How do you pay for the SQE?

Jun 12, 2023

Written By Stephen Demery

One of the non-negotiable hurdles to jump over in the pursuit of becoming a solicitor is passing the SQE. But passing the assessment is not the only challenge – funding the SQE can be pretty expensive as well.

What is the SQE?

The SQE stands for the Solicitor’s Qualifying Examination. It is centralised, meaning it is conducted by a single centralised authority (the Solicitors Regulation Authority or SRA) as opposed to the old decentralised system it’s replacing. With the previous system, aspiring solicitors would complete an undergraduate law degree (or a law conversion course) and then the Legal Practice Course (LPC), which could be taken at a number of different institutions.

The SQE has therefore been implemented to ensure consistency – it means that all new solicitors sit the exact same exams in order to qualify, instead of the LPC which had varying assessment criteria.

The assessment itself is composed of two exams – SQE1 and SQE2, and there are multiple exam dates each year. Many providers offer preparation courses for each exam, but the SRA has said the knowledge from your law degree or conversion course should be sufficient to help you pass the exam. Nevertheless, many students who feel they need additional support are enrolling onto SQE courses. Some undergraduate and postgraduate law degrees now include SQE Prep.

How much does the SQE cost?

SQE costs can therefore be split into two categories – preparation costs and examination costs.

Preparation Costs

This naturally depends on what level of support you need to prepare for the SQE. If you would like extensive support, The University of Law charges around £5,900 in London for each SQE prep course. Self-studying and shorter prep courses naturally cost less.

Exam Costs

The current prices to sit the two SQE exams are as follows:

- SQE1 - £1,798

- SQE2* - £2,766

Total = £4,564

*Only available in Cardiff, London, and Manchester – so factor in potential travel and accommodation costs as well.

Ways to fund the SQE

Studying part-time whilst working

This is a viable option as it allows you to continue working and therefore generate enough income to fund the SQE prep and exam costs. If you work in the legal sector, your work will contribute to the two years work experience required of all solicitors.

It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that studying the SQE part-time will take almost twice as long as full-time study. It will also be very full-on studying alongside work.

Loans

You may qualify for a government-funded postgraduate loan (around £12,000) if you pick a law Master’s degree that includes SQE Preparation courses. Student finance is generally preferable to private loans as the terms are less costly and more relaxed on the borrower. This funding does not, however, cover the exam costs of £4, 564.

If you have not done this and do not otherwise qualify for student finance, you can take out a private loan to fund the SQE. Often your chosen SQE provider will partner with a bank or private student finance lender to provide you with the fees for the preparation courses. Remember to read the terms and conditions carefully before committing to a loan.

Training contracts and Legal apprenticeships

This is simultaneously the most difficult and the most rewarding way to fund the SQE. Large law firms that offer training contracts and legal apprenticeships typically sponsor their successful applicants to undertake the SQE – that means all prep costs and exam costs are paid for. Many firms even offer a substantial maintenance grant to cover your living expenses whilst you study.

It's a great deal – if you can get it. Training contracts and apprenticeships, as you are probably aware, are notoriously difficult to obtain. There are also strings attached to the relevant funding: you are obliged to train at that law firm after your SQE exams, do your preparation at the provider of their choice, and any other stipulation the firm may request. Regardless, getting a law firm to fund the SQE for you as part of a training contract is the most lucrative option available. Check out our selection and assessment page for advice on how to secure a training contract.

Scholarships

Funding by demonstrating academic ability and commitment and gaining a scholarship or bursary is another potential option to fund the SQE. Kaplan, who run the SQE on behalf of the SRA, have shown an intention to provide scholarships to certain SQE students (although no set-in-stone details have been released yet).

In terms of SQE prep providers - the University of Law, BPP, and BARBRI all offer some form of grant that cover either SQE Prep courses or the SQE Exams.

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