What are the entry requirements for SQE prep courses?

Feb 06, 2024

Written By Helena Kudiabor

With the introduction of the SQE, the requirement to complete courses like the LPC and the GDL is no more. However, many law schools are offering preparation courses to prepare students for these exams. Read on to find out about what these courses involve and what the entry requirements are.

What are the SQE prep courses?

The SQE prep courses are designed to prepare students for the SQE1 and SQE2. They are not required, and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has said that your education and training should give you the skills needed to pass the assessments. Instead, these courses are for students who feel that they would benefit from taking a course before they complete the SQE exams.

There are a wide range of prep courses available, including: standalone courses to prepare students for the SQE1, standalone courses to prepare students for the SQE2 and SQE1 preparation included in undergraduate law courses such as the LLB.

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What are the entry requirements for SQE prep courses?

It varies depending on the law school and which course you’re applying for. To complete a standalone SQE1 course, law schools typically advise you to have a law degree or have completed a law conversion course.

These courses often use complex legal jargon, which can be confusing if you’ve never studied law before. Standalone SQE2 courses typically ask students to have completed a SQE1 course, but this is not mandatory.

Courses designed specifically for those who have never studied law before will have the same entry requirements as they did before the SQE was introduced, such as good A-Level grades and a minimum of a 2:1 at university.

Should I complete a SQE prep course?

It’s not required to complete one, so it depends on your own individual preferences. The biggest barrier to completing these courses is the price, with current SQE1 preparation courses costing between £4,000-£5,650. Completing a preparation course for both the SQE1 and the SQE2 will then cost you double.

However, if you’re not too confident in your legal ability, or you struggle to motivate yourself to study, SQE prep courses might be for you. They’ll provide you with study manuals and an extensive practice question bank, and will also help you prepare for your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). Given the newness of the SQE, many law firms are offering introductory discounts.

Although, if you’d like to save money and you know you can motivate yourself to self-study, you might find it better to purchase some textbooks and study for the exam yourself.

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