What Is the Solicitors Qualifying Examination?

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the centralised assessment for anyone wishing to become a solicitor in England and Wales. Introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in September 2021, it replaced the traditional route of a qualifying law degree followed by the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and a training contract.

The SQE is now the standard qualification pathway and is intended to create a more accessible, consistent, and flexible route into the legal profession.

Why Was the SQE Introduced?

Prior to the SQE, aspiring solicitors had to follow a structured but often inconsistent path involving:

• A law degree or conversion course (CPE/GDL)
• The LPC (Legal Practice Course)
• A two-year training contract with a law firm

This system was widely viewed as expensive, inflexible, and unequal. For example, many students would complete the LPC but then struggle to find a training contract, leaving them qualified academically but unable to practise.

The SQE was designed to address these issues by:

• Introducing a single national assessment for all aspiring solicitors
• Allowing more routes to qualification, including apprenticeships and part-time work
• Focusing on skills and legal knowledge, not just academic background

What Does the SQE Involve?

To qualify as a solicitor under the SQE, you must complete four key stages:

1. Hold a Degree or Equivalent Qualification

You must have a UK degree in any subject, or an equivalent qualification or experience. This can include certain apprenticeships, CILEx Level 6 qualifications, or recognised overseas degrees.

2. Pass SQE1 (Functioning Legal Knowledge)

SQE1 tests your knowledge of the law through two multiple-choice exams:

• FLK1:- Covers subjects like contract law, tort, business law, and dispute resolution
• FLK2:- Covers property law, wills and probate, criminal law, and solicitors’ accounts

Each paper consists of 180 questions, and both must be passed to move on to SQE2.

Preparation courses are not mandatory, but many candidates choose to enrol in SQE1 prep courses to improve their chances of passing.

3. Pass SQE2 (Practical Legal Skills)

SQE2 assesses your practical skills as a solicitor. This includes:

• Client interviewing
• Advocacy
• Legal research and writing
• Case analysis
• Drafting legal documents

SQE2 consists of written and oral assessments and is designed to simulate real-world solicitor work.

Again, while prep courses aren’t required, most candidates find them useful for refining their technique and understanding the format.

4. Complete Two Years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)

To become a solicitor, you must also complete two years (full-time equivalent) of legal work experience. This is known as Qualifying Work Experience (QWE).

QWE can be more flexible than the old training contract system. It can include:

• Work at up to four different organisations
• Paid or voluntary roles
• Paralegal work, legal clinics, in-house legal teams, or law firm placements

Your experience must be signed off by either a solicitor or a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP), but it doesn’t need to follow a strict format or timeline.

How Long Does It Take to Qualify via the SQE?

The SQE route can take as little as 2 to 3 years, depending on your background and work experience. For example:

• A law graduate with paralegal experience might complete the exams and QWE quickly
• A non-law graduate may take longer due to the need for legal study and practical exposure

There is no set timeframe, allowing candidates to progress at a pace that suits them.

How Much Does the SQE Cost?

The exam fees alone are:

• SQE1: £1,888​
• SQE2: £2,902​

These fees are set to increase from September 2025 as follows:​

• SQE1: £1,934​
• SQE2: £2,974​

These fees do not include preparation courses, which can typically range from £3,000 to over £8,000, depending on the provider and course length. Many candidates seek law firm sponsorship, use student loans, or work while studying.

Who Needs to Take the SQE?

If you started your legal training after 1 September 2021, you must qualify through the SQE route.

You may still qualify under the old LPC/PSC route if you:

• Began your LPC or CPE/GDL before September 2021, and
• Complete your qualification before 31 December 2032

After that date, the LPC route will be closed entirely.

Benefits of the SQE Route

• Greater flexibility:- Multiple paths and no need for a traditional training contract
• Broader access:- More affordable and open to non-law graduates
• Consistent standards:- Everyone must pass the same exams, regardless of education background
• More career options:- Easier to balance legal training with work or family commitments

Closing Thoughts

The SQE is now the standard route for qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. It was created to streamline the process, improve access, and ensure consistent standards across the profession.

Whether you’re a law graduate or coming from another field, the SQE offers a modern, flexible path to becoming a solicitor. If you’re starting your journey today, the SQE is the route you’ll need to follow.

For more information, visit the official SRA website, or speak with a legal training provider.