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Solicitor

Also called Lawyer.

Solicitors advise clients about the law and act on their behalf in legal matters.

Potential salary
£30,000 starter to £80,000 experienced per year
Typical hours
37 to 50 a week. Working pattern: on call at short notice.
Career area
Law and public service
Where they might work
You could work in an office, in a court, in a prison or at a police station.
A typical task
advise clients on legal matters and courses of action
Subjects that may help
3 A levels or equivalent
Typical route
To qualify as a solicitor, you must: take an undergraduate degree in any subject, or equivalent qualification, in any subject; pass parts 1 and 2 of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE); complete 2 years (or equivalent if part-time) qualifying work experience; meet the character and suitability requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Interest area used here
Starting things and persuading

Career actions

What you might do

  • advise clients on legal matters and courses of action
  • instruct barristers or advocates to act for clients
  • draft confidential letters, contracts and legal documents
  • research legal records and case law
  • attend meetings, tribunals and negotiations to resolve legal issues
  • manage finances and prepare papers for court
More tasks (1)
  • keep up to date with changes in the law

Could this suit me?

Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.

  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills to work with different people
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • knowledge of English language for explaining legal matters to non-experts
More skills
  • excellent written communication skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Routes into this career

University route

  • To qualify as a solicitor, you must: take an undergraduate degree in any subject, or equivalent qualification, in any subject; pass parts 1 and 2 of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE); complete 2 years (or equivalent if part-time) qualifying work experience; meet the character and suitability requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
  • Though your degree does not have to be in law, you will need some legal knowledge to pass the SQE.
  • To study law at some universities you'll need to pass the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT).

University courses that could lead to this career

These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.

  • Law

    Common route. A common first degree. Professional exams and work-based training still follow. Other degrees plus a conversion can also lead in.

  • Philosophy

    Related, but not enough on its own. Philosophy is not a qualifying law degree. Further legal training would be required.

  • Politics

    Related, but not enough on its own. A politics degree does not qualify you as a solicitor. Law conversion or a law degree is a separate step.

Explore university routes

Apprenticeship or vocational route

  • You could apply to do a Solicitor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship to start on the path to qualifying as a solicitor.
  • This route includes the completion of a law degree and usually takes around 5 to 6 years. You'll need your employer's support to join it.
  • You'll also need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), which has 2 parts, and do 2 years' qualifying work experience.
  • The apprenticeship will prepare you for the SQE exams.
  • You could start with a legal firm and do on-the-job training like the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) Level 6 Professional Diploma in Higher Law and Practice.
  • You would then need to: pass parts 1 and 2 of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE); show you have 2 years of qualifying work experience, or equivalent, if part time; meet the character and suitability requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
  • Another option is to complete a Paralegal Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship then move on to the solicitor degree apprenticeship route.

Other routes

  • If you started a qualifying law degree, Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Legal Practice Course (LPC) before 2021, you will be able to continue to qualify as a solicitor by the traditional route until 2032.
Career progression
  • With experience, you could become a partner in a private practice firm of solicitors. As a commercial solicitor, you could manage an in-house legal department.
  • You might also wish to specialise in a particular area of law.
  • Examples include: employment; criminal justice; corporate; family.
  • You could use your legal training to work as a legal officer in the armed forces. You can find more information at: Army; Royal Air Force.

Registration and requirements

pass enhanced background checks

Subjects that may help

Subject guidance

  • 3 A levels or equivalent
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

What you could do next