What is a law apprenticeship?
Law apprenticeships offer an alternative route into rewarding and varied careers. Read the guide to find out everything you need to know.
Law apprenticeships have become increasingly popular over the past few years – and it’s not hard to see why. Paralegal and solicitor apprenticeships offer a structured path to a rewarding law career. They enable you to work and study for your career at the same time, gaining practical experience while earning a salary.
If you’re considering a legal apprenticeship, read this guide to find out everything you need to know, including some top tips for your application. You’ll also learn what you can expect to do and earn as a legal apprentice.
Who can study a law apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships play a key role in widening participation in the law profession. They do this by removing barriers that have historically made accessing law careers difficult for many people. These barriers include the need for university qualifications, finances, or even the idea that lawyers must fit a certain stereotype.
Although it may be perceived that the majority of law apprenticeships are aimed at school leavers, those who are looking to change their career or those looking for an alternative to the university route may also wish to study an apprenticeship.
Find out how BPP students are smashing lawyer stereotypes.
What law apprenticeships are there?
There are a variety of legal apprenticeships, and these are fast becoming a popular way of entering the law profession.
At BPP, we train apprentices in three pathways:
As well as accessing a legal career, completing an apprenticeship will give you a qualification that represents your knowledge and experience. If you’re looking to gain a degree-level qualification through an apprenticeship, then a law degree apprenticeship such as the solicitor apprenticeship will be for you.
What do law apprentices do?
The role of a legal apprentice will vary between which apprenticeship route you take and whether you are working in a firm or in-house legal team. On average, you’ll work 30 hours per week and set aside 20% development time to complete your legal training. This may be studying face-to-face at your firm’s chosen education provider or studying online.
You can expect to complete a variety of tasks, including:
Drafting legal documents
Attending client meetings
Researching cases
Maintaining legal records
Attending court hearings
Communicating with clients
During your study time, you’ll learn the skills and knowledge you need to practice law.
Some of the transferrable skills you’ll pick up include:
Legal research
Legal writing and drafting
Communication
Negotiation
Advocacy
How long is a law apprenticeship?
Depending on which apprenticeship you pick, you could spend anywhere from 30-72 months working and training as an apprentice.
A full-time solicitor apprenticeship will take you 72 months to complete, at which point you will be a fully qualified solicitor. A full-time graduate solicitor apprenticeship, on the other hand, takes 30 months.
What is the average salary of a law apprentice?
The average salary of a legal apprentice is around £23,000. This will vary between different law firms or in-house legal departments and will often increase as you progress through the apprenticeship.
You’ll also have access to a variety of benefits offered by your employer, as well as avoiding large debts incurred from the university legal route.
Why study a law apprenticeship?
If you’re looking to pursue a career as a paralegal or solicitor, studying an apprenticeship offers many benefits. Apprenticeships are paid for by the employer, meaning you can avoid costly student debt while earning money as you train.
An apprenticeship also allows you to gain the skills and knowledge you need for your career in a working environment. You’ll have the opportunity to put what you learn into practice.
What grades do I need to study for a law apprenticeship?
Typically, those who are looking to study a legal apprenticeship will need five GCSEs including English and maths minimum C/4 or equivalent and three A-Levels minimum grade C. If you’re looking to apply for a graduate solicitor apprenticeship, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in law with a minimum grade of 2:1 or a pass in a law conversion course.
How to get a law apprenticeship
To apply for a legal apprenticeship, you’ll need to apply to an employer directly.
Careers within the legal sector are competitive, and apprenticeships are no different. Look at your CV and try to build up some legal experience that could strengthen your application. You could do this by applying for vacation schemes, internships, and work experience at law firms.
The application process for a law apprenticeship will vary based on the employer, but it’s always a good idea to ensure you research the company you’re applying to and tailor your CV/cover letter accordingly. That way you’ll show a keen interest in the firm you’re applying to.
Read the law firm application guide for more tips.
