For Students

• 6.5 years duration, with January and September start dates
• 80% work (on-the-job), 20% study and training (off-the-job)
• Online study of legal foundation subjects and skills modules
• The opportunity to achieve a Qualifying Law Degree in Legal Practice and Skills
• Skills Coach visits to support your progress and help you build a work-based portfolio
• Complete weekly submitted tasks and receive feedback from a University of Law subject tutor
• Working towards the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), Parts 1 & 2
• Upon successful completion, subject to SRA Character & Suitability test, become a qualified solicitor

Year 1

Semester 1: Common Law Method and Ethics
Semester 2: Public Law
Semester 3: Law of Contract

Year 2

Semester 1: Law of Tort
Semester 2: Criminal Law
Semester 3: Critical Approaches in Current Legal Issues

Year 3

Semester 1: Land Law
Semester 2: Real Estate
Semester 3: Business Law 1

Year 4

Semester 1: Equity and Trusts
Semester 1 and 2: Access to Justice and Legal Services
Semester 2: Criminal Litigation and Evidence
Semester 3: Civil Dispute Resolution

Year 5

Semester 1: Business Law 2
Semester 1 and 2: Wills and Succession
Semester 2: SQE1 Preparation - Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 2
Semester 3: Skills Portfolio and FLK 2

Year 6

Semester 1: SQE1 Preparation - FLK 1, SQE 1 Bootcamp and Examination
Semester 2: SQE2 Preparation and Examination
Semester 3: LLM Key Practice Areas

Entry Requirements

• 3 A Levels at Grade C or above, or equivalent*
• 5 GCSEs, including Maths and English, or equivalent, at Grade C/4 or above

Note: Employers may set their own entry criteria. Consult the specific employer for their criteria.

As apprentices have employed status you must have the right to permanently live and work in the UK. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas.

^{*Please contact us to discuss acceptable equivalent qualifications.}

Assessment

A range of assessment methods will be used, including:

• Exams: Two hours, ten multiple choice questions and two long-form questions
• Coursework: Essay, project report or portfolio
• Oral presentation
• In Year 5 & 6 apprentices will undertake Solicitor Qualification Examinations which are set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. More information can be found here.

Note: Employers can set their own entry criteria. Consult the specific employer for their criteria.

As apprentices have employed status you must have the right to permanently live and work in the UK. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas.

^{*Please contact us to discuss acceptable equivalent qualifications.}

How to Apply

All apprenticeship vacancies are created by employers.

You can register with ULaw to be updated as soon as any of our client employers have a new apprenticeship opportunity.

Please note you must apply to an employer and be successful through their recruitment process. You cannot apply directly to the University.

All apprenticeship vacancies are usually advertised on the National Apprenticeship Service website.

Can I join the solicitor apprenticeship, if I have a law degree/LPC?

If you already possess a bachelor’s degree in any subject at 2.2 or above, you could be eligible for one of our two Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship programmes. See more detail below. If you hold an LPC you are ineligible for a solicitor or graduate solicitor apprenticeship.

Am I eligible for a solicitor apprenticeship if I have a non-law degree?

Non-law graduates are eligible. Funding rules permit apprentices to undertake an apprenticeship at the same or lower level than a qualification they already hold, if the apprenticeship will allow the individual to acquire substantial new skills, and you can evidence that the content of the training is materially different from any prior qualification or a previous apprenticeship. However, you may wish to consider the shorter Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship with Law Essentials. Please see below for more details, or contact us for advice on your specific circumstances.

What if my qualifications don’t match the stated criteria for a solicitor apprenticeship?

Acceptable alternatives to A Levels can include, for example, completion of Paralegal Level 3 apprenticeship (or similar vocational apprenticeship), a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma), or the International Baccalaureate

Do I have to pay for books and materials during my solicitor apprenticeship?

All learning materials are provided within the cost paid by your employer. This includes access to all online study materials and digital books.

What additional support is provided during my solicitor apprenticeship?

As well as a designated Skills Coach, you will have access to Student Welfare Services and all of our campus facilities at your nearest allocated ULaw campus.

In order to obtain a solicitor apprenticeship role, will I have to attend an assessment centre?

This depends on the recruitment criteria of specific employers.. Typically, employers receive a lot of applications and the recruitment process may involve an initial screening of applications, video call or telephone interviews, an assessment centre, and then shortlisting for final interview.

Will I be working full-time and will I have to study in my own time during my Solicitor Apprenticeship?

