Your Path To Becoming A Solicitor: The SQE Explained
What is the SQE?
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the new, streamlined route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. Introduced in 2021, the SQE offers a more flexible and accessible way to enter the legal profession. At Accutrainee, we’re here to guide you through every step—from passing the SQE exams to gaining the essential work experience you need. Discover how the SQE works, and how we can help you succeed on your journey to becoming a qualified solicitor.
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) was introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in Autumn 2021, marking a significant reform to solicitor qualification in England and Wales. It replaces the traditional route of qualifying through a law degree (or GDL), the Legal Practice Course (LPC), and the training contract. The SQE is now the only pathway for aspiring solicitors, consisting of two sets of exams: SQE1 and SQE2.
To qualify as a solicitor, candidates must successfully complete both SQE assessments and two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), all within a six-year period. This QWE can be gained at any point—before, during, or after completing SQE1 and SQE2. Additionally, candidates must meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements before qualification.
Since Accutrainee’s launch in 2012, we’ve pioneered a flexible model of seconding trainees to up to four different firms or in-house legal teams, which is now echoed in the SQE’s QWE structure. Our extensive experience in nurturing, mentoring, and training aspiring solicitors in this way makes us a standout expert in this new era of legal qualification.
Amidst all the changes, Accutrainee will continue to be Your Partner in Law, offering diverse and challenging QWE placements with high-quality work and responsibilities. Our goal is to ensure that our candidates enter the profession not just by passing exams, but by developing the essential skills and competencies expected of 21st-century lawyers.
Why Was the SQE Introduced?
The SQE was designed to ensure consistent standards at the point of qualification, regardless of an individual's route into the profession. By creating a single, centralised assessment, the SRA aims to enhance transparency, improve access to the profession, and promote diversity by removing some of the barriers that have historically existed.
When Did the SQE Come into Effect?
The SQE officially came into effect on September 1, 2021. The first SQE1 assessments took place in November 2021, followed by the first SQE2 assessments in April 2022. For those already on the traditional qualification path (completing a law degree, GDL, or LPC before September 1, 2021), there is a dual qualification system in place until 2032. These individuals may choose to qualify through either the traditional route or the SQE.
What are the costs for SQE?
The SRA has set the total cost for taking both SQE exams at £4,790, though this is subject to periodic review. SQE1: £1,888 (£944 for each of the two exams testing functioning legal knowledge). SQE2: £2,902 for the written and oral assessments that test practical legal skills. Please note that these fees do not include VAT, retakes, or any additional SQE preparation courses, which some candidates may find helpful.
Where Can You Take the SQE?
The SQE1 and the written portions of SQE2 are available to sit at Pearson VUE test centres in England, Wales, and some international locations. The oral and practical elements of SQE2 are only available in select centres within England and Wales.
How is the SQE Structured?
The SRA has appointed Kaplan as the independent assessment body to deliver the SQE exams. The SQE is divided into two parts: SQE1 assesses functioning legal knowledge through two multiple-choice exams, each containing 180 questions. These exams test your understanding of core legal principles and your ability to apply them in real-world scenarios. SQE2 focuses on practical legal skills. It comprises both written and oral assessments across 16 practical exercises, including legal research, writing, drafting, advocacy, and client interviewing. The assessments are spread over several days and evaluate your skills within various legal practice areas. Candidates must pass SQE1 before progressing to SQE2. You are allowed a maximum of three attempts at each stage within a six-year period.
What is Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
QWE is a fundamental part of the SQE pathway. It replaces the traditional two-year training contract and offers more flexibility. You can gain experience through placements in up to four different organisations, such as law firms, in-house legal teams, or even through volunteering in legal advice centres. At Accutrainee, we’ve been providing this kind of multi-placement experience for years. We offer secondments in a variety of legal environments, ensuring that you gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel as a solicitor.
