Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

A mandatory requirement if you want to become a solicitor in England and Wales, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is split into two parts. Learn more about assessments, preparation courses, costs and funding options

What is the SQE?

The SQE is a centralised exam for solicitors that will eventually replace the GDL and the LPC, but don't be misled - it's not a course but a series of exams taken in two stages.

Under the new system trainee solicitors must:

• hold a degree or equivalent qualification (such as a degree apprenticeship) in any subject
• pass stages 1 and 2 of the SQE
• complete two years qualifying work experience (QWE)
• meet the SRA's character and suitability requirements.

While it's helpful for your undergraduate degree to be in law, it doesn't have to be. Graduates of any subject can take the SQE and to ensure non-law graduates are ready for the exams, law conversion courses (PGDLs) and SQE preparation programmes are available.

Why was the Solicitors Qualifying Examination introduced?

Traditionally, to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales you had to:

• Study a qualifying law degree (LLB), before moving on to the Legal Practice Course (LPC), after which you'd complete a two-year training contract.
• Or, take any degree subject before following up with the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), then complete the LPC, followed by a training contract.

Introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the SQE 'is designed to create a more consistent and accessible pathway to becoming a solicitor,' explains Skye Fenton-Wells, early talent recruitment manager at Womble Bond Dickinson.

'The SQE aims to standardise the assessment process, as well as widen access to the profession by providing more flexible and varied pathways to qualification. Candidates can gain legal work experience in a broader range of settings, which are no longer limited to traditional law firms, which can help break down barriers for those who may find it difficult to secure a conventional training contract.'

Learn more about how to become a lawyer.

What does the SQE involve?

The SQE is split into two stages - SQE1 and SQE2 - and is assessed on a pass/fail basis.

SQE1 should be taken after your degree. It tests functioning legal knowledge (FLK) in two exams, each made up of 180 multiple-choice questions. The first exam (FLK1) covers:

• business law and practice
• constitutional and administrative law and EU law and legal services
• contract
• dispute resolution
• legal system of England and Wales
• tort.

The second part of SQE1 (FLK2) covers:

• criminal law and practice
• land law
• property practice
• solicitors accounts
• trusts
• wills and administration of estates.

Take a look at these SRA SQE1 example questions.

Each of the two exams last five hours and six minutes and are taken on a computer, in one assessment window - meaning they must all be taken together. They are offered over a period of two days. SQE1 must be passed in its entirety before attempting SQE2, but this is the only restriction on timings.

SQE2 tests practical legal skills. The assessment is comprised of 16 practical exercises involving four oral skills assessments and 12 written. Ethics and professional conduct are assessed throughout. Taken over five days in total, the oral element takes place over two half days and the written over three half days.

SQE2 assesses the following skills:

• advocacy
• case matter analysis
• client interview and attendance note/legal analysis
• legal drafting
• legal research
• legal writing.

The practice contexts are:

• business organisations rules and procedures
• criminal litigation
• dispute resolution
• property practice
• wills and intestacy, probate administration and practice.

Practice with these SRA SQE2 sample questions.

When and where do SQE assessments take place?

Kaplan provides the assessments and there are multiple sittings of the exams per year. SQE1 sittings take place in January and July, and from 2024 SQE2 sittings take place in January, April, July and October. To find out more about assessment dates see the SRA - When you can take the SQE.

You will take the SQE exams at your nearest Pearson test centre, of which there are numerous across England and Wales. SQE2 oral assessments can currently only be taken in Cardiff, Manchester or London, although it's expected that more locations will be made available in the future. 

The SRA encourages those who are ready to sit the exams to register early as places are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Before you book your place on the assessments, you'll need to register as an SQE candidate.

You're only allowed three attempts at SQE1 and SQE2 and these must be taken within six years. Expect your results to arrive five to six weeks after sitting the exam for SQE1 and 14 to 18 weeks after sitting SQE2. To understand more about your results and potential resits see SRA - Results and resits.

What does qualifying look like for law and non-law graduates?

