Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships funding

Level 7 apprenticeships (equivalent to a master’s degree) are currently the only route to qualify as a solicitor outside of university.

On 25 May 2025, the UK government announced changes to level 7 apprenticeship funding in England.

The government initially indicated it would cut funding for level 7 apprenticeships. It has now confirmed level 7 funding will continue for:

• those starting an apprenticeship aged 16 to 21
• those starting an apprenticeship aged 16 to 25 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or are a care leaver
• existing apprentices

Once an apprentice has started their training, funding will continue for the duration of their apprenticeship.

For example, if someone starts an apprenticeship aged 20, funding will continue until they’ve completed their training aged 25 or 26.

Level 7 funding for people starting an apprenticeship aged 21 and over is set to stop on 1 January 2026.

Anyone aged over 21 who started a level 7 apprenticeship before 1 January 2026 will continue to be funded through to completion of their apprenticeship training.

Level 7 apprenticeships are not currently offered in Wales.

Our view

We welcome the UK government’s decision to continue funding for 16- to 21-year-olds starting level 7 apprenticeships in England.

This will encourage young people to pursue a career in legal services and help those who can't afford university fees.

We urge the government to maintain level 7 apprenticeship funding for people starting an apprenticeship aged 21 or over.

In 2023/24, 45% of people who started solicitor apprenticeships were between the ages of 20 and 24.

Continuing funding for those starting solicitor apprenticeships aged 21 or over is critical to supporting recruitment within the legal profession.

We want the UK government to:

• continue funding for those starting solicitor apprenticeships aged 21 and above in England
• introduce level 7 legal sector apprenticeships in Wales
• map skills gaps in legal services to identify areas of need
• ensure legal qualifications and training in AI and lawtech are included in apprenticeship training
• continue supporting small and medium-sized businesses by funding skills training, particularly AI-related skills

What we’re doing

Spring 2022

Level 3 paralegal and level 5 advanced paralegal apprenticeships are introduced in Wales.

This follows long-term lobbying by the Law Society and over two years of negotiation with the Welsh government, further education providers, CILEX and the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.

March 2024

We published our Reimagining Justice in Wales 2030 consultation.

We followed our members’ recommendations and began to campaign for the Welsh government to introduce level 7 apprenticeships, to match the offer in England.

October 2024

Working with University of Wales Trinity St David, we launched a consultation to gather views on bringing level 7 legal apprenticeships to Wales.

The consultation focused on eligibility and feasibility and concluded in January 2025. 

November 2024

We called on the UK government to maintain level 7 apprenticeships in England and introduce them in Wales.

These asks were included in our response to the industrial strategy consultation.

The industrial strategy sets out the government’s 10-year plan for economic growth. It has the potential to help address recruitment and skills gaps in the legal sector.

Learn more about the industrial strategy

Next steps

We’re continuing to have constructive conversations with the Ministry of Justice, Department of Business and Trade, and Department for Education about level 7 apprenticeships.

We are also speaking with Welsh government ministers to encourage the funding of level 7 apprenticeships in Wales.

We will keep our members updated on any changes to level 7 funding.

Level 7 apprenticeship programmes are currently open to all ages in England until January 2026. We encourage firms and individuals to continue engaging with these opportunities.