Overview
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the new route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales, introduced in 2021. It replaces the traditional Legal Practice Course (LPC) and consists of two stages: SQE1, which tests functioning legal knowledge, and SQE2, which assesses practical legal skills. Additionally, candidates must complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE).
Our SQE programme is designed with a student-centric approach, offering personalised support and flexible learning options to accommodate diverse learning styles and schedules. We provide a comprehensive curriculum that integrates practical training with theoretical knowledge, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared for successful legal careers.
The SQE1 stage focuses on assessing candidates’ understanding of core legal principles and their ability to apply this knowledge in various contexts. It covers subjects such as contract law, tort law, criminal law, and property law, among others. The SQE2 stage evaluates candidates’ practical legal skills, including client interviewing, advocacy, legal research, and drafting.
Our programme emphasises the importance of real-world experience, encouraging students to engage in practical exercises and simulations that mirror the challenges faced by practising solicitors. We also offer opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through placements and internships, further enhancing their readiness for the legal profession.
By the end of the programme, students will have developed a robust understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of law, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their legal careers. Our dedicated support team is committed to guiding students through every step of their journey, ensuring they achieve their full potential.
We are proud to be listed as one of the training providers for the SQE on the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) website. You can access the list of providers here.
“To qualify through the SQE route, candidates need to meet the following requirements:
Educational Qualification: A degree in any subject or an equivalent level 6 qualification in the United Kingdom or another jurisdiction.
SQE Assessments: Pass both stages of the SQE: SQE1 and SQE2
Qualifying Work Experience: Complete two years of full-time (or equivalent) qualifying work experience, developing competencies outlined in the SRA’s Statement of Solicitor Competence.
Character and Suitability: Meet the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) character and suitability requirements.
Proficiency in English: Demonstrate proficiency in English.
Demonstrating Proficiency in English:
- You can demonstrate proficiency in English or Welsh by passing the SQE2 assessment, or
- If you are granted an exemption from SQE2, you must demonstrate your language proficiency before applying for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales. This can be done by:
- Providing evidence that the professional legal qualification on which your exemption was based was assessed in English or Welsh, or
- Passing a language assessment at an appropriate level through tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.
Minimum Test Scores Required:
- IELTS (Academic) UKVI: 7.5 overall
- Pearson PTE (Academic) UKVI: 78 overall
- LanguageCert (Academic SELT): 80 overall
- LanguageCert SELT C1 International ESOL: High Pass overall
- Trinity College London – SELT ISE III: Level III (Reading – Distinction; Listening – Distinction; Writing – Distinction; Speaking – Merit)
For more information, check out our English courses here.
We offer tailored preparatory courses for both law and non-law graduates, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the SQE exams.”
Our program includes specialized modules for international students and foreign-qualified lawyers, providing additional support to help them navigate the SQE requirements and transition smoothly into the UK legal system.
- The SQE qualification structure includes:
- SQE1: Two exams testing functioning legal knowledge through multiple-choice questions.
- SQE2: Practical legal skills assessment, including client interviewing, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research, and drafting.
- Qualifying Work Experience (QWE): Two years of practical experience in up to four different legal settings.
We offer exclusive partnerships with leading law firms and legal organizations, providing our students with valuable opportunities for QWE placements. Our dedicated career services team assists students in securing these placements and offers ongoing support throughout their work experience.
The SQE covers various legal practice areas, including:
- SQE1:
- Functional Legal Knowledge 1: Business Law and Practice; Dispute Resolution; Contract; Tort; Legal System of England and Wales; Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law and Legal Services.
- Functional Legal Knowledge 2: Property Practice; Wills and the Administration of Estates; Solicitors Accounts; Land Law; Trusts; Criminal Law and Practice.
- SQE2:
- Skills assessed: client interview and attendance note/legal analysis; advocacy; case and matter analysis; legal research; legal writing; legal drafting
- Practice areas: Criminal Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Property Practice, Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration, and Business Organisations.
Our curriculum includes additional workshops and seminars on emerging legal fields such as technology law, environmental law, and international human rights, giving our students a competitive edge in the job market.
Upon passing the SQE and completing the QWE, candidates can apply for admission as solicitors in England and Wales. The SQE provides a flexible pathway, allowing candidates to gain diverse legal experiences and progress in their legal careers.
