• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
    Join Premium →
  • How to Secure a Vacation Scheme (Ropes & Gray)
    1 Dec 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    In this interactive session, Maya Shah, Senior Early Careers Specialist at Ropes & Gray, will walk you through every stage of the firm's application process.
    Register on Zoom →
  • How to Stand Out in Law Firm Interviews (Willkie)
    3 Dec 2025 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    Willkie’s new graduate recruiter and two trainees will break down what the firm looks for at the interview stage, common pitfalls to avoid, and how you can demonstrate confidence, clarity, and genuine motivation throughout an assessment centre.
    Register on Zoom →

How viable is the SQE apprentice route?

stephcurry30

New Member
  • Jul 20, 2023
    2
    0
    HI all

    Thanks for the help with the last question. I’m now trying to understand the SQE apprentice route - I've heard that there are relatively fewer people taking this route, and I'm curious to know about its specifications and duration.

    I already have a law degree and I'm wondering if applying for the apprenticeship would lead to a shorter experience compared to other paths?

    Would pursuing the SQE Apprenticeship be a more viable option for someone like me rather than obtaining a TC first and then taking the SQE? I'm interested to know if the work experience gained through the Apprenticeship is considered more legitimate or valuable than the experience gained during a TC.

    Any insights into these aspects would be greatly appreciated.
     

    TCLA Community Assistant

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    15,526
    21,763
    An apprenticeship just allows you to complete the SQE prep course alongside working, so you accumulate your qualifying work experience alongside studying for the course.

    You work 80% of the time, and study 20% of the time.

    It is technically quicker than doing the SQE 1 and 2 before starting your qualifying work experience.

    You cannot do an apprenticeship if you already have a postgraduate legal qualification though (e.g. LPC/LLM).
     

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

    Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.