Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship - 2025 - Loughborough University

Join Loughborough University – A Great Place to Build Your Legal Career

This is an exciting time to join Loughborough University. We are proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s leading institutions, ranked 7th in the Complete University Guide 2026, and named University of the Year in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2020. We’ve also been ranked top in the Midlands and consistently feature in the UK’s top ten for student satisfaction.

Loughborough is world-renowned for sport too in fact, we’ve been named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects for five years running (QS World Rankings by Subject 2025).

From our beautiful 440 acre campus in the heart of Leicestershire to our postgraduate campus on London’s Queen Elizabeth Park, we’re enjoying a period of exceptional success and growth. And to keep moving forward, we need talented, motivated people to join us on this journey.

About the Role

We’re looking for an individual eager to learn and grow, to join our Legal Services team, part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office.

We are offering a career-graded role designed to take you from trainee to qualified Solicitor.

What we are offering:

A 3-year fixed-term contract, during which you’ll complete a Graduate Solicitor Degree Level Apprenticeship and work towards the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE1 and SQE2).

The apprenticeship is a 35-month programme starting in December 2025 and includes:

One day per week dedicated to study, supported by Damar Training and Barbri.

• Four days per week gaining practical, hands-on experience as part of our Legal Services team.
• On successful completion, and subject to business need, you’ll move onto a permanent contract as a qualified Solicitor within the University.

The Legal Services team provides high-quality, practical and focused legal advice to help the University achieve its goals. We work closely with academics, professional services and external partners, and our work covers everything from major commercial projects and property developments to supporting the University’s world-class sporting activities.

You’ll be joining a friendly and highly regarded team with a strong reputation across the sector. We’re proud to have received national recognition, including:

• Association of University Legal Practitioners Awards (2024 and 2025)
• LexisNexis Legal Awards (2022)
• Law Society Excellence in Law Awards (2021)

For more information, please refer to the Job Description and Person specification.

Candidates must be available to commence work by no later than 12 December 2025.

Closing date for applications: Monday 8 September 2025

Assessment day: Thursday 25 September 2025

Final Interviews: Tuesday 30 September 2025