A Comprehensive Guide to the SQE, Solicitors Qualifying Examination: the UK Exams for Aspiring Solicitors

Introduction

Becoming a solicitor in England and Wales has changed significantly in recent years.

For many decades, the traditional route involved a law degree or conversion course, followed by the Legal Practice Course (LPC), a period of recognised training, and professional qualification. Since the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), the route has been substantially reorganised.

The SQE is now the central assessment through which aspiring solicitors demonstrate that they possess the knowledge and practical skills required to qualify as solicitors of England and Wales.

However, the SQE should not technically be described as the “UK Bar Exam.”

The United Kingdom does not have one national bar examination for all legal professionals. The SQE is specifically connected to qualification as a solicitor of England and Wales. Barristers follow a separate professional qualification route, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legal professions and qualification systems.

The modern solicitor qualification route therefore consists of four principal elements:

1. A degree or equivalent qualification.
2. Passing SQE1 and SQE2.
3. Completing two years of qualifying work experience (QWE).
4. Meeting the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s character and suitability requirements.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulates the profession and establishes the requirements for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales. The SQE itself is administered through the SRA’s assessment arrangements, with Kaplan acting as the assessment provider.

The SQE is consequently more than a conventional examination. It is one component of a broader professional qualification framework.

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1. Facts About the SQE

• Full name: Solicitors Qualifying Examination.
• Regulator: Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
• Jurisdiction: England and Wales.
• Purpose: To assess whether candidates have the knowledge and practical legal skills required for qualification as solicitors.
• Two assessment stages: SQE1 and SQE2.
• SQE1: Tests functioning legal knowledge.
• SQE2: Tests practical legal skills and the application of legal knowledge.
• Qualifying work experience: Two years of full-time equivalent qualifying work experience is required for admission.
• Degree requirement: A degree in any subject or an equivalent qualification is required for admission, although it is not generally necessary simply to sit the SQE assessments.
• Attempts: Candidates have up to three attempts at each part of the SQE.
• Overall time limit: Candidates have six years from their first SQE assessment to pass both parts.
• Current assessment fees from September 2026: £2,006 for SQE1 and £3,086 for SQE2.
• Languages: Candidates can take the SQE in English or Welsh.
• Professional qualification: Passing the SQE alone does not make a person a solicitor.

The SRA’s official SQE guidance confirms that the qualification route requires a degree or equivalent, both SQE assessments, two years of qualifying work experience, and satisfaction of the character and suitability requirements.

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2. What Is the SQE?

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination is the central assessment used in the modern route to qualification as a solicitor of England and Wales.

It was introduced to replace the previous examination structure associated with the Legal Practice Course and professional training arrangements.

The underlying purpose of the SQE is to establish a common assessment standard.

Instead of different routes producing different professional examinations, aspiring solicitors are required to demonstrate that they meet the standards set by the SRA.

The SQE consists of two principal parts:

SQE1

SQE1 tests Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK).

It is primarily a knowledge-based assessment, although the questions require candidates to apply legal rules and principles to realistic scenarios rather than simply reproduce legal definitions.

SQE2

SQE2 tests practical legal skills and the application of legal knowledge.

Candidates perform practical exercises resembling tasks that a newly qualified solicitor might be expected to undertake.

Passing both parts is necessary to pass the SQE, subject to any exemption granted by the SRA.

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3. Is the SQE the UK Bar Exam?

No.

This distinction is important.

The SQE is not a single examination for all lawyers in the United Kingdom.

It is the assessment associated with qualification as a solicitor of England and Wales.

The word bar traditionally relates to the profession of barristers. In England and Wales, aspiring barristers follow a separate route involving academic requirements, vocational Bar training, and pupillage or another recognised form of work-based training.

The legal professions themselves also differ.

Solicitors

Solicitors generally provide legal advice, represent clients, prepare legal documents, conduct transactions, and may represent clients in court within the limits of their rights of audience.

Barristers

Barristers are specialist advocates and legal advisers who traditionally have a particular role in courtroom advocacy and specialist legal opinion.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal professions and qualification arrangements.

Therefore, the technically accurate description is:

The SQE is the qualification examination for aspiring solicitors of England and Wales, not a UK-wide bar examination.

