What is a law apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship in law is a practical, work-based route into your chosen career. You will gain the qualifications and skills to work in the field while earning a salary and not paying tuition fees.
There are 24 different areas of legal practice, including environmental, criminal, employment, and human rights law, to name a few.
Career opportunities from a law apprenticeship
An apprenticeship in the industry can lead to a range of careers, including a:
Podcast: Law and legal studies apprenticeships
Listen to our brand new podcast all about degree apprenticeships in law. Find out about funding, what day-to-day life is like, making friends, and more from our expert panel.A day in the life of a Solicitor apprentice
Rumaysah is a solicitor degree apprentice at Eversheds Sutherland.
£21,024
The recommended salary for a solicitor apprentice
The Law Society, correct as of December 2022
24
The number of different types of law you can practise
The University of LawThe University of Law
At the end of my apprenticeship, I’ll be in the same position as other graduates but with six years’ experience actually working at a law firm. This route doesn’t take any longer to qualify, but if I’d gone to university, I’d only have two years’ work experience at the end.
The applications that stand out are the ones that demonstrate motivational qualities and show us real-life experiences not necessarily related to legal. You can gauge a person’s strengths from previous experiences in part-time jobs or school or college.
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Pros and considerations
Pros
- You’ll gain a significant amount of work experience.
- You can make a difference to people's lives.
- You get to interact with clients directly.
Considerations
- It requires lots of commitment and long hours.
- You might have to deal with stressful situations.
- Roles carry a lot of responsibility.
Who would suit a law and legal apprenticeship?
You might be interested in a law apprenticeship if you:
- are interested in justice and the legal process
- want to make a difference to peoples’ lives and the world around you
- think you could argue strong cases
You might be a good fit for a law apprenticeship if you:
- can construct a good argument
- have good attention to detail
- are a logical thinker
- are motivated and driven
- can work to deadlines
Rumaysah shares her top tips for securing an apprenticeship in law and legal studies.
Find employers offering law apprenticeships
Find employers offering apprenticeships, including Dentons, KPMG, Kennedys, and more.
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FAQs about law and legal apprenticeships
How do legal apprenticeships work?
An apprenticeship is an opportunity to work and study at the same time. You spend most of your time doing on-the-job training, and the rest is spent working towards a qualification. You get paid a salary and get dedicated study time throughout the week.
Apprenticeships are available at a range of levels depending on the type you do.
How long is an apprenticeship in the sector?
The length of your apprenticeship depends on the level you’re taking. For example, a solicitor degree apprenticeship takes six years to complete.
What qualifications do you need?
Entry requirements are different depending on the role you’re interested in. For a solicitor degree apprenticeship, you will likely need GCSEs and A levels (or equivalent), but you need to look at the specific vacancies.
Remember, it’s not all about qualifications. Employers will be looking for passion, drive, and logical thinking.
What is the salary for an apprentice in the sector?
The salary varies depending on the role you’re interested in, and every employer will pay differently. You will be paid at least the minimum wage of £4.81 per hour, but many employers offer more than this. You’ll need to have a look at some vacancies to get an idea of what the salary would be.
The best part of the apprenticeship is you learn the theory one day then take it to the office and put it into practice the next. That really makes the information sink in and stick. You’re also surrounded by very smart people, and if you’re open and ask questions, you can learn a lot from them.
Search for law apprenticeships
Want to see what vacancies are out there or ready to apply? Use our Career Finder tool to search for your perfect apprenticeship.
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