FAQ

If you have completed an LPC, you will need to complete Period of Recognised Training and the Professional Skills Course to complete your qualification.  Alternatively, under the Equivalent Means route, you could either:

• Ask the SRA to recognise the combination of qualifying work experience and successfully passing SQE2 as equivalent to the period of recognised training. This means that if you come under the transitional arrangements, you can still start an LPC now, and then make use of the LPC + QWE + SQE2 route. Once you have successfully passed SQE 2 and have your QWE approved, you will be able to apply for admission as a solicitor. Please note you will still need to meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.  It is important to make sure that you are definitely covered by the SRA's transitional arrangements. If you are not sure and need more detailed guidance about your particular circumstances, please contact the SRA at EducationAndTrainingQueries@sra.org.uk and they will be able to advise you further.

or

• If you think you can demonstrate that you have the equivalent skills and experience gained through a period of recognised training (PRT), you could apply for a Period of Recognised Training exemption. The SRA’s fee for completing an assessment of the evidence you submit is £600. It is worth referring to the SRA for further information about applying for an exemption from the period of recognised training if you are interested in qualifying through this route.

Further information about the transition route for those with a LPC is described on the SRA website.

If you are eligible and thinking of applying to do the LPC, bear in mind that to complete your qualification through this route, you will need to undertake a two-year Training Contract. As the LPC is gradually being phased out, the number of Training Contracts that are available is also declining and so unless you already have a Training Contract, the SQE might be a better option for you on the basis that it offers more flexibility in the qualifying work experience element. If you decide to embark on an LPC and cannot secure a Training Contract, you do still have the option to take SQE 2 and complete qualifying work experience, but this is likely to be a more expensive route to qualification as you will incur both LPC and then SQE preparation and assessment costs.

Yes, absolutely! GDL/law conversion courses are a great option for non-law graduates (or those with law degrees obtained outside of the UK) wishing to become barristers or solicitors and for those who are not yet sure.

Please note: the 31 August 2021 was the deadline for those wanting to start a GDL with a view to qualifying as a solicitor through the LPC route.  The SRA website contains further details on the transition arrangements if you are unsure which qualification route you are eligible for.

Visit our GDL/law conversion page for further information about law conversion courses.  

For more information about qualifying as a solicitor, click here.

Find out more here about qualifying as a barrister.

If you have not yet decided whether you want to qualify as a solicitor or a barrister, you can apply for a GDL/PgDL law conversion course through the GDL/law conversion form.

To apply for an LLM, please select the form appropriate to the route you are seeking to qualify through.

• If you wish to qualify as a barrister or are unsure of your final career route and wish to do a law conversion LLM, please select the GDL/law conversion form.
• For LLMs tailored to applicants looking qualify through the SQE route, please select the SQE form.
• If you are looking for a LPC LLM, you will find these in the LPC application form.

You will be able to select the relevant course from the dropdown list of courses under each institution when you reach the course choice section of the application form.

Information about the courses offered by each institution can be found in Where can I study?. You can also search for courses using our course finder.

As with all courses, do make sure that you check the eligibility criteria for the course you want to apply for before you submit your application. If in doubt, please contact the admissions teams at your chosen institutions for clarification.

If you wish to do an MA Law (conversion) or MA Law (SQE 1) with a view to qualifying as either a solicitor or a barrister, please select the GDL/law conversion form on LawCAB.  You will be able to select the course(s) you want to apply for from the dropdown list of options when you reach the course choice section of your form.  

As with all courses, do make sure that you check the eligibility criteria before you submit your application. Use our course finder to check the eligibility requirements for the courses you are interested in. 

If in doubt, please contact your chosen institution(s) for clarification. A list of course providers with contact details is available in Where can I Study?

Read our blog about the differences between the LPC and SQE.

To summarise, up until 1 September 2021, anyone wanting to qualify as a solicitor had to do either a UK qualifying law degree (QLD) or, if they did not have a QLD, a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) (also known as the Common Professional Examination).  On completion of a QLD or GDL, you would go on to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and undertake a two year period of recognised training - commonly referred to as a Training Contract. 

The QLD, GDL and LPC are courses which cover prescribed subjects and were validated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). 

