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Solicitor Apprenticeships: Application information

Do you want to be a solicitor but don’t want to go to university, or didn’t have the opportunity to attend university? Maybe you have completed a law degree or conversion course and are looking for your first role in a law firm?

Ashtons Legal can offer an alternative route into law, giving you hands-on, practical experience from the start of your legal career.

As a solicitor apprentice, you will develop your skills and knowledge across different areas of law, while building strong commercial awareness. Both will prepare you well for when you enter the working world as a qualified lawyer.

Applications for September 2027 are now open. Apply now: Solicitor Apprenticeship Application. Applications close on 1 January 2027.

What is a Solicitor Apprenticeship?

A solicitor apprenticeship combines ‘work-based learning’ with part-time legal study. Approximately 20% of your week will be spent studying law theory at a university we partner with. The other 80% of your time will be spent working with partners and lawyers on active matters. As with all apprenticeships, you will be required to keep an up-to-date portfolio of examples of tasks you have undertaken to present as evidence for your qualification.

There are many benefits to choosing a solicitor apprenticeship. With a solicitor apprenticeship, you earn while you learn and gain practical experience from the start of your legal career, working with experienced partners and solicitors.

What is included in the Solicitor Apprenticeship?

As a solicitor apprentice, you can expect to gain experience across all practical areas of the law. You will draft legal documents, prepare for court hearings, sit in on client meetings, research different areas of the law, proofread legal documents, and much more.

The solicitor apprenticeship includes SQE training and assessments, and typically takes six years to complete.

What is the structure of a Solicitor Apprenticeship?

You will be assessed through both coursework and exams. You will undertake two SQE exams near the end of your six-year solicitor apprenticeship.

Throughout your solicitor apprenticeship, you will be required to put together a portfolio of the work you have been doing, which will be used as evidence when qualifying.

Who can apply for a Solicitor Apprenticeship?

A Solicitor Apprenticeship is open to those who have five GCSEs between A*-C (9-4), including English and Maths PLUS:

ABB at A level (128 UCAS points) or equivalent and
between 96–127 UCAS points PLUS a pass on the BPP Admissions test.

completion of another relevant level 3 apprenticeship programme.

How to apply

Applications for September 2027 are now open. Apply now: Solicitor Apprenticeship Application. Applications close on 1 January 2027.

Watch our Solicitor Apprenticeship Open Evening: Solicitor Apprenticeship Open Evening

Solicitor Apprenticeship FAQ

What is a solicitor apprenticeship?

A solicitor apprenticeship is a great combination of ‘work-based learning’ alongside part-time legal study. Approximately 20% of your week will consist of studying the theory for law at a university we partner with. The other 80% of your time will be spent working with partners and fee earners on active matters. As with all apprenticeships, you will be required to keep an up-to-date portfolio of various examples of tasks you have undertaken to present as evidence when it comes to your qualification. There are many benefits of choosing to do a legal apprenticeship. With a legal apprenticeship, you earn while you learn, and you will gain practical experience from the very beginning of your legal career, as well as working with experienced partners and solicitors.

Who can apply for a solicitor apprenticeship?

A Solicitor Apprenticeship is open to those who have five GCSEs between A*-C (9-4), including English and Maths PLUS:

ABB at A level (128 UCAS points) or equivalent and
between 96–127 UCAS points PLUS a pass on the BPP Admissions test.

completion of another relevant level 3 apprenticeship programme.

What kind of work can a solicitor apprentice expect to undertake?

As a solicitor apprentice you can expect to gain experience in all practical areas of the law. You will be drafting legal documents, preparing for court hearings, and sitting in on client meetings, researching different areas of the law, proofreading legal documents and much more.

What are the benefits of doing a solicitor apprenticeship?

There are many benefits of choosing to do a solicitor apprenticeship. These being: you earn while you learn, you do not find yourself with a massive debt to repay after university (the firm will pay for all of your legal study and books) you gain practical experience from the very beginning of your legal career, and you work with experienced partners and solicitors.

What is the examination process for qualification as a solicitor?

You will be examined both by coursework and exams. You will undertake two SQE exams near the end of your six-year solicitor apprenticeship. Throughout your solicitor apprenticeship, you will be required to put together a portfolio of the work you have been doing, which will be used as evidence when qualifying.

How long is a solicitor apprenticeship?

A solicitor apprenticeship lasts approximately six years from start to finish.