The Student Room Group

Solicitor apprenticeship

Hi, as a year 12 I’m wondering when I should be applying for solicitor apprenticeships.
I know applications open dec-feb but should I be applying in 2025 or 2026?

I will be doing my a levels in 2026 but I am unsure if I need to apply a year early or not.

Thanks.
Original post by jaedanim
Hi, as a year 12 I’m wondering when I should be applying for solicitor apprenticeships.
I know applications open dec-feb but should I be applying in 2025 or 2026?
I will be doing my a levels in 2026 but I am unsure if I need to apply a year early or not.
Thanks.

Solicitor apprenticeships will only be open to applicants in Year 13 (and depending on the firm, sometimes also those who have already completed A levels). Different firms open applications at different times, but expect to be applying for solicitor apprenticeships around the same time most people are submitting their UCAS applications and potentially after the UCAS deadline too. You should pay close attention to the start date of the apprenticeship and ensure that it will start in 2026 after your A level results come out (typically most start in September).
Law firms open Degree apprenticeship applications from September and most are closed by end of April to start in the coming September in line with the academic year. This is very difficult time to be applying as you will also be in your final year of A-Level study.

I recommend you start now to thoroughly research law firms in advance so you are fully prepared for the next window Sep-Dec 2025 to start Sep 2026. This gives you a lot more time and you can still concentrate on your mocks & finals in 2026 as you will already have done a lot of application prep in advance.
Also try to get involved in some type of voluntary legal work or work experience at a local solicitors (making the tea or photocopying) or go to local court and sit in on some sessions if possible - it shows your commitment to the sector and gives your application a boost.
Original post by Bookworm784
Law firms open Degree apprenticeship applications from September and most are closed by end of April to start in the coming September in line with the academic year. This is very difficult time to be applying as you will also be in your final year of A-Level study.
I recommend you start now to thoroughly research law firms in advance so you are fully prepared for the next window Sep-Dec 2025 to start Sep 2026. This gives you a lot more time and you can still concentrate on your mocks & finals in 2026 as you will already have done a lot of application prep in advance.
Also try to get involved in some type of voluntary legal work or work experience at a local solicitors (making the tea or photocopying) or go to local court and sit in on some sessions if possible - it shows your commitment to the sector and gives your application a boost.

i'd echo this, especially the prepare beforehand part. as someone who applied last cycle, putting together applications is very time-consuming, especially if you plan to apply to more than 2-3. i wish i had put together research earlier as well as possible answers to questions which pop up all the time such as why law/apprenticeship/this firm. you'll have more time to refine your answers to make them perfect, which is important now that solicitor apprenticeships' popularity is very much on the rise i.e more competition

also, whilst legal work experience is great, non-legal experience can be just as valuable (just depends on what you can pick out from the experience) so don't put too much pressure on trying to acquire legal work experience.

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