Apprenticeships allow law firms to support talented young people with a desire to begin their career in law.
If you want to pursue a legal career but the university route isn’t for you, a legal apprenticeship is a fantastic alternative.
Legal apprenticeships are routes into the legal profession that involve working and studying concurrently. Many of our member law firms offer apprenticeship opportunities. Below you will find details for those that are open for applications now or in the coming months.
Most apprenticeships start in September, with application windows in the previous Autumn, so do come back regularly for application updates.
A&O Shearman
We believe talented and ambitious people will always thrive with the right investment and support. With our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme, we are giving you the opportunity to gain the qualifications and experience to excel in a leading law firm.
Across the six-year programme you will gain experience across our legal departments including time in our Banking, Corporate, International Capital Markets and Litigation Departments. Each year, you’ll gain a wide variety of experience but with the security of a training principal to guide you, with further opportunities for secondments in years 5 and 6.
Applications now open.
Applications close: Wednesday 18 February 2026 5pm
Ashurst
Ashurst’s structured Solicitor Apprenticeship programme gives you the opportunity to kick-start your career as a solicitor by gaining hands-on legal work experience whilst earning a salary, alongside studying part time with The University of Law.
Applications now open.
Applications close: Friday 13 February 2026
Bird and Bird
Our Solicitor Apprenticeship is a Level 7 qualification combining study with work to allow you to qualify as a solicitor without incurring student debt often associated with attending university. You’ll learn on-the-job at our London office, alongside a small cohort of solicitor apprentices, while studying for one day a week at the University of Law to obtain an LLB Law degree and complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE). At the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll be a qualified solicitor.
Applications now open.
Applications close: Friday 30 January 2026. We operate rolling recruitment, which means we screen applications as they are received, rather than after our deadline. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Farrer & Co
A solicitor apprenticeship at Farrer & Co is an exciting alternative to university, offering a unique opportunity to earn a salary while gaining practical legal experience and qualifying as a solicitor. This six-year Level 7 programme combines on-the-job training with structured academic study, equipping you with the skills and qualifications to excel in the legal profession.
Applications now open.
Applications close: Sunday 15 February 2026
Freshfields
Freshfields’ Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme offers an exciting opportunity for school leavers to begin their legal career at a world-leading law firm while earning a degree and qualifying as a solicitor. This six-year programme combines practical, on-the-job experience with academic study through a partnership with BPP University.
As an apprentice, you’ll be embedded in the firm from day one—working alongside experienced lawyers, contributing to real client matters, and rotating through different legal departments. You’ll also receive structured support, including mentoring, training, and pastoral care, to help you grow both professionally and personally.
What makes Freshfields’ programme unique is the depth of exposure to high-profile international work, the inclusive and collaborative culture, and the long-term investment in your development.
Applications now open.
Applications close: Friday 13 February 2026
Hogan Lovells
You’ll start your journey to becoming an exceptional lawyer by joining our six year programme of work and study. You will spend one day per week at university, studying for your degree and then legal qualification (SQE) and four days putting the theory into practice in the office.
Applications now open.
Applications close: Saturday 28 February 2026
Irwin Mitchell
Our Solicitor Apprenticeship lets you train to become a solicitor and get valuable experience at a top UK law firm – all while earning a salary. You’ll be fully qualified at the end of six years with a real head start on a legal career. During the apprenticeship, you’ll get a mix of practical, work-based learning and formal academic study.
You’ll gain valuable, real-life experience in the UK’s largest full service law firm, enhancing your legal and commercial understanding and growing your confidence in a work environment. It’s the ideal opportunity to benefit from an exciting new world of work and study while avoiding the costs usually associated with doing a degree.
Applications now open
Applications close: Tuesday 17 February 2026
Lewis Silkin
If you’re passionate about a career in law, and want to get started by gaining genuine legal experience, working alongside lawyers who are specialists in their field – then a solicitor apprenticeship may be the route for you. Unlike a traditional law degree, apprentices get the chance to obtain practical, hands-on experience, and develop research, negotiation and client-service skills.
As an apprentice at Lewis Silkin, you’ll spend four days a week with us, and one day a week studying with your apprenticeship education provider. By the end of the apprenticeship you’ll have earned your Law LLB University degree, gained six years of experience, and be a fully qualified solicitor through the SQE route.
