How to Become a Solicitor in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Becoming a solicitor is one of the most established routes into the legal profession in the United Kingdom. Solicitors advise clients, draft legal documents, negotiate transactions, conduct litigation, manage legal matters and represent individuals, businesses and other organisations across a wide range of legal fields.

But the route to qualification has changed significantly.

For many years, the traditional path for aspiring solicitors in England and Wales was broadly:

law degree → Legal Practice Course (LPC) → training contract → qualification.

That is no longer the normal route for new candidates.

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has fundamentally changed solicitor qualification in England and Wales. Under the current system, an aspiring solicitor generally needs:

1. a degree or equivalent qualification or, in some circumstances, equivalent experience;
2. to pass SQE1;
3. to pass SQE2;
4. two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE); and
5. to satisfy the character and suitability requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The final step is admission to the roll of solicitors.

There is, however, an important geographical qualification to the title of this article.

There is no single qualification system for “solicitors in the UK.” The SQE is the qualification system for solicitors of England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal professions and qualification systems.

This article therefore explains the modern route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales, while also explaining the position of people who intend to practise in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

---

What Is a Solicitor?

A solicitor is a qualified legal professional who provides legal services to clients.

The work of a solicitor can vary enormously depending on the area of practice.

A solicitor might work in:

• criminal law;
• family law;
• commercial law;
• corporate law;
• employment law;
• property law;
• immigration law;
• intellectual property;
• personal injury;
• private client law;
• banking and finance;
• tax;
• litigation;
• public law;
• technology law; or
• many other areas.

Solicitors can work in private law firms, government departments, charities, corporations, financial institutions, universities and other organisations.

Some solicitors have rights of audience in the courts, depending on their qualification and practice rights.

Solicitors should also be distinguished from barristers.

Although both are legal professionals, the two professions traditionally developed different roles. Barristers have traditionally focused more heavily on advocacy and specialist legal advice, while solicitors have traditionally had a broader client-management and legal-services role.

The modern professions overlap more than they once did, but they remain distinct professions with different qualification routes.

---

Who Regulates Solicitors in England and Wales?

The principal regulator is the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The SRA regulates solicitors and law firms in England and Wales and sets the requirements that individuals must satisfy before being admitted as solicitors.

The SRA’s current SQE framework identifies four fundamental components of qualification:

• degree or equivalent;
• passing SQE1 and SQE2;
• two years’ Qualifying Work Experience; and
• satisfying the character and suitability requirements.

The official SRA qualification framework should therefore be treated as the primary reference point for anyone planning a legal career in England and Wales.

---

The Modern Route to Becoming a Solicitor

The modern route can be represented simply as:

Degree or equivalent → SQE1 → SQE2 → Qualifying Work Experience → Character and Suitability → Admission

However, the order is more flexible than this diagram suggests.

Under the SQE system, candidates have considerably more flexibility over how they prepare for the assessments and when they obtain their qualifying work experience. The SRA does not prescribe one mandatory preparatory course.

For example, a candidate may obtain QWE before, during or after taking the SQE assessments, provided all requirements have been satisfied before applying for admission.

---

Step 1: Obtain a Degree or Equivalent Qualification

One of the first questions prospective solicitors often ask is:

Do I need a law degree?

The answer is no.

Under the current SQE system, you do not have to study law at university.

You need a degree in any subject or an equivalent qualification or, in certain circumstances, equivalent experience.

This means that someone with a degree in:

• history;
• philosophy;
• economics;
• mathematics;
• medicine;
• languages;
• engineering; or
• another discipline

may still pursue qualification as a solicitor.

A law degree can provide a useful foundation, but it is not itself a mandatory qualification for the SQE route.

---

Can You Become a Solicitor Without a University Degree?

Possibly.

The SRA’s current rules allow certain qualifications to satisfy the degree requirement.

Examples include:

• a Level 6 apprenticeship;
• a Level 7 apprenticeship;
• a Level 6 professional qualification; or
• a Level 7 professional qualification.

In certain circumstances, the SRA may also consider work experience and general education as equivalent to a degree.

This is an important change from the traditional model.

