Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Solicitor apprenticeships in England: employer guide to Trailblazer and Graduate routes, SQE/QWE, funding, recruitment, timeframes and practical issues

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Practice notes

A solicitor apprenticeship ordinarily lasts five to six years for Trailblazer apprenticeships or two to three years for Graduate apprenticeships, and leads to qualification as a solicitor. To qualify on the apprenticeship route, apprentices must:

pass both parts of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE1 and SQE2)
complete at least two years’ full-time (or equivalent) Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements

The solicitor apprenticeship scheme spans the academic, vocational and assessment stages of professional legal training, blending on-the-job learning with off-the-job study delivered by an approved external training provider. The SQE and QWE elements required by the SRA are embedded within the programme.

This Practice Note describes solicitor apprenticeships and the key implications for employers who offer them. It outlines the main components and the timelines for qualifying under this route, with a focus on solicitor apprenticeships in England. For wider guidance on apprenticeships, see Practice Note: Apprenticeships.

Requirements for entry

There are two types of solicitor apprenticeship available: Trailblazer apprenticeships and Graduate apprenticeships...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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