How long do SQE prep courses take?

Jan 05, 2024

Written By Helena Kudiabor

To help you prepare for the new SQE, many law schools are offering prep courses. The courses are designed specifically for the new SQE exam, however they aren’t mandatory. Read on to find out how long prep courses are and whether we think you should take one.

What are SQE prep courses?

In order to help you prepare for the new SQE exams (SQE1 and SQE2), a number of law firms are offering courses to help you prepare for the exams. These courses take different formats. For instance, there are courses tailored specifically for SQE1, and then a separate course specifically for SQE2. This means that you’ll need to take (and pay for) two separate courses for both of the exams.

In addition to this, there are also more in-depth courses that provide you with a deeper understanding of the law, while simultaneously preparing you for the exams. For instance, a MA Law degree prepares you for the SQE1 exam, while the LLM Legal Practice prepares you for both the SQE1 and the SQE2.

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How long do SQE prep courses take?

It depends on which course you’re doing. The courses specifically for the SQE1 and SQE2 are designed to be short, intensive revision courses, so these are typically eight weeks long. Some law schools provide even shorter SQE preparation courses, which are just two days long.

If you would like to complete a more in-depth course, these are longer, with an MA Law degree taking 63 weeks and the LLM Legal Practice taking 53 weeks. The majority of these courses are available part-time, so this would take double the time.

Should I take an SQE prep course?

It depends on your background and whether you can motivate yourself to self-study. The cost of the SQE prep courses can be a large barrier to taking them, especially considering the fact that you’ll also need to pay for both exams.

If you’d prefer to save money and you think you have the motivation to self-study, you may want to pass on taking the prep courses. You can always take a prep course for SQE2 if you found the experience of self-studying for SQE1 difficult.

However, if you don’t have much experience in the legal sector, or struggle to revise independently, taking a prep course might be for you. Included in the fee of the prep course, you’ll be able to access practice questions and bespoke study materials, so you’ll have the tools to revise even once the course is finished.

Given the newness of the SQE, many law schools are offering introductory discounts, which will bring the cost down further.

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