For law graduates, qualifying under the SQE system looks like:

study for a three-year law degree (which includes SQE1 preparation)

• take SQE stage 1
• complete a two-year period of qualifying legal work experience (QWE)
• take SQE stage 2
• satisfy the SRA's suitability and character requirements
• qualify as a solicitor.

For non-law graduates, it looks something like:

• study for a three-year non-law degree
• take an SQE preparation course
• sit the SQE stage 1
• complete a two-year period of QWE
• take SQE stage 2
• satisfy the SRA's suitability and character requirements
• qualify as a solicitor.

Following the SQE route, law graduates qualify as a solicitor in five to six years. It takes apprentices and non-law graduates five to seven years.

How does the SQE affect those already studying?

Because of a long transition period, if you started your law degree or LPC before September 2021 you'll have 11 years (until 2032) to qualify under the traditional route. However, if you want to switch to the new SQE route you can.

If you began studying law after September 2021 the LPC will have ceased as a qualification route. You'll have to take the SQE and won't have the option of qualifying via the old route.

It's the same story for non-law graduates. If you began the GDL before September 2021 you'll be able to choose to continue down the traditional route of progressing onto the LPC and a training contract until 2032.

For new entrants the GDL has ceased as a qualification route, you'll need to take a law conversion course and an SQE preparation course instead.

Are SQE preparation courses available?

Yes, but they're not mandatory. You don't have to complete an SQE preparation course in order to take the SQE exams, but it's expected that many candidates (both law and non-law graduates) will opt to do so to ensure they're as prepared as possible for the assessments.

QLTS School offer several course packages for SQE1 and SQE2, which include study textbooks and summary notes, practice questions, digital flash cards, a video library with tutorials that cover the practice areas and skills, hundreds of SQE mock exams and tutor support.

Some institutions incorporate SQE1 preparation into their law degrees, while other providers offer stand-alone courses. The majority of SQE preparation courses can be studied either full or part time.

BPP run the following SQE preparation courses:

• SQE Starter Course
• SQE1 Preparation (self-study)
• SQE1 Preparation
• SQE2 Preparation
• LLM SQE1&2
• SQE1&2 Diploma
• LLM Law Conversion with SQE1.

At The University of Law you can study a number of options including:

• SQE Law Essentials
• LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)
• MA Law (SQE1)
• MA Law Conversion
• SQE1 Preparation Course
• SQE2 Preparation Course
• SQE1 exam Preparation Course
• SQE2 Exam Preparation Course.

While BARBRI run three programmes, SQE Foundations, SQE1 Prep and SQE2 Prep.

Other preparation courses are offered by institutions such as:

• Bath Spa University
• City, University of London
• Coventry University
• De Montfort University
• FQPS Academy
• Law Training Centre
• Nottingham Trent University
• The College of Legal Practice
• University of the West of England.

For more information on which institutions and organisations provide preparation courses, see the SRA's SQE training providers list.

Search SQE preparation courses.

Jas Hepple, early talent adviser at Taylor Wessing has this advice when it comes to choosing an SQE preparation course. 'It is essential to consider the provider's reputation, the quality of materials offered, the format of tuition (whether in-person or online), and how well the course prepares you for both parts of the SQE. Review feedback from former students and consider any personal commitments such as work or family to ensure that the course schedule and demands align with your available time.

Law firm's may have a preferred provider, so also check this when applying for training contracts, as this may take away your choice as to the SQE course provider.'

What does qualifying legal work experience (QWE) mean?

'Qualifying legal work experience is pivotal,' says Jas. 'It provides practical insight into legal practice, allowing candidates to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. 

Traditionally a training contract was the essential element to qualification, but it was also one of the main barriers, as placements are notoriously difficult to secure.

The SQE is designed to offer more flexibility when it comes to work experience, so aspiring solicitors don't necessarily need to do a training contract. However, many firms are sticking with the traditional training contract format.

Under the SQE route, you still need to do two years qualifying legal work experience, but this can be completed at a maximum of four organisations. The experience can be paid or unpaid and must provide you with the opportunity to develop the prescribed competencies for solicitors and be confirmed by an appropriate person, for example the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice.

