BPP Law School is set to develop an apprenticeship scheme that will allow school leavers to become lawyers without the need for a university degree.

Conservative MP Matthew Hancock, the minister for skills, last week announced government plans to make higher-level apprenticeship qualifications – equivalent to bachelors and masters degree levels – available for the first time.

Writing in The Telegraph, Hancock said: "There are successful higher apprenticeship schemes already in place, at levels four and five, equivalent to the first year of a degree course and foundation degree levels respectively. I now want to see more courses that truly match graduate and postgraduate qualifications.

"From next year, apprenticeships at levels six and seven – bachelors and masters degree level – will be officially recognised for the first time."

The apprenticeships will be available in subjects including law, accountancy, human resources and advanced engineering.

BPP is in talks with regulators and the legal sector skills council, Skills for Justice, to set up a vocational learning route into the legal profession which could help more non-traditional candidates qualify as a solicitor.

James Hammill, director of professional apprenticeships at BPP, commented: "We are committed to improving social mobility and diversity in the work place by opening up some of the most prestigious professions and employers to school leavers as an alternative to the traditional route.

"Apprenticeships are an excellent way for employers to recruit talent early and design a structured training programme that incorporates technical learning as well as invaluable work based skills."

The news comes after the Government last year assigned £1m in funding to a new apprenticeship programme enabling budding lawyers to train as paralegals without the need for a university degree. Pearson won the tender to provide the training programme, which is expected to launch this year.

Last year, top 50 UK law firm Kennedys also launched an apprenticeship scheme for school leavers, offering students the chance to join the firm as a legal administrator on a starting salary of £14,000-£18,000.