Most apprentices are employed full-time but 20% of the time spent on the apprenticeship needs to be dedicated to off-the-job study and learning. If your employer employs you part-time then it is still possible to undertake an apprenticeship, but the length of the apprenticeship will be increased.

The Solicitor Apprenticeship requires at least a full day’s study each week. We will agree with your employer which day suits best. Time will also need to be scheduled for webinars and face-to-face sessions.

Compared to full-time university study, is a Solicitor Apprenticeship an easier option?

Not at all. Undertaking an apprenticeship is a worthwhile challenge which enables you to study whilst also gaining practical work experience and skills, but it also requires resilience, organisation and self-discipline.

Can I still join the Solicitor Apprenticeship programme if I have lost my exam certificates?

If you completed your GCSEs or A Levels in the last 30 years you should be able to request a copy of your certificate from the exam board. If you undertook O Level or CSE examinations, or your secondary school studies were undertaken outside the UK, you may have to undertake a basic functional skills test to confirm you have the appropriate Maths and English skills to enter the programme. Please contact us at the address below to discuss your situation.

What is a typical solicitor apprenticeship salary?

This depends on the employer. Typical salaries range from £15,000-£25,000 per annum depending on experience and the employer’s circumstances. The current National Minimum Wage for an apprentice is available here. This rate applies to apprentices under 19 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. Apprentices must be paid at least the minimum wage rate for their age if they are aged 19 or over and have completed their first year. Apprentices are paid for their normal working hours and training that’s part of their apprenticeship (usually one day per week).

• Part-time (2 years, 3 months) and full-time (2 years, 9 months) study options
• 80% work (on-the-job), 20% study and training (off-the-job)
• Online study of legal foundation subjects and skills modules
• Skills Coach visits to check on your progress and build a work-based portfolio
• Complete weekly submitted tasks and receive feedback from a University of Law subject tutor
• Prepares student for the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations, Parts 1 & 2
• Students will have access to the ULaw SQE revision app
• Upon successful completion, subject to SRA Character & Suitability test, become a qualified lawyer
• This apprenticeship prepares students for day 1 as a qualified solicitor. There is a particular focus on the skills of Interviewing, Advocacy, Case and Matter Analysis, Legal Research, Legal Writing and Drafting. Many other different skills and competencies are also developed through the programme.

Year 1

SQE 1
Functioning Legal Knowledge 1 (Business, Legal Services, Dispute Resolution)
Functioning Legal Knowledge 2 (Property Law and Practice, Wills, Solicitors’ Accounts, Criminal Practice)

Year 2

Client Interviewing
Advocacy/persuasive oral communication
Case and matter analysis
Legal research and written advice
Drafting
Plus portfolio of work completed throughout training and optional modules

Do I need a law degree to join a Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship?

This is open to anyone holding a UK Bachelor's degree in Law at 2.2 or above or equivalent qualifications. Please contact us to discuss acceptable equivalent qualifications. Note: Employers can set their own entry criteria and may require a 2.1 or higher. Please consult with the specific employer for their criteria.

What additional support is provided during a Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship?

As well as a designated Skills Coach, you will have access to student welfare services and all of our campus facilities, including the library, at your nearest allocated ULaw campus.

In order to obtain a Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship role will I have to attend an assessment centre?

This depends on the recruitment criteria of specific employers. Typically, employers receive a high volume of applications and the recruitment process may involve an initial screening of applications, video or telephone interviews, an assessment centre, then shortlisting for final interview.

Will I be working full-time and studying in my own time during the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship?

Study of knowledge modules can be undertaken either via block delivery or day release. This will depend on the employer’s requirements. Please discuss with each employer for their chosen study pattern. On the day-release programme you will have protected study time during your working day to complete your studies

Can I still join the Solicitor Apprenticeship programme if I have lost my exam certificates?

If you completed your GCSEs or A Levels in the last 30 years you should be able to request a copy of your certificate from the exam board. If you undertook O Level or CSE examinations, or your secondary school studies were undertaken outside the UK, you may have to undertake a basic functional skills test to confirm you have the appropriate Maths and English skills to enter the programme. Please contact us at the address below to discuss your situation.

Compared to full-time postgraduate study, is this an easier option?

Not at all. Undertaking an apprenticeship is a worthwhile challenge which enables you to study whilst also gaining practical qualifying work experience and skills, but also requires resilience, organisation, and self-discipline.

What is a typical Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship salary?

This depends on the employer. Please consult with the specific employer. Note: apprentices are paid for their normal working hours and training that’s part of their apprenticeship (usually one day per week).