Apprenticeship

Hill Dickinson offers apprenticeship programmes for candidates who want to begin their careers without first completing an undergraduate degree. The programmes combine paid employment, structured study and practical experience, allowing apprentices to develop professional skills while working towards a recognised qualification. The qualification costs are fully funded.

The apprenticeship route provides an alternative to the traditional university-to-law-firm pathway. Apprentices become part of a professional team from the beginning of their programme, gaining practical experience alongside experienced colleagues while developing their academic and professional knowledge.

For September 2027, Hill Dickinson will offer opportunities across two broad areas: legal apprenticeships through its Paralegal Apprenticeship and business professional apprenticeships in areas including HR, Finance, and Business Development and Marketing.

Paralegal Apprenticeship

The Paralegal Apprenticeship is a two-year programme designed for candidates looking to begin a legal career directly from college or sixth form.

Apprentices gain practical experience from their first day and specialise in a particular practice area. The placement is matched to the apprentice's interests, strengths and longer-term career aspirations.

Alongside practical work within the firm, apprentices study key areas of law and legal practice. The academic programme includes three law modules covering foundational legal systems and principles, typically including English Legal System and Public Law, Contract Law and Tort Law.

Apprentices also complete an elective module, allowing them to develop knowledge in a particular area of practice relevant to their team. Professional practice skills are developed alongside the legal modules, including professionalism, ethics and administration.

Successful completion of the programme leads to a Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Law and Legal Practice.

Progression after the Paralegal Apprenticeship

The programme is designed to provide several possible routes for continued development.

Following successful completion, apprentices may be able to progress into:

• Paralegal roles within Hill Dickinson.

• Hill Dickinson's solicitor apprenticeship.

• Further professional qualifications, including CILEX.

• Continued development within their chosen practice area.

The Paralegal Apprenticeship can therefore provide a foundation for candidates who ultimately want to qualify and develop a long-term career in legal practice.

Business Professionals Apprenticeships

Hill Dickinson also offers apprenticeships within its business professional teams. These opportunities are based exclusively in Liverpool.

The business professional programmes provide practical experience while apprentices work towards recognised professional qualifications. Current areas include:

Human Resources: Apprentices can work towards CIPD qualifications while developing experience in HR.

Finance: Finance apprenticeships provide pathways towards qualifications including AAT and ICAEW.

Business Development and Marketing: Apprentices can work towards DMI qualifications while gaining experience supporting the firm's business development and marketing activities.

From the beginning of the programme, apprentices work alongside experienced professionals and contribute to projects supporting the wider firm.

Progression after the Business Professionals Apprenticeship

Successful apprentices can progress into permanent roles within their chosen team, take on increasing responsibility as their experience develops and continue their professional development through higher-level apprenticeships and qualifications.

Eligibility

The Hill Dickinson apprenticeship programmes are intended for candidates who have not already completed an undergraduate degree.

Applicants must meet all of the relevant apprenticeship funding requirements. The current eligibility criteria require candidates to:

• Have obtained five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4 or above.

• Have obtained or be predicted to obtain 96 UCAS points.

• Be under 22, or be under 25 and have an Education, Health and Care plan and/or currently be, or have previously been, in local authority care.

• Not currently be studying for another apprenticeship or degree.

• Have lived in the UK for the past three years.

• Have the right to live and work permanently in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship.

Candidates should check all eligibility requirements carefully before applying because the criteria are linked to apprenticeship funding.

Apprenticeship Open Evening

Hill Dickinson is also providing an opportunity for prospective applicants to learn more about the apprenticeship programmes before applying.

The virtual apprenticeship open evening is designed to introduce candidates to the opportunities available for September 2027. Representatives from the relevant hiring teams and current apprentices provide information about the different programmes, qualifications, experiences and potential career pathways.

The open evening can help candidates decide which apprenticeship is most appropriate for their interests and career plans. Applications for the apprenticeship open evening run from 1 October 2026 to 10 January 2027.

Application Process

Hill Dickinson's early careers recruitment process involves several stages.

Stage 1: Online Application

Candidates complete an online application form, providing personal and academic information and answering questions relating to Hill Dickinson.

Stage 2: Online Assessment

Candidates who progress through the initial application may be invited to complete an online assessment.

The assessment includes interactive questions and a recorded video interview. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply early rather than waiting until the deadline.

Stage 3: Assessment Day

Successful candidates are invited to an assessment day held in person.

The assessment day includes interactive tasks, group activities and presentations, providing candidates with an opportunity to demonstrate how they communicate, collaborate and approach problems.

Stage 4: Panel Interview

Candidates who progress further will attend an in-person panel interview with the Hill Dickinson team.

What Hill Dickinson Looks For

Hill Dickinson does not identify a single model candidate. Instead, its early careers recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' potential, skills and individual experiences.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Clear and confident communication.

• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• A strategic approach to problem-solving.

• An understanding of Hill Dickinson and its key sectors.

• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• A willingness to learn and develop.

• An interest in building a long-term professional career.

Artificial Intelligence and Applications

Hill Dickinson permits candidates to use artificial intelligence as a tool to understand the application process, explore career options and refine their answers.

However, applications should reflect the candidate's own experiences, motivations and perspective. Candidates should therefore use AI as a preparation tool rather than allowing it to replace their own account of why they want to join Hill Dickinson or why the apprenticeship is appropriate for them.

Diversity and Inclusion

Hill Dickinson is committed to creating inclusive opportunities and recruiting candidates from different backgrounds.

The firm's recruitment process is designed to reduce the impact of irrelevant personal information during the early stages, while contextual recruitment helps assess academic achievements in the circumstances in which they were obtained.

Hill Dickinson is also a Disability Confident employer and provides support and reasonable adjustments where required during the application and interview process.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Hill Dickinson Apprenticeships 2027 open on:

5 January 2027

The application deadline is:

28 February 2027

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.