We offer a robust alumni network and mentorship program, connecting our graduates with successful legal professionals who provide guidance and support as they advance in their careers.
SQE 1
Fast Track: 2 – 6 months
Standard: 6 – 10 months
SQE 2
Standard: 3 – 6 months
“SQE preparation courses are offered through various delivery methods, including full-time or part-time study, online or in-person classes, and blended learning approaches.
We provide a state-of-the-art virtual learning environment, featuring interactive online modules, live webinars, and access to library of legal resources. Our hybrid learning model combines the best of online and face-to-face instruction, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging educational experience.”
Training Fees: Our institution charges tuition fees for the academic programs offered. These fees cover the cost of instruction, access to facilities, and other academic resources.
Our Training fee is:
SQE1:
- Online Course: £1850 (fast track)
- Online Course: £2250 (standard)
- Blended Course: £2250 (fast track only)
SQE2:
- Online Course: £2150 (standard)
- Blended Course: £3950 (standard)”
SQE Assessment Fees: Please note that there is a separate fee for undertaking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) assessment, which must be submitted directly to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This fee is independent of the tuition fees charged by our institution. For detailed information on the SQE assessment fees, please visit the SRA Website here.”
Our program includes regular mock exams and personalized feedback sessions, helping students to identify areas for improvement and build confidence ahead of the actual assessments.
The SQE assessments include:
SQE1
The two SQE1 Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) assessments comprise the following subject areas:
- Business Law and Practice; Dispute Resolution; Contract; Tort; Legal System of England and Wales; Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law and Legal Services (FLK 1).
- Property Practice; Wills and the Administration of Estates; Solicitors Accounts; Land Law; Trusts; Criminal Law and Practice (FLK 2).
Within each of the above FLK assessments, questions may draw on any combination of the subject areas which might be encountered in practice.
Ethics and Professional Conduct will be examined pervasively across the two assessments above.
Principles of taxation will be examined only in the context of:
- Business Law and Practice
- Property Law and Practice
- Wills and the Administration of Estates
The subject areas are grouped within two sections. There are further details for each of the two FLK assessments. For each area, assessment objectives are set out, followed by the knowledge of law and practice which candidates are expected to apply in order to answer the questions.
SQE2
The legal skills assessments in SQE2 are:
- client interview and attendance note/legal analysis
- advocacy
- case and matter analysis
- legal research
- legal writing
- legal drafting
The practice areas in which these legal skills are assessed are:
- Criminal Litigation (including advising clients at the police station)
- Dispute Resolution
- Property Practice
- Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice
- Business organisations, rules and procedures (including money laundering and financial services).
Questions in these practice areas may draw on underlying black letter law in the Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) as follows:
- Criminal Litigation: Criminal liability
- Dispute Resolution: Contract law and tort
- Property Practice: Land law
- Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice: Trusts
- Business organisations, rules and procedures: Contract law.
Although there is no separate assessment called negotiation, all deliveries of SQE2 will contain at least one assessment involving negotiation. Negotiation may be assessed in either interview and attendance note/legal analysis and/or case and matter analysis and/or legal writing.
Professionalism and ethics will be core parts of SQE2. Questions on ethics will be pervasive throughout SQE2. Ethical issues will not be flagged, and candidates will need to identify any ethical and professional conduct issues and exercise judgment to resolve them honestly and with integrity.
Questions involving taxation may arise in Property Practice; Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice; and Business organisations, rules and procedures.
The SQE is administered by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), ensuring consistent, high standards for all qualifying solicitors.
Our SQE program is accredited by the SRA and recognized for its excellence in legal education. We maintain rigorous academic standards and continuously update our curriculum to reflect the latest developments in the legal field.
Understanding SQE Exemptions
An SQE exemption allows qualified lawyers to bypass one or more of the SQE assessments. This is applicable to those who hold a professional legal qualification that grants practice rights in England and Wales or another jurisdiction.
Eligibility for Exemptions
Qualified lawyers are eligible to apply for SQE exemptions.
Qualified Lawyers is defined as individuals holding a legal professional qualification that confers practice rights in their jurisdiction.
Types of Exemptions
SQE1 Exemption:
- SQE1 includes two assessments (FLK 1 and FLK 2) with 180 questions each, taken over 10 hours. It requires extensive knowledge and application of the law in England and Wales.
