a solicitor without taking the traditional university route. The apprenticeship combines full time work with part time study. You will usually spend four days a week working within the solicitors firm and one day a week at university studying. Your training and qualifications are funded, so you won't have to pay university tuition fees yourself.

How much could you earn?

Your salary will depend upon the law firm, its location and the stage of your apprenticeship. Current opportunities show starting salaries ranging from around £24,000 to £32,000 a year at some firms, with salaries generally increasing as you progress. For example, Pinsent Masons lists starting salaries of £25,200 in its Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds offices, and £28,350 in London. Some firms offer even more.

Remember, these are examples rather than a guaranteed average salary, so always check the individual apprenticeship advert.

The best part… You can start building your legal career, gaining valuable workplace experience and earning money whilst working towards becoming a qualified solicitor!

A day in the life of a solicitor apprentice

What would your working day actually look like? Although every law firm is different, a solicitor apprentice combines working in a legal team with dedicated time for studying.

Here are some of the tasks you might get involved in:

Researching legal issues: finding relevant legislation and case law to help a solicitor advise a client.
Preparing legal documents: helping to draft letters, organise documents and prepare paperwork for cases or transactions.
Working with clients: communicating professionally, taking notes and helping the legal team understand a client's needs.
Attending meetings: observing experienced solicitors, joining team discussions and learning how legal decisions are made.
Developing your legal skills: learning how to analyse problems, apply the law, manage confidential information and work accurately.
Studying towards your qualifications: completing assignments, attending training sessions and preparing for assessments and the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

Many apprentices spend around four days a week working and one day studying, although the arrangement depends on the employer and training programme.

It's important to understand that you won't be spending every day in court! Much of a solicitor's work involves research, writing, advising clients, solving problems and working as part of a team.

Could you see yourself doing this? If you enjoy solving problems, explaining ideas clearly and understanding how the law works in real situations, a solicitor apprenticeship could be worth exploring.

What qualifications do you need?

Entry requirements vary between law firms, so always read the advert carefully. However, many solicitor apprenticeship programmes look for:

GCSEs: usually at least five GCSEs, including English Language and Maths. Some competitive firms require higher grades and more GCSEs.
A Levels or equivalent qualifications (this means vocational qualifications such as BTEC Applied Law: many firms ask for three A Levels, usually with a minimum grade of a C, however these can be higher if the apprenticeship is more competitive

You do not necessarily need to study A Level Law or BTEC Applied Law to become a solicitor. Employers are interested in your academic ability, potential and skills, as well as your enthusiasm for law.

What skills are law firms looking for?

Solicitors need more than legal knowledge. Employers often look for applicants who can communicate clearly, analyse information, solve problems, organise their workload and work effectively with others. Attention to detail, resilience and professionalism are also important.

Super extracurricular activities: how can you strengthen your application?

Super extracurricular activities are things you do beyond your normal lessons to explore a subject in greater depth. They can help you demonstrate a genuine interest in law and give you useful examples to discuss in your application and interview.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Attend law firm open days and insight events. These help you understand what solicitors do and show that you have researched the profession.
Complete virtual legal work experience. Look for online programmes that introduce you to legal tasks, commercial awareness and problem solving.
Read legal news. Follow a current legal issue and consider how a change in the law might affect individuals, businesses or society.
Explore real cases. Read about a recent Supreme Court decision or an interesting criminal case and think about the legal issues involved.
Take part in debating, public speaking or a mock trial. These activities help develop your confidence, reasoning and ability to communicate an argument.
Volunteer in your community. Charity work, helping younger students or supporting a local organisation can demonstrate responsibility, empathy and teamwork.
Get a part-time job or take on a position of responsibility. Customer service, teamwork, meeting deadlines and handling difficult situations can all provide valuable examples of transferable skills.
Develop your commercial awareness. Follow business news and explore how economic changes, new technology or regulation affect companies and their clients.

You do not need to do everything on this list, and you do not need to have completed formal legal work experience to apply to every scheme. Choose activities that interest you and reflect on what you have learned from them.

Teach Law Top tip: Keep a record of your activities and what they have taught you. When you apply, you want to explain not just what you did, but what skills you developed and why the experience makes you a stronger candidate.

You can download our free work experience record here.

When should you apply?

Start researching solicitor apprenticeships during Year 12, don't wait until you finish college!

Applications for each September intake, often open during the autumn of the previous academic year. This means that if you are in Year 13 and hoping to start an apprenticeship in September 2027, you should be researching opportunities and checking application deadlines now.

Some firms open applications in autumn, while others open later in the year or early in the following year. Deadlines vary, and competitive programmes can attract large numbers of applicants.

Here is a simple timeline to help you prepare:

Year 12

Research different law firms and the areas of law they specialise in.
Attend open days, insight events and virtual work experience programmes.
Start building your CV and collecting examples of your skills.
Check the academic requirements for the firms that interest you.

Summer after Year 12

Make a shortlist of apprenticeship schemes and their entry requirements.
Practise answering application questions and preparing for online assessments.
Research each firm so you understand its clients, work and values.

Year 13

Check when applications open and submit them before the deadlines.
Prepare for interviews, assessment centres and any online tests.
Keep your grades on track, as offers may depend on achieving your predicted or final grades.

Where can you find opportunities?

Start with the careers pages of law firms you are interested in, as well as the official government apprenticeship website and UCAS apprenticeship search. Set up alerts where available so you don't miss new vacancies.

Most importantly, check the requirements for every individual scheme. Application dates, accepted qualifications, minimum grades and selection processes can all differ.

You don't need to have your entire future planned out at 16. Start exploring your options now, ask questions and take small steps towards discovering whether a solicitor apprenticeship is right for you.

Useful links to explore: