Solicitor Qualification: The SQE

The new SQE qualification (starting Sept 2021) requires exams plus 2 years of qualifying work experience, and is a common route for law and non law students alike.

However, students with an undergraduate degree in law will have have a greater understanding of the fundamentals of law and thus the type and amount of preparation needed for the exams may be different for candidates with different backgrounds.

The two years qualifying work experience can be taken at any point throughout the SQE, but the SRA expect that the majority of graduates will pass SQE1 before embarking on their main period of work experience.

Following the SQE route, it is estimated that law graduates will qualify as a solicitor in five to six years, while it will take non-law graduates five to seven years.

The SQE route

  • A degree in any subject (or equivalent qualification or experience)
  • Pass SQE 1 a test of the knowledge of the fundamentals of law, multiple choice, and single answer questions.
  • Pass SQE 2 a test of practical skills plus knowledge, assessed by role play and written exercises.
  • Complete two years full time (or equivalent part time) of qualifying work experience (QWE).
  • You must also meet the SRA's character and suitability requirements.

These exams can be sat at set times of the year at test centres in the UK and internationally.

Preparing for the SQE

Law students: As a law student you will have significant knowledge of the areas of law required for the SQE exams. The University of Manchester’s Law School has a partnership with BARBRI and you may wish to investigate the SQE prep courses on offer, alongside SQE courses available with other providers.

If your undergraduate education or work experience provider does not provide exam preparation you may wish to find your own SQE training provider to help you prepare. It is likely you will have to finance this course yourself unless bursaries are available or you take the masters route (LLM) which qualifies for a postgraduate study loan.

Non Law students: Although it is possible to do the SQE exams without a law degree or legal training of some kind it is unlikely you would pass. See options below:

The GDL route is now closed for entry although those currently on this path may continue and progress onto the LPC and a training contract until 2032.

Options include:

  • SQE preparation course for non law students; this is likely to be longer than for law students to bring you up to speed with the required knowledge
  • New version of the GDL known as the postgraduate diploma in law (PGDL) includes preparation for SQE1.
  • Master’s (LLM) which has the benefit of allowing you to apply for the postgraduate study loan. However, you must check this includes preparation for the SQE and isn’t a purely academic course. Some include preparation for SQE 1 and or 2.
  • Training contract or graduate apprenticeship where you work and study with a law firm - See qualifying work experience.

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