The law therefore does not require every aspiring solicitor to follow the conventional university route.

However, someone relying on work experience as equivalent to a degree should establish their position with the SRA before investing substantial time and money in qualification.

The SRA’s current equivalence procedure considers both educational background and work-based learning. The application requires evidence of the applicant’s education and work experience, and the SRA currently charges a fee for an equivalence application.

---

Step 2: Decide Whether to Study Law

Although a law degree is not mandatory, many aspiring solicitors choose to study law.

A law degree can provide an academic foundation in subjects such as:

• contract law;
• tort law;
• criminal law;
• constitutional law;
• administrative law;
• land law;
• equity and trusts;
• European Union law;
• legal systems; and
• legal research.

However, the SQE tests candidates against its own assessment framework.

Therefore, a candidate should not assume that holding a law degree automatically means they are prepared for SQE1.

The SRA expressly allows candidates to choose their own preparation and does not prescribe one compulsory SQE training course.

---

Step 3: Understand the SQE

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination is the central assessment system for the modern qualification route.

It consists of two principal assessments:

• SQE1
• SQE2

The assessments test different aspects of competence.

SQE1 principally examines functioning legal knowledge, while SQE2 focuses on practical legal skills and the application of legal knowledge.

The two stages are therefore complementary.

A candidate is not simply being tested on whether they can remember legal rules.

The ultimate objective is to establish whether they possess the knowledge and practical abilities expected of a newly qualified solicitor.

---

Step 4: Pass SQE1

SQE1 tests functioning legal knowledge.

It consists of two parts:

• FLK1
• FLK2

Both parts must be passed.

The assessment uses single-best-answer multiple-choice questions and is taken over two assessment days within the relevant assessment window.

The subjects covered by SQE1 include substantial areas of legal knowledge relevant to practice as a solicitor.

Candidates therefore need to prepare systematically rather than treating the examination as a conventional university examination.

---

Step 5: Pass SQE2

SQE2 is different.

It focuses on practical legal skills and the application of legal knowledge.

The assessment includes practical exercises involving skills such as:

• client interviewing;
• advocacy;
• case and matter analysis;
• legal research;
• legal writing; and
• legal drafting.

The oral and written assessments are conducted over several assessment sessions.

This distinction is important.

A candidate can possess extensive theoretical knowledge and still need substantial preparation for the practical skills tested in SQE2.

---

How Many Attempts Are Allowed?

Candidates are generally allowed:

• three attempts at SQE1, and
• three attempts at SQE2.

The SRA also operates a six-year period within which candidates must complete the SQE assessments, measured from their first assessment.

This makes planning important.

Failing one assessment does not necessarily end a candidate’s legal career, but candidates should understand the limits on attempts and the relevant assessment timetable before booking an examination.

---

Step 6: Complete Two Years of Qualifying Work Experience

Passing the SQE does not by itself make someone a solicitor.

The candidate must also complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) unless an applicable exemption applies.

QWE is intended to give the candidate practical experience providing legal services and developing the competences required of solicitors.

The experience can be obtained in different settings.

For example, QWE may be obtained through:

• a law firm;
• an in-house legal department;
• a legal clinic;
• a charitable organisation;
• a university law clinic;
• a paralegal position; or
• another organisation where the relevant legal work and competencies can be developed.

The SRA permits QWE to be obtained in up to four organisations.

This is one of the major differences from the old training-contract model.

---

What Makes Work Experience “Qualifying”?

Not every job in a legal environment automatically qualifies as QWE.

The work must provide experience of delivering legal services and give the candidate the opportunity to develop the required solicitor competences.

The experience must also be properly confirmed.

The SRA explains that QWE must be signed off by an appropriate person, such as a solicitor or the relevant Compliance Officer for Legal Practice, or another person nominated by the organisation under the applicable rules.

The candidate should therefore establish in advance whether a proposed role is capable of constituting QWE.

This is particularly important for people working as paralegals or in non-traditional legal environments.

---

Does QWE Have to Be a Training Contract?

No.

A traditional training contract is not the only way to obtain the required practical experience under the SQE system.

