Solicitor Apprenticeship
Qualify as a solicitor while you work — with the SQE built in. Earn a full salary from day one, graduate with no tuition debt, and reach the exact same qualification as the university route.
What is the solicitor apprenticeship?
The solicitor apprenticeship is a six-year, work-based route to qualifying as a solicitor. You join a firm as a paid employee, split your week between real legal work and structured study, and sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) as part of the programme — reaching exactly the same qualification as someone who took the university and LPC route.
It's designed for ambitious school leavers and career changers who want to earn while they learn, avoid tuition debt, and build years of practical experience before they qualify.
What you'll do
Sit alongside qualified solicitors on real client matters from week one — drafting, research, client comms and hearings prep.
Rotate through practice areas so you graduate with breadth: property, commercial, private client, litigation, and more.
Complete SQE1 and SQE2 as an integrated part of your training — the same national exam every solicitor takes.
Build a portfolio of practical experience that satisfies the SRA's qualifying work experience (QWE) requirement.
How the 5–6 years breaks down
Ground yourself in contract, tort, public law and legal research while rotating through your first practice areas.
Specialise deeper, take real ownership of files, and start the SQE1 preparation course alongside work.
Sit SQE1 (Functioning Legal Knowledge). Move into advanced client-facing work and complex casework.
Complete SQE2 (Practical Legal Skills) and your two years of qualifying work experience. Admit as a solicitor.
Entry requirements
Requirements are set by each firm, but most look for: