Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) – A Guide

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is part of a new route to become a solicitor, replacing the previous model involving the Legal Practice Course (LPC). It offers greater flexibility in terms of qualifying work experience (QWE).

The SQE was introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in September 2021, although there’s an 11-year transitional period in the meantime.

This page will explain what you need to know about the SQE, with information on assessments, costs, qualifying work experience and preparation courses.

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a new assessment, designed to simplify the qualification process for solicitors. Before it was introduced, there were several different ways to become a solicitor, but this new exam aims to provide a single, unified pathway for aspiring lawyers.

Eventually it will replace programmes like the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and the Legal Practice Course (LPC), although there is a transition period lasting until 2032, during which it’ll still be possible to qualify via the previous routes.

There are two stages of the SQE: the first of which focuses on legal knowledge (SQE1) while the second assesses practical legal knowledge (SQE2).

You’ll also need to gain two years of qualifying work experience (you can do this before, during or after the SQE). Then, the final step before qualifying as a solicitor is to satisfy the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s character and suitability requirements.

What’s changed?

Before September 2021, the main way to qualify as a solicitor was to study an LLB degree or Graduate Diploma in Law, then do a Legal Practice Course (LPC) and then get a training contract before applying for admission as a solicitor.

The introduction of the SQE means that anyone beginning their legal training from September will no longer be able to take that previous path, instead following a new route to becoming a solicitor.

What are the entry requirements for the SQE?

You’ll need to have a Bachelors degree in any subject in order to be eligible to sit the SQE (or an equivalent degree-level qualification, like a level 6 apprenticeship or CILEx qualification).

It’s not mandatory to have studied Law before taking the SQE, but realistically it’s a good idea to have done plenty of preparation for the assessment. Some providers are integrating SQE preparation into their existing legal qualifications, while it’s also possible to study standalone SQE preparation courses – more on those below.

The two assessment stages of the SQE law exam take place several times a year, and you’ll need to pass SQE1 before you can move on to SQE2. This means that if you successfully pass both assessments, you can complete SQE in under a year.

There are a couple of conditions, however. You’re only allowed three attempts at each stage of the SQE and must pass both within six years.

In total, SQE1 and SQE2 involve a total of 24 hours of examinations (don’t worry, this is spread over the course of seven days!).

The SQE costs £3,980 in total, with the following fees for each assessment stage:

• SQE1 – £1,558
• SQE2 – £2,422

These costs are paid separately when you book your assessment. However, you should bear in mind that if you decide to take an SQE preparation course or an integrated programme, you’ll need to pay additional tuition fees.

The SQE is aimed at those who want to begin their training to become solicitors from September 2021 onwards. If you have a degree in any subject, you can take the SQE.

If you’ve already begun your legal training before September 2021, there’s a transitional period until the end of 2032 during which it’s possible to qualify as a solicitor via the previous LPC route.

GDL or SQE?

If you’ve already begun studying a Graduate Diploma in Law (or completed one) by September 2021, it’s possible to choose between the SQE and the LPC on the way to becoming a solicitor. You’ll want to speak to your tutors and peers about which might be the right decision for you. LPC tuition fees and SQE assessment fees can vary quite widely, which is one factor to bear in mind.

Are there any exemptions for the SQE?

It’s possible for qualified lawyers to apply to the SRA for exemptions from the SQE law exam.

If you’ve already completed the LPC, you may not need to take SQE1. Instead, you can provide the SRA with proof of two years’ qualifying work experience and evidence that you’ve passed SQE2.

The SQE is split into two assessments: SQE1 and SQE2.

SQE1 covers functioning legal knowledge (FLK) and takes place over two days. It comprises a series of multiple-choice questions covering different practice areas across two parts, FLK1 and FLK2. The total amount of time you spend on these assessments is 10 hours.

FLK1 focuses on:

• Business law and practice
• Constitutional and administrative law
• Contract law
• Dispute resolution
• EU law and legal services
• Legal system of England and Wales
• Tort law

FLK2 focuses on:

• Criminal law and practice
• Land law
• Property practice
• Solicitors accounts
• Trusts
• Wills and the administration of estates

SQE2 takes place over five days, with a combination of written and spoken assessments spanning 14 hours in total.

During the first two days of SQE2, you’ll be orally assessed on your skills via four tasks in:

• Advocacy
• Client interview and attendance note/legal analysis

For the remaining three days of SQE2, you’ll undertake 12 written assessments in:

• Case and matter analysis
• Legal drafting
• Legal research

In order to qualify as a solicitor, you’ll also need to satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability requirements (as well as having two years of qualifying work experience – more on that below).

The character and suitability requirements consist of a screening process costing £39, including a check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

If you’re aiming to qualify through the SQE route, you’ll need to complete the equivalent of two years’ full-time (or equivalent) qualifying work experience (QWE). This can be before, during or after you’ve completed the SQE assessment.

What counts as qualifying work experience?

The SRA is reasonably flexible about what can be counted as qualifying work experience, with several different ways to go about proving you have the background needed to qualify as a solicitor. This is a departure from the previous training contract model, offering more freedom in terms of the opportunities that can count as QWE.

Generally speaking, there are five main options for QWE:

• Law firm placements undertaken during a Law degree
• Spending time at a law clinic
• Working as a paralegal
• Training contracts
• Volunteer work at a charity

Bear in mind that you’ll need to have actually been doing legal work at the organisation – if you were in a law firm’s marketing department, for example, that would not count as QWE. Your QWE should show that you’ve developed skills associated with the prescribed competencies for solicitors.

This experience can be paid or voluntary. It doesn’t need to be two years at a single organisation – as long as you’ve spent a total of two years full-time work (or equivalent) at no more than four different organisations. The definition of full-time equivalent is largely up to your employer, rather than being strictly defined by the SRA.

You’ll need to register your QWE with the SRA before you can qualify as a solicitor. Part of the registration process will involve the solicitor or organisation you worked with confirming your QWE.

Although it’s not mandatory to complete a preparation or training course before doing the SQE, it may be a good idea – particularly if you don’t have any prior legal experience or knowledge.

These programmes, designed to help you pass the SQE, may come in a few different forms:

• Standalone courses for SQE1 and SQE2
• LLB undergraduate degree with SQE preparation
• LLM with SQE preparation
• Masters of Arts in Law with SQE preparation
• Postgraduate Diploma in Law with SQE preparation

We currently list several programmes on FindAMasters that involve an element of SQE preparation.