SQE Preparation Course & Examination

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the single national exam that every new solicitor in England and Wales must pass. Set by the SRA and delivered by Kaplan, it has two parts: SQE1 tests legal knowledge across two days of multiple-choice questions, and SQE2 tests practical skills over five days of advocacy, drafting, interviewing and research stations. SQE preparation courses are run by independent providers and the quality and cost vary significantly. This page explains what the exam involves, how to prepare for it, and how much the whole process is likely to cost.

SQE1 Structure

Two days of single-best-answer multiple-choice questions covering 17 areas of law including business, dispute resolution, contracts, property and wills. Each day has 180 questions and lasts five hours.

SQE2 Structure

Five days of practical legal-skills assessments. Sixteen stations covering client interviewing, advocacy, legal research, legal writing and case analysis across solicitor practice areas.

Exam Fees from September 2026

SQE1 costs £2,006 and SQE2 costs £3,086, totalling £5,092 for both first attempts. Resit fees apply per Functioning Legal Knowledge unit (around £899 each).

Sittings and Booking

SQE1 sits twice a year (typically January and July); SQE2 sits multiple times across the year. Bookings open three to four months before the exam window and fill quickly at major test centres.

Preparation Courses

Self-funded preparation courses range from around £3,000 to over £18,000. Major providers include BARBRI, The University of Law, BPP, QLTS School and Kaplan, with formats ranging from full-time intensive to flexible online study.

Funding

There is no government student finance for standalone SQE preparation. Funding can come from employer sponsorship, payment plans, postgraduate loans (if the prep course is part of an LLM), or scholarships from major providers.

What SQE Preparation Looks Like

SQE preparation is unregulated. Any provider can offer courses, and the quality varies widely. Most candidates choose between a structured course (face-to-face or online) and self-directed study using textbooks, practice questions and online tutorials. The right format depends on how you learn, how much time you have, and whether your employer is sponsoring you.

The most common preparation formats are:

  • Full-time intensive courses lasting 4 to 6 months, classroom or live online
  • Part-time evening or weekend courses spread over 9 to 12 months
  • Flexible self-paced online learning with on-demand video and practice questions
  • Combined SQE1 and SQE2 packages run sequentially over 12 to 18 months
  • Bespoke employer-sponsored cohorts run by providers in partnership with law firms
  • Self-directed study using textbooks, past papers and online question banks

Who the Self-Funded SQE Route Suits

The SQE route as a self-funded option works best for people who can afford the exam fees and preparation costs without employer sponsorship, and who are comfortable with high-stakes exam-based assessment. It’s particularly common among career changers, graduates with non-law degrees, and people who already have legal experience and need only the formal qualification.

The route tends to suit:

  • Graduates with a degree in any subject who can self-fund or get a sponsor
  • Career changers from other professions transitioning into law
  • Paralegals already in qualifying legal employment who need the exam component
  • International candidates qualifying as solicitors in England and Wales
  • Existing CILEX Fellows transferring to solicitor status via SQE2

Pros and Cons of the Self-Funded SQE Route

Self-funded SQE preparation is the most flexible route to qualification, but it puts the cost and the structure entirely on you. Compared to the apprenticeship routes (where the employer pays everything and provides structure), the SQE route is faster but financially riskier. Compared to the LPC, it’s cheaper and more open, but the assessment style is harder for some learners.

The honest comparison:

  • Pro: open to any degree subject and to non-graduates with equivalent learning
  • Pro: highly flexible scheduling for both prep courses and exam sittings
  • Pro: faster than the LPC route once you start preparation
  • Pro: portable qualification recognised at every type of firm
  • Con: high upfront cost with no government student finance for the exam
  • Con: high-stakes multiple-choice format penalises learners who are not exam-confident
  • Con: resit fees add up quickly if you fail an FLK paper or SQE2 station
  • Con: no built-in employer; you still need two years of qualifying work experience

How to Prepare and Sit the SQE

Preparation typically takes between four and twelve months depending on whether you study full time, part time or alongside paid work. The SQE itself is sat at Pearson VUE test centres across the UK and internationally. The whole sequence from starting preparation to qualification usually takes 18 to 30 months once you begin.

The full sequence:

  • Decide between a structured prep course and self-directed study based on your budget and learning style
  • Compare providers on cost, format, pass-rate transparency and tutor support
  • Register with the SRA's mySRA portal to confirm eligibility for SQE entry
  • Book your SQE1 sitting (January or July) and pay the SRA fee
  • Complete your SQE1 preparation and sit FLK1 and FLK2 across two days
  • Wait for results (typically 8 to 10 weeks), then book SQE2
  • Prepare for SQE2 practical skills assessments and sit the five-day exam
  • Complete two years of qualifying legal work experience before applying for admission

Compare to Apprenticeship Routes

If the cost of self-funded SQE preparation is putting you off, the Solicitor and Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeships cover the same SQE exam, are paid for by the employer, and pay you a salary throughout. The comparison page below shows how the two routes stack up.

Compare SQE vs Apprenticeship