This distinction is particularly important for international students and foreign lawyers who may use the term “UK lawyer” without appreciating the differences between the jurisdictions.

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4. Who Regulates the SQE?

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulates solicitors and law firms in England and Wales and establishes the professional standards governing qualification.

The SRA’s SQE framework establishes the requirements for the assessment and qualification process.

The SQE assessment is delivered by Kaplan SQE, which has been appointed by the SRA as the sole provider of the examination.

The SRA therefore occupies a regulatory role, while Kaplan provides the assessment itself.

This distinction is important because the SQE is not simply a university examination.

It is a professional qualification assessment established within the regulatory framework governing solicitors.

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5. What Are the Requirements to Become a Solicitor?

The modern route can be represented as follows:

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

The order in which some of these elements are completed can vary.

For example, qualifying work experience may be obtained before, during, or after the SQE assessments.

The SRA expressly allows flexibility in the route, provided that all required elements are completed before admission.

The four principal requirements are discussed below.

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6. Degree or Equivalent Qualification

An aspiring solicitor normally needs a degree in any subject or an equivalent qualification.

This is an important change from the traditional assumption that every solicitor must have studied law at university.

A candidate does not necessarily need an LLB.

A person may, for example, hold a degree in:

• History;
• Philosophy;
• Economics;
• Politics;
• Languages;
• Engineering;
• Medicine;
• Computer Science;
• or another discipline.

The relevant requirement is the level of qualification rather than the subject.

The SRA states that a degree or equivalent qualification is required for admission, but a candidate does not generally need to hold the degree simply to sit SQE1 or SQE2.

Equivalent qualifications can include certain Level 6 or Level 7 qualifications.

In certain circumstances, relevant work experience may also be capable of satisfying the equivalent qualification requirement under the SRA’s rules.

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7. Do You Need a Law Degree to Take the SQE?

No.

One of the major features of the SQE system is that an aspiring solicitor does not have to possess an undergraduate law degree merely to enter the assessment.

This makes the profession more accessible to graduates from other academic disciplines.

However, this does not mean that a non-law graduate can approach SQE1 without substantial legal preparation.

The examination covers a considerable body of legal knowledge.

A non-law graduate will therefore normally need to undertake significant preparation to acquire the required legal knowledge before attempting the assessments.

The distinction is therefore:

No law degree is required → but substantial legal knowledge is required.

This is one of the central characteristics of the SQE system.

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8. SQE1: Functioning Legal Knowledge

SQE1 is designed to test the candidate’s Functioning Legal Knowledge.

The SRA’s current assessment specification states that SQE1 questions are designed to test the application of fundamental legal rules and principles at the level required of a competent newly qualified solicitor.

SQE1 consists of two assessments:

• FLK1
• FLK2

Both must be passed to pass SQE1.

The assessment uses multiple-choice questions known as single best answer questions.

The candidate is presented with a legal scenario and several possible answers and must select the best answer according to the law.

This means that SQE1 is not simply a test of memorisation.

A candidate must understand how legal rules operate in factual situations.

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9. What Does SQE1 Test?

SQE1 covers a broad range of legal subjects.

The assessment is divided between FLK1 and FLK2.

FLK1

FLK1 includes areas such as:

• Business Law and Practice.
• Dispute Resolution.
• Contract Law.
• Tort Law.
• Legal System of England and Wales.
• Constitutional and Administrative Law.
• European Union Law.
• Legal Services.
• Professional Conduct.

FLK2

FLK2 includes areas such as:

• Property Practice.
• Wills and the Administration of Estates.
• Solicitors Accounts.
• Trusts.
• Criminal Law and Practice.

Ethics and professional conduct are also integrated throughout the assessment rather than being treated as an isolated academic subject.

The precise assessment specification should always be checked because the SRA periodically updates the examinable law and assessment requirements.

The current SQE1 specification applicable from September 2026 is published by the SRA.

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10. How Is SQE1 Structured?

SQE1 consists of two assessment papers:

FLK1 and FLK2.

Both must normally be taken within the same assessment window.

The SRA regulations provide limited exceptions, including circumstances in which a candidate has passed one part and needs to retake the other.

The assessment is extensive.

Candidates must therefore prepare not merely by learning individual areas of law but by developing the ability to recognise legal issues and apply several areas of law to realistic factual situations.