QWE may be obtained through a variety of employment, placement, apprenticeship or voluntary arrangements, provided the regulatory requirements are satisfied.

The SRA specifically identifies paralegal employment and other forms of legal work as potential routes to QWE.

This gives candidates considerably more flexibility than the former system.

---

Can QWE Be Completed Before the SQE?

Yes.

One of the defining features of the SQE system is flexibility.

Candidates can obtain QWE before, during or after taking the assessments, provided the full qualification requirements are satisfied before admission.

The SRA therefore does not require every candidate to follow the same chronological sequence.

A candidate might, for example:

complete a law degree → work as a paralegal → complete QWE → pass SQE1 → pass SQE2 → apply for admission.

Another candidate might:

complete a degree → pass SQE1 → obtain QWE → pass SQE2 → complete the remaining QWE → apply for admission.

Both can fit within the modern framework.

---

Step 7: Meet the Character and Suitability Requirements

Legal knowledge and practical experience are not the only requirements.

The SRA also assesses whether an applicant is suitable to be admitted as a solicitor.

The character and suitability requirement reflects the professional responsibilities associated with being a solicitor.

Certain matters may need to be disclosed to the SRA.

These can include circumstances involving:

• criminal convictions;
• financial misconduct;
• dishonesty;
• disciplinary matters;
• regulatory issues; or
• other conduct relevant to professional suitability.

Having a past issue does not necessarily mean that someone can never become a solicitor.

The important point is that candidates must understand their disclosure obligations and the SRA’s assessment process.

The SRA states that character and suitability is considered when an individual applies for admission after completing the other qualification requirements.

Candidates who are concerned about a particular historical event should consider obtaining guidance from the SRA before committing to a particular training route.

---

Step 8: Apply for Admission to the Roll

Once the candidate has completed the required components, the final step is applying for admission to the roll of solicitors.

The SRA confirms that admission requires the candidate to have:

• passed all SQE assessments;
• satisfied the degree or equivalent requirement;
• completed the required QWE unless exempt;
• satisfied the character and suitability requirements; and
• completed the admission process and screening.

Only after admission is the individual formally a solicitor of England and Wales.

This distinction is important.

Someone who has passed SQE1 and SQE2 is not automatically a solicitor.

Similarly, someone who has completed two years of QWE is not automatically a solicitor.

Qualification is the combination of the required elements followed by admission.

---

What If You Are Already a Qualified Lawyer?

The SQE system also provides routes for qualified lawyers.

A qualified lawyer may be able to apply for an SQE exemption.

The precise exemption depends on the lawyer’s existing professional qualification and the extent to which the qualification demonstrates the relevant knowledge and skills.

The SRA distinguishes qualified lawyers from ordinary candidates and provides a separate exemption process.

A person who is already qualified to practise law in another jurisdiction should therefore investigate the exemption rules before registering for an assessment.

This can be particularly important for lawyers qualified outside England and Wales.

---

Can a Foreign Lawyer Become a Solicitor in England and Wales?

Yes.

A lawyer qualified in another jurisdiction may be able to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales.

The process depends on the person’s existing professional qualification.

A foreign-qualified lawyer should determine:

• whether their qualification is recognised;
• whether they qualify as a “qualified lawyer” under the SRA framework;
• whether they are eligible for an SQE1 exemption;
• whether they are eligible for an SQE2 exemption;
• whether they need to complete QWE; and
• what evidence the SRA requires.

Exemptions should never be assumed simply because a person has practised law in another country.

The SRA assesses applications according to the relevant regulatory requirements.

---

The Solicitor Apprenticeship Route

There is another important route into the profession: the solicitor apprenticeship.

A solicitor apprenticeship combines employment, practical legal training and academic study.

The apprenticeship route can therefore provide a way to qualify without following the conventional university-first pathway.

In England, the SRA currently recognises two principal solicitor apprenticeship formats:

• the Trailblazer solicitor apprenticeship; and
• the graduate solicitor apprenticeship.

The Trailblazer apprenticeship typically takes around five to six years and can be entered after school.

The graduate apprenticeship is designed for graduates and generally takes around two to three years.

Apprentices must still satisfy the SQE requirements.

