Solicitor Apprenticeship
Qualify as a solicitor via the SQE route. Both SQE1 and SQE2 exams included, £27,000 government funding per learner, delivered by Datalaw. Funded for law graduates under 22.
The 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. This apprenticeship is only funded for learners under 22 on their start date.
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 pageUp to 100% funded. You pay nothing.
You must be under 22 before your first day of learning. DfE funding for this apprenticeship is restricted to under-22s. If you qualify, up to £27,000 is available per learner and both SQE1 and SQE2 exam costs are included.
Small firms (under 50 employees) also receive a £1,000 incentive payment when they hire an apprentice aged 16–21.
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?
Funding for this apprenticeship is only available for learners under 22 on their start date. Older graduates should look at the SQE routes outside of apprenticeship funding.
What does it cost me and my employer?
£0 to you. The DfE pays 95% of the learning costs. Your organisation pays the 5% co-investment. Up to £27,000 in funding is available per learner and both SQE1 and SQE2 exam costs are included.
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 draw down the DfE funding. Up to £27,000 per learner covers 95% of costs.
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.