[updated March 2025]
Are you ready for the next step of your exciting journey to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales? The Solicitor’s Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a big part of the process. The SQE assessments comprise of two components, SQE1 and SQE2. If you are wondering, "When are the upcoming SQE exams?" you’re in the right place! In this article we outline all the important SQE exam dates straight from the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA). As providers of SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses, we’ve also clearly outlined the best courses to take that prepare you in time for your chosen exam date.
Remember, you must complete SQE1 before taking SQE2 unless you have specific exemption from the SRA for SQE1. If you are taking your exams outside of the UK, double-check your timings as these can vary internationally.
SQE1
SQE1 runs twice a year, in January and July. It is split into two assessments: FLK1, and FLK2.
For this exam, we recommend our SQE1 Prep course. We also offer an LLM programme that includes SQE prep for those interested in gaining a master's degree alongside their SQE preparation. Please note that this course lasts 1-2 years, depending on whether you choose the part-time or full-time option.
Our SQE1 preparation courses run year round, and are offered as a full time 13-week option, a part time 20-week option, and a part time 40-week option. Read more information about each course here. The 2024 January SQE1 exam has now passed.
July 2025 SQE1 exam:
- Dates: FLK1: 14-18 July / FLK2: 21-25 July
- Booking opening: 24 March 2025
- Booking close: 22 May 2025
- Results date: 10 September 2025
Our full time, 13-week SQE1 Prep course that best prepares you for this sitting is our course running from 24th March - 20th June 2025. Applications for this close on the 10th March 2025. This is the best option for you if you can dedicate 35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying.
Our part time, 20-week course and our part time, 40-week courses for this assessment have already started.
However you can join the next courses for 2026’s assessments, You can see the courses start dates on the course calendar
SQE2
SQE2 assessments run four times a year in January, April, July and October. They comprise of two components - a written exam, and an oral exam. The oral assessments take place at exam centres in Birmingham, London, Cardiff and Manchester. Written assessments are at Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and across the world, more details on the SQE2 centres can be found here.
January-Feb 2025 SQE2 exam:
This exam for SQE2 has now passed however, results have not yet been released.
- Results date: 28 May 2025
April-May 2025 SQE2 exam:
Oral dates:
- First Sitting: 28-29 April
- Second Sitting: 30 April-1 May
- Third Sitting: 13-14 May
- Fourth Sitting: 15-16 May
Written dates:
- Dates: 6-8 May
- Booking opening: 28 January 2025
- Booking close: 20 March 2025
- Results date: 27 August 2025
All the courses to prepare for this exam have now started.
July-August 2025 SQE2 exam:
Oral dates:
- First Sitting: 28-29 July
- Second Sitting: 30-31 July
Written dates:
- Dates: 5-7 August
- Booking opening: TBC
- Booking close: TBC
- Results date: 19 November 2025
If you’re looking to take the SQE2 in this sitting and study full time, our full time, 10-week SQE2 Prep course that best coincides with this sitting runs from the 21st April to 27th June 2025. Applications for this course close on 7th April 2025. Apply here. This is the best option for you if you can dedicate 30- 35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying.
Our part time courses for this sitting have already started.
September-October 2025 SQE2 exam:
Oral dates:
- First Sitting: 30-31 October
- Second Sitting: 11-12 November
- Third Sitting: 13-14 November
Written dates:
- Dates: 4-6 November
- Booking opening: TBC
- Booking close: TBC
- Results date: 24 February 2026
If you’re looking to take the SQE2 in this sitting and study full time, our full time, 10-week SQE2 Prep course that best coincides with this sitting runs from the 14 July to 19 September 2025. Applications for this course close on 30 June 2025. Apply here. This is the best option for you if you can dedicate 30- 35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying.
If you’d prefer to study part time, our part time, 20-week SQE2 Prep course that best coincides with this exam is the 5 May - 19 September course.. Applications close on 21 April. Apply here. This is the best option for you if you have multiple obligations alongside your study, such as part time work or caring responsibilities. You would typically need to dedicate 15-20 hours of study time per week.
Our extended part time, 40-week SQE2 Prep course that best prepares you for this exam is now closed.
If you’re looking to sit the SQE in 2026, we also have course dates preparing you for those later sittings, which you can view via our course calendar.
More resources
Ready to start your SQE journey? Visit our SQE hub for comprehensive guides to the assessment or view our SQE preparation courses.
Published July 2024, updated March 2025.
The information on this page was correct at the time of publishing.