The one single route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales.
The SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) is the single route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. It applies to everyone, whether you are a UK graduate, a career changer, or a lawyer who qualified abroad.
To qualify, you must meet four requirements:
Hold a degree (in law or another subject) or equivalent
Complete two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE)
Pass the two stages of the SQE assessment
Meet the SRA character and suitability requirements
You do not need to complete your degree or QWE before sitting the exams, and QWE can be gained before, during, or after your SQE preparation. The character and suitability check takes place when you apply for admission.
The SQE is open to a wide range of candidates. Your background will not change the assessment you sit, but it will shape how you prepare.
You will have covered much of the substantive law already. Your preparation can focus on exam technique and filling any knowledge gaps.
It is possible to qualify as a solicitor without a university degree through the solicitor apprenticeship route.
The SQE is a well-established route for lawyers who qualified abroad and want to practise in England and Wales. Some foreign lawyers may be eligible for an SQE2 exemption.
You sit the same assessment as law graduates and can qualify on exactly the same terms.
The SQE gives you a route to formal qualification and can be taken alongside work. QWE gained as a paralegal may count toward your two-year requirement.
If you hold a CILEx qualification, you may be able to count some of your experience toward QWE.
Before you can work as a solicitor in England and Wales, you need to qualify and be admitted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The SRA is the regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales.
Anyone who wants to become a solicitor in England and Wales must pass the SQE, which stands for Solicitors Qualifying Examination, regardless of the path they’ve taken to qualification.
The SRA developed the SQE to test aspiring solicitors on their legal knowledge, practical skills, and analytical abilities. It has two stages:
New to the SQE? This 10-minute video covers the structure of the assessment, who it applies to, and what to expect from each stage.
Or read our full guide:
In 2021, the SRA replaced a slightly different route to qualification for foreign qualified lawyers: QLTS. Find out more about the differences between the SQE and QLTS.
