
Apprenticeships
Our apprenticeship programme provides a modern and cost-effective way of qualifying as a solicitor. You'll earn while you learn and pick up skills that will help you to quickly progress in your legal career.
What is a legal apprenticeship?
A legal apprenticeship offers a pathway to entering the legal profession by blending practical employment at a law firm with formal qualification studies, financially supported by both the government and the employer. This approach provides an alternative to the conventional method of attending university and pursuing legal training afterward.
Why choose a law apprenticeship?
- You can earn while you learn
- You will receive financial support from your employer and the government
- No student debt
- Gain legal skills and confidence
- Work with some of the best solicitors and receive ongoing support.
Why choose the Weightmans apprenticeship academy?
The Weightmans apprenticeship academy is the perfect choice for those seeking a distinctive approach to their legal education and professional development.
Our people are key to us continuing to be a successful business, and we need to ensure that they have the right skills to understand our clients. A combination of ambition and understanding of what a future lawyer will look like has led us to develop the Weightmans Apprenticeship Academy. We want to combine legal education with the skills necessary to develop future business leaders.
We have partnered with BPP University Law School to offer innovative pathways for aspiring paralegals and solicitors. Together, we deliver the finest educational experience that combines legal expertise with practical business skills, ensuring you receive the best preparation for a successful career.

Our legal apprenticeships
For those who are currently completing, or have completed their A-levels, our solicitor degree apprenticeship provides you with an amazing alternative to university and those student loans and fees! Over six years, apprentices will obtain an LLB in Law and Legal Practice, be supported through their Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE) and obtain the qualification of solicitor on completion.
If you are currently studying for your undergraduate degree, or have graduated, our graduate solicitor apprenticeship is a 32-month apprenticeship that offers a new, exciting alternative to the traditional 'training contract'. You can join us straight from university, without the Legal Practice Course (LPC), and complete the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE) to qualify as a solicitor with all of your fees paid.
We are also delighted to announce that we now offer a paralegal apprenticeship. This apprenticeship is a 24-month programme and is available for those who have obtained a minimum of three A-levels (96 UCAS points) and five GCSEs at grade C (or 4) or above, including English and Mathematics (or the equivalent).
To be able to start any of our apprenticeships you must be able to meet and comply with the ESFA funding requirements at the start date of the apprenticeship.

About the Weightmans Apprenticeship Academy
Read transcript
Hello, I'm Helen Taylor. I'm the HR Director for Weightmans and, together with my team, we're responsible for the recruitment and development of our people. I'm delighted that we're launching our Apprenticeship Academy which will give you an opportunity to study for a law degree, qualify as a solicitor and also work for us. Our apprenticeship will be delivered in conjunction with BPP, one of the UK's leading law schools. This will give you an opportunity to develop your legal expertise, alongside your business acumen, together with your personal and technology skills. We will give you all the coaching and support and development required to enable you to qualify as a solicitor. This is your chance to be part of an ambitious and innovative organisation, to work alongside some legal experts and also to work with a diverse client base. If you already have a degree, don't worry. We offer a graduate apprenticeship scheme and the details of that are on our website. We have designed our recruitment process to be accessible and, hopefully, enjoyable. The online applications will open in November and will close in January and, if you're successful at that stage, we'll invite you to a face-to-face assessment in February each year. We are looking for people who can show us that they have the intellect, combined with the commitment and resilience and a drive to succeed. My name is John Schorah and I've got the privilege of being Managing Partner of Weightmans, a major law firm with offices across the United Kingdom. In my job, as well as overseeing the day-to-day running of the business, I help set the agenda for the future sustainability of the firm. We're a business that wants to see the possibility in all our people, to tap into their potential and make the most of themselves. We want them to think differently, see possibilities that others don't and think big picture and that's why I'm so excited about the launch of the Weightmans Apprenticeship Academy.