From 1 September 2021, anyone wishing to qualify as a solicitor who has not already embarked on the LPC route, will need to qualify under the new SQE route. 

The SQE offers a flexible route to qualification, part of which entails passing two assessments. It is completely up to you how you prepare for the assessments; you could decide that you don’t need to do any preparation at all (although we would encourage you to do your research before reaching that decision), or that you prefer to prepare through self-study and the use of online learning tools. For those looking for more structured support, however, universities and other course providers offer a variety of courses to help you prepare for the SQE assessments, either through online, part-time or full-time teaching. Some courses might be at post-graduate diploma or masters level and others could be shorter, SQE preparation/top-up courses or modules. One of the differences between the SQE route and the LPC route is that under the SQE, courses can be determined by the universities/course providers themselves and do not need to be validated by the SRA. 

Unlike the LPC, there is no prescribed route for completing your qualification as a solicitor, however, in order to qualify, you must have:

• have a degree in any subject or equivalent qualification or work experience
• pass both stages of the SQE assessments - SQE1 (legal knowledge) and SQE2 (practical legal skills)
• have two years' qualifying work experience (QWE)
• pass the SRA character and suitability requirements

Although aspiring solicitors will still need to complete two years of work experience before qualifying, this no longer needs to take the form of a Training Contract.  Rather, you have the option of completing your qualifying work experience (QWE) in up to four placements, which offers greater flexibility to both aspiring solicitors and prospective employers who may not previously have been able to commit to offering two year Training Contracts.

For further information about qualifying through the SQE, including QWE, please refer to our SQE section.

The SQE assessment fees for 2024/25 will be:

SQE1: £1,888 (£1,798 previously)
SQE2: £2,902 (£2,766 previously)

These will apply to anyone taking SQE2 in October 2024 and subsequent assessments during the academic year 2024/25.

The SRA publish full cost information on their SQE website

Please keep in mind that this is the cost of the assessments only and does not include the costs of any courses taken to prepare for the assessments. Applicants will need to check with course providers what their course fees include.

If you know that you are eligible to qualify through the QLD/GDL+LPC or the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), you will need to determine which route will best serve you, taking into account your current education, employment status, the financial implications and your future employment aspirations. 

First, make sure you fully understand the steps you would need to complete for each route in order to achieve qualification. Visit our LPC and SQE sections for a full outline of the qualification requirements for each.

Outlined below are a few of the factors you might want to consider when deciding which route to take.

GDL/LPC with Training Contract versus SQE with QWE route
If you choose the GDL/LPC route, you will need to complete a 2-year training contract before you can qualify as a solicitor. This is often the biggest stumbling block for aspiring solicitors because there are far fewer training contracts available than the numbers applying for them; many pass the LPC to find they are unable to complete their qualification because they cannot secure a training contract. And, following the launch of the SQE, training opportunities are changing and there are fewer Training Contracts being offered.

If you do decide to go down the LPC route, you could potentially complete qualifying work experience instead of a training contract, however, you would also need to pass the SQE2 assessment, which will mean additional costs on top of your LPC fees.  If you don't have a training contract and think you might need to complete qualifying work experience instead, you may find it more cost effective to qualify through the SQE.

Flexibility
The GDL/LPC route is ‘tried and tested’ and familiar to employers across the legal market in the UK, and in other jurisdictions, however, the flexibility of the SQE means that not only are you able to choose how you prepare for the SQE assessments, but also how you achieve your qualifying work experience (QWE); under the SQE you are not restricted to needing to complete a fixed two year Training Contract.  Rather, you could gain your 2 years of QWE in up to four different work placements, which could include, for example, time spent working at a law clinic and/or working in law firms. You could do this before, during or after your assessments and so you might find that any experience you already have could count towards your qualifying working experience.

Further information about the SQE can be found on the SRA's dedicated SQE website.

I have a qualifying law degree
If you have a QLD you can still apply for the LPC, which is a year-long course (if taken full-time), and would then need to be followed by a period of recognised training (training contract) (2 years) before you qualify as a solicitor. The cost of the LPC varies depending on where you do it. If you secure a training contract the firm may cover or contribute towards this cost.

