Law Apprenticeships: learner funding rules
The plain-English guide to funding a legal apprenticeship as a learner. What it costs (nothing), what you'll be paid, the money you may get on top, and your rights if things change.
Learners pay nothing
Training and assessment are paid by government and your employer. You can never be asked to pay, or pay back, any training or assessment costs, even if you leave early. Your apprenticeship must last at least 8 months.
Am I eligible?
More people qualify than expect to. If these apply to you, you can usually start.
Age: 16 and up
You must be at least 16 on the day your apprenticeship starts. There's no upper age limit on most routes — you can join in your twenties, forties or beyond. The one exception is Level 7 programmes like the Solicitor Apprenticeship, which are only funded for learners aged 16–21 at the start (up to 25 with an EHCP or care background) — see here.
Employed in a suitable role, in England
Before you start, you must be employed by an organisation on their payroll, and your job must include responsibilities that help you work toward the apprenticeship standard. At least 50% of your working hours must be spent in England.
Existing qualifications are fine
You can already hold qualifications, even a degree or a previous apprenticeship, as long as the new apprenticeship teaches you significant new skills and materially different content. You can't do an apprenticeship while on another government-funded course, including a Skills Bootcamp.
Right to work in UK
You must have the right to live and work in the UK for the whole apprenticeship (including assessment). If you're on a visa, it must be a full working visa that lasts beyond the end date of the apprenticeship.
Programme entrance criteria
On top of these general rules, each apprenticeship standard has its own entry requirements — GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, prior legal experience, or a specific degree for graduate routes. Check the individual programme page for the exact criteria of the route you're aiming for — browse all routes.
Maths and English
If you're 16–18 and don't already hold a Level 2 (GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent) in maths and English, you'll complete Functional Skills with us before you start the apprenticeship, so you're ready to enrol without gaps. If you're 19 or over these are now optional, so a missing GCSE is no longer a blocker.
Your pay & training time
Your minimum pay depends on your age and year, and this is only the floor. Actual pay varies significantly by region, firm and specialism. Once you qualify, earnings climb well beyond the minimum, as the averages below show.
What you can earn once qualified
Typical UK averages, £/yearIndicative market ranges across England and Wales. Pay rises with experience, caseload and location, and London and the South East sit at the top of each band.
Sources: ONS 2025, CILEx 2025 Salary Survey, Prospects, National Careers Service, Glassdoor and Reed (2025–26). Figures are indicative and vary by employer, region and practice area.
Incentives & bursaries
Some extra funding goes to you directly. Other payments you may hear about go to your employer or provider, not you.
Care leavers' bursary
If you're 16–24 and are, or have been, in local-authority care. Paid to you in 3 equal instalments through your training provider, on top of your wages.
Tell your provider your care status. They must help you claim.
Extra learning support
Funded if you have a learning difficulty, disability or EHCP. Ask your provider. It doesn't cost you anything.
Good to know
The £1,000 and £2,000 incentives you may hear about go to your employer and provider for taking you on, not to you. Your money is your wage plus the bursary above.
English & maths
What's required depends on your age when you start.
Studied as part of your apprenticeship
If you're 16–18 at the start and don't already hold them, you study towards Level 2 English and maths alongside your apprenticeship.
Now optional (opt-in)
If you're 19+ at the start, English and maths qualifications are optional. You no longer have to achieve Level 2 to complete, though your job-related skills are still assessed.
If things change
Life happens. The rules are built to keep you funded and moving toward qualifying, even if your circumstances shift.
Made redundant? Funding doesn't stop
With 6 months or less left, you're funded to completion. Otherwise you get up to 12 weeks fully funded to find a new employer. From 2026/27 you can even complete via self-employment if funded to completion.
Take a break, or move employer
You can take a break in learning, for example for illness or parental leave, and return to finish. If you change employer, your apprenticeship can move with you.
Ready to find your route?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll show you where you'd start, what's funded, and how to get in front of firms.
Sources: DWP/DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules Aug 2025–Jul 2026 (v3, Jan 2026); Apprenticeship Funding Rules Aug 2026–Jul 2027 (v1, Jun 2026) and Summary of Changes; GOV.UK 'Apprenticeship funding' guidance (updated Apr 2026). England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate systems. General guidance, not legal or financial advice. Prepared July 2026.