- To qualify for an SQE1 exemption, you must demonstrate that:
- Your qualifications and/or work experience cover the areas of law assessed in SQE1.
- The law in your jurisdiction is not significantly different from the law of England and Wales.
- Your qualifications and/or experience meet level three of the SRA Threshold Standard, which includes:
- Functioning knowledge:Identifies the legal principles relevant to the area of practice and applies them appropriately and effectively to individual cases.
- Standard of work:Acceptable standard achieved routinely for straightforward tasks. Complex tasks may lack refinement.
- Autonomy:Achieves most tasks and able to progress legal matters using own judgment, recognizing when support is needed.
- Complexity:Able to deal with straightforward transactions, including occasional, unfamiliar tasks which present a range of problems and choices.
- Perception of context: Understands the significance of individual actions in the context of the objectives of the transaction/strategy for the case.
- Innovation and originality: Uses experience to check information provided and to form judgments about possible courses of action and ways forward.
- You have detailed references from your supervisors and relevant samples of your work.
- Given the stringent requirements, you might consider taking the SQE1 assessment instead.
SQE2 Exemption:
- To be exempt from SQE2, you must show that your skills match the standard of those assessed in SQE2. This can be proven through your qualifications, practice rights, and professional legal work experience, or a combination of these.
- If you do not meet these criteria, you can take the SQE2 assessment after passing SQE1.
- The SRA has a list of qualifications they have reviewed for SQE2 exemptions. If your qualification is not listed, you can still apply individually.
Using SQE2 as an Alternative
- If you have started or passed the LPC, or meet the SRA’s transitional requirements, you can use qualifying work experience and SQE2 as an equivalent to a training contract. This means you would not need to take SQE1.
- This is an alternative route, not an exemption.
Important Considerations
- Failed Assessments:You cannot apply for an exemption from any part of the SQE that you have previously failed. You must retake and pass the assessment to qualify as a solicitor.
- Jurisdiction-Specific Exemptions:The SRA has a list of jurisdictions and qualifications considered for exemptions. If your jurisdiction or qualification is not listed, you can still apply individually.
- Booking and Exemptions:Avoid booking an assessment and applying for an exemption for the same assessment simultaneously. If your exemption is granted after booking, standard cancellation terms will apply.
How we Can Help
Our goal is to make the SQE exemption process as smooth and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on advancing your legal career. At our law college, we are dedicated to supporting our students through every step of the SQE exemption process. Here’s how we can assist you:
- Personalized Guidance:Our experienced advisors provide one-on-one consultations to help you understand the exemption criteria and gather the necessary documentation.
- Workshops and Seminars:We offer regular workshops and seminars that cover the SQE exemption process, including how to prepare your application and what evidence to include.
- Reference Support:We assist in obtaining detailed references from your supervisors and ensure they meet the SRA’s requirements.
- Document Review:Our team reviews your application materials, including work samples and references, to ensure they are comprehensive and meet the SRA’s standards.
- Application Assistance:We guide you through the online application process, helping you complete each step accurately and efficiently.
- Ongoing Support:Even after your application is submitted, we provide ongoing support to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Objectives
Our mentorship program aims to accelerate the personal and professional development of SQE students by providing guidance, advice, and feedback from experienced legal professionals. We facilitate connections between students and professionals in the legal field, offering a robust support system to help students manage the demands of the SQE.
Planning and Vision-Setting
We define clear goals and objectives for the mentorship program, establish guidelines, and plan for potential challenges to ensure a smooth and effective experience.
Mentor Selection and Training
We recruit mentors who are experienced legal professionals, preferably those who have completed the SQE or have significant legal practice experience. Our mentors receive training on best practices for mentoring, including communication skills, goal setting, and providing constructive feedback.
Mentee Selection and Initial Coaching
We select mentees based on their motivation, ambition, and passion for the legal field. Initial coaching is provided to help mentees effectively engage with their mentors and make the most of the mentorship experience.
Matching Mentors and Mentees
We pair mentors and mentees based on their interests, goals, and areas of expertise, ensuring a good fit to foster a productive and supportive relationship.
Regular Check-Ins and Communication
We schedule regular meetings between mentors and mentees and encourage open and honest communication to build trust and address any concerns.
