Freshfields (UK)

Law1 apprenticeship typeIntake

Freshfields runs a six-year, London-based Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme for UK school leavers who have not studied at higher education level. Apprentices work four days a week in the London office and study one day a week with BPP, first towards a Law LLB and then for the SQE, qualifying as a solicitor at the end of the programme.

Programmes

1 tracked · status for the next intake that is recruiting

2027 intakeSolicitor Apprenticeship
Degree apprenticeship · Level 7 · Legal, finance and accounting
Opening soon, 2 Nov
Opens2 Nov 2026
Closes28 Jan 2027

Apprenticeship types

1 offered · degree apprenticeships first

Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme
Level 7Degree
Law · 6 years
More about this programme: Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme
Standard
Solicitor
Qualification
Law LLB (BPP), then SQE preparation towards qualification as a solicitor
University or provider
BPP
Business areas
Practice groups (annual rotations)
Locations
London
Years 1-4: annual rotations, one study day a week at BPP's Waterloo campus. Years 5-6: shorter rotations, possible client or network secondment, SQE study with study leave. Level 7 Solicitor standard inferred from the six-year SQE route; the page does not name the standard.
Source for Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme

Apprenticeship types offered by Freshfields (UK), degree apprenticeships first
Apprenticeship	Level	Discipline and duration	University or provider
Solicitor Apprenticeship ProgrammeDegreeSource for Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme More about this programme: Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme Standard Solicitor Qualification Law LLB (BPP), then SQE preparation towards qualification as a solicitor Business areas Practice groups (annual rotations) Locations London Years 1-4: annual rotations, one study day a week at BPP's Waterloo campus. Years 5-6: shorter rotations, possible client or network secondment, SQE study with study leave. Level 7 Solicitor standard inferred from the six-year SQE route; the page does not name the standard.	Level 7	Law6 years	BPP

Entry requirements

A levels from AAB

A levels: AAB at A level (or equivalent)
UCAS points: Not published
GCSEs: At least seven GCSEs at grade 6/B or above, including English and Maths
Equivalents: A level equivalents accepted
Other: Must not yet have studied at higher education level (undergraduate degree or above); resident in the UK for three years before the start; page describes the scheme as for UK national school leavers

As Freshfields (UK) publishes them; requirements differ between programmes, so check the advert before you apply.

Application process

Online application
Online assessment
Career Conversation with the Early Careers team
In-person assessment centre

Online application
Online assessment
Career Conversation with the Early Careers team
In-person assessment centre

1
Online application
When: 2 November 2026 to 28 January 2027
Non-rolling: next steps only start after the window closes
2
Online assessment
When: after the application deadline
Interactive tasks and scenarios
3
Career Conversation with the Early Careers team
Discussion of motivation
4
In-person assessment centre
Held at one of the firm's offices; range of exercises

Typical timeline

Opens: 2 November 2026
Closes: 28 January 2027
Assessment: after the window closes (non-rolling)
Offers: Not published
Starts: September 2027

Windows for the 2027 intake, September 2026 to August 2027

Opening soon, 2 NovSolicitor Apprenticeship

Locations and universities

Locations: London
Universities and training providers: BPP

Salary and benefits

Starting salary: £32,000
Progression: Increases annually as you progress through the programme
Notes: Plus a £3,000 sign-on bonus for travel and housing costs
Benefits: £3,000 sign-on bonus for travel and housing costs
All tuition fees covered (no student debt)
26 days' holiday per year
Private medical scheme and gym plans
Supervisor, buddy and partner mentorship
Colleague networks and social clubs

Cohort size and intakes

Intake years: 2027 intake
Cohort 2027: Not published

What stands out

Magic Circle solicitor apprenticeship with a £32,000 starting salary and a £3,000 sign-on bonus; non-rolling recruitment, so applying early gives no advantage. Freshfields partners with the City Century apprenticeship initiative.

Sources

Where every fact above comes from

1
freshfields.com/en/your-career/united-kingdom/early-careers/solicitor-apprenticeship-program
Accessed 3 Oct 2026 · Key dates (2 Nov 2026 to 28 Jan 2027, non-rolling, Sept 2027 start), six-year structure, BPP LLB and SQE, eligibility, salary £32,000, £3,000 bonus, benefits, four-stage process

Apprentice Atlas is not affiliated with Freshfields (UK). This information comes from Freshfields (UK)’s own pages and job feeds, linked under Sources. Report an error or ask for a takedown.