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SQE1 Preparation

SQE1 Preparation

Online SQE1 Preparation Courses

The College’s SQE1 preparation course, Solicitors Legal Knowledge (SLK), will fully prepare you for the SQE1 assessment. The SQE1 assessment is the first step in your journey to becoming a qualified solicitor in England and Wales via the SQE route; once passed, you’ll move on to the SQE2 assessment. The College has designed this preparation course for virtual learning, using our years of expertise in online legal training. The course takes you through each of the 13 practice areas step by step, with over 2,300 MCQs for you to practice and revise for SQE1. Throughout the course, the College offers some of the highest levels of personal supervision available from expert practitioners, supporting you to succeed, along with live surgeries and town halls.

The SQE1 preparation course is highly flexible, with weekly deadlines, learning available at any time, and recordings of group sessions if you cannot attend. The course is also very affordable and can be taken as part of an LLM in Legal Practice covered by a Master’s loan.

Apply Try our SQE1 prep course

SQE1 Prep Course Introduction Video

Learn more about our SQE1 preparation course from the College’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Giles Proctor in this short film.

SQE1 Preparation Course

woman with laptop


Course overview

  • 13-week full-time course
  • 20-week part-time course
  • 40-week part-time course
  • Course fees: £2,200

The Solicitors Legal Knowledge module will help you develop and apply core legal principles in the 13 practice areas required for SQE1. The SQE1 practice areas are split into Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 1 and 2.

FLK1: Business Law and Practice, Dispute Resolution, Contract, Tort, Legal System of England and Wales, Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law and Legal Services

FLK2: Property Practice, Wills and the Administration of Estates, Solicitors Accounts, Land Law, Trusts, Criminal Law and Practice. 

The course will also give you daily opportunities to practice MCQs in each practice area and learn MCQ exam techniques.

Course Materials and Resources

  • Pre-course starter pack including four practice areas from the SLK Manual
  • Full access to Learning Portal and virtual community
  • Over 1900 videos, activities, scenarios and flashcards, to access as and when you like
  • 2300+ SQE1 style multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
  • Timed SQE1-style assessments and further MCQs for revision
  • Hard copy and electronic manuals available
  • Virtual surgeries on legal content and concepts
  • Town halls and recorded updates run by module leaders
  • 10 personal supervisions
  •  

    Please note, the College’s courses are constantly developing and the exact details of the module is subject to change.

Course Options

There are three SQE1 Preparation course options for students, and all are suitable for international students:

  • For full-time students: 13-week full-time course, with an average of 30-35 study hours a week
  • For those working full-time or part-time: 20-week part-time course , with an average of 15-20 study hours a week
  • For those with a high level of personal commitments: 40-week part-time course , with an average of 8-10 study hours a week

Please note: every student’s weekly study hours varies. It depends on your current level of legal knowledge and ability to learn and retain the law across the 13 practice areas.

Course Start Dates Apply

You have the best chance of passing the SQE with us - why?

Why choose our SQE1 Preparation course? Here are four reasons why studying with the College for SQE1 gives you the best chance to pass SQE1.

 

SQE Practice and Expertise


2300+ MCQs

Multiple timed mock SQE1 assessments

A Ready Review advising whether you will pass SQE1

Personalised Support


High levels of personalised supervision

Experienced solicitor supervisors

Value for Money


Low course fees

10 months continued free access

No additional costs

Highly Rated by Students


88% of SQE1 prep students in 2023 would recommend the College to others

 

Looking to cover your costs with a loan?

Explore the LLM in Legal Practice

Learning Structure

Guided Learning

So, how do you learn in this course? The module is fully online with all the materials you require on Canvas - The College of Legal Practice’s Learning Portal for each unit area.

You will be guided through the learning for each sub-unit in the same way following these steps:

  • View the introductory recorded presentation
  • Complete the directed reading
  • Work through the online interactive activities – you can do these as many times as you choose
  • Work through the flashcard exercises – you can do these as many times as you choose
  • Do the multiple choice questions (MCQs) – to test your learning on the unit. If you get the answers wrong, reflect on the feedback and try again

As the course progresses, you will also undertake formative assessments that build up the number of MCQs and mix them up across practice areas, and bring in timed conditions.

At the end of the course, you undertake one summative assessment. This assessment is very similar to the SQE1 assessment. You will also receive a study pack of MCQs for revision.

Solicitors Legal Knowledge Intensive 

 

Take a look at the course for yourself. On our SQE1 preparation demo page you can access a video of the learning portal, excerpts from the SLK Manual, sample activities and MCQs.

 

ACCESS SQE1 PREP DEMO

 


Course Supervision and Support

Solicitors Legal Knowledge Flex

All the live sessions are scheduled between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and you will have access to your calendar the week before the course starts. Surgeries and Town Halls are recorded.

Surgeries: There are practice surgeries run by expert practitioners that give you the chance to ask any questions about areas or MCQs you don't understand and learn from other students’ experiences.

Town Halls & Recorded Updates: In live and recorded Town Halls, the Module Leaders will take you through the upcoming course deadlines, the SQE Assessments and anything else you need to know to stay on track to complete the course

Personal Supervisions: You will have an allocated supervisor and meet with them 10 times throughout the course. The meetings are either on a 1-2-1 basis or in small supervision group. 

 

Our SQE ready pledge to you

Your supervisor will give you an individual SQE ready review to advise you on the likelihood of passing SQE1.

 

 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COURSE FOR YOU

The Solicitors Legal Knowledge module can be taken across 13, 20 or 40 weeks. The course content and learning approach is the same, but you can choose the number of hours that you wish to learn each week depending on your experience and work and life circumstances. The majority of learning for all courses, can be completed at a time that suits you across the week.

Solicitors Legal Knowledge Intensive: Full-time, 13 weeks

You should only choose this course if you:

  • Have an excellent level of foundational legal knowledge from a UK law degree (LLB) or a law conversion course (eg GDL)
  • Are able to study every week in the course for 30-35 hours per week
  • Have a strong academic record – eg 1st or 2:1 in your undergraduate degree
  • Have few personal or work commitments each week

 

This course is very intensive and if you are working alongside your study, you may find you don’t have sufficient time to fully prepare for the SQE Assessments.

 

In this course you will complete:

  • Guided Learning: 10 subunits to be completed per week
  • 60mins Practice area surgeries: 3 per week
  • 10 supervision meetings throughout the course
  • Formative assessments: weekly from week 3
  • Summative Assessment: week 13 at the end of the module

 

example schedule here

Please note, our courses are developing and the exact details are subject to change.

Solicitors Legal Knowledge Flex: Part-time, 20 weeks

You should only choose this course if you:

  • Have a secure level of the foundation areas of the law of England & Wales from an LLB or GDL, or are an internationally qualified lawyer
  • Are able to study every week for at least 15-20 hours per week
  • Are able to study at least ½ -1 working day per week in addition to evenings and weekends.
  • Or have a lower classification in your undergraduate degree eg 2:2 but able to study full-time.

In this course you will complete:

  • Guided Learning: 7 subunits to be completed per week
  • 60 mins Practice area surgeries: 2 per week
  • 10 supervision meetings throughout the course
  • Formative assessments: across the course
  • Summative Assessment: week 20 at the end of the module

You will need some flexibility in your working week to make the most of the course. Surgeries, Town Halls and 121 supervisions will