Apprenticeships: taking a different path to a law qualification

There’s more than one way to qualify as a lawyer. If you opt to take a law apprenticeship, you’ll earn your qualifications and get paid to build up work experience along the way. 

We spoke to an apprentice solicitor, Annabel Cunningham, to get her thoughts and advice on securing a place and what to expect from day-to-day life as a legal apprentice.

If you’re set on a legal career but don’t fancy waiting years to start working and earning money, a law apprenticeship could be the answer. Legal apprentices combine paid work at a law firm with studying towards their qualification – with their tuition fees covered by their employer. 

Annabel is currently completing a level 7 solicitor apprenticeship with The University of Law at international law firm CMS. With the apprenticeship she has chosen, she will ultimately earn a degree and become a qualified solicitor. 

“I completed my A-levels in 2020 and secured an offer to read law at the University of Exeter after receiving A*A*A on results day,” says Annabel. 

“However, several weeks into my degree, I decided to withdraw from university after discovering the apprenticeship route, which offered the opportunity to obtain my degree, earn a competitive salary, gain practical experience and establish myself in the legal profession early on.” 

Annabel’s apprenticeship is a six-year programme, which covers 80% paid work and 20% study and training. The training side of this apprenticeship is split into two main elements, where four years are spent working towards a qualifying law degree in legal practice and skills and a further two years working towards completing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

Whereas you would go through Ucas to apply for a university place, the process of applying for an apprenticeship is different. For a legal apprenticeship, you’ll apply directly to the law firm and go through their recruitment process.

Law firms will advertise their apprenticeships. To find these you can check the websites of those firms, or register your interest with a qualification provider such as The University of Law to receive updates.

Annabel has some useful tips for hunting down law apprenticeships. “A great place to start is the National Apprenticeship Service website, where many apprenticeship vacancies are advertised,” she says.

“Beyond that, I would recommend looking at ‘early careers’ or ‘recruitment’ sections on law firm websites to learn more about the delivery of the programme and details of the application process and contacting their early talent teams directly with any queries.

“Finally, keep your eyes peeled for solicitor apprenticeship events and conferences run by employers and educational providers to discover more, ask any burning questions and speak to current apprentices or other future applicants.”

As law firms handle recruitment for legal apprentices themselves, the ins and outs of the application process will vary depending on the firm. 

For some vacancies, applicants will be asked to send a CV and cover letter while others may have their own online form to fill out. 

It’s likely that candidates will be asked along to one or more interviews, and an assessment centre day. 

For Annabel, it was important to be organised in her application. “The application process and opening/closing dates vary for each law firm, so research is key,” she says. 

“I kept all the important information in a centralised place and used colours to track deadlines and progress of my applications, which I found really helpful.

“For some general advice, remember the three ‘P’s: planning, preparation and practise. Plan answers to written applications, prepare for interviews and assessment centres, and practise the Watson Glaser test (or other psychometric tests).”

There’s no set programme that all law firms follow for legal apprenticeships, so the nitty-gritty of day-to-day life will differ. The one thing they all have in common – it will definitely be varied. 

As well as learning about each practice area, apprentices will pick up the kind of transferable soft skills that university students are less likely to experience – things like meeting clients and answering emails. 

The variety is something that Annabel particularly enjoys. “At CMS, solicitor apprentices experience at least eight different seats/departments, including secondment opportunities. 

“My day job varies enormously, which is the beauty of the solicitor apprenticeship programme and a career in law. Daily tasks can range from document drafting, attending meetings, liaising with clients/colleagues/third parties and conducting research.” 

Just don’t expect to be a dogsbody. “My role does not include making the teas and coffees!” says Annabel. 

Alongside working and studying, apprentices will also have the chance to join any extra activities that the firm offers – and many have an impressive variety. 

“Opportunities to get involved with sport, social groups and diversity and inclusion networks exist within CMS,” says Annabel.

And so to the burning question: how much do law apprentices get paid?

Again, this varies – although all apprentices are entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage. From April 2023, this stands at £5.28 per hour for apprentices under 19 and those over 19 in their first year. 

Those who have finished their first year and are 19 or over are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age group. 

Having said that, plenty of law firms pay significantly over the National Minimum Wage, and salaries could be higher depending on location.

The qualification you receive at the end of your apprenticeship will differ depending on the particular programme you’re on. 

For those on the level 7 solicitor apprenticeship, it culminates in the SQE so they will be able to practise as a fully qualified solicitor on completion. 

For Annabel, that means building on everything she’s learned so far. “After I complete the apprenticeship programme, I will be a qualified solicitor (hooray!) and hope to continue gaining experience and knowledge, growing my network, and advocating the apprenticeship route.”

Find out more about legal apprenticeships at The University of Law here.

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