Seemingly unbothered by the torrential rain of 2026, school students from all over London and Surrey flocked to Sandown Park Racecourse last week for the National Apprenticeship Show.
Future Lawyers joined over 30 other exhibitors, including Pfizer, Mercedes Benz, LadBible, British Airways and the Metropolitan Police at the London & South east event.
For two action-packed days, the Future Lawyers stand was crowded with students – some as young as 14! – eager to learn about the different routes into a career in law.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, there was a lack of awareness about the solicitor apprenticeship, with many students we spoke to unaware of the existence of a route to becoming a lawyer without having to go to university.
To recap, a solicitor apprenticeship is six years long, with apprentices going to work at a law firm straight after finishing their A-Levels. During the six years, apprentices study for a qualifying law degree, SQE1 and SQE2, and complete a period of qualifying work experience (QWE) before ultimately receiving the solicitor title.
Most of the students we spoke to baulked at the idea of spending six years doing an apprenticeship. In reality, however, this can sometimes be a quicker way to qualify as a solicitor than going to university. For example, a university student (for whom everything goes smoothly) could spend three years studying an LLB law degree, at least one year doing prep courses for and passing SQE1 and 2, plus another two years of qualifying work experience in a law firm (six years total).
With apprenticeship salaries starting at around £25,000 (in London), rising to around £40-60,000 by the end of the six years, jumping straight into the workplace is an attractive career choice. What’s more, the employer law firm covers the costs of the degree and SQE, and the apprentice avoids amassing mountains of student debt. Solicitor apprenticeships appear to be a financial no-brainer.
Despite the fiscal benefits, many students we spoke to were still on the fence as to whether to choose university over apprenticeships. There’s no doubt that going to university is an enriching experience, which offers much more than just academics. Students leave having learnt independence, gained incomparable life experiences and having made life-long friendships.
The Future Lawyers team was often asked which route is best: apprenticeship or university? The answer: it completely depends on the student and their individual circumstances. But with rising student debts now making daily headlines, there’s no doubt that a solicitor apprenticeship deserves some serious consideration.
Beyond the university issue, there were also some questions the team got asked over and over again. We’ve answered them below:
Q: Which A-Level subjects should I study if I want to do a solicitor apprenticeship?
A: Law firms aren’t usually too prescriptive about which subjects candidates (whether apprentices or graduates) should study. Having said that, there are certain subjects which lend themselves well to a career in law.
When deciding, think about which subjects will allow you to practise skills such as essay writing, researching and analysing. English Literature, History, Politics, Economics, Modern Languages and Business Studies have always been popular subjects for solicitor hopefuls.
Increasingly, law firms are also looking for students from scientific backgrounds. Sciences and mathematics are looked upon favourably.
Whilst studying law at A-Level can be useful and a good way to get an insight into the legal profession, it is not a requirement for a legal apprenticeship or to study law at university level.
Q: What A-Level grades do I need to achieve to get a solicitor apprenticeship?
A: The answer to this question varies from firm to firm but is typically around ABB/BBB (or equivalent). Please contact individual law firms if you are unsure how other qualifications such as BTEC translate to their criteria.
If you feel that you have mitigating circumstances and won’t achieve the grades required, make sure to include this in the appropriate place on the firm’s application form. Alternatively, contact a member of the early careers recruitment team directly to explain your situation.
Q: How can I make my solicitor apprenticeship application stand out?
A: As with training contract applications/any applications for legal jobs, you need to show the firm that you understand what makes them different from their competitors.
Law firms look very similar on paper, so you need to show that you’ve done your research and drilled down a bit deeper to understand why the firm you’re applying to is different.
What is their specialist practice area/what are they known for? Which areas are they trying to grow? Have they expanded recently? Have you read about their deals or cases in the press? You can also read guides such as Future Lawyers to get an idea of what the culture is like.
You also need to find a way to show the law firm that you are and will remain committed to them for the duration of the apprenticeship. Six years is a long time, particularly for an 18-year-old! The firm wants to know that you’re in it for the long haul.
Try to apply this to your previous achievements or some other aspect of your life, e.g. have you held down a part-time job for a prolonged period of time, or is there a hobby you’ve been pursuing for a number of years?
Show some understanding of the legal industry. Law firms won’t expect an 18-year-old to be an expert on all things law and the wider business world, but they will want to know that you understand the industry you’re getting into and how it operates. Read the business pages of newspapers and keep an eye on the news. The law is everywhere!
Check out our apprenticeship section to find out more.