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United Kingdom · Professional exam

SQE apprenticeships: qualifying as a solicitor while you work

A solicitor apprenticeship lets you qualify in England while you’re employed, and the SRA says the training and Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) costs are paid through the apprenticeship levy. From January 2026, government funding for new apprentices is limited to people aged 21 and under, with some exceptions. The full apprenticeship takes five to six years from A levels, and a graduate version takes two to three. SQE apprenticeships aren’t currently available in Wales.

  • 5 to 6 yearsTrailblazer apprenticeship, from A levels
  • 2 to 3 yearsGraduate apprenticeship
  • 20%Training away from the office, at least
Where to study

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What kinds of SQE apprenticeships are there?

A trailblazer apprenticeship starts after A levels. A graduate apprenticeship needs a level 6 degree first.

In both, the SQE training and assessment costs are paid through the apprenticeship levy, at least 20% of the training happens away from the office (for example one day a week), and your time as an apprentice counts as your qualifying work experience. You still have to pass both parts of the SQE and meet the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA’s) suitability requirements.

Some employers take on people who already have a law degree, the Legal Practice Course or a level 3 paralegal apprenticeship, and they may not need the full five to six years.

How the SQE fits into an apprenticeship

SQE1 is part of the assessment during the programme, and SQE2 is the end-point assessment, taken once the employer and training provider confirm you’ve met the gateway requirements. Completing the apprenticeship, a level 7 qualification, meets the degree and work experience requirements. Skills England’s solicitor standard (ST0246) is level 7 with a typical length of 72 months, and a revised assessment plan applies to apprentices starting from 1 May 2026.

Apprentices don’t register with the SRA when they start. They register on the SQE website to book assessments, and with the SRA when they apply for admission. There’s no time limit between finishing the apprenticeship and applying.

SQE2 →

Entry requirements and who gets funded

Employers set their own entry requirements. The recommended minimum for a trailblazer apprenticeship is:

  • 5 GCSEs, including maths and English, at grade C or above, or grade 4 or above from 2017 onwards
  • 3 A levels, or equivalent, at grade C or above

From January 2026, government funding for level 7 solicitor apprenticeships is limited to people aged 21 and under, those starting aged 16 to 25 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan or are care leavers, and existing apprentices.

How solicitor apprentices do in the SQE

In the SRA’s January 2026 report, around 71% of apprentices who took SQE1 had passed it and 93% of those who took SQE2, against 66% and 85% across all candidates. Apprentices made up 5.7% of first-attempt SQE1 candidates and 6.3% of SQE2 candidates up to April 2025.

SQE pass rates by sitting →
Sources: SRA · Skills England and 3 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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