Time: 1 year LPC + 2 years training contract = 3 years (4 years if studying part-time)
Cost: up to £16,750 (depending on course provider and location)

Alternatively, you can choose to qualify through the SQE. It is likely you will still need to undertake additional preparation to pass the SQE 1 and SQE 2 assessments but you might find that a short SQE course (or courses), independent study or even relevant work experience is sufficient. Or you can choose a fuller, post-graduate course such as an MA or LLM which incorporates SQE preparation. Bear in mind that any courses you do will not include the cost of the assessments themselves and so you will need to factor this in to any budgeting.

Time: 6-24 months depending on the type of course and mode of study you choose + 2 years QWE which can be done before, during or after your assessments.
Cost: £4,790 for the two SQE assessments + course costs (based on 2024/25 assessment fees)

I have a non-qualifying law degree
Under the old route, you have to do the GDL prior to taking the LPC. Please bear in mind that if you do wish to qualify through the LPC, you must have accepted an offer by 31 August 2021 for a place on a GDL course that started by 31 December 2021 and retain evidence of this for your future LPC application.

Time: 2 years plus 2 year training contract = 4 years (6 years if studying part-time)
Cost: up to £30,000 (depending on course providers and location)

When you consider the SQE route, it is worth looking at whether your law degree has covered some of the subjects that come up in the SQE 1 assessment, particularly those traditionally known as the seven foundations of legal knowledge. If so, you might feel that a short SQE preparation course, independent study and/or relevant work experience is sufficient to get you through the assessments and could potentially save you the cost of a full law conversion course and LPC. Alternatively, a longer post-graduate course incorporating SQE preparation could also be an attractive option, still potentially saving you time and money, and giving you that additional academic qualification of an MA or LLM, for example.

Time: 6-24 months depending on the type of course and mode of study you choose + 2 years QWE which can be done before, during or after your assessments.

Cost: £4,790 for the two SQE assessments + course costs (based on 2024/25 assessment fees)

I have a non-law degree
If you have never studied law previously, or you have gained your law degree outside of the UK, a GDL/law conversion course offers a comprehensive foundation in law, with the option of adding a Masters qualification on top, enabling those that pass to go on to complete the LPC. Please bear in mind that if you do wish to qualify through the LPC, you must have accepted an offer by 31 August 2021 for a place on a GDL course that started by 31 December 2021 and retain evidence of this for your future LPC application.

Time: 2 years plus 2 year training contract = 4 years (6 years if studying part-time)
Cost: up to £30,000 (depending on course providers and location)

If you opt for the SQE route, you could consider a postgraduate course, such as an PgDL, MA or LLM incorporating SQE preparation, which would fulfil the same ‘law conversion’ role as the GDL. You could also choose a shorter SQE preparation course, but if you have no previous experience in the law either through your studies or through work, you might feel you want a longer course with a post-graduate law qualification to add to your CV.

Time: 6-24 months depending on the type of course you choose + 2 years QWE which can be done before, during or after your assessments.

Cost: £4,790 for the two SQE assessments + course costs (based on 2024/25 assessment fees)

How long are the courses?
While the GDL and LPC are year-long courses (or 2 years each if taken on a part-time basis), the length of the SQE courses depends on the type of course you choose to do. So, if you have already completed a law degree and/or have experience working in a legal environment, a short SQE preparation course may be all you want to do.

Alternatively, regardless of whether you have previously studied law, a longer course which enables you to study at postgraduate level, for example incorporating an MA or LLM with preparation for the two SQE assessments included, could provide you with a stronger and more confident footing in the law.

Applying for courses via LawCAB
Find out which providers offer which types of courses in our Where can I study section and see suitable courses using our course finder. Keep an eye on the course eligibility requirements as some of the SQE courses are suitable for those who have done UK qualifying law degrees or GDLs, whereas others are more tailored to those who have not previously studied law or who have obtained law degrees outside of the UK.

Funding your studies
If funding your training is a concern, you may also wish to consider a solicitor apprenticeship where your employer will cover the cost of any courses and assessments whilst paying you a salary, so you can earn while you learn. There are graduate apprenticeships available, as well as ones open to non-graduates.

If you already have your GDL or QLD you can continue to qualify through the LPC route, provided you meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the SRA's transitional arrangements.  Use our course finder to identify Legal Practice Courses on offer.

You also have the option of qualifying through the SQE - visit our SQE section for full information about how to qualify through this route.