Applications now open
Applications close: Tuesday 17 February 2026
Norton Rose
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to develop to their full potential, which is why we have launched our 6 year Apprenticeship Programme in our London office. Whether university isn’t the right choice for you or you are keen to start working straight away, our Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme gives you to a great alternative route to qualify as a Solicitor.
Applications now open.
Applications close: Sunday 22 February 2026
Stephenson Harwood
Our solicitor apprenticeship offers you an exciting opportunity to work on deals with international clients while also studying and working towards a level 7 solicitor apprenticeship standard.
Applications now open.
Applications close: Friday 30 January 2026 at 10am
Trowers & Hamlins
We couldn’t be more excited to expand our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme this year. The programme offers hands-on experience, expert mentorship, and a path to a law degree and qualification as a solicitor, empowering a new generation to excel within the legal profession.
Our four UK offices — Birmingham, Exeter, London and Manchester — are each offering two spots for apprentices on the programme, which means you can start your career closer to home.
Applications now open.
Applications close: Friday 20 February 2026
CMS
On our six-year Solicitor Apprenticeship programme, you will be enrolled onto a law degree in Legal Practice and Skills (LLB) at the University of Law at a location appropriate to your apprenticeship. Following successful completion of your LLB you will sit your Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE). One day per week will be dedicated to your study, with the remainder of your week spent working at CMS.
Applications open: Monday 9 February 2026
Gowling WLG
A Gowling WLG legal apprenticeship offers you the chance to earn a recognised legal qualification while gaining valuable work experience in an international, sector-focused law firm. We’ve designed our programme to provide you with hands-on experience, the chance to develop your legal skills, and the support of a collaborative team. With us, you’re not just learning; you’re growing, thriving, and becoming part of something bigger.
Applications open: Monday 9 February 2026
Addleshaw Goddard
Kick start your career by gaining invaluable work experience in a top law firm whilst studying towards a recognised qualification.
We recognise that university is not for everyone and welcome a pathway that acknowledges a different approach to kick start your career. Earn a salary from day one and build your skills and knowledge with experienced reputable professionals. Our Apprenticeship Schemes provide individuals with invaluable work experience in an award winning premium law firm.
Applications for 2026 are now closed.
Please check back in the Autumn of 2026 for details of our 2027 programme.
Broadfield
At Broadfield, we strive to be your trusted advisors in navigating the complexities of law across various sectors and jurisdictions. As a transformative international law firm, we are setting new standards in the middle market with exceptional quality at our forefront.
On our six year Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship programme you can become a qualified solicitor by completing a law degree and passing the Solicitors Qualifying Exams, with Broadfield covering all of your tuition and assessment fees.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Fladgate
As a solictor apprentice at Fladgate, you will gain hands-on experience working alongside industry leading fee-earners whilst simultaneously completing a fully funded law degree at the University of Law. A comprehensive induction will ensure solicitor apprentices are fully immersed into their new role at Fladgate. There will also be regular training provided and informative sessions to stay up to date on any legislative changes.
We recruit up to 6 apprentices every two years. Applications for our 2026 programme are now closed. We will most likely begin recruitment for our 2028 intake in the Autumn of 2027.
Osborne Clarke
Our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme is a fantastic opportunity to gain a law degree (LLB) and qualify as a solicitor whilst working in a leading international legal practice.
The Solicitor Apprenticeship is a 6 year level 7 programme, which combines practical work-based learning with formal study towards an LLB (Hons) in Legal Practice at BPP University Law School (BPP).
Application dates for 2026 to be confirmed.
Weightmans
Our solicitor degree apprenticeship is an alternative to full time university, and those student loans and fees! The programme is for aspiring solicitors with a passion for law who have completed, or are in the process of completing, their A-levels.
A solicitor apprenticeship is a paid role which includes a six-year training programme and leads to qualification as solicitor upon completion. You will gain a level 7 apprenticeship award, a qualifying law degree (LLB) and the solicitors qualifying examinations (SQE), alongside work experience.
Applications for 2026 are now closed.
Please check back in the Autumn of 2026 for details of our 2027 programme.
