The SQE and changes to the solicitor qualification route: what does it mean for me?

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is changing the way that candidates will qualify as a solicitor from autumn 2021.

The new route involves a national licensing examination, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), that all solicitors will take before qualifying. This exam will be made up of two parts: SQE 1 and SQE 2.

The Legal Practice Course (LPC) will eventually no longer be necessary. However, students should note that they can continue to qualify under the current LPC route until 2032 if they have started, completed or accepted an offer for one of our Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) LLB programmes by the time the SQE is introduced.

Bangor Law School will be ensuring that its degree programmes support students’ preparation for the SQE and transition into legal practice, in addition to continuing to provide exciting elective modules to round out students’ experiences and knowledge. Students will continue to study substantive core subjects, such as criminal law, in preparation for SQE 1 (testing functioning legal knowledge) and become experienced in practical legal skills for SQE 2.

As with all other UK law schools, we are awaiting further detailed information from the SRA about these changes. For more information and updates on the SQE, please visit the Solicitors Regulation Authority website.

On this page we will be keeping you up-to-date with all the information about the SQE as it becomes available.

If you would like to find out more about the SQE and how it might affect your studies, contact us: