Solicitor. In 3 years, if you already have a degree.
The accelerated Solicitor Apprenticeship for graduates. Any degree accepted. SQE1 and SQE2 embedded, delivered by Datalaw. Government-funded for apprentices aged 16 to 21, or 22 to 24 with an EHC plan or care-leaver status.
There are no live Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship vacancies on our jobs board right now. Check your eligibility and we'll tell you when a suitable role opens, or see all live vacancies.
All live vacanciesThe summit. Qualified Solicitor
You are at the top of the roadmap. The Solicitor Apprenticeship builds on everything below.
Solicitor Apprenticeship
The full qualification with the SQE built in. This apprenticeship includes both the SQE 1 and SQE 2 exams. Full salary throughout, and years of practical experience behind you. Entry requires a degree or completion of the Level 5 Advanced Paralegal Apprenticeship or Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship.
Qualification as a solicitor via the SQE
SQE 1 and SQE 2 exams included on programme
No tuition debt and a salary throughout
A senior fee-earning career ahead of you
The eligibility criteria.
A 2:1 law degree in English law from a UK university is required. Government funding is only available if you're aged 16 to 21 on your start date, or 22 to 24 with an EHC plan or care-leaver status.
You need a legal role to start. Browse live paralegal apprentice vacancies. Most firms hire quickly if you're keen to train.
See our recruitment pageYou pay nothing. Government funding depends on your age.
For government funding, you must be aged 16 to 21 on your first day of learning, or 22 to 24 with an education, health and care (EHC) plan or care-leaver status. This rule applies to Level 7 apprenticeships starting on or after 1 January 2026. If you qualify, funding covers training and assessment up to the £27,000 funding band, including both SQE1 and SQE2 exam costs. If you're 22 or over, your employer can fund the apprenticeship directly, or you can consider funded routes such as the Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX), paralegal and conveyancing apprenticeships.
Employers also receive a £1,000 incentive payment for apprentices aged 16 to 18, or 19 to 24 with an EHC plan or care-leaver status.
If your organisation has a payroll over £3m they will pay 0.5% of their monthly payroll into the apprenticeship levy pot, and will be able to use this accumulated pot directly towards apprenticeships , see employer funding for more information.
Your programme, module by module.
A three-year programme in two focused halves. The first half builds the legal knowledge SQE 1 tests. Every FLK1 and FLK2 subject. And closes with the SQE 1 exam. The second half develops the practical skills SQE 2 assesses. Advocacy, drafting, client interviewing, legal research and case analysis. Right through to the end-point assessment.
Qualified Solicitor.
SQE1 and SQE2 passed. Pass the SRA Character & Suitability test and you're admitted as a qualified solicitor.
Solicitor is the top of the apprenticeship pathway. From here your career opens up across every specialism and seniority.
See next apprenticeshipsSupported at every step.
The programme is built for people completely new to law. From day one you have a Progress Tutor, structured feedback and a clear path to the end-point assessment.
A dedicated Progress Tutor
The same expert Progress Tutor from onboarding to SQE2 EPA. One-to-one coaching and personalised assessment feedback throughout the 3-year programme.
Live learning
Face-to-face one-to-one sessions with an expert tutor, plus live group workshops with your cohort. Never a recording playing at you. Real conversations, real questions answered on the spot.
The Datalaw Learning Platform
All your workshop recordings, module notes and portfolio in one place. Accessible for 12 months after you qualify.
Portfolio review before EPA
In the final months we work with you and your line manager to make sure your evidence meets every standard.
Best-practice legal training
Every workshop, tutorial and assignment is grounded in current SRA best practice. How good firms actually run files today. You leave modelling how senior fee-earners work, not textbook theory.
Off-the-job training built in
Off-the-job training hours are tracked and evidenced for you against your standard's minimum. Live workshops, private tutorials, self-study and reflection all count. No spreadsheets to keep, no last-minute scramble at EPA.
Reviews from
learners.
“The most beneficial part of my apprenticeship has been learning new areas of law. I feel confident when qualified that I will be able to apply what I have learnt on the course in real life.”
“The course is designed around the SQE exam and ensuring we are best prepared through the reading, learning and practice questions we complete. I think this will be very beneficial when it comes to sitting the exam.”
“My apprenticeship includes very informative content and sessions which have provided me greater confidence in the legal world. I am happy with the availability and supportiveness of tutors.”
Hear it in their own words.
A current apprentice, her line manager, and a graduate who progressed all the way to CILEx. Recorded with them at their firms, unscripted.
Everything applicants ask us.
How does work and study fit together?
Most of your time is spent in your legal role; the rest is structured learning that counts toward your standard's minimum off-the-job hours. Personalised coaching, workshops and practice assessments delivered with Datalaw.
Who is this apprenticeship for?
Law graduates with at least a 2:1 in English law from an established UK university, currently employed in a legal practice, aiming to qualify as a solicitor via the SQE route.
Am I too old to enrol?
For apprenticeships starting on or after 1 January 2026, government funding for this Level 7 apprenticeship is only available if you're aged 16 to 21, or 22 to 24 with an education, health and care (EHC) plan or care-leaver status on your start date. If you're older, your employer can still fund the apprenticeship directly, or you can take a funded route such as the Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX), paralegal or conveyancing apprenticeships.
What does it cost me and my employer?
£0 to you. If you're eligible for government funding, it covers training and assessment up to the £27,000 funding band, including both SQE1 and SQE2 exam costs. Since 1 August 2026, non-levy employers pay nothing for eligible apprentices aged 16 to 24; levy-paying employers fund the apprenticeship from their levy account.
How long is the apprenticeship?
3 years total. Years 1 and 2 focus on SQE1 preparation (both FLK papers), with SQE1 sat at the end of Year 2. Year 3 focuses on SQE 2 practical skills and the end-point assessment.
What happens after I qualify?
On completion you undertake the SRA Character & Suitability test and, once passed, are admitted as a qualified solicitor with the same status as anyone who qualified through the university route.
Four steps from day one to qualified.
You're on payroll, we get you funded
You're already employed in a UK legal practice. As an approved training provider, we arrange the funding. If you're aged 16 to 21, or 22 to 24 with an education, health and care (EHC) plan or care-leaver status, the government funds training and assessment up to the £27,000 funding band.
Prepare for SQE1 across Years 1 & 2
Personalised coaching, practice assessments and workshops covering both FLK1 (Business, Legal Services, Dispute Resolution) and FLK2 (Property, Wills, Solicitors' Accounts, Criminal Practice).
Prepare for SQE2 in Year 3
Focus on the practical skills the SQE2 tests. Advocacy, client interviewing, case analysis, written advice, legal research and drafting.
Qualify as a solicitor
Sit SQE2 as your end-point assessment. Pass the SRA Character & Suitability test and you're admitted as a qualified solicitor with the same status as anyone who took the university route.
Your legal career starts here.
Register your interest and our team will walk you through funding, eligibility and your start date. It takes two minutes.