Apprenticeship (Level 7 but no degree) or University?

[frowner]

Just wondering if anyone could share their knowledge or experiences please. My daughter has been offered a level 7 solicitor apprenticeship via Damar training (2 year level 3 paralegal then 3 year solicitor including SQE but no degree). She has also been offered a place on an LLB course at Warwick, any advice on the best route? Much appreciated

One is a job with training, the other is a degree with no guarantee of a job. They are very different choices for a young person. Warwick is a great university and no doubt she will have a lovely time there. She will also have truckloads of debt.

What does your daughter want to do?

If she is genuinely torn she could start the job and leave after 1-2 years to go to university.

I agree with @AlphaAppleRight now most graduates are struggling to get jobs and it’s not easy to get onto a good apprenticeship. I’d go for the apprenticeship.

If your daughter wants a uni qualification later, she could probably get onto a Masters degree on the basis of prior knowledge, experience and training (assuming she completes the apprenticeship). (And yes, I know that Level 7 is already PG level).

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. She is swaying towards the apprenticeship but is concerned that it does not result in a degree, so if she doesn't pass the SQE she will come away with a level 3 paralegal qualification whereas if she goes to university she will have the degree to fall back on if unsuccessful at the SQE, so she is torn.

The other thing to consider is her maturity and how much she wants the student/uni lifestyle. If she is happy to skip the whole halls, societies and networking then the apprenticeship is the best bet. But if she’d always be worried that she had missed out on the undergrad experience then she should go to Warwick.

My DC are chalk and cheese. One HAD to go to uni mainly for FOMO but also for the love of their subject. The other is an introvert and happy to go the apprenticeship route, live at home and earn money.

Two great options for her and no wrong choice, just different paths

@frowner Does the company she is working for look good? How big and what area of expertise. Back street, high street or national? You have quoted the training company which isn’t the actual job. Is the work as broad as she might reasonably get after the degree? Of course nothing is guaranteed with a degree now. but what quality of work will she get?

The apprenticeship rules have changed around L7 where they must go to school leavers, not adult employees. She does need to think about whether she’s ready for work and, if she wanted the Bar, she’s excluded herself with the apprenticeship. Warwick is a very good law school.