For example, SQE1 forms part of the apprenticeship assessment structure, while SQE2 is the end-point assessment.

The work undertaken during the apprenticeship can also satisfy the QWE requirement where the applicable conditions are met.

---

Are Solicitor Apprenticeships Available in Wales?

The position differs from England.

The SRA currently states that solicitor apprenticeships are available in England but are not currently available in Wales under the same apprenticeship framework.

This is another reason why a general article about becoming a solicitor in the “UK” must be approached carefully.

Employment and apprenticeship policy is partly devolved, and legal qualification systems differ between jurisdictions.

---

What Happened to the LPC?

The Legal Practice Course (LPC) was for many years the standard vocational stage of solicitor qualification.

The SQE replaced the LPC as the principal route for new candidates.

However, the LPC has not disappeared overnight.

The SRA maintains transitional arrangements for people who satisfy specified historical requirements.

Under the current transitional framework, only candidates who meet the relevant criteria can continue to qualify through the LPC route.

The SRA states that candidates who began a qualifying law degree in September 2022 or later are not eligible for the LPC transitional route and must qualify through the SQE system.

The transitional arrangements can continue until 31 December 2032 for candidates who meet the requirements.

This means that an article explaining solicitor qualification should no longer present the LPC as the ordinary route for someone starting their legal education today.

---

Do You Need a Training Contract?

Under the old system, the training contract was one of the defining steps toward qualification.

Under the SQE system, the concept has changed.

A candidate needs two years of QWE, but that experience does not have to take the form of a traditional training contract.

Some employers continue to offer roles called “training contracts,” particularly within larger law firms.

For SQE purposes, however, what matters is whether the work satisfies the regulatory requirements for QWE.

This creates a significant distinction between the name of the employment arrangement and its regulatory function.

---

How Long Does It Take to Become a Solicitor?

There is no single mandatory duration for the modern route.

The total period depends on the candidate’s chosen education, preparation, work experience and route into the profession.

For example, a traditional university route might involve:

three-year undergraduate degree → SQE preparation → SQE assessments → two years QWE → admission.

A graduate might instead complete:

degree → SQE preparation → SQE1/SQE2 → two years QWE → admission.

A solicitor apprenticeship can follow a substantially different timeline.

The SRA’s flexibility means that candidates can arrange their education, assessment and QWE in different sequences.

Therefore, a fixed statement such as “it takes exactly X years to become a solicitor” is misleading.

---

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Solicitor?

The cost varies considerably.

There are several potential expenses:

• university tuition;
• accommodation and living expenses;
• SQE preparation courses;
• SQE assessment fees;
• textbooks and other study materials;
• travel;
• professional expenses; and
• other costs associated with obtaining QWE.

The SQE assessment fees themselves are only one part of the total cost.

Some employers contribute toward SQE preparation or assessment costs. Solicitor apprenticeships can also be funded through apprenticeship arrangements rather than requiring the apprentice to personally bear the normal cost of SQE training and assessments.

Candidates should therefore distinguish between:

the regulatory cost of qualification

and

the total cost of becoming a solicitor.

They are not the same thing.

---

Do You Need to Study an SQE Preparation Course?

No specific preparation course is mandated by the SRA.

The regulator has deliberately moved away from prescribing one particular educational pathway.

Candidates can choose how they prepare for SQE1 and SQE2.

However, the absence of a mandatory course should not be confused with the absence of preparation requirements.

The SQE is a demanding professional assessment.

Candidates should assess their own academic and practical background and determine what preparation they need.

Some may undertake an intensive commercial preparation course.

Others may combine university study with SQE preparation.

Others may use their QWE and independent study as part of their preparation.

The appropriate approach will depend on the individual candidate.

---

What Skills Does a Good Solicitor Need?

Qualification is only the beginning of professional development.

A successful solicitor needs more than knowledge of legal rules.

Important professional abilities include:

• analytical reasoning;
• clear writing;
• accurate drafting;
• legal research;
• communication;
• client management;
• negotiation;
• organisation;
• attention to detail;
• commercial awareness where relevant;
• ethical judgment;
• confidentiality;
• time management; and
• the ability to explain complicated legal concepts clearly.

