A-level results day: apprenticeships provide alternative to university for aspiring lawyers

It’s A-level results day and the good news is that whatever your results, there is a whole range of options open to you beyond the traditional university route if you are considering a career in law.

Legal apprenticeships are now an established alternative way to train as a lawyer without having to incur the large amounts of debt that university tuition fees and maintenance loans entail for most people. Instead, a legal apprenticeship allows you to earn while you learn by combining vocational study with paid, on-the-job training with a law firm, public sector body or commercial employer. A wide range of law firms offer apprenticeships and they have been joined by Freshfields, which has become the first firm in the prestigious ‘magic circle’ to launch its own apprenticeship programme. Many county councils are now providing apprenticeship-based paths into careers within their legal teams, while other employers include the BBC, whose legal apprenticeship programme is now in its third year.

An apprenticeship is not a second-class career path compared to studying law at university. The solicitor apprenticeship route has made it possible for an apprentice to qualify as a solicitor within six to seven years of finishing their A levels, with the opportunity to gain a law degree and law master’s in the process – and without having to worry about huge fees. Meanwhile, there are also apprenticeship pathways for those interested in the paralegal sector or administrative and secretarial careers.

Apprenticeships are going from strength to strength and this is only going to continue, with the government’s new apprenticeship levy making it compulsory for all firms and companies with a payroll of over £3 million to allocate funds for their own apprenticeship programmes. Meanwhile, public sector organisations are now expected to ensure that at least 2.3% of their workforces are apprentices. This means that you can start your career as an apprentice with confidence that your employer will be committed to helping you to progress and thrive.  

CILEx Law School is one of the main training provides working with law firms and other employers to deliver legal apprenticeships. Jenny Pelling, business director at CILEx Law School, comments: “If you're having second thoughts about going away to university after getting your A-level results today, it's not too late to consider earning as you learn instead. There are still legal apprenticeship opportunities for this September. Cubism Law, for example, is recruiting now for up to six solicitor apprentices in London. As part of the apprenticeship, you would study for legal qualifications, including a law degree with City University and CILEx Law School, and become a solicitor after six years without you paying for the training. There are also paralegal and legal admin apprenticeships too, both of which are a good way of getting your first job in the law and developing from there. Some legal apprenticeships have starting salaries in London of £18,000. What a great opportunity to get into law without any student debt!”