SQE vs CILEx

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) are the two main ways to qualify as a lawyer in England and Wales in 2026. The SQE is the single route for solicitors (regulated by the SRA), while the CPQ is the route to becoming a Chartered Legal Executive (regulated by CILEX Regulation). They assess different things, cost different amounts, and lead to different professional titles, but both produce qualified lawyers. This guide compares the two so you can work out which one fits you best.

What the SQE Is

A two-part national examination set by the SRA. SQE1 is 360 multiple-choice questions testing functioning legal knowledge across 17 areas of law. SQE2 is 16 practical skills assessments covering advocacy, drafting, interviewing and research.

What the CPQ Is

A modular qualification set by CILEX, taken across three stages (Foundation, Advanced Paralegal, Lawyer). Each stage combines academic study with workplace competencies you build up on the job.

How You're Assessed

The SQE is high-stakes exam-based: you sit it, pass or fail, and that's that. The CPQ is a mix of exams, coursework and workplace assessments signed off by supervisors, spread over several years.

Cost to Qualify

The SQE exam fees alone are around £4,800, with preparation courses £3,000 to £13,000 on top. The CPQ costs £3,000 to £10,000 across all stages, and the CLE apprenticeship route is fully funded.

Time to Qualify

The SQE route takes 2 to 3 years after a degree (or longer on the apprenticeship). The CPQ typically takes 3 to 5 years for non-graduates, or 12 to 18 months for law graduates, with three years qualifying legal employment.

Professional Title

Pass the SQE and you're admitted as a solicitor of England and Wales. Complete the CPQ and qualify for Fellowship as a Chartered Legal Executive. Both titles are legally protected and both give you practice rights.
cilex vs sqe

What Each Assessment Actually Tests

The SQE and CPQ test different things in different ways. The SQE is a national exam built around functioning legal knowledge and practical skills, assessed in a single test. The CPQ builds up through stages of academic study combined with workplace competencies that your supervisor signs off as you complete them.

Here’s what each route actually tests:

  • SQE1: functioning legal knowledge across business law, dispute resolution, contracts, property, wills, EU/Human Rights
  • SQE1: single best answer multiple-choice format, two days of exams
  • SQE2: 16 practical skills stations including client interviewing, advocacy, legal research, legal writing
  • CPQ Foundation: introduction to law, English legal system, professional skills and one practice area
  • CPQ Advanced Paralegal: further legal subjects plus workplace competencies in your specialism
  • CPQ Lawyer: level 6 academic work plus specialist area exams and workplace portfolio

Who Each Route Suits

The SQE suits people who thrive with high-stakes exams and want broad practice rights as a solicitor. The CPQ suits people who prefer modular assessment, want to qualify while working, and are happy specialising in one practice area. Neither is harder; they test different strengths.

Typical people who suit each route:

  • SQE fit: graduates in any subject who want broad solicitor rights and are comfortable with big exams
  • SQE fit: career changers with a degree who can self-fund preparation or get employer sponsorship
  • SQE fit: anyone targeting a City firm, where solicitor title is the norm
  • CILEx fit: school leavers, paralegals and career changers who want to qualify while working
  • CILEx fit: people drawn to specialist practice areas like family, probate, conveyancing
  • CILEx fit: those who prefer continuous assessment over one big exam window
difference between sqe vs cilex
difference between sqe vs cilex

Pros and Cons of Each Exam Route

Both qualifications produce capable lawyers, but they demand different things from you. The SQE demands intensive exam preparation and a head for high-stakes testing. The CPQ demands consistent effort over years, combining study with workplace performance.

The practical trade-offs:

  • SQE pro: single national standard, highly portable, broad practice rights
  • SQE pro: relatively fast once you start, can be done in 6 to 12 months of preparation
  • SQE con: high-stakes exam format; pass mark is unforgiving and retake costs add up
  • SQE con: self-funding without sponsorship is expensive
  • CPQ pro: modular and flexible, designed for people working while qualifying
  • CPQ pro: cheaper overall, and the apprenticeship route is fully funded
  • CPQ con: takes longer in calendar years, especially for non-graduates
  • CPQ con: practice rights are specialism-specific at Fellow level, not broad from day one

How to Decide Between Them

Three questions point most people to the right answer: do you want the broad title of ‘solicitor’ or the specialist title of ‘chartered legal executive’; can you self-fund or get employer sponsorship for the SQE; and how do you learn best, through big exams or modular coursework? Let those questions guide you.

Practical decision framework:

  • Check which route your target employer prefers or offers apprenticeships in
  • Check your finances against each route's full cost including living expenses during study
  • Consider your learning style: single high-stakes exam vs modular assessment over years
  • Consider your specialism: some (conveyancing, probate, family) are CILEx-strong
  • Check transitional arrangements if you were already studying before 2021
  • Consider apprenticeship vacancies for each route; both solicitor and CLE apprenticeships exist
  • Model your first five years after qualification: salary, debt repayments, progression
  • Remember: you can cross-qualify later. CLEs can take the SQE to become solicitors
qualifying via sqe or cilex

See How the Professions Compare

The exam is only part of the story. The bigger decision is which profession you want to join: solicitor or chartered legal executive. The comparison pages below walk through the differences in role, pay, scope and career path.

Compare Solicitor vs CLE