These skills are particularly important because solicitors often act as the bridge between law and the client’s practical problem.

A technically correct legal answer that the client cannot understand may not be a useful professional answer.

---

Solicitor or Barrister: Which Profession Is This Route For?

The SQE is the route for becoming a solicitor of England and Wales.

It is not the qualification examination for barristers.

Barristers follow a different professional route involving the Bar and the relevant vocational and professional requirements.

Therefore:

SQE = solicitor qualification

not:

SQE = general UK legal qualification

This distinction is important for international readers because the British legal profession is not governed by one unified qualification system.

---

What About Scotland?

Scotland has its own legal system and its own route to qualification as a solicitor.

The Scottish solicitor qualification route is not the SQE route used in England and Wales.

A person who wishes to practise as a solicitor in Scotland should therefore investigate the requirements established by the Law Society of Scotland.

The distinction reflects the fact that Scotland has a separate legal system within the United Kingdom.

---

What About Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland also has its own legal profession and qualification system.

A person intending to qualify as a solicitor in Northern Ireland should therefore consult the Law Society of Northern Ireland rather than assuming that the England-and-Wales SQE route applies.

Consequently, the phrase “become a solicitor in the UK” should always be followed by another question:

In which UK jurisdiction?

---

A Practical Step-by-Step Roadmap

For someone beginning today and intending to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, the process can be summarised as follows.

Step 1: Choose your educational route

Obtain a degree or equivalent qualification, or investigate whether your education and work experience may satisfy the SRA’s equivalence requirements.

Step 2: Learn about the SQE

Review the current SRA assessment requirements and decide how you will prepare.

Step 3: Plan your QWE

Look for employment, placements, apprenticeships, clinics or other opportunities capable of providing qualifying work experience.

Step 4: Prepare for SQE1

Study the functioning legal knowledge tested by FLK1 and FLK2.

Step 5: Pass SQE1

Both parts of SQE1 must be successfully completed.

Step 6: Prepare for SQE2

Develop the practical legal skills tested by SQE2.

Step 7: Pass SQE2

Complete the practical assessment.

Step 8: Complete two years of QWE

Make sure the experience satisfies the regulatory requirements and is properly confirmed.

Step 9: Satisfy character and suitability requirements

Disclose relevant matters and complete the SRA’s screening process.

Step 10: Apply for admission

Apply to the SRA for admission to the roll of solicitors.

Step 11: Begin practising

Once admitted and appropriately authorised, you can practise as a solicitor subject to the applicable regulatory requirements.

---

Common Mistakes Aspiring Solicitors Should Avoid

Mistake 1: Assuming a law degree is compulsory

It is not.

A degree in another subject can satisfy the educational requirement.

Mistake 2: Assuming passing the SQE makes you a solicitor

It does not.

You must satisfy the other qualification requirements and be admitted to the roll.

Mistake 3: Assuming QWE must be a traditional training contract

It does not.

QWE can be obtained in a variety of organisations and arrangements.

Mistake 4: Ignoring character and suitability

This requirement should be considered early rather than treated as an administrative formality at the end.

Mistake 5: Assuming every legal job counts automatically as QWE

It does not.

The work must satisfy the relevant requirements and must be appropriately confirmed.

Mistake 6: Treating the UK as one legal profession

England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different qualification systems.

Mistake 7: Relying on old LPC advice

The LPC remains relevant only through transitional arrangements. New candidates generally qualify through the SQE route.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a law degree to become a solicitor?

No. Under the SQE system, you need a degree in any subject or an equivalent qualification or, in certain circumstances, equivalent experience.

Can I become a solicitor with a non-law degree?

Yes. A degree does not have to be in law.

Can I become a solicitor without going to university?

Potentially. The SRA recognises certain equivalent qualifications, and in some circumstances work experience and education may be assessed as equivalent to a degree. Solicitor apprenticeships also provide an alternative route into the profession in England.

Do I have to complete the SQE?

For new candidates qualifying as solicitors through the current system, yes. The SQE is the central assessment route, subject to applicable exemptions and transitional arrangements.

How many SQE exams are there?

