How to Become a Paralegal
Wondering how to become a paralegal? It’s an excellent first step into the legal field, with multiple paths to fit your goals and budget. In this guide, we’ll show you the most affordable and practical ways to start your paralegal career through the government funded apprenticeship route.
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How to Become a Paralegal Through a Paralegal Apprenticeship
The Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship is the ideal way to start your legal career, allowing candidates with no prior legal experience to learn the fundamentals of law while gaining practical experience in a law firm. It equips learners with essential career skills that many won’t gain at university.
This route is funded by the Department for Education, meaning there are no costs for learners pursuing their legal qualification. It’s an ideal option for school leavers exploring how to become a paralegal. Upon completion, you’ll gain a full Level 3 qualification (equivalent to an A-Level) and become an eligible fee-earner.
- Gain your Level 3 Paralegal qualification, the perfect entry point into law.
- No costs required for learners as it is funded by the government.
- Learn the fundamental of law, ensuring you're skilled to handle legal tasks.
- Gain academic and practical skills as you learn on the job.
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Paralegal Apprenticeship Benefits
Paralegal apprenticeships let you learn all areas like family, criminal, or commercial law, helping you discover what area of law you would like to specialise in for your career.
You’ll learn from experienced legal tutors and real-world mentors who guide your progress, offering insights and training to help you thrive as a confident, capable paralegal.
Real-World Skills from Day One
This apprenticeship blends real-world experience with online learning and workshops, so you qualify with both the legal theory and the hands-on skills law firms value most.
One-on-One Support Throughout
Receive one-on-one support from a personal legal tutor who helps you set goals, structure your learning, and stay on track every step of the way during your apprenticeship.
The paralegal apprenticeship is government funded, meaning you can gain a nationally recognised legal qualification without tuition fees or student debt.
Full Paralegal Qualification
This route leads to a formal Level 3 Paralegal qualification allowing you full paralegal status. You will also become an eligible fee-earner allowing you to take that next step in your legal career.
Advice on How to Become a Paralegal
We spoke to Grace Roberts, one of our current Level 3 Paralegal apprentices, to hear her advice for anyone wondering how to become a paralegal. Like many school leavers, she felt pressure to go to university, but wasn’t sure it was the right environment for her to study law. What appealed to her most about the Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship was the practical learning, the chance to gain experience inside a real law firm, and the ability to build her legal knowledge on the job.
Now thriving in her role, Grace is passionate about encouraging others to take this alternative route into law, one that helped her discover her confidence, skills, and a genuine passion for the legal profession.
Get More Information From One of Our Expert Apprenticeship Coordinators
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Learn From Our Apprentices
This apprenticeship with Datalaw has massively progressed my career, I think I’ve developed in my role as well as gained confidence in speaking with clients and dealing with legal matters… I’d 100% recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Paralegal Apprenticeship is ideal for school leavers who’ve just completed their GCSEs, as well as those already working in legal support roles, such as legal admin, assistants, receptionists, or other office-based positions. This entry-level programme is designed for individuals with no prior legal education who are ready to take the first step toward a career in law.
The paralegal apprenticeship is 13 months long, making it a fast-track route to gaining a legal qualification.
Paralegal Apprenticeships are fully funded by the UK government through the Apprenticeship Levy or non-levy funding, depending on the employer’s size.
This means that eligible learners don’t pay anything, there are no tuition fees or student loans involved. Instead, the employer receives government support to cover the cost of your training and assessment through an approved training provider.
If you’re a school leaver or career starter, this is a completely debt-free route into law, allowing you to gain a recognised legal qualification while earning a salary and gaining real-world experience in a law firm.
Upon completion, you will be awarded a Level 3 Paralegal Qualification.
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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.