This is one reason why preparation for SQE1 can be demanding even for candidates who already possess a law degree.

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11. SQE2: Practical Legal Skills

SQE2 is fundamentally different from SQE1.

Where SQE1 asks whether the candidate possesses the required functioning legal knowledge, SQE2 asks whether the candidate can use legal knowledge and perform practical legal tasks.

SQE2 consists of 16 practical stations.

The assessment covers six principal types of exercise:

• Client interview and attendance note/legal analysis.
• Advocacy.
• Case and matter analysis.
• Legal research.
• Legal writing.
• Legal drafting.

The SRA’s marking policy confirms that SQE2 involves 16 stations and assesses both skills and, where appropriate, the application of law.

The assessment therefore resembles professional legal work much more closely than a traditional university examination.

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12. What Skills Does SQE2 Test?

SQE2 examines whether candidates can perform core activities expected of a newly qualified solicitor.

These include:

Client interviewing

The candidate must obtain relevant information from a client and communicate appropriately.

Advocacy

The candidate must present legal arguments orally in accordance with the requirements of the exercise.

Legal research

The candidate must identify relevant legal authorities and use them appropriately to address a legal problem.

Legal writing

The candidate must produce written legal work appropriate to the circumstances and intended audience.

Legal drafting

The candidate must prepare a legal document based on the instructions and factual information provided.

Case and matter analysis

The candidate must analyse a legal problem and identify the relevant issues, risks, and next steps.

These skills are central to the work of a solicitor because legal practice involves much more than knowing legal rules.

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13. Why Is SQE2 Different From SQE1?

The distinction can be summarised simply:

SQE1 asks:
Do you possess and understand the required legal knowledge?

SQE2 asks:
Can you apply that knowledge and perform the practical tasks expected of a newly qualified solicitor?

The two assessments therefore complement each other.

A candidate might possess substantial theoretical legal knowledge but still need to develop practical skills such as client interviewing, legal drafting, advocacy, and professional communication.

Conversely, practical ability cannot substitute for the substantive legal knowledge tested by SQE1.

The qualification system deliberately requires both.

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14. How Is the SQE Marked?

SQE1 and SQE2 use different marking approaches.

SQE1

Each correctly answered question receives one mark, and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

The pass mark is determined using the SRA’s standard-setting methodology.

Candidate results are reported on a scaled score from 0 to 500, with the pass mark placed at 300.

The scaled score does not mean that candidates must obtain 60% of the questions correctly.

The actual pass mark is established for each assessment according to the SRA’s standard-setting process and is then represented on the 0–500 scale.

SQE2

SQE2 is marked using professional assessment of the candidate’s performance against the required competence standard.

The assessment involves trained examiners and moderation procedures.

The standard is based on the level of competence expected of a newly qualified solicitor.

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15. How Many Attempts Are Allowed?

Candidates have up to three attempts at SQE1 and up to three attempts at SQE2.

There is also a six-year period within which the candidate must pass both assessments, measured from the date of the candidate’s first SQE assessment.

These restrictions are important for planning.

A candidate should therefore avoid treating the SQE as an examination that can simply be repeated indefinitely.

Each attempt has financial, professional, and time consequences.

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16. When Can Candidates Take the SQE?

The SQE is offered at regular assessment windows.

The current pattern is:

SQE1

• January.
• July.

SQE2

• January.
• April.
• July.
• October.

The exact dates vary from year to year.

The SRA publishes the assessment timetable and booking windows in advance.

Candidates must also complete the required registration and pre-booking procedures before they can book an assessment.

A candidate cannot ordinarily book SQE2 until SQE1 has been passed, unless an exemption from SQE1 has been granted.

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17. How Much Does the SQE Cost?

The assessment fees changed in September 2026.

For assessments from September 2026 onwards:

Assessment	Fee
SQE1	£2,006
FLK1	£1,003
FLK2	£1,003
SQE2	£3,086
SQE1 + SQE2	£5,092

These are assessment fees only.

They do not represent the complete cost of qualifying as a solicitor.

A candidate may also need to pay for:

• Preparation courses.
• Textbooks and study materials.
• Practice question banks.
• Travel and accommodation.
• Additional examination attempts.
• Administrative or professional expenses.