There are two stages: SQE1 and SQE2. SQE1 contains FLK1 and FLK2. SQE2 tests practical legal skills.

How many times can I take the SQE?

Candidates generally have three attempts at SQE1 and three attempts at SQE2. The SRA also applies a six-year period beginning with the first assessment.

Do I need two years of work experience?

Generally, yes. The SQE route requires two years of full-time equivalent QWE unless an applicable exemption applies.

Does QWE have to be paid employment?

Not necessarily. The important issue is whether the experience satisfies the SRA’s QWE requirements. It may be obtained through different forms of employment, placement, apprenticeship or voluntary legal work.

Can paralegal work count as QWE?

It can, provided the work satisfies the regulatory requirements and is appropriately confirmed.

Can I complete QWE in more than one organisation?

Yes. QWE can be obtained in up to four organisations.

Can I take SQE1 before completing QWE?

Yes. The SQE route is flexible, and QWE can be completed before, during or after the assessments, provided all requirements are satisfied before admission.

Is the LPC still available?

The LPC remains available only under transitional arrangements for candidates who satisfy the historical requirements. New candidates generally need to use the SQE route.

Can a foreign lawyer become a solicitor in England and Wales?

Yes. Foreign-qualified lawyers may qualify through the SQE framework and may, depending on their existing qualification, be eligible for exemptions from one or both SQE assessments.

Can I become a solicitor through an apprenticeship?

Yes. Solicitor apprenticeships are an established route in England. They combine employment, study and practical experience and incorporate the SQE requirements.

Is the SQE the UK Bar Exam?

No. The SQE is the qualification assessment for solicitors in England and Wales. It is not a UK-wide bar examination.

Can I use the SQE to qualify as a solicitor in Scotland?

No. Scotland has its own legal profession and qualification system.

Can I use the SQE to qualify as a solicitor in Northern Ireland?

No. Northern Ireland has its own solicitor qualification system.

When do I officially become a solicitor?

You become a solicitor of England and Wales when you have satisfied the qualification requirements and are admitted to the roll of solicitors.

---

Key Takeaways

• The SQE is now the principal route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales.
• You generally need a degree or equivalent qualification or, in certain circumstances, equivalent experience.
• Your degree does not have to be a law degree.
• You must normally pass SQE1 and SQE2.
• SQE1 tests functioning legal knowledge, while SQE2 tests practical legal skills.
• You normally need two years of Qualifying Work Experience.
• QWE can be obtained through different organisations and does not have to be a traditional training contract.
• QWE can be completed before, during or after the SQE assessments.
• You must satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.
• You must apply for admission to the roll before you become a solicitor.
• Solicitor apprenticeships provide an alternative route, particularly in England.
• The LPC is now primarily a transitional route and is not the normal pathway for new candidates.
• Qualified lawyers from other jurisdictions may be eligible for SQE exemptions.
• The SQE applies to England and Wales, not to the solicitor qualification systems of Scotland or Northern Ireland.

---

Conclusion

The route to becoming a solicitor has changed substantially.

The modern system is no longer built around the assumption that every aspiring solicitor must complete a law degree, undertake the LPC and obtain a traditional training contract.

Instead, the SQE framework is designed around a set of professional requirements:

appropriate education or equivalent experience, legal knowledge, practical legal skills, qualifying work experience, professional suitability and admission.

That structure creates considerably more flexibility.

A person can enter the profession through a conventional university education, a non-law degree followed by legal training, qualifying work experience in different organisations, or an apprenticeship route. Internationally qualified lawyers may also have access to exemptions depending on their existing professional qualifications.

At the same time, flexibility does not mean that qualification is simple. The SQE assesses both legal knowledge and practical competence, while QWE is intended to develop the skills required of a practising solicitor.

The most important point for anyone beginning the journey today is therefore to start with the current SRA requirements rather than older descriptions of the legal profession.

For England and Wales, the essential framework is now clear:

degree or equivalent → SQE1 → SQE2 → qualifying work experience → character and suitability → admission to the roll.

And for anyone using the phrase “UK solicitor,” the first question remains geographical: England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland? The answer determines which qualification system applies.