Formal training contracts, working as a paralegal, completing a placement as part of a sandwich degree or volunteering in a student law clinic or with Citizens Advice all count towards the SQE's work experience requirements.

For example, you could complete a two-year training contract at one law firm or, alternatively, carry out six months of pro bono work at your university law clinic and then work as a paralegal for 18 months.

Each placement will need to be signed off by a solicitor at the organisation, or a solicitor outside the organisation who has direct experience of the candidates work.

'This flexibility of qualifying legal work experience - recognising experience from various sources, whether continuous or with multiple employers - is designed to broaden access to the profession and reflect the diversity of legal practice,' adds Jas.

QWE 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.

How much does the SQE cost?

The total candidate fee for the SQE is £4,564.

• SQE1 costs £1,798 (£899 for FLK1 and £899 for FLK2)
• SQE2 costs £2,766.

You pay the fees when you book your assessments.

These figures don't include any additional training costs such as SQE preparation courses. If institutions incorporate SQE preparation into their law degrees there will be no additional charge, however if you choose to take preparation courses separately SQE costs will be considerably higher.

SQE preparation course fees are set by individual institutions and as such vary widely. What you pay depends on what (study level) and where (location) you study. For example, fees for the Masters level LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) at the University of Law range between £16,950 and £12,800, while the SQE1&2 Diploma at BPP University costs £12,100 to £10,300. At QLTS School SQE1 and SQE2 basic prep courses cost £1,890 each.

Is SQE funding available?

There are a number of options when it comes to funding your SQE preparation and assessments.

• Postgraduate loan - If you choose to study a Masters course that incorporates SQE1 and/or SQE2 preparation into the programme you can apply for a Masters loan worth up to £12,471 in the 2024/25 academic year. While this will cover a big portion of your fees it might not cover them entirely and you'll likely have to fund the cost of the SQE assessments yourself. Be aware that not all SQE prep course providers are universities - those who are not will not be able to provide this funding option.
• Scholarships - from small discounts to full-fee awards there are a number of postgraduate scholarships on offer that could help you fund your SQE preparation course. Check with different preparation course providers to discover what's available. The Law Society runs the Diversity Access Scheme which is designed to assist those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Via the scheme you can apply for SQE funding including prep course and assessment costs. Find out more about scholarships and bursaries.
• Self-funding - Via savings, family assistance or bank loans.
• Working while studying - The majority of SQE preparation courses can be studied part time, which enables you to work and earn money alongside your studies. As the SQE training route provides more flexibility, you could work full time for a period to fund SQE1 prep and assessments and then take time out to do the same for SQE2. Learn more about working while studying.
• Law firm sponsorship - Large and mid-sized firms usually recruit trainees two years in advance (second-year law students and final-year non-law students). And just as firms used to sponsor their future trainees through the LPC, 'many law firms now offer sponsorship to cover the costs associated with the SQE exams,' says Cristina Gutierrez early careers coordinator at Dentons. 'For those undertaking the SQE following an offer from Dentons, we cover the cost of the SQE fees, which includes both SQE1 and SQE2. Additionally, we provide a maintenance grant to help with living expenses during the period of study. Recognising the importance of thorough preparation for the SQE, we also cover the cost of the SQE preparation courses with BPP, our learning provider.' Other firms that provide SQE sponsorship to their trainees include: A&O Shearman, Bird & Bird, Charles Russell Speechlys, Herbert Smith Freehills, Osborne Clarke, Pinsent Masons, Taylor Wessing and Weil Gotshal & Manges. If you choose to complete your QWE in this way read up on training contracts.
• Apprenticeships - If you choose to qualify as a solicitor via the solicitor or the graduate solicitor apprenticeship pathway, SQE preparation and assessment fees are paid by your employer. What’s more you'll earn a wage while you learn. Discover more about law apprenticeships.

Find out more

• Read up on the different areas of law.
• Learn more about the reality of working in law.
• Discover the 7 skills you need for a successful law career.
• Find out more about becoming a solicitor via the SQE at QLTS - SQE Exams.