The Complete Guide to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

Introduction to the SQE

What is the SQE?

The SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) is the new route to qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales, introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in 2021. It replaces the traditional Legal Practice Course (LPC) and training contract model. The SQE provides a unified pathway for anyone wishing to become a solicitor in England and Wales, including UK law students, non-law graduates, and overseas lawyers.

Why was the SQE reform introduced?

Under the old system, the LPC was prohibitively expensive and inflexible. Candidates had to complete the costly LPC course and then secure a two-year training contract to qualify, leaving many self-funded students with substantial debt and no guarantee of obtaining a training contract. Additionally, LPC course quality varied between providers, with no consistent standard.

The SQE addresses these issues through a centralised national examination, ensuring all newly qualified solicitors meet the same high standards, thereby improving legal service quality and public confidence. The SQE route is also more flexible, allowing candidates to "work whilst studying" (for example, through apprenticeships or part-time legal work to gain experience), promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

In summary, the SQE reform makes the path to becoming a solicitor clearer and more transparent: through standardised examinations and flexible work experience, anyone who meets the competency standards can qualify, without being limited by the scarcity of traditional training contracts.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Nationality Requirements

The SQE has no nationality restrictions. Whether you are a UK-domiciled student or an international candidate, you may sit the SQE. This means Chinese nationals can fully pursue qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales through the SQE route. Candidates from around the world, including overseas students and foreign-qualified lawyers, are eligible to register for the SQE, provided they meet other basic requirements.

Academic Requirements

To ultimately qualify as a solicitor, you must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification. The subject is not restricted—whilst a law degree is common, non-law degrees are equally acceptable. In other words, "any undergraduate degree in any discipline" is a valid starting point.

If your degree is not from a UK institution, the SRA may need to verify its equivalence. Generally, a Chinese bachelor's degree is considered equivalent to a UK undergraduate Level 6 qualification. However, if you do not hold a bachelor's degree, it is not necessarily an absolute barrier—the SRA allows applications for equivalence recognition based on other qualifications or relevant work experience (for example, holders of legal professional diplomas or those with many years of legal work experience may apply on a case-by-case basis). Such equivalence applications require supporting documentation and are relatively challenging, so most candidates will proceed with a bachelor's degree or higher.

English Language Requirements

The SQE examinations are conducted in English, requiring candidates to answer questions, conduct interviews, and make oral presentations in English. Therefore, sitting the SQE requires a high level of legal English proficiency. However, at the examination booking stage, there is no mandatory requirement to provide English language test scores, nor is there a separate language test threshold—successfully passing the SQE2 practical examination typically demonstrates your English communication ability.

For most Chinese candidates, if you sit and pass SQE2, you will not need to provide separate IELTS scores. However, if you are a qualified Chinese lawyer applying for SQE2 exemption, you must obtain the required English language qualification in advance. During preparation, we recommend candidates achieve an English proficiency level of IELTS 7.0 or above to confidently handle the professional context of the SQE.

Character and Suitability Requirements

In addition to qualifications and examinations, the SRA conducts a Character and Suitability assessment of applicants for admission. This is not an initial eligibility requirement but will be reviewed before you apply for formal admission, including disclosure of criminal records, financial integrity (bankruptcy history), and other misconduct. The vast majority of candidates need not worry about this—as long as you have no serious criminal or regulatory violations, you will pass the suitability assessment.

SQE Registration Process

Step 1: Register for a mySRA Account

mySRA is the SRA's online portal. All future qualification-related operations (such as submitting academic credentials, registering work experience, and applying for admission) are completed through this account. You need to create a mySRA account on the SRA website, including your name and contact details. Please ensure you register using your official name as it appears on your passport or other identity documents, and keep your login details secure.

Website: https://www.sra.org.uk/mysra/get-mysra-account/

Step 2: Register for an SQE Examination Account

SQE examination booking and administration is operated by the SRA's commissioned examination service provider, with a separate registration website (typically accessed via sqe.sra.org.uk). On this website, you need to create an SQE examination account for booking examination sessions, paying examination fees, and checking results.

