Keith Mack
Becoming a solicitor in the UK requires a lot of commitment, with a minimum of six years of full-time study and training. While the traditional route to becoming a solicitor was to study for a law degree, it is now possible to qualify without one. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a new pathway for career changers and students without a legal background. The SQE does not require a law degree, but candidates will need a degree in any subject to be eligible to sit the exam.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Degree required | Yes, a degree in any subject is required to be eligible to sit for the exam. |
| Law degree required | No, an undergraduate law degree is not required. |
| Qualifying exam | Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) |
| SQE preparation course | Recommended |
| Work experience | Two years of qualifying legal work experience |
| Training | Full-time study and training for at least six years |
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What You'll Learn
You can become a solicitor without a law degree
You can absolutely become a solicitor without a law degree. In the UK, there are a few different routes to becoming a practising solicitor. Ultimately, you will either need an LPC qualification or an SQE certificate.
The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is a new pathway for career changers and students without a legal background. It is now the standard qualification needed to become a solicitor. The only prerequisite for the SQE is a degree in any subject. It is important to note that your degree does not have to be in Law. After passing the SQE, you can apply for two-year training contracts with law firms or find equivalent Qualifying Work Experience. Some law firms actively encourage non-law graduates to apply for training contracts. They believe that candidates with a wide range of experiences are likely to become well-rounded and world-wise solicitors.
The SQE is designed for aspiring solicitors and is made up of two parts: SQE1 and SQE2. SQE1 is an assessment comprising just over 10 hours of closed-book Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs). These are multiple-choice questions requiring an informed choice between several viable options. To pass SQE1 and SQE2, most individuals will want to undergo a course of professional training such as an SQE preparation course. These courses are based on the style and format of the SQE and thus offer rigorous preparation for this difficult exam.
The previous pathway required aspiring solicitors to pass the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and complete a two-year Training Contract in practice. To start the LPC, a student must first have a Qualifying Law Degree or pass a conversion course such as the GDL. This route is being phased out, but transitional arrangements are in place until 2032 for those who started their law degree, GDL or LPC prior to September 2021 and would like to qualify via this traditional route.
Another route to becoming a solicitor is to complete a Solicitor Apprenticeship, which is a six-year, Level 7 programme aimed at A-level graduates, paralegals and chartered legal executives. Graduate solicitor apprenticeships are also starting to emerge. These follow the same format as a solicitor apprenticeship but are aimed at degree holders and take roughly two to three years to complete.
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You need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
Yes, it is possible to become a solicitor without a law degree. However, you will need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which is a new four-step process to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. The SQE is an exam rather than a course, consisting of two centralised assessments: SQE1 and SQE2. These assessments are conducted by Kaplan, the authorised sole assessment provider, and are available across England, Wales, and designated international examination centres.
SQE1 is based on 'functioning legal knowledge' and assesses your understanding of English and Welsh law, as well as its application to real-life situations involving ethics and professional conduct. SQE2, on the other hand, focuses on practical skills with a combination of written and oral tasks. It consists of 12 written skills assessments and four oral skills assessments, including legal research, legal written advice, drafting assessments, client interviewing, advocacy, and case and matter analysis.
The SQE is not the only requirement to become a solicitor. You will also need to complete a minimum of two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) and demonstrate that you possess the character and suitability to become a solicitor.
It is worth noting that the SQE is part of a transition from the Legal Practice Course (LPC) route to solicitor qualification. Until the end of 2032, there are transitional arrangements in place for those who started their law degree, GDL, or LPC before September 2021 and prefer to qualify via the LPC route. If you are considering the SQE route, there are preparation courses available to support your studies and future career as a solicitor.
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You need a degree in any subject to be eligible for SQE
In the UK, there are several routes to becoming a practising solicitor. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a new route that does not require a law degree. The SQE is a simplified and standardised route to becoming a licensed solicitor, and all law firms will accept it as a qualification.
The only prerequisite for the SQE is a degree in any subject. This means that you can become a solicitor by passing the SQE without having completed a three-year law degree. However, to pass the SQE assessments, candidates will need a thorough knowledge of the law in England and Wales. Therefore, it is recommended that aspiring solicitors take courses specifically designed to prepare for the SQE, such as SQE preparation courses or law conversion courses. These courses will help prepare students for the challenges of both SQE1 and SQE2. After completing and passing both SQE assessments, individuals can apply for two-year training contracts with law firms or find equivalent Qualifying Work Experience.