Goal Setting and Progress Tracking
We help mentees set clear, achievable goals for their personal and professional development. Progress is tracked, and feedback is provided to ensure mentees are on the right path.
Workshops and Seminars
We organize workshops and seminars on relevant topics such as legal research, advocacy skills, and career planning. Guest speakers from the legal profession are invited to share their insights and experiences.
Feedback and Evaluation
We collect feedback from both mentors and mentees to assess the effectiveness of the program and make necessary adjustments based on the feedback to improve the program.
Alumni Network and Continued Support
We aim to create an alumni network to maintain connections and provide ongoing support to former mentees. Alumni are encouraged to become mentors themselves, fostering a cycle of support and development.
Overview of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) is a crucial component of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales. All candidates looking to qualify through the SQE route must complete two years of full-time (or equivalent) QWE. This experience helps aspiring solicitors by providing real-life legal work opportunities and the chance to develop the competencies needed to practice as a solicitor.
Aspiring solicitors with the Legal Practice Course can also use QWE, and passing SQE2, as an equivalent to a period of recognised training (often known as a training contract).
What Counts as QWE?
QWE must involve providing legal services and can be gained in various settings, including law firms, in-house legal teams, legal advice centres, and charitable organizations. It can be completed in up to four different organizations and can include paid or volunteer work. The key requirements for QWE are:
- The work must involve providing legal services as defined by the Legal Services Act 2007.
- The experience must be real-life legal services provision, not simulated.
- Candidates must be exposed to at least two competencies in the Statement of Solicitor Competence.
- The work must be confirmed by a solicitor or Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP).
Candidates can gain QWE before, during, or after sitting the SQE assessments. It is designed to be flexible, allowing candidates to tailor their experience to their career goals.
QWE can be gained in England or Wales or overseas, and it does not need to cover English and Welsh law. A candidate will need knowledge of this to take the SQE assessment, but they do not need to gain this specifically through their work experience.
The SRA provides these questions to work out if your current or previous job, role or experience can count as QWE. If you answer ‘yes’ to all of them, it is likely to be QWE.
- Does or did your job, role or experience involve providing legal services? The Legal Services Act 2007 (s. 12) defines legal activity.
- Does or did your job, role or experience involve real life legal services provision rather than simulated legal services provision?
- Have you been exposed to at least two competences in the Statement of Solicitor Competence?
- Has or will your job, role or experience be carried out in no more than four organisations?
- Has or will your job, role or experience be at least two years’ full time or equivalent? We will not prescribe what full time (or equivalent) means.
- Has or will your job, role or experience be confirmed by a solicitor or Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP)?
Exclusive Partnerships
We have established partnerships with leading law firms, in-house legal teams, and legal organizations to provide our students with valuable QWE placements. These partnerships ensure that our students gain diverse and high-quality legal work experience.
Legal Advice Clinics
Our college operates legal advice clinics where students can volunteer and gain hands-on experience in providing legal services. These clinics offer a range of legal services to the community, allowing students to develop practical skills and competencies.
Pro Bono Opportunities
We offer numerous pro bono opportunities for students to work with charitable organizations and legal advice centers. These opportunities enable students to gain QWE while making a positive impact on the community.
Internships and Work Placements
We facilitate internships and work placements in various legal settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. These placements provide students with the chance to gain QWE in different environments and build a broad skill set.
Mentorship and Support
Our dedicated career services team provides ongoing support to students throughout their QWE. We offer mentorship programs, regular check-ins, and personalized guidance to help students navigate their work experience and meet the requirements.
Workshops and Seminars
We organize workshops and seminars on topics such as legal research, advocacy skills, and professional development. These events help students enhance their competencies and prepare for their QWE placements.
Flexible Learning Options
We provide flexible schedules and online resources to accommodate students’ commitments and ensure they can balance their studies with their QWE. Our hybrid learning model combines online and face-to-face instruction, offering a comprehensive educational experience.
Recording and Confirming QWE
We assist students in recording and confirming their QWE with the SRA. Our team provides guidance on completing the necessary documentation and ensures that students meet all requirements for their work experience to be recognized.
By leveraging these resources and opportunities, our institution helps SQE students gain the Qualifying Work Experience they need to become successful solicitors. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact our career services team.
“Note: It’s advisable to check the SRA website here for the most current details, as information may be updated.”
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