The SRA’s current fee information confirms that the SQE1 fee is £2,006 and the SQE2 fee is £3,086 for assessments from September 2026.

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18. Is SQE Preparation Mandatory?

No.

The SRA does not require candidates to complete a particular commercial preparation course before taking the SQE.

This is an important feature of the system.

Candidates may prepare independently, use university programmes, attend specialist SQE preparation courses, or combine several methods.

However, the absence of a mandatory course does not mean that preparation is unnecessary.

The SQE covers a large amount of material and tests the application of legal knowledge and practical skills.

The appropriate preparation method therefore depends on the candidate’s:

• Existing legal knowledge.
• Academic background.
• Professional experience.
• Available time.
• Financial resources.
• Preferred learning method.

A law graduate and a graduate from a non-law discipline may require very different preparation strategies.

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19. Qualifying Work Experience

Passing the SQE is not enough to become a solicitor.

Candidates must also complete two years of full-time equivalent qualifying work experience (QWE).

QWE is intended to give candidates practical experience of legal work and the opportunity to develop the competencies required of a solicitor.

It can be obtained in different settings, provided the work satisfies the relevant SRA requirements.

Possible settings include:

• Law firms.
• In-house legal departments.
• Government departments.
• Law centres.
• Pro bono organisations.
• Other qualifying legal environments.

The work experience does not necessarily have to be completed in one continuous period or with one employer.

This flexibility is one of the significant features of the modern qualification route.

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20. What Counts as Qualifying Work Experience?

QWE must provide experience in providing legal services and allow the candidate to develop some or all of the competencies in the Statement of Solicitor Competence.

The experience must satisfy the relevant regulatory requirements.

It must also be properly confirmed in accordance with the SRA’s process.

QWE is therefore more than simply working in a law office.

A candidate should ensure that the work undertaken genuinely provides relevant opportunities to develop the required professional competencies.

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21. Can Qualifying Work Experience Be Completed Before the SQE?

Yes.

The SQE route is intentionally flexible.

QWE may be completed:

• before SQE1;
• between SQE1 and SQE2;
• after SQE2;
• or through a combination of periods.

The important point is that the required QWE must be completed before admission.

This allows candidates to structure their professional development according to their individual circumstances.

Some candidates may prefer to obtain practical legal experience before taking SQE2 because SQE2 assesses practical legal skills.

Others may complete QWE alongside examination preparation.

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22. Character and Suitability Requirements

An aspiring solicitor must also satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.

The purpose of these requirements is to protect the public and maintain confidence in the legal profession.

The SRA may consider matters such as certain criminal convictions, disciplinary history, financial misconduct, dishonesty, and other relevant circumstances.

Not every historical difficulty automatically prevents qualification.

The assessment depends on the applicable rules and the individual circumstances.

Candidates should therefore disclose relevant matters when required rather than assuming that an issue is automatically irrelevant.

Character and suitability is a separate requirement from passing the examination.

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23. Can Foreign Lawyers Take the SQE?

Yes.

The SQE was designed to provide a common assessment route that can also accommodate qualified lawyers from other jurisdictions.

A foreign-qualified lawyer may therefore be able to qualify as a solicitor of England and Wales through the SQE route.

However, the position is more complicated than simply sitting the examination.

A qualified lawyer may be eligible to apply for an exemption from SQE1, SQE2, or both, depending on their existing qualification and experience.

The SRA states that SQE exemptions are available only to qualified lawyers, meaning individuals holding a professional legal qualification that confers rights to practise in England and Wales or another jurisdiction in the UK or abroad.

Exemptions are assessed individually according to the SRA’s requirements.

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24. SQE Exemptions

Exemptions exist because some lawyers may already possess knowledge or skills substantially equivalent to those assessed by part of the SQE.

A qualified lawyer may therefore apply for:

• An SQE1 exemption.
• An SQE2 exemption.
• In appropriate circumstances, exemptions from both.

The SRA maintains information concerning qualifications it has assessed for exemption purposes.

An important rule is that a candidate cannot use an exemption application to avoid a failed assessment.

If a candidate has failed an SQE assessment, the candidate generally must retake and pass the relevant assessment rather than applying retrospectively for an exemption from it.