As part of your qualification through the SQE, you need to pass two SQE assessments.  You can decide yourself how you want to prepare for the assessments - there is no prescribed route for doing this and so you are free to choose a course that suits you, taking into account the studies you have already undertaken, the areas of interest you might have and aspirations for your career in law. As you have already have a grounding in law, you could consider doing a short SQE preparation course or, if you want to build on your academic credentials, you could choose a masters course which includes preparation for both of the SQE assessments.

Course providers will be offering a much greater variety of subjects in their new SQE courses including areas such as project management and legal technology, gearing applicants up for the needs of 21st century law firms. Do take the time to explore what the courses include.

When you are choosing a course, keep a close eye on the course outcome as it is really important to understand what the course will provide you with and what your next steps will need to be once you have completed the course. You can filter course outcomes using our course finder to search for courses that are SQE 1 assessment ready, SQE 2 assessment ready and SQE 1&2 assessment ready.

SQE 1 preparation courses

Those preparing for the SQE 1 will want a course that includes vocational, practical legal subject areas (similar to stage 1 of a LPC which covers the three essential practice areas of Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice and Litigation, together with the Course Skills, Professional Conduct and Regulation, Taxation and Wills and Administration of Estates);

And a course which regularly and repeatedly develops and tests on Single Best Answer (SBA) questions in exam conditions, as these are a core part of the SQE1 assessment.

For more detailed information about what is covered in the SQE 1 assessment, visit the SRA website for the SQE 1 assessment specification.

SQE 2 preparation courses

Consider a course with content that develops core legal skills (oral and written), allowing you to practise those skills and receive constructive feedback to prepare for SQE2. Skills include client interview and attendance note/legal analysis, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research, legal writing, legal drafting, and negotiation.

For more detailed information about what is covered in the SQE 2 assessment, visit the SRA website for the SQE 2 assessment specification

The SRA website contains further guidance for applicants on what to consider when choosing an SQE course.

Anyone who has completed the LPC and falls within the SRA transitional arrangements can choose to complete their qualification through the SQE route by completing two years of qualifying working experience and passing the SQE 2 assessment. Further information about this transition route for those with a LPC is described on the SRA website.

Under SQE, course providers are free to offer SQE preparation courses as determined by them, enabling them to offer a greater variety of courses tailored to specific applicant needs. This means that there are lots of different style courses out there and you will be able to choose one that suits you, taking into account the studies you have already done and how you want to study as well as the areas of interest you might have.

As you have already completed a QLD/GDL and your LPC, you may want to look at some of the short SQE prep courses on offer by way of a top-up to help you pass SQE 2. 

Consider a course with content that develops core legal skills (oral and written), allowing you to practise those skills and receive constructive feedback to prepare for SQE2. Skills include client interview and attendance note/legal analysis, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research, legal writing, legal drafting, and negotiation.

For more detailed information about what is covered in the SQE 2 assessment, visit the SRA website for the SQE 2 assessment specification

Use our course finder to identify courses which are suitable for you based on your needs and desired outcome.

It’s important to remember that the SQE assessments are separate from the courses and are managed centrally by Kaplan. Unless your course specifically indicates that the cost of the assessments is included in your course fees, you should factor in the cost of the assessments on top of your course fees.

The SRA website contains further guidance for applicants on what to consider when choosing an SQE course.

As you will be qualifying as a solicitor through the SQE, there is no set route to follow, however, the SQE will ask students to demonstrate the knowledge set out in the Statement of Legal Knowledge: 

• Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental doctrines and principles which underpin the law of England and Wales particularly in the Foundations of Legal Knowledge (Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts, Law of the European Union, Obligations 1 (Contract), Obligations 2 (Tort), Property/Land Law, Public Law (Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Human Rights Law);
• A basic knowledge of the sources of that law, and how it is made and developed; of the institutions within which that law is administered and the personnel who practice law;
• The ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a wide range of legal concepts, values, principles and rules of English law and to explain the relationship between them in a number of particular areas;
• The intellectual and practical skills needed to research and analyse the law from primary resources on specific matters; and to apply the findings of such work to the solution of legal problems; and
• The ability to communicate these, both orally and in writing, appropriately to the needs of a variety of audiences.