Preparing for the SQE
While the SRA does not mandate specific preparation courses, many candidates will benefit from dedicated SQE prep programmes. Accutrainee partners with top legal education providers to offer a range of flexible preparation options designed to meet your individual needs. Our goal is to ensure that you’re fully prepared to succeed in the SQE and thrive in your legal career.
Accutrainee and the SQE
At Accutrainee, we’ve been driving innovation in legal training for over a decade, and we see the introduction of the SQE as a fantastic opportunity to continue shaping the next generation of solicitors. Our focus is on cutting through the confusion and offering clear, practical support to both our candidates and clients.
We’re committed to promoting diversity and delivering a training experience that helps you become a solicitor with the skills and knowledge required to meet the needs of today’s legal services market.
If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact us or check out the More from Law podcast, where our CEO and founder, Susan Cooper, discusses the evolving legal landscape and the impact of the SQE.
A decade of experience in assisting lawyers to pass the QLTS exam
No one knows skills assessments like these guys. As the SQE exam is substantially modelled on the QLTS, the phased-out fast track route for foreign lawyers to qualify as solicitors of England and Wales, there is a clear advantage in preparing for the SQE with an established and trusted QLTS provider. QLTS School’s SQE preparation courses are based on professionally written textbooks, video lessons, thousands of practice questions and mock exams, extensive tutor support and other online resources. The courses are flexible so you can commence preparation anytime, all around the year.
The College of Legal Practice is an accredited postgraduate Law School.
Headed up by Giles Proctor, one of the leading figures in legal education, The College of Legal Practice offers standalone accredited SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses and a full LLM in Legal Practice that includes SQE preparation. Courses are highly flexible and available full-time or part-time. Expert practitioners will guide you with one-to-one personal supervision through their one-of-a-kind online platform.
The College offers Law School level training, quality assured as a higher-education provider in England.
BARBRI is one of the worldwide leaders of legal exam prep for the U.S. bar, the SQE, MPRE, and more.
BARBRI is a legal educator specialising in innovative technology to help law students and lawyers succeed in achieving their legal qualification. Their unique courses can prepare you for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) through to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales, as well as offering dual-qualification opportunities to become an attorney in New York or California.
BARBRI has maintained the trust of legal students for over 50 years, helping more than 1.3 million law students and lawyers succeed in legal exams across the globe.
SQE & QWE FAQs
Can I still qualify as solicitor with the old training contract route?
Yes, if you have started or enrolled on to a qualifying law degree and/or LPC before September 2021 you can still qualify through the training contract route. You can do this until 2032.
How do I get qualifying work experience (QWE) with Accutrainee and eventually qualify as a solicitor through the SQE?
You can already apply to Accutrainee for both paralegal roles and training contract opportunities so just let us know your preference. If the opportunities we are looking to put you forward for will provide suitable experience and learning opportunities we will count it as either part of your training contract or QWE depending on the route you are taking. You will be able to sit SQE1 and 2 while working with us or in-between secondments to eventually qualify as a solicitor.
Can I apply without either a law degree or having passed SQE1?
Yes, you can apply but you will only be eligible for non-QWE (paralegal roles). The quality of our trainees’ experience is really important to us and so we feel it will be difficult to further the skills needed to qualify as a solicitor without at least some understanding of law under your belt.
Can I apply after I have passed SQE1?
Yes this is a good approach, as many of our clients will want to see at least some form of legal learning having been completed.
When can I do SQE2?
Accutrainee has developed a competency platform to help those we work with gauge when is the right time to sit SQE 2 as it won’t be the same for everyone. We feel that in most cases SQE 2 should be taken after at least 12 months of QWE.
How can I prepare for SQE assessments?
Does Accutrainee fund SQE 1 and 2 preparation courses?
Accutrainee does not currently cover the cost of the SQE for its trainees. We do, however, partner with some of the best educational institutions which offer up to 20% discounts for SQE preparation courses to our trainee solicitors. Discounts for SQE prep courses are also available to all candidates who are registered to Pathways.
Where can I get more information about the SQE and QWE?
Feel free to call us or visit the SRA website.