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Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

The SQE is our recommended route to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales.

Why BPP prepares you better for the SQE

Pass rates 20% higherWe don’t just teach you to answer the questions, but to question them too.
Courses to suit everybodySQE preparation for any background, lifestyle or level of experience.
Extensive connections with law firmsWe know what employers want. And we reflect it in our training.
A whole support team behind youIncluding careers, wellbeing support and 1-2-1 coaching.
Career-focused trainingIt’s not just about the exam. It’s about employability and getting all-important QWE.
Prepare to passAI learning sees your strengths and areas of improvement, leaving no room for weakness.

What is the SQE?

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is our recommended route to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. While you no longer require a law degree or law conversion course in order to sit the centralised assessments – these are extremely challenging exams, and we recommend a comprehensive course to maximise your chances of passing.

The four-step process to qualifying for the SQE

Step 1

A degree in any discipline (or its equivalent).

Step 2

Pass the SQE1 and SQE2 exams.

Step 3

Complete two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE).

Step 4

Pass the SRA’s character and suitability test at the point of admission.

BPP - a leading SQE training provider*

20% above the national average+, our pass rates speak for themselves.

79%

SQE1 pass rate*

99%

SQE2 pass rate*

Further reading

Becoming a solicitor

Understand the various routes to becoming a solicitor.

Qualifying work experience (QWE)

If you’re taking the SQE route to become a qualified solicitor, you will need to complete two years of full-time qualifying work experience (QWE).

Funding options

Explore the range of funding options available to you. Depending on your chosen BPP course, you could be eligible to apply for loans or scholarships to cover your tuition and living costs.

Book a Virtual Open Evening

Booking a virtual open evening is a great way to get a feel for BPP. You’ll chat with tutors and students and get to know about important things like funding, work experience and securing a training contract.

Frequently asked questions

If you can’t find the answer to a question, our advisers will be happy to help.

The SQE Exam is divided into two parts - SQE1 and SQE2.

The SQE1 syllabus covers the core practice areas that were previously covered in Stage 1 of the LPC as well as the foundational law subjects you studied either on your law degree or law conversion programme.

SQE1 is a multiple-choice assessment of 360 MCQs which candidates sit in two papers: ‘FLK1’ and ‘FLK2’ – FLK standing for ‘Functioning Legal Knowledge’. Each paper is split in two, so for FLK 1, you sit 90 MCQs in the morning and 90 in the afternoon and do the same again a few days later for FLK2.

You must pass SQE1 before you are permitted to register for SQE2.

The SQE2 is a series of 16 practical tasks, which, assess applicants’ oral and written skills, in key areas such as:

  • Client interviewing

  • Advocacy

  • Legal research

  • Legal drafting

  • Legal writing

  • Case and matter analysis

Speak to an adviser

*Want to know why we're a leading SQE training provider?

Our pass rates speak for themselves. We believe in transparency. Which is why, unlike other providers, we verify our pass rates from a substantial and representative group across all cohorts. That's quality, guaranteed.

  BPP pass rate (first sitters) National pass rate (first sitters)
SQE1 Jan 2023 73% 54%
SQE1 Jan 2024 79% 59%
SQE2 April 2023 97% 80%
SQE2 July 2023 99% 82%

Verification of results surveys: SQE1 January 2023: 85% of BPP candidates verified; SQE1 January 2024: 75% of BPP candidates verified; SQE2 April 2023, 50% of BPP candidates verified; SQE2 July 2023 84% of BPP candidates verified. No data available for SQE1 July 2023 and SQE2 October 2023 results.

+Based on SQE1 January 2024 results.