As you don't have a law degree, a course which provides you with a strong foundation in law, whether at diploma or masters level, will be important not only in providing you with greater confidence but also to reassure future employers who might be considering you alongside law graduates.  You could consider a law conversion course or an SQE course suitable for non-law graduates.

When you're deciding which type of course to undertake, have an eye on the sort of career you might be looking at pursuing and what future employers might be looking for.  If you think you might want to work abroad in the future, ensuring you have strong academic qualifications in law may help when it comes to qualifying in other jurisdictions. 

SQE 1

A law conversion course will aim to bring a non-law graduate up to the standard of a law graduate, providing essential background in the foundations of legal knowledge and a strong academic basis from which to go on to take additional preparation for the SQE assessments.  

Bear in mind that unless you choose a law conversion course which specifically includes SQE 1 preparation, you will need to undertake additional preparation for the assessments. You might find that depending on the type of course you choose, you can add on additional SQE preparation top-up modules, or take an SQE preparation course alongside.  

Alternatively, you could explore some of the SQE preparation courses that are specifically tailored to non-law graduates. 

For detailed information about what is covered in the SQE 1 assessment, visit the SRA website for the SQE 1 assessment specification.

SQE 2
Consider a course with content that develops core legal skills (oral and written), allowing you to practise those skills and receive constructive feedback to prepare for SQE2. Skills include client interview and attendance note/legal analysis, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research, legal writing, legal drafting, and negotiation.

For more detailed information about what is covered in the SQE 2 assessment, visit the SRA website for the SQE 2 assessment specification

Use our course finder to filter and explore courses that are suitable for non-law graduates with the following outcomes: 

•    Undertake Bar Training Course (BTC) or SQE 1&2 assessment preparation
•    SQE 1 assessment ready  
•    SQE1 & SQE 2 assessment ready

The SRA website contains further guidance for applicants on what to consider when choosing an SQE course.

SQE assessments

It’s important to remember also that the SQE assessments are separate from the courses and are managed centrally by Kaplan. Unless your course specifically indicates that the cost of the assessments is included in your course fees, you should factor in the cost of the assessments on top of your course fees.

The assessments need to be booked separately and you would probably want to ensure there is not too long a gap between completing a course and taking the first assessment.  Once you know which course(s) you are going to do and when you are likely to be ready to take your SQE 1 assessment, you can register for your assessment.   Read more about the SQE timings.

Note: If you hold a non-UK degree, you will need to provide a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability when you apply to the SRA for admission as a solicitor. The SRA would not require this, however, from a candidate who has a UK LLM at the point at which they apply for admission as a solicitor.

From 1 September 2021, if you want to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, you will need to do so through the SQE.  Please refer to our SQE section for full information about how to qualify through the SQE.

As part of your qualification through the SQE, you need to pass two SQE assessments: SQE 1 and SQE 2. You can decide yourself how you want to prepare for the assessments - there is no prescribed route for doing this, and so you are free to choose a course that suits you, taking into account the studies you have already undertaken as well as the areas of interest you might have. 

The SQE will ask students to demonstrate the knowledge set out in the Statement of Legal Knowledge: 

• Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental doctrines and principles which underpin the law of England and Wales particularly in the Foundations of Legal Knowledge (Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts, Law of the European Union, Obligations 1 (Contract), Obligations 2 (Tort), Property/Land Law, Public Law (Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Human Rights Law);
• A basic knowledge of the sources of that law, and how it is made and developed; of the institutions within which that law is administered and the personnel who practice law;
• The ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a wide range of legal concepts, values, principles and rules of English law and to explain the relationship between them in a number of particular areas;
• The intellectual and practical skills needed to research and analyse the law from primary resources on specific matters; and to apply the findings of such work to the solution of legal problems; and
• The ability to communicate these, both orally and in writing, appropriately to the needs of a variety of audiences.

Visit the SRA website for a more detailed overview of the SQE assessment topics,.

As your law degree is a non-qualifying or non-UK law degree, you might want to consider courses that are specifically tailored to non-law graduates, which will bring you to the same level as a UK qualifying law degree graduate. A GDL/law conversion course is a really good option if you are not yet sure which qualification route you want to take. It will provide you with a thorough grounding in law from which you can go on to undertake additional SQE preparation.