Website: https://sqe.sra.org.uk/email-verification

Booking Your Examination

1. Select and book examination sessions: SQE examinations open for booking in advance. You need to log into your SQE account during the booking window to select the examination stage (SQE1 or SQE2) and specific session you wish to attend.
2. Pay examination fees: After selecting your session, you must pay the examination fee online to secure your place. Payment can be made by international credit or debit card. Fees do not include VAT.
3. Examination confirmation and admission: After successful registration, you will receive a confirmation email. A few weeks before the examination, you should be able to download your examination notice from your account, containing examination time, location, and candidate instructions.
4. Identity verification: When first registering, the examination provider may require you to upload identity documents (such as a passport) for verification. On examination day, you must bring the same original identity document for entry verification.

Examination Dates and Fee Structure

SQE1 Examination Dates

SQE1 is typically held twice per year, in January and July. Both sittings have identical content, and candidates can choose the session that suits their preparation. Registration usually opens approximately 3-4 months before the examination date, with booking closing around 5 weeks before the examination.

SQE1 consists of two computer-based tests (FLK1 and FLK2), taken approximately one week apart. As overseas examination centres are also available, candidates in China can select testing centres in Asia, subject to the list of centres published for each sitting.

SQE2 Examination Dates

SQE2 is generally held four times per year, approximately in January, April, July, and October. Each sitting includes both oral and written components, lasting approximately 10 days (oral assessments conducted in multiple batches over the first half, with written assessments concentrated over the final few days).

SQE2 oral assessments are currently only held in England (in major cities such as London or Cardiff), so overseas candidates must travel to England for the oral component. SQE2 written assessments are available at centres in England and selected international locations.

Results Publication

• SQE1 results: Generally published 5-6 weeks after the examination
• SQE2 results: Generally published approximately 12-14 weeks (about 3 months) after the examination, as SQE2 involves manual marking of oral and written tasks

Examination Fees (as of 2025)

These fees are for examination registration only and do not include any training courses or study materials. Candidates may choose to self-study or enrol in preparatory courses. Additionally, if you are overseas, travel and accommodation costs for attending SQE2 oral assessments should also be budgeted.

SQE1 Examination: Format and Content

Examination Format

SQE1 comprises two papers, called FLK1 and FLK2 (Functioning Legal Knowledge). Each paper contains 180 single best answer multiple choice questions, totalling 360 questions. Each question presents five options, from which you must select the single best answer.

Candidates complete the examination in a computer-based testing environment, with approximately 5 hours allowed for each paper (including breaks). The two papers are generally taken on separate days, typically FLK1 first, followed by FLK2 a few days later. The examination is closed book—no materials may be consulted.

Examination Content

The knowledge scope of SQE1 covers core legal areas required for practice as a solicitor. According to the SRA assessment specification:

Professional Conduct permeates all the above subjects—ethics-related questions may appear in scenarios from any subject. Additionally, taxation principles may be tested within the context of business law, property, or wills, but will not appear as standalone questions.

Preparation and Difficulty

SQE1 requires knowledge depth equivalent to that of a UK law graduate, representing "day one competency for a newly qualified solicitor". This means candidates must not only know legal rules but also apply them. Questions typically present scenarios requiring you to identify legal issues and select the correct course of action.

SQE2 Examination: Format and Content

Examination Format

SQE2 comprises 16 independent assessment tasks, referred to as "stations" or scenario exercises. Of these, 12 are written tasks and 4 are oral tasks (role-play). All 16 stations are assessed holistically, with a single overall pass/fail result. The examination typically takes place over multiple half-day sessions, totalling approximately 5 half-days (two days for oral assessments, three days for written assessments).

In oral stations, candidates interact with examiners playing the role of clients or judges. In written stations, candidates complete various legal documents or records. The entire SQE2 process is conducted under controlled examination conditions, with oral assessments marked in real-time by examiners and written assessments marked subsequently.

Examination Content

SQE2 assesses six core skills applied across different legal scenarios:

Example Tasks

• Client Interview + Attendance Note: Conduct a 30-minute face-to-face meeting with an examiner (playing a client), then write a memorandum to a colleague or letter to the client summarising the meeting, legal analysis, and next steps
• Advocacy: Given case materials and preparation time, make a 10-15 minute oral submission to examiners (acting as judges), such as a bail application in criminal proceedings or an interim injunction application in civil proceedings
• Legal Writing: Read case materials and draft a legal opinion, letter of advice, or letter before action within approximately 90 minutes
• Legal Research: Given a specific legal question, search provided legal databases for relevant authority, then write a research memorandum citing cases or legislation found
• Legal Drafting: Amend or draft part of a legal document, such as contract clauses or court application forms, using appropriate legal terminology and correct formatting

Tasks are set in specific practice contexts, including criminal practice, civil litigation (including commercial dispute resolution), property transactions, wills and probate, and business law. The examination covers at least two major practice areas to ensure candidates can apply skills in different business contexts.

