SQE Prep With BARBRI
The New Path to Qualifying as a Solicitor
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is replacing the traditional LPC route to qualification. You no longer need a law degree, an expensive conversion course (GDL) or a training contract. Here are the steps to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales:
1. Degree or Equivalent Qualification
You’ll need an undergraduate degree or equivalent level 6 qualification (e.g. apprenticeship) in any subject. International degrees must be European Qualifications Framework-accredited qualifications.
2. Pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exams
The SQE1 tests your Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) through multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The SQE2 tests your application of legal skills through written and in-person oral assessments. Check the SRA's website to see if you qualify for an exemption.
3. Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
You’ll need two years of signed-off QWE with up to four different organisations, paid or unpaid, demonstrating your solicitor skills. Work experience can be undertaken before, during, or after the SQE exams. Read more on our QWE page.
4. Apply and Satisfy the SRA’s Requirements
The last step is to apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for admission as solicitor. This process includes character and suitability checks to ensure you are fit and proper to hold the role. Learn more about it on the SRA website.
Who is the SQE for?
No matter who you are or what your background is, BARBRI can help you prepare for the SQE with confidence.
Individual Learners
We have years of experience successfully supporting:
- check_circle Law graduates
- check_circle Non-law graduates from business, humanities, science and other fields
- check_circle Legal professionals such as paralegals
- check_circle Lawyers from other jurisdictions wanting to dual-qualify in England and Wales
- check_circle Candidates wanting to qualify as soon as possible
- check_circle Candidates working full time or having other life commitments
Firms, Organisations + Universities
We support firms and in-house legal teams worldwide to upskill their legal talent through the SQE. We also provide SQE Prep and U.S. Bar Review solutions to our higher education partners.
Law Firms + Organisations
BARBRI supports over 250 law firms, from the Magic Circle to small and medium-sized firms across the UK and further afield. We also support in-house teams at corporate, ALSP and public sector clients with their SQE and professional skills needs.
Universities
The University Partnerships team provide SQE Prep and US Bar Review solutions for higher education partners, from progression agreements to embedding our SQE Prep technology into LLB and Master's degree programmes to help their students become practice-ready.
BARBRI’s SQE Prep Courses are Tried and Tested
Maximum Flexibility
Our SQE prep courses are designed to be fully online and flexible to suit your individual needs. Your Personal Study Plan (PSP) is your unique learning schedule and you simply log in, anytime and from anywhere, to access the next bite-sized modules you need to complete. This enables you to study around work and other commitments.
Exceptional Student Support
You get unlimited one-to-one time with a SQE1 Prep learning coach, personal tutor feedback on your oral and written SQE2 assessments, plus wellness and mental health resources and top legal career support.
Comprehensive Practice Questions and Mocks
Get access to more than 3,000 practice SQE1 multiple-choice questions and a mock exam, and ample SQE2 written and oral practice assessments with personalised feedback and mock exams in each of the areas tested.
Expert Faculty
Our tutors are qualified solicitors and barristers with decades of legal education experience each, and we update our course material regularly to reflect the latest changes.
BARBRI Guarantee
This is a tough exam. We’ll do everything we can to help you pass, but life happens. If you didn’t pass the first time around, for whatever reason, we’ll help you to prepare for your resit.
50 Years of Experience
BARBRI is a household name for U.S. Bar Review preparation. We’re using the same industry-leading technology and legal expertise to help thousands of SQE Prep candidates successfully prepare for their SQE exams.
Exceptional Pass Rates
We have been preparing students for the SQE since the very first exam in 2021. And our high pass rates prove that you can trust BARBRI.
- BARBRI average pass rate*
- SRA average pass rate (January 24 sitting)
*of students who completed 90%+ of their Personal Study Plan (PSP), across all sittings
SQE1
- 73%
- 56%
SQE2
- 76%
- 73%
SQE1 | SQE2 | |
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*of students who completed 90%+ of their Personal Study Plan (PSP), across all sittings
Trust BARBRI, they know what they are doing. I studied for SQE1 with BARBRI and the Personal Study Plan (PSP) they have put in place is just exceptional. Half of the burden of studying law is to plan for it and with BARBRI, this is done for you, so all you need to do is to stick to it and commit to the plan. I could not have passed the super SQE1 exam without BARBRI’s PSP and the constant support of my mentor.
How We Help You Prepare for the SQE and Beyond
SQE Prep Courses
SQE1 Prep
Our in-depth SQE1 preparation course is available in various durations to suit your lifestyle: Flexible (40 weeks), Focused (20 weeks) and Accelerated (10 weeks). It includes your intelligent Personal Study Plan, online video lectures, digital and hardcopy workbooks, and 3,000 multiple-choice questions (also called single-best-answer questions) with full explanations. Add to that mock exams, unlimited one-to-one learning coaching and career and wellness support.
SQE2 Prep
Our highly interactive SQE2 Prep course is available in Flexible (20 weeks) and Accelerated (10 weeks) durations. The course includes your Personal Study Plan (PSP), online video lectures, a digital and hardback workbook, step-by-step activities, self-assessment activities, personal feedback activities, mock exams, workshops and weekly calls with tutors and peers.
Legal + Non-Legal Skills Courses
Legal Life Skills Courses and Masterclasses
Our series of online, on-demand courses help you to develop the business, communication, negotiation and management skills you need for a successful legal career.
Trainee Litigation Programme
This course is designed to offer students, trainee and junior solicitors first-hand experience of the litigation process.
Higher Rights of Audience
Our four-day training course covers the various essential aspects of England and Wales' Crown Court and High Court preparation and advocacy.
Awards
BARBRI is thrilled to have earned numerous awards. It shows how committed we are to excellence and giving lawyers and future lawyers the best possible resources and support.
The support from my learning coach made all the difference to my success in passing SQE1 first time. She was a tower of strength throughout the course and was always happy to schedule a meeting at short notice whenever I required one. The way in which she identifies our individual needs and the support she offers is a key ingredient to the success of us as students.
Recommended Resources
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Take the next step towards SQE mastery on your path to success
Our in-depth SQE1 preparation course is available in various durations to suit your lifestyle: Flexible (40 weeks), Focused (20 weeks) and Accelerated (10 weeks).
Our interactive SQE2 Prep course includes invaluable personal feedback and mock exams. It is available in Focused (20 weeks) and Accelerated (10 weeks) options.
I am extremely impressed with the BARBRI SQE Prep course. The mock questions were very similar to those in the exam and the content BARBRI included on the course was extremely targeted, making revision effortlessly efficient.