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England & Wales (apprenticeship funding shown for England) — not Scotland or Northern Ireland

How to become a paralegal in England and Wales

Paralegals do legal work — research, drafting documents, managing case files and dealing with clients — usually under the supervision of a solicitor or another authorised lawyer.

You could work in a law firm, a company's legal team, a local council or a charity, often specialising in an area such as conveyancing, probate or litigation.

Paralegal is a career in its own right. It is not the same as being a solicitor, barrister or CILEX lawyer, although some paralegals go on to qualify.

  • No licence needed
  • Earn while learning
  • Multiple routes

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AApprenticeship

    Paralegal apprenticeship (Level 3, then Level 5)

    For those who want to earn a wage and train as a paralegal, with training paid for by the employer and government.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; employers set their own entry requirements
    • At least 20% of your normal working hours is off-the-job training
    • Vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a Level 3 paralegal apprenticeship
    2. Work and train; your employer and the government pay for the training
    3. Complete the end-point assessment
    4. You could move on to the Level 5 advanced paralegal apprenticeship
    5. You could later train as a CILEX lawyer or solicitor — separate routes with their own rules
    Estimated duration
    About 2 to 4 years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Paralegal (Level 3) at 24 months and Advanced paralegal (Level 5) at 24 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £29,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BUniversity

    Law or legal studies degree, then a paralegal job

    For those who want to study law, legal studies or paralegal practice at university before working as a paralegal.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements; law degrees are competitive
    • A foundation degree or higher national diploma in a legal subject is another option
    • Employers set their own requirements for paralegal roles

    Pathway outline

    1. Study a degree, foundation degree or HND in law, legal studies or paralegal practice
    2. Get legal work experience during your course if you can
    3. Apply for paralegal or legal assistant roles
    4. Build experience in a practice area
    Estimated duration
    About 3 years, then work
    How we estimate this

    A typical full-time bachelor's degree in England takes 3 years. Foundation degrees and HNDs are usually shorter.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £29,370Paid up front by you: £0Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually after graduating, although many students work part-time.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CWork + study

    Start in legal admin and train on the job

    For those who want to start working now — after school, college or another job — and move up into paralegal work.

    Starting requirements

    • The National Careers Service says employers expect GCSEs or A levels and a good standard of English
    • A college course or a T Level in Legal Services can help
    • Optional study, such as the CILEX CPQ Foundation stage, is not required

    Pathway outline

    1. Start as an admin assistant or legal secretary in a legal practice
    2. Learn on the job and take on more legal tasks
    3. You could study the CILEX CPQ Foundation stage alongside work (optional)
    4. Move into a paralegal role
    Estimated duration
    About 18 months to 2 years with CPQ Foundation
    How we estimate this

    There is no fixed timetable for moving up at work. CILEX's typical duration for the CPQ Foundation stage is 18 months to two years.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £4,150 to £4,465Paid up front by you: £4,150 to £4,465Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From your first job.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Questions people ask

Do I need a law degree to be a paralegal?

No. You could start through a paralegal apprenticeship, a legal admin job or a college course. A law degree can help but is not required.

Is a paralegal the same as a solicitor?

No. A paralegal does legal work, usually under supervision. A solicitor is a regulated lawyer who has passed the SQE and been admitted by the SRA.

Can paralegal work help me become a solicitor?

It can count as qualifying work experience if a solicitor or compliance officer confirms it, but you still need a degree or equivalent, the SQE and character and suitability checks.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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