The SQE route to becoming a solicitor is gaining popularity as it is more flexible than the traditional route, which requires a Qualifying Law Degree (LLB) or a conversion course, followed by the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and a two-year Training Contract in practice. The SQE has fixed assessment dates, and the preparation courses for the SQE take about one academic year to complete, the same as the LPC.
It is important to note that becoming a solicitor takes a lot of commitment. In addition to the degree and SQE requirements mentioned above, individuals must complete two years of qualifying legal work experience, which can take the form of a training contract. This means that the total time to qualify as a solicitor is at least six years of full-time study and training.
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You need to complete two years of qualifying legal work experience
To become a solicitor, you need to complete two years of qualifying legal work experience. This can be done in several ways, including through a training contract with a law firm or by finding equivalent work experience that meets the Solicitors Regulation Authority's (SRA) requirements. This could include working with organisations like law firms, legal clinics, law centres, and charities. Paralegal and legal executive work, as well as vacation schemes and student volunteer work at legal clinics, are also potential avenues to gain the required experience.
The SRA has introduced the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) in 2021, which has replaced the previous Legal Practice Course (LPC). The SQE is a new system of qualification for solicitors in England and Wales, designed to improve access to the profession. It consists of two assessments, SQE1 and SQE2, which must be passed sequentially and within three attempts over a six-year timeframe. SQE1 assesses fundamental legal knowledge and ethics through multiple-choice questions, while SQE2 evaluates practical legal skills and legal knowledge through role-play and written exercises.
Non-law graduates are advised to undertake a law conversion course to prepare for the SQE assessments. These courses provide foundational legal knowledge and can be taken in the form of a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), MA Law (Conversion), or MA Law (SQE1). Some law firms may require completion of a conversion course for non-law graduates to secure qualifying work experience (QWE).
It is important to note that the QWE can be completed with up to four different employers, allowing for flexibility in gaining the necessary experience. Additionally, some master's degrees include guaranteed QWE as part of their syllabus, providing an integrated approach to obtaining the required qualifications and experience.
Overall, while the specific pathway may vary, completing two years of qualifying legal work experience is a crucial step in becoming a solicitor, providing practical exposure to the legal field and complementing the knowledge gained through academic studies.
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You can take an SQE preparation course to help you pass the exam
If you don't have a law degree, you can still become a solicitor by taking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE is a centralised exam that tests your functioning legal knowledge (FLK) and consists of two parts: SQE1 and SQE2. To prepare for the SQE, you can take an SQE preparation course, which will give you the best chance of passing the exam.
SQE preparation courses are offered by various institutions, such as BARBRI and the University of Law. These courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to pass the SQE exams. They offer interactive and flexible learning experiences, including online video lectures, workbooks, practice questions, mock exams, and personalised feedback.
For example, the BARBRI SQE Prep course offers over 3,000 practice multiple-choice questions and mock exams for both SQE1 and SQE2. They also provide personalised study plans and support from qualified solicitors and barristers. The course is designed to fit your individual needs, with flexible duration options ranging from 10 to 40 weeks.
The University of Law's SQE1 Preparation Course provides access to their intelligent SQE revision app, ULaw SQE, which helps prepare and reinforce your FLK for the SQE1 assessments. They also offer extensive practice questions, study manuals, and an Academic Legal Knowledge Quiz to assess your foundational knowledge in key law subjects.
Taking an SQE preparation course can help you develop the necessary legal knowledge and skills to pass the SQE exams. These courses offer flexible study options, expert guidance, and comprehensive resources to enhance your exam preparation and improve your chances of becoming a solicitor without a law degree.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to become a solicitor without a law degree. You can take the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route, which requires a degree in any subject. You can then take SQE preparation courses to help you pass the SQE assessments.
The SQE route involves passing the SQE 1 assessment, which is made up of multiple-choice questions. After passing the SQE 1, you are eligible to take the SQE 2 assessment. Once you have passed both, you can apply for two-year training contracts with law firms or find equivalent Qualifying Work Experience.
The SQE route is more accessible than the traditional route, as it is cheaper and does not require a law degree. It is also a standardised route, so no route is seen as more or less difficult than another.
The traditional route involves studying for a Qualifying Law Degree (LLB) or taking a conversion course before doing a qualifying course and exam known as the Legal Practice Course (LPC). After completing the LPC, you can apply for two-year training contracts with law firms.