International lawyers should therefore investigate the exemption rules before booking the relevant assessment.

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25. The SQE and the Former LPC Route

The SQE replaced the previous centralised qualification examination structure associated with the LPC route.

Under the traditional route, a prospective solicitor typically completed:

Law degree or conversion course → LPC → training contract → qualification

The modern route is more flexible:

Degree/equivalent → SQE1 + SQE2 → qualifying work experience → admission

The new system does not require every candidate to follow one prescribed educational pathway.

This is one of the fundamental philosophical differences between the two systems.

The traditional route placed greater emphasis on a prescribed sequence of academic and vocational education.

The SQE system places greater emphasis on a common professional assessment standard.

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26. Can Existing LPC Students Still Qualify Under the Old System?

Transitional arrangements exist for candidates who began the former route before the SQE system was introduced.

The precise transitional rules depend on when the candidate began the previous qualification pathway and which requirements they have already completed.

Candidates who fall within transitional arrangements should therefore consult the SRA’s current guidance rather than assuming that the old and new routes can be combined freely.

The existence of transitional arrangements also explains why older legal websites may contain information describing the LPC and training contract as if they remain the only route to qualification.

For candidates beginning the qualification process today, the SQE route is the central framework.

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27. The Solicitor Apprenticeship and the SQE

The solicitor apprenticeship provides another route into the profession.

It combines employment, academic study, practical training, and professional assessment.

Solicitor apprentices must still meet the relevant SQE requirements.

The SRA explains that SQE1 forms part of the on-programme assessment for the apprenticeship and SQE2 serves as the end-point assessment, while successful completion of the apprenticeship can satisfy the degree/equivalent and qualifying work experience requirements.

This route demonstrates an important feature of the modern system:

A person does not necessarily need to complete a conventional university law degree followed by a separate postgraduate course in order to become a solicitor.

Alternative routes are available, provided the regulatory requirements are ultimately satisfied.

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28. Studying for SQE1

SQE1 requires candidates to manage a large volume of legal material.

Effective preparation generally requires more than reading textbooks.

Candidates need to develop the ability to:

• Identify the legal issue.
• Recall the relevant rule.
• Distinguish between similar rules.
• Apply the rule to the facts.
• Recognise exceptions.
• Eliminate incorrect answers.
• Select the single best answer.

The examination therefore rewards both knowledge and legal reasoning.

A candidate may know that a particular legal principle exists but still choose the wrong answer because the facts trigger an exception.

The best preparation consequently combines substantive study with repeated practice in applying the law.

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29. Studying for SQE2

SQE2 requires a different preparation strategy.

Candidates need to practise producing professional legal work under time pressure.

Preparation may include:

• Client interview simulations.
• Advocacy exercises.
• Legal research tasks.
• Drafting exercises.
• Legal writing exercises.
• Case and matter analysis.
• Attendance notes.
• Professional communication.

The candidate should not merely know the law.

They must be able to use the law effectively in a professional context.

This distinction explains why someone with substantial academic legal knowledge may still need dedicated SQE2 preparation.

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30. What Makes the SQE Different From a University Law Examination?

A university examination generally assesses academic achievement within a particular course or subject.

The SQE has a different purpose.

It asks whether a candidate has reached the professional standard expected of a newly qualified solicitor.

This affects the style of assessment.

A university examination might ask:

Explain the principles governing consideration in contract law.

An SQE-style question is more likely to present a practical scenario and ask the candidate to determine which legal rule applies and what consequence follows.

The difference is therefore between academic explanation and professional application.

The SQE sits much closer to the latter.

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31. The SQE and the English Legal System

The SQE is particularly significant for international candidates because qualification requires familiarity with the legal system of England and Wales.

The examination may require candidates to understand:

• Sources of law.
• The court system.
• Judicial precedent.
• Statutory interpretation.
• Civil procedure.
• Criminal procedure.
• Professional conduct.
• The role of solicitors and other legal professionals.

A candidate who has studied law in another jurisdiction cannot necessarily assume that the principles they know transfer directly to England and Wales.

Common law systems may share concepts, but terminology and procedural rules can differ substantially.

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32. Is the SQE the Same as Qualification as a Solicitor?

No.

This is perhaps the most important point in the entire article.