Alternatively, there are SQE courses which are tailored specifically to non-law/non-UK law graduates which will include preparation for the SQE 1 assessment.

Alternatively, you might find that a shorter course covering the areas needed to pass the SQE assessments will suffice, however, it would be worth checking how much your law degree covered in terms of the seven key foundations of law (found in a UK qualifying law degree) and how much ‘topping up’ you need to do to enable you to pass the SQE. You might prefer to combine SQE preparation with a Masters level qualification to build on your academic credentials and take advantage of some of the longer courses being offered.

For detailed information about what is covered in the SQE 1 and SQE 2 assessments, visit the SRA website for:

SQE 1 Assessment Specification

SQE 2 Assessment Specification

When you are choosing a course, keep a close eye on the course outcome as it is really important to understand what the course will provide you with, taking into account your educational background, aspirations for your career in law and what your next steps will need to be once you have completed the course. Some will be SQE assessment ready, some might offer the option of SQE modules while others will not include specific SQE assessment preparation and you will need to undertake some form of additional top-up course before you sit the assessments.

The SRA website contains further guidance for applicants on what to consider when choosing an SQE course.

It’s important to remember also that the SQE assessments are separate from the courses and are managed centrally by Kaplan. Unless your course specifically indicates that the cost of the assessments is included in your course fees, you should factor in the cost of the assessments on top of your course fees.

If you hold a non-UK degree, you will need to provide a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability when you apply to the SRA for admission as a solicitor. The SRA would not require this, however, from a candidate who has a UK LLM at the point at which they apply for admission as a solicitor.

Use our course finder to explore the courses on offer and what stage in your qualification journey they will take you to.  

Academic documentation

If you are a current undergraduate in your final year, you must attach a transcript to your form showing the modules/courses you have studied in your first two years and the marks awarded so far.  If you do not have, and cannot obtain, a copy of your current transcript, please attach a download or screenshot from your student portal showing your marks to date. The institutions you apply to will then follow up with you directly on receipt of your application.

If you are a graduate, you must attach a copy of your final transcript and/or degree certificate to your form.

For further information on transcripts, please refer to our FAQ 'What is a transcript?'. 

Personal statement

Most course providers require a personal statement. You can either type this into the form or upload as an attachment to the reason and personal statement section of the form.  Please see our FAQ on What is a personal statement and what should I include in it? for further information on what to include in your personal statement.

Reference

Some course providers require a reference.

If you are a current undergraduate or recent graduate, you are encouraged to nominate a current academic tutor who can comment on your suitability for post-graduate study and a career in law, and also provide an expected final grade for your current studies if possible.

If you cannot nominate an academic tutor, you should nominate a current or recent employer to provide a reference in support of your application. Please see our reference FAQs for further detail.

Passport details

If you are applying from outside of the UK and need a visa, you will need to provide your current passport number and expiry date.

Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) is the term used for the work experience component of the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales.

In summary:

• QWE is any experience of providing legal services that offers you the opportunity to develop some or all of the competences needed to practise as a solicitor
• QWE can be obtained in England or Wales or overseas
• it can be completed in up to 4 different organisations
• QWE must be 2 years' full time or equivalent
• it can be paid or unpaid
• it does not have to cover a range of areas of the law, or 'tick off' all the competences, but you must be aware that SQE1 and SQE2 will cover a broad range of topics and so you should be prepared for this if your QWE is focused in only one area of the law.

A range of websites and resources are available to help you to find firms offering roles that can be used to gain QWE.

Visit our Qualifying Work Experience section for more detailed information about QWE and how to find it.

Universities and other course providers are offering a variety of courses to help you prepare for the SQE assessments, either through online, part-time or full-time face to face teaching. These may be short preparation courses, or longer postgraduate courses, including at Masters level.

What you look for in a course will depend on whether you have previously studied law or whether you are starting from scratch. 

The SQE will ask students to demonstrate the knowledge set out in the Statement of Legal Knowledge: 

• Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental doctrines and principles which underpin the law of England and Wales particularly in the Foundations of Legal Knowledge (Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts, Law of the European Union, Obligations 1 (Contract), Obligations 2 (Tort), Property/Land Law, Public Law (Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Human Rights Law);
• A basic knowledge of the sources of that law, and how it is made and developed; of the institutions within which that law is administered and the personnel who practice law;
• The ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a wide range of legal concepts, values, principles and rules of English law and to explain the relationship between them in a number of particular areas;
• The intellectual and practical skills needed to research and analyse the law from primary resources on specific matters; and to apply the findings of such work to the solution of legal problems; and
• The ability to communicate these, both orally and in writing, appropriately to the needs of a variety of audiences.

Visit the SRA website for a more detailed overview of the SQE assessment topics,.

The following provides some points to consider in terms of the content and additional features of a SQE preparation course.

SQE1 preparation courses

If you have not previously done a law degree (which covered the foundations of legal knowledge,) or a GDL/law conversion course, you might want to consider courses that are specifically tailored to non-law graduates, which will provide you with this essential legal knowledge.

Those preparing for the SQE 1 will also want a course that includes vocational, practical legal subject areas (similar to stage 1 of a LPC which covers the three essential practice areas of Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice and Litigation, together with the Course Skills, Professional Conduct and Regulation, Taxation and Wills and Administration of Estates);

And a course which regularly and repeatedly develops and tests on Single Best Answer (SBA) questions in exam conditions, as these are a core part of the SQE1 assessment.

For more detailed information about what is covered in the SQE 1 assessment, visit the SRA website for the SQE 1 assessment specification.

SQE2 preparation courses
Consider a course with content that develops core legal skills (oral and written), allowing you to practise those skills and receive constructive feedback to prepare for SQE2. Skills include client interview and attendance note/legal analysis, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research, legal writing, legal drafting, and negotiation.

For more detailed information about what is covered in the SQE 2 assessment, visit the SRA website for the SQE 2 assessment specification

What else to look for in a SQE preparation course?
You may also, depending on your existing legal experience, want a course that:

• offers employability support and employability skills development
• provides access to legal work experience opportunities that could be 'banked' as QWE
• offers additional workshops/tutorials to develop broader career-long skills in e.g. leadership, conflict management, commerciality
• provides coursebooks/guides to support off-course revision and self-study of SQE1 & SQE2 subject areas and related SBA questions.

For more detailed guidance on the right course for you, see our FAQs, targeted at specific points in your academic journey e.g. which course should I do if...:

• I have an LPC
• I have a QLD/GDL
• I have a non-qualifying UK law degree / a non-UK law degree
• I have a non-law degree.

The SRA website contains further guidance for applicants on what to consider when choosing an SQE course.

For information about dates and timings of the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments, please refer to the SRA SQE site.

The SQE assessments are centrally administered by Kaplan and take place at Pearson VUE test centres across the UK and internationally.

You must register and book your own place on the SQE assessments

As the assessments are completely separate from any courses, your assessment dates will need to be booked independently by you (unless your course provider has specifically indicated that the assessments are included in the cost of the course fees and are being booked for you).

Anybody wanting to take the SQE assessments first needs to register online with the SRA SQE site prior to booking the assessment. You don't need to wait until you are ready to book an assessment - you should register as early as possible to allow yourself sufficient time to complete all the pre-booking steps.

Once you have successfully registered, you will receive notification of assessments dates, including when bookings open, and will then be able to book your own assessment date as soon as you are ready.

Find out more about registering for the SQE assessments.

After you have taken the assessments you can expect the results to be received as follows:
SQE1 - within 6-10 weeks of sitting the assessment
SQE2 - within 14-18 weeks of sitting the assessment

There is a webinar for candidates about the SQE assessments available on You Tube, which contains practical information for those taking the assessments.

Please refer to our course finder to identify the courses which will help prepare you for the SQE assessments.

Eligibility requirements for the SQE preparation courses will depend on the type of course you are applying for, however, most courses will require applicants to have an undergraduate degree.

It is important to check the eligibility requirements before you make your application as these will vary depending on the type of course you are applying for.  Some require a law degree, some ask that some or all of the seven key foundations in law (usually found in a qualifying law degree or GDL) have been studied, while others will be tailored to non-law graduates.

Please refer to our course finder to view individual course requirements.

It is up to you to ensure that you have checked the eligibility requirements for each of the courses you are applying for and that you have uploaded to your form the necessary documentation as evidence of your eligibility.