Qualify as a solicitor
Following the launch of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) on 1 September 2021, we are now in a transitional period where there are two valid routes to qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales: the LPC route and the SQE route.
Scroll down to learn more about qualifying as a solicitor.
Solicitors Qualifying Examination
The SQE is for anyone who wants to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales who has not yet embarked on a UK qualifying law degree, GDL or LPC.
Legal Practice Course
The LPC route is valid until 2032 for those who had started their journey to qualification by September 2021 and meet the SRA's transitional requirements.
Find a course
Explore the individual courses on offer to view information about eligibility, course outcome, fees, duration as well as links to university webpages.
How to apply for a course
Make sure you have read and understood the steps in the application process and what is required before you start your application.
What is the difference between the LPC and SQE?
Although some people still eligible for the LPC, from 1 September 2021 anyone starting out on their journey to qualifying as a solicitor must follow the SQE route.
Route Checker
During the transition period, there will be some who are eligible to take either the LPC route or the new SQE route to qualification. Check which route you are eligible for.
Alternative routes to qualification
There are alternative routes to train and qualify in law for those who do not wish, or are not able, to go to university full-time.
SQE candidate case studies
The SRA has published two anonymised candidate case studies which offer insights from candidates who have taken the SQE assessments, including tips on how they prepared.
Tips from previous applicants
We asked candidates who applied through LawCAB in 2023 for LPC, GDL and SQE courses what they wish they had known before they started their qualification journey.