Solicitor Apprenticeship
Paving a new way to qualification. You can qualify as a solicitor by undertaking on-the-job training while studying for a law degree and the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) over six years.
Our Solicitor Apprenticeship is a Level 7 qualification combining study with work to allow you to qualify as a solicitor without incurring student debt often associated with attending university. You'll learn on-the-job at our London office, alongside a small cohort of solicitor apprentices, while studying for one day a week at the University of Law to obtain an LLB Law degree and complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE). At the end of the apprenticeship, you'll be a qualified solicitor.
Developing your legal knowledge
Study towards an LLB Law degree and work towards the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) at The University of Law alongside working on cutting edge legal work. The LLB is designed to prepare you for the academic challenges of the SQE examinations, as well as the fundamental skills, technical excellence, and commercial awareness required for your role as a solicitor at Bird & Bird.
Course Structure:
Years 1 to 4 – LLB Studies
Year 5 – SQE1 Preparation
Year 6 – SQE2 PreparationAll tuition fees and course materials are covered by the firm. You will study one day a week and work four days a week.
Training beyond your expectations
Put into practice the legal knowledge and skills you're learning at university by working in our London office four-days a week. Build your knowledge of the law and find the area you wish to qualify into by working for stimulating clients across a range of sectors with our experts in the legal field.From Years 1 to 4, you'll rotate once a year across four different departments, known as 'seats', giving you a rich learning experience and development opportunities. We have eight departments: Corporate, Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Finance & Financial Regulation, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, and Tax. Within our departments, we have sector and sub-sector specialisms, which you’ll experience in each seat.
You may also experience a client secondment to further your experience and develop your commercial edge by understanding their business from the inside.
Building your career with us
Prior to starting your first seat, you'll have a comprehensive induction designed by our Early Careers team, providing you with the basic building blocks for your personal growth and professional success as a solicitor apprentice. From practical learning to insight sessions and skill-based workshops, we'll ensure that you are set up for success. We'll introduce you to all areas of the firm, from business services to fee earners, strengthening your understanding of how we operate as one seamless international, sector-focused firm.Alongside your seat rotations, you'll take part in a tailored Learning & Development Programme which will equip you with a broad range of technical and business skills. This programme is led by a mixture of internal and external speakers in a combination of online and in-person sessions. You'll put this learning into context as you rotate around different departments throughout your apprenticeship.
From induction to qualification, networking and social events will allow you to immerse you in our friendly, vibrant culture. You can also get involved in pro-bono and CRS initiatives, support the Early Career team with events and mentoring, or get involved in other firm-wide opportunities such as sports teams and our employee networks.
Looking ahead
Prior to admission to the Roll of Solicitors, all aspiring solicitors qualifying through the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) route must:
- have a UK awarded degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification;
- pass both stages of the SQE assessment (SQE1 and SQE2);
- undertake two years’ full time (or equivalent) Qualifying Work Experience (QWE); and
- pass the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) character and suitability requirements.
Upon successfully completing the apprenticeship, which is a Level 7 qualification including on-the-job training, an LLB Law degree and passing the SQE assessments, you'll have met these requirements and will be able to apply for admission to the Roll of Solicitors to become a qualified solicitor in England and Wales.
Bird Benefits
£25,000 salary in Year 1 and £30,000 in Year 2.
Bespoke benefits package for your finance, including 5% pension contribution, group income protection, group life assurance, group critical illness, and will writing.
Equip yourself with a broad range of technical and business skills and progress your deep understanding through our tailored learning and development curriculum.
Flexible benefits package for your lifestyle, including 25 days of paid holiday annually, travel insurance, interest-free season ticket loan, computer loan, cycle to work scheme, and give as you earn charity account.
Network and socialise with colleagues through our employee-led networks, socials and events, immersing yourself in our friendly, vibrant culture.
Health and wellbeing in mind with a benefits package that includes private medical insurance, health assessments, maternity and paternity leave, shared parental leave, adoption leave, gym membership, flu vaccinations, eyecare, and dental insurance.
All tuition fees and course materials covered for your studies.
Opportunity to socialise and study with your apprentice cohorts, to build your legal network.
We know an inclusive culture, alongside a diverse workforce, makes us more innovative and agile.
The ability to connect the dots and leap to inspired solutions can't be underestimated. We believe it’s this pioneering approach that unlocks a world of opportunity. So, we work tirelessly to build a culture that makes it possible – possible for our people, our clients and our communities. We stay curious and work in truly international teams. It's what our clients value and it helps us to be the firm we want to be.
Global D&I UK D&IThe shift to a more sustainable way of doing business needs people who embrace change and spark innovation. We’re up for the challenge, are you?
Sustainability is a core strategic initiative for us – It’s vital to our people, our clients and our planet. We embrace the step change needed to transform our business; not just minimising our environmental impact but, as a global citizen, making a positive contribution towards a more sustainable future.
We believe that technology can be a force for good. Our work with some of the world’s most cutting edge companies gives us first-hand insight into the innovative approaches that create a new blueprint for sustainable living, so where possible we apply this to our own firm too.
We routinely manage our buildings responsibly, consider the impact of business travel, reduce waste and consumption and recycle wherever we can. More importantly, we commit to business decisions that support our sustainability pledges alongside our long-term economic growth strategies.
The ability to help isn't always enough. In today's world, more often than not, what's needed is time. We believe Pro Bono is time well spent.
For us pro bono isn’t an add on. We are passionate about making a positive difference to people’s lives, and giving back to the communities we work within.
We give pro bono our time, consideration, and full expertise. Because our culture is focused on making it possible. Possible for our people, our clients and our communities. We believe we can open up possibilities for individuals and organisations in need, by contributing the time, legal expertise, skills, and resources needed to progress their cause.
It’s all the more satisfying when we can work together, with our clients and other key stakeholders to foster and develop collaborative opportunities that have a greater positive social impact as a result.
We believe in taking an active role in supporting our communities to make a difference.
We’re an outward-looking firm. We're interested in the world, current issues and emerging trends. We work with great clients doing great things. Things that have a real impact on the way the world does business, and how we all live. So, it's not surprising that we also want to have a positive influence by supporting our local communities.
We work alongside our clients to champion initiatives that make an impact on the community around us. Our people dedicate time through volunteering and fundraising, and partner with charities across the world to truly amplify our impact.
Applying to us
We are recruiting for our September 2025 cohort of solicitor apprentices.
Applications open: 24 October 2024
Deadline: 20 February 2025
We operate rolling recruitment, which means we screen applications as they are received, rather than after our deadline. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Entry requirements
You can apply if you can commence the apprenticeship in September 2025. At the time of submitting your application, you should be:
- in your final year of A-Levels (Year 13) or have already completed school or college (e.g., on a gap year or working).
- at least 18 years of age at the start date of the apprenticeship.
- and have the right to work in the UK.
You should also have, or expect to have 5 GCSEs including English and Maths at grade 9-4/A*-C and 3 A-Levels at AAB (or equivalent). We understand that you may not have received the grade you hoped for due to extenuating or mitigating circumstances. Please detail any relevant information in your application for us to take into consideration. We also use a Contextual Recruitment System (CRS) to enable us to recruit people from different backgrounds and help us understand your achievements in the context in which they were gained.
Recruitment process
Stage 1 - Online application form
Stage 2 - Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking test
Stage 3 - Pre-recorded video interview
Stage 4 - In-person assessment centre at our London office
Go to our employability hub, The Nest, to develop your legal skills and commercial awareness, learn recruiter-approved tips for the recruitment process and what we look for in successful candidates, and general advice on navigating your career in law.