SQE preparation courses

Find out which institutions offer Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) preparation courses by using our Courses search.

The SQE is the final, centralised assessment that all aspiring solicitors must pass to qualify as a solicitor, regardless of the route taken (eg, legal apprenticeship or university).

The SQE is a set of exams (SQE1 and SQE2) and isn’t a course. Education providers across the country offer various SQE preparation courses designed to get candidates ready to sit and pass the SQE assessments.

You can read LawCareers.Net’s ‘guide to SQE preparation courses’ for further information.

The SQE aims to ensure that all aspiring lawyers are assessed using the same methods, with various options for training and preparation ahead of candidates taking the assessments. Although these courses aren’t a requirement, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is encouraging candidates to complete some form of preparation to give themselves the best chance of passing SQE1 and SQE2.

Who’s eligible

There are various transitional arrangements in place but anyone who wants to qualify as a solicitor, who doesn’t meet the SRA’s transitional arrangements (ie, to continue with the old Legal Practice Course (LPC) route), must complete the SQE. The various preparation courses are aimed at individuals at different stages – for example, there are SQE preparation courses designed specifically for non-law students.

You can find out more about this via the SQE hub, sponsored by The University of Law.

What you learn

There’s no single SQE preparation course. Instead, law schools and universities offer their own SQE preparation courses, with full-time and part-time study options, differing structures, course length and content.

You could take an undergraduate law degree that includes preparation for SQE1, or an LLM that includes preparation for both SQE1 and SQE2.

For example, The University of Law’s LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2), which guarantees candidates will receive four weeks of qualifying work experience (QWE), provides candidates with:

• SQE1 preparation;
• SQE2 preparation; and,
• key practice areas and enhanced skills content.

Nottingham Trent University has various courses on offer, including its SQE1 Preparation Course PGDip. This course prepares candidates to take SQE1 via the study of the six subject areas that make up the first assessment – the teaching will be conducted via lectures, weekly workshops, and e-learning activities, as well as formative assessments throughout.

There are also specific courses on offer for non-law graduates that act as conversion courses – for example, The University of Law’s MA Law (SQE1). These courses will help non-law graduates to develop the key professional skills and behaviours that lawyers need to succeed in the profession, on top of the skills required to sit and pass SQE1 and opportunities to complete QWE.

Where to study

There are several factors that’ll likely play into your choice of education provider, including where you’ve studied previously, costs and whether you’ve received a training offer from a firm. 

Choosing a course and provider isn’t a decision to take lightly. You should conduct some research into the course content and structure, the education provider’s links with the legal profession, the careers advice offering, the facilities that are available and the provider’s reputation.

As mentioned previously, some firms will have exclusive partnerships with specific education providers. As such, it might be the case that if you’ve secured a training contract with a particular firm, then you’ll have to complete any SQE preparation with the provider that they’re in partnership with.

Use LawCareers.Net’s Course search to find the right course for you.

Law school sponsorship

Find out which institutions offer the SQE by using our Course search. 

With some universities incorporating SQE1 preparation into their undergraduate law degrees, the cost of SQE1 prep could be covered via the normal student finance route. This opens the door to complete a cheaper SQE2 preparation course later down the line.

Completing SQE1 and SQE2 preparation as part of an LLM is also a viable option and such courses will be eligible for postgraduate student loan funding.

Otherwise, like the LPC, many firms provide funding options for their SQE cohorts. They’ll likely require their future trainee lawyers or apprentices to complete SQE preparation with a specified provider and, as such, will cover the costs of the preparation courses and the fees associated with sitting the assessments.

There are a growing number of different SQE preparation courses on offer with various funding and sponsorship options available, so it’s important to do your research to find the course that best fits your needs and circumstances.

When and how to apply

With the variety of SQE preparation courses on offer, the deadlines for applying and ways to apply differ from provider to provider. Many of the preparation courses offer several start dates throughout the year in line with the multiple assessment windows, offering greater flexibility to candidates.

If you’ve secured a training contract with a firm, it’s likely that you’ll be required to complete a preparation course with a specific provider with the firm funding your studies and assessments.

Similar to the LPC, many providers will require applications to be made via the Central Applications Board (CAB); however, this isn’t the case for all of them. For example, The University of Law asks that those applying to secure a spot on a full-time course, apply via the CAB, while those who are applying to study online or part-time should apply direct to the university. With start dates at various points throughout the year, it offers candidates the chance to choose a study period that best suits them and their chosen SQE1 or SQE2 assessment date.

While various other providers also request that candidates apply through the CAB, QLTS School has preparation courses available to access all year “to study whenever and wherever you want”. The Law Training Centre also accepts applications throughout the year so candidates can start their learning whenever it suits them.

There’ll be universities that have stricter deadlines than this, for example the University of Bristol updates its deadlines for SQE1 and 2 preparation on its website.

Ultimately, you’ll need to check when and how to apply for SQE preparation courses on a case-by-case basis.