Government Funded
Graduate Law Apprenticeship
Take the next step toward becoming a solicitor with our Graduate Law Apprenticeship (Level 7), designed specifically for those who already hold a law degree. This government funded apprenticeship includes the cost of SQE1 and SQE2 exams (£4,564) and comprehensive preparation courses worth over £7,200, making it an accessible and cost-effective route to qualification.
Defunding Date: January 2026. Get Your SQE Funded Whilst It’s Still Available!
Trusted Provider For Over 27,000 Professionals
Graduate Law Apprenticeship Overview
This 31-month Level 7 programme blends hands-on legal experience with structured academic learning, equipping future solicitors with the essential knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours needed to thrive in modern legal practice.
You’ll build confidence in key legal tasks such as meeting deadlines, managing confidential information, drafting legal documents, conducting in-depth research, and handling cases from beginning to end. The programme includes full SQE preparation, leading up to the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments. Once completed, you’ll achieve your recognised Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship qualification.
- Group and 1-2-1 workshops conduced via Zoom in different areas of law..
- Funded by the Department for Education
- SQE focused with prep courses, mock exams, & prep questions.
- Upon completion, gain your full Level 7 Solicitor Qualification.
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Graduate Law Apprenticeship Benefits
Receive mentoring from seasoned legal professionals who bring real-world experience into your training, ensuring you develop the practical skills, legal insight, and confidence to succeed as a solicitor.
Once you complete this apprenticeship you will be awarded an official Level 7 Solicitor Qualification, once you obtain this qualification you will then be able to apply to the Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) to gain solicitor status.
This apprenticeship includes full SQE1 and SQE2 preparation as part of the programme, offering a streamlined, cost-effective route to solicitor qualification with no need for separate courses or extra fees.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet defined eligibility criteria to advance in Datalaw’s Graduate Law Apprenticeship programme.
- You must have a law degree or equivalent qualification.
- You must be employed by a UK legal organisation.
- You must spend at least 50% of your working time in England.
- You must not be currently enrolled on another government funded programme.
Supporting You In Your Graduate Law Apprenticeship
At Datalaw, you’ll receive consistent, personalised feedback throughout your apprenticeship, along with tailored study plans, goal-setting sessions, and structured guidance to help you stay on track and successfully complete your qualification.
We strongly believe in the value of peer interaction and professional engagement. That’s why all our workshops are delivered live via Zoom, giving you the opportunity to connect with industry experts, ask questions, gain practical insights, and collaborate with fellow apprentices to build your network and confidence.
Benefits for Employers
The Graduate Law Apprenticeship offers an affordable way for law firms to develop future solicitors using government funding. It allows both new hires and current staff with law degrees to work toward full solicitor qualification while actively contributing to the business.
Apprentices gain practical legal skills that can be aligned with your firm’s practice areas, ensuring their training directly supports your services and client needs. This route not only builds capability within your team but also enhances your firm’s ability to deliver expert legal representation.
Get More Information From One of Our Expert Apprenticeship Coordinators
Get information on start dates, funding, how to apply, employer support, and more.
Meet Our Apprentices
The apprenticeship has helped me with the SQE, especially with workshops, they give us a lot of practice questions, which are the same format as the SQE… I’m getting quite a few answers right, but when I do get an answer wrong, they explain it really thoroughly to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Graduate Law Apprenticeship is designed for individuals with a qualifying law degree who are already gaining experience in a legal setting. Whether you’re a paralegal, legal assistant, trainee legal executive, or part of an in-house legal team, this programme offers a structured, work-based route to becoming a solicitor—with full SQE preparation included. Backed by government funding, it provides an affordable solution for both aspiring legal professionals and the firms investing in their development.
The Graduate Law Apprenticeship spans 35 months in total—31 months of structured training followed by a 4-month End-Point Assessment (EPA) phase.
During the initial 31 months, apprentices combine academic study with hands-on legal work and practical skills development. The final 4 months focus on the EPA, which includes sitting SQE1 and SQE2 exams alongside final competency assessments.
This structured timeline ensures apprentices gain the legal expertise, practical experience, and professional support needed to qualify as a solicitor with confidence.
The Graduate Law Apprenticeship is a fully funded route to solicitor qualification, making it an accessible option for both learners and employers. Levy-paying organisations can use their Apprenticeship Levy contributions to cover the entire programme cost, up to £27,000.
For employers who don’t pay the levy or have limited levy funds, the government will contribute 95% of the cost, leaving just a 5% employer contribution.
This funding structure offers a low-cost alternative to traditional qualification routes, with no tuition fees or student debt for the apprentice.
The graduate law apprenticeship is an ideal pathway for law graduates seeking to qualify as solicitors through a practical, work-based route. The programme includes full preparation for both SQE1 and SQE2 and leads to an official Level 7 solicitor qualification. Once completed, learners are eligible to apply for admission to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and achieve solicitor status.
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Approved Training Provider
Datalaw is approved by the Department for Education, enabling us to secure government funding on your organisation’s behalf for this law apprenticeship. This means you can achieve your solicitor qualification and advance your career without any financial burden. Register your interest to learn the next steps.