Pass Standards and Validity Period

Pass Standards

Both SQE1 and SQE2 use a pass/fail system rather than traditional grading (there are no A/B/C grades, only pass or fail). Each examination has a pass mark determined by the SRA's standard-setting panel based on examination difficulty. Generally, SQE1 requires approximately 55%-60% of questions to be answered correctly to pass, though the specific pass mark may fluctuate slightly based on question difficulty.

When results are published, candidates are only informed "Pass" or "Fail". Generally, specific scores are not disclosed. However, if you fail, the results report may provide feedback on performance in different areas (e.g., excellent, good, or insufficient) to help candidates improve.

Resit Restrictions

Results Validity

You must complete all examinations within 6 years, otherwise results will expire and you will need to start over. Additionally, even if you pass both examinations, you should apply for admission within six years of passing, otherwise the SRA may require additional evidence to confirm your knowledge and skills remain current.

SQE2 Exemption for Qualified Chinese Solicitors

Exemption Overview

Good news for those already qualified as lawyers in China: Chinese solicitors have the opportunity to apply for exemption from the SQE2 examination. This policy is part of the SRA's exemption mechanism for overseas qualified lawyers. If you can demonstrate that your practical competence as a Chinese solicitor is equivalent to that of a newly qualified English solicitor, you may be granted exemption.

Exemption Conditions

Application Process

1. Update mySRA profile: Log into your mySRA account and add your Chinese lawyer qualification details under "My Profile", including jurisdiction ("China")
2. Initiate online application: In mySRA, go to "Start a new application" and select "Apply for an individual SQE assessment exemption"
3. Upload supporting documents: The system will require various supporting files, typically including: practising certificate scan, proof of Chinese lawyer qualification, reference letters, work summary report, case or document samples
4. Pay application fee: An application processing fee (approximately £300) must be paid when submitting
5. Await review outcome: The SRA will assess your application, which may take several weeks to months. If approved, you are exempt from SQE2; if refused, you may still sit SQE2 or reapply later with additional evidence

Frequently Asked Questions

Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) Explained

What is QWE?

According to the SRA definition, QWE refers to a cumulative two years of full-time (or equivalent) legal work experience. This experience can be gained across a wide range of organisations and roles, provided the essential nature of the work is the provision of legal services and allows you to develop solicitor competencies.

Where Can QWE Be Obtained?

Time Requirements

• Total duration: Equivalent to 2 years full-time. The SRA does not specify exact hours for "full-time", leaving it to employer discretion. Generally calculated as approximately 35 hours per week, 46-48 weeks per year, totalling approximately 3,200 hours over two years
• Part-time work: If working part-time, the total time must reach the equivalent of 2 years full-time when converted. For example, half-time work would require 4 years to accumulate the equivalent
• Split and accumulation: QWE may be accumulated across up to four different organisations. You can split the 2-year requirement into multiple stages gained at different positions. For example: 1 year at a law firm, 6 months in corporate legal, 6 months at a legal aid centre, and 6 months at another organisation—these four segments total two years. Each segment need not be consecutive; there may be gaps between them
• No minimum duration per segment: There is no lower limit for each individual period (theoretically, a 1-2 month legal assistant internship may count if sufficiently valuable, though very short periods may be difficult to have confirmed)

Timing of QWE

You may obtain QWE before, during, or after taking the SQE examinations at any time. For example, someone may complete a 3-month law firm internship during university summer holidays—this can count towards QWE. Others may accumulate 2 years of experience after passing the SQE. There is complete flexibility. Many choose to work whilst preparing for examinations, progressing both in parallel.

Sign-Off Requirements

Qualifying work experience must be confirmed (signed off) by an eligible person to be recognised by the SRA. Sign-off persons may be one of the following two categories:

What sign-off confirms: The dates you worked at the organisation, whether you engaged in legal services, and that you had opportunities to develop solicitor core competencies. The sign-off person's responsibility is not to judge whether you are competent to be a solicitor—competence is determined by examinations—but only to confirm the experience objectively existed and its nature meets requirements.

Recording QWE

When a work period concludes, you can record it in mySRA and send it to your sign-off person for confirmation. You may also accumulate several work periods and process them together, but at the latest, all two years of QWE must be registered and signed off before applying for admission. The SRA will archive each QWE segment you submit. When you apply for admission, the system checks whether you have satisfactory QWE records.

QWE Before SQE2 vs Before Admission

When Should QWE Be Completed?

There is considerable confusion about QWE timing. Let us clarify: The SRA does not require candidates to complete any specific duration of QWE before sitting SQE2. In other words, eligibility to sit SQE2 depends solely on having passed SQE1, with no relation to work experience. You may sit and pass SQE2 with zero practical experience—indeed, many UK law graduates pass both examinations before seeking employment.

Official guidance explicitly states QWE may be obtained before, during, or after examinations, with complete flexibility. Therefore, online claims that "you must complete internship before sitting SQE2" are unfounded—this may be people applying old training contract thinking to the SQE. Under the SQE route, examinations and work experience are two independent requirements.

Common Planning Models

Regardless of model chosen: You must ensure a cumulative 2 years of QWE is completed and signed off before applying for admission. The SRA will check this when you apply for admission to the Roll of Solicitors. If you are still short at that point, you will need to complete the balance, potentially delaying the process. Therefore, plan ahead and avoid discovering insufficient experience at the last moment.

Application for Admission as a Solicitor

Pre-Application Checklist

Before submitting your admission application, verify you have met all the following requirements:

Background Check and Character Assessment

Before formally submitting your admission application, the SRA will require you to undergo background screening. This is typically conducted by an independent agency designated by the SRA, including basic criminal record checks (DBS background check) and identity verification. Applicants must complete an online questionnaire providing addresses and employment history over recent years, and pay the screening fee (approximately £39-£45).

If you have resided outside the UK long-term, you may need to provide equivalent certificates of good conduct. After passing the background check, the SRA will update your mySRA status indicating you have completed screening and may proceed to the next step.

Submitting Your Admission Application

1. Access application in mySRA: Log into mySRA and find "Apply for admission" under "Start a new application"
2. Select route: The system will ask you to choose your application route; select "Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route"
3. Complete application form: Fill in the form confirming you meet all requirements and select your admission date. The SRA has several fixed admission dates throughout the year (typically certain days each month or fortnightly). You may select the nearest available date as your effective practice date
4. Pay admission fee: Before submitting, pay the admission registration fee, currently £100
5. Await approval: After payment and submission, await SRA review, typically taking 2-4 weeks. If documentation is complete and correct, you will receive notification after approval to confirm your specific admission date (sometimes selected during application)

Becoming a Solicitor and Obtaining Your Practising Certificate

On your selected admission date, your name will be formally added to the Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales. From this moment, you are a solicitor! The SRA will update the system status and send you an electronic Admission Certificate as a memento.

Required Documentation Summary

Practical Tips

• Consider undergoing background screening after receiving SQE2 pass results, as screening reports have limited validity periods. Completing this early saves subsequent waiting time
• Whilst awaiting admission approval after submission, contact prospective employers regarding commencement or prepare information needed for practising certificate application
• After SRA approves admission, remember to complete practising certificate application in mySRA so you can actually begin working as a solicitor
• The entire admission process is detailed but relatively straightforward. Follow the guidance step by step. For questions, consult SRA website guides or FAQs

Conclusion

We hope this comprehensive SQE guide has helped clarify the pathway to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales. From reform background to specific procedures, we have endeavoured to cover every detail. The SQE makes the dream of becoming an English solicitor more accessible, whilst requiring candidates to possess solid professional competence and planning abilities.

Whether you are a law graduate, a career changer from another field, or an already-practising Chinese solicitor, you can achieve your goal of English qualification through this new pathway. Challenges are inevitable during preparation, but remember your initial aspirations and persevere to the end.

We wish every reader early success in passing the SQE, obtaining English solicitor qualification, and achieving great accomplishments on the international legal stage!