A candidate can pass SQE1 and SQE2 and still not yet be a solicitor.

Admission requires completion of the entire qualification route.

In simplified form:

Pass SQE1 + Pass SQE2 + Complete QWE + Meet degree/equivalent requirement + Meet character and suitability requirements = eligibility for admission

Only after the relevant requirements have been satisfied can the candidate apply for admission to the roll of solicitors.

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33. What Happens After Passing the SQE?

After passing both parts of the SQE, the candidate must ensure that the remaining qualification requirements have been completed.

These include:

• The degree or equivalent requirement.
• Two years of qualifying work experience.
• Character and suitability.
• Any other applicable regulatory requirements.

Once the requirements have been met, the candidate can apply to the SRA for admission as a solicitor.

Admission to the roll of solicitors is the formal point at which the individual becomes a solicitor of England and Wales.

Passing the examination and becoming professionally admitted are therefore two different stages.

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34. The SQE as a Modern Professional Qualification

The SQE represents a significant change in the philosophy of professional legal education.

The traditional route placed considerable emphasis on prescribed educational stages.

The SQE framework instead attempts to establish a common endpoint:

Every newly qualified solicitor should meet the same professional standard, regardless of the route through which that person acquired the necessary knowledge and experience.

That approach explains why the system permits different educational and professional pathways.

A candidate might arrive through:

• a conventional law degree;
• a non-law degree followed by legal preparation;
• a solicitor apprenticeship;
• qualifying work experience;
• or an international legal career followed by an appropriate SQE route.

The route may differ.

The professional standard remains the same.

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35. SQE Assessment Dates and Planning

Candidates should plan their examinations carefully because SQE1 and SQE2 operate on different timetables.

The regular pattern is:

Assessment	Regular sittings
SQE1	January and July
SQE2	January, April, July and October

SQE2 cannot normally be booked until SQE1 has been passed, unless the candidate has an exemption from SQE1.

The SRA publishes exact assessment dates, booking deadlines, and results dates.

Because examination places and booking windows are time-sensitive, candidates should always consult the current SRA timetable rather than relying on dates contained in older articles.

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36. What Should an Aspiring Solicitor Consider Before Starting?

Before beginning the SQE route, a candidate should consider at least five questions.

1. Do I meet the degree or equivalent requirement?

If not, determine what qualification or experience may satisfy the requirement.

2. What is my current legal knowledge?

A law graduate and a non-law graduate may require different preparation.

3. How will I obtain qualifying work experience?

QWE should be considered as part of the qualification strategy rather than treated as an afterthought.

4. Can I afford the examination and preparation costs?

The official examination fees are only part of the overall cost.

5. Which timetable makes sense for me?

Candidates should consider employment, study, QWE, preparation time, and the six-year overall limit.

The SQE provides flexibility, but flexibility requires planning.

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37. Key Takeaways

• The SQE is the Solicitors Qualifying Examination for aspiring solicitors of England and Wales.
• It is not a UK-wide bar examination.
• The SQE consists of SQE1 and SQE2.
• SQE1 tests Functioning Legal Knowledge.
• SQE2 tests practical legal skills and the application of legal knowledge.
• SQE1 consists of FLK1 and FLK2.
• SQE2 consists of 16 practical stations covering six principal types of legal exercise.
• Candidates normally have three attempts at each part.
• Candidates have six years from their first SQE assessment to pass both parts.
• A law degree is not required merely to sit the SQE, although a degree or equivalent is normally required for admission.
• Two years of qualifying work experience is required for qualification.
• Candidates must satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.
• Qualified lawyers from other jurisdictions may be eligible for SQE exemptions.
• From September 2026, the SQE1 fee is £2,006 and the SQE2 fee is £3,086.
• Passing the SQE alone does not make a person a solicitor.
• Admission to the roll of solicitors is the formal professional qualification stage.
• Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal qualification systems.

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38. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does SQE stand for?

SQE stands for Solicitors Qualifying Examination.

2. Is the SQE the UK Bar Exam?

No. The SQE is the qualification assessment for becoming a solicitor of England and Wales. Barristers follow a separate qualification route, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems and professional qualification arrangements.

3. Do I need a law degree to take the SQE?

No. You do not generally need a law degree to sit the SQE. However, you normally need a degree in any subject or an equivalent qualification to be admitted as a solicitor.

4. What are SQE1 and SQE2?

SQE1 tests functioning legal knowledge. SQE2 tests practical legal skills and the application of legal knowledge.

5. What is tested in SQE1?

SQE1 covers a broad range of legal subjects, including business law, dispute resolution, contract, tort, property practice, wills and estates, trusts, criminal law, legal system subjects, and professional conduct.

6. What is tested in SQE2?

SQE2 tests client interviewing, advocacy, legal research, legal writing, legal drafting, and case and matter analysis.

7. How many times can I take the SQE?

You generally have three attempts at SQE1 and three attempts at SQE2.

8. How long do I have to pass the SQE?

You have six years from the date of your first SQE assessment to pass both SQE1 and SQE2.

9. How much does the SQE cost?

For assessments from September 2026, the official assessment fee is £2,006 for SQE1 and £3,086 for SQE2. Preparation and other expenses are additional.

10. Can I take the SQE without attending law school?

Yes. The SRA does not require candidates to complete a particular law school or commercial SQE preparation course before taking the assessments. However, candidates still need to acquire the knowledge and skills tested by the examinations.

11. Can foreign lawyers take the SQE?

Yes. Foreign-qualified lawyers may use the SQE route to qualify as solicitors of England and Wales and may be eligible for exemptions depending on their existing professional qualification and experience.

12. Can a foreign lawyer be exempt from SQE1 or SQE2?

Potentially. The SRA allows qualified lawyers to apply for exemptions from SQE assessments where the relevant requirements are satisfied. Exemptions are assessed according to the SRA’s rules.

13. Is qualifying work experience required?

Yes. Ordinarily, candidates must complete two years of full-time equivalent qualifying work experience before admission.

14. Can I complete qualifying work experience before passing the SQE?

Yes. The SQE route allows considerable flexibility in the timing of qualifying work experience.

15. Can I become a solicitor after passing SQE1 and SQE2?

Not immediately. You must also satisfy the degree or equivalent requirement, complete the required qualifying work experience, satisfy the character and suitability requirements, and complete the admission process.

16. Is the SQE harder than the old LPC?

The two qualifications have different purposes and structures, so a simple comparison of difficulty is not particularly meaningful. The SQE is designed as a centralised professional assessment testing both functioning legal knowledge and practical competence.

17. When are SQE exams held?

SQE1 normally takes place in January and July. SQE2 normally takes place in January, April, July, and October.

18. Can I take the SQE in Welsh?

Yes. The SRA provides an option to take the SQE in Welsh.

19. Who administers the SQE?

The SRA regulates the qualification framework, while Kaplan SQE is the assessment provider appointed by the SRA.

20. What happens after I pass the SQE?

Once you have passed both assessments and completed the other qualification requirements, you can apply for admission to the roll of solicitors of England and Wales.

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Conclusion

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination has fundamentally changed the route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales.

It is not a traditional university examination, nor is it properly described as a UK-wide bar examination. It is a professional assessment within a broader regulatory framework established by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The modern qualification route combines academic qualification, professional examination, practical work experience, and professional suitability.

SQE1 establishes whether the candidate possesses the functioning legal knowledge required of a newly qualified solicitor. SQE2 goes further by examining whether that knowledge can be applied through practical legal skills such as advocacy, client interviewing, legal research, drafting, writing, and case analysis.

Yet the examination is only one part of qualification.

The candidate must also satisfy the degree or equivalent requirement, complete two years of qualifying work experience, meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements, and ultimately obtain admission to the roll of solicitors.

The significance of the SQE therefore lies not merely in the examinations themselves but in the standardisation and flexibility of the modern qualification route.

A graduate in law, a graduate in another discipline, an apprentice, and an experienced foreign lawyer may follow different paths toward qualification. The regulatory endpoint, however, is intended to be the same: demonstrating the competence required to practise as a solicitor of England and Wales.

For anyone considering this career, the most important distinction is consequently between studying law, passing the SQE, gaining qualifying experience, and actually becoming a solicitor. They are connected stages, but they are not the same thing.

The SQE is the gateway assessment. Qualification as a solicitor is the complete professional journey.