Freshfields Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, Six Years to Qualified 2027

Based in London.

NoSolicitor Apprenticeship Programme, six years to qualified solicitor (Law LLB with BPP)

Sponsors grads?: No
Pay vs threshold: Not published
Opportunity: apprenticeship
2027 cycle: Applications open 2 November 2026, closing date not reliable because the page's printed closing date is earlier than the opening date; programme starts September 2027
Confidence: high

Freshfields Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, six years to qualified: at a glance

Locations: LondonSource
Degree requirement: AAB at A level or equivalent, at least seven GCSEs at grade 6/B or above including English and Maths, not yet studied at undergraduate level or aboveSource

How Freshfields recruits

Solicitor Apprenticeship 2027 (applications 2 November 2026 to 28 January 2027). 4 stages, from Freshfields's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where Freshfields names them.

Apply online
Application form
Online application form.
“Start by completing our online application form – this helps us get to know you and your candidacy.”
Source
Online assessment
Immersive assessment
Interactive online assessment of tasks and scenarios reflecting life at the firm. Provider not named; preparation via the firm's Preparation Portal.
“Following the application deadline, you’ll receive an invitation to complete our online assessment. This is your chance to showcase your strengths through interactive tasks and scenarios that reflect life at Freshfields and the role you’re applying for.”
Source
Career Conversation with Early Careers Team
Other stage
Conversation with a member of the Early Careers team about motivation. Format (phone or video) not stated.
“If successful, you will be invited to have a Career Conversation with a member of the Early Careers team to discuss your motivations about the opportunity.”
Source
Attend an assessment centre
Assessment centre
In-person assessment centre with a range of exercises. Components not itemised on the page.
“Throughout the day, you’ll take part in a range of engaging exercises designed to help us get to know you – and for you to get to know us.”
Source

Every programme and stage at Freshfields

“Our London-based solicitor apprenticeship scheme gives UK national school leavers a chance to build their future in law.”

Freshfields, from its own careers pages

The catch: The page also states a separate three-year UK residency requirement, so even a UK national who has spent under three years living in the UK before the start date would not meet the criteria.

Freshfields early careers Verify on gov.uk See the licence record

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What Freshfields publishes about this programme

Checked against Freshfields's own careers pages on 2026-10-01. Anything not published is worth asking the early careers team before you apply.

Visa sponsorship policy: published
Application dates: published
Programme description: not published
Duration and start date: not published
Who can apply: not published
Pay: not published
Locations: published
Degree requirement: published
Recruitment stages: published

More early careers programmes at Freshfields

Training Contracttraining contract, no published policy
UK Summer Vacation Schemevacation scheme, only some tracks
UK First Years Insight Schemespring week, no published policy

Sources

https://www.freshfields.com/en/your-career/united-kingdom/early-careers/solicitor-apprenticeship-program

Verdict last checked 2026-09-22. Application dates last checked 2026-10-01. How we check programme verdicts

Common questions

Does Freshfields sponsor visas for its solicitor apprenticeship programme, six years to qualified?

No. Freshfields does not sponsor its solicitor apprenticeship programme, six years to qualified for international students who need a visa. Freshfields describes the scheme itself as being for UK national school leavers, and separately requires three years of UK residence before the programme starts. It is a six-year, London-based programme: four days a week in the office and one day a week studying towards a Law LLB at BPP's Waterloo campus for years one to four, with qualification following in years five and six. Eligibility also requires AAB at A level or equivalent, at least seven GCSEs at grade 6/B or above including English and Maths, and not yet having studied at undergraduate level or above.

Does the pay clear the UK Skilled Worker salary threshold?

The pay for this scheme is not published clearly enough to judge against the threshold.

What is the catch international students miss with Freshfields?

The page also states a separate three-year UK residency requirement, so even a UK national who has spent under three years living in the UK before the start date would not meet the criteria.

When do applications open for the Freshfields solicitor apprenticeship programme, six years to qualified?

Applications open 2 November 2026, closing date not reliable because the page's printed closing date is earlier than the opening date; programme starts September 2027. Checked on 2026-10-01 against Freshfields's own site.

Where is the Freshfields solicitor apprenticeship programme, six years to qualified based?

London, according to Freshfields's own careers information.

What degree do you need for the Freshfields solicitor apprenticeship programme, six years to qualified?

AAB at A level or equivalent, at least seven GCSEs at grade 6/B or above including English and Maths, not yet studied at undergraduate level or above, according to Freshfields's own careers information.

How should I confirm Freshfields's sponsorship before applying?

Read the specific vacancy on Freshfields's careers site, ask its early-careers team directly, and check the employer on the gov.uk Register of Licensed Sponsors. Policies and thresholds change, so treat this page as a starting point and confirm for the exact role and cycle.

Related guides

All visa and sponsorship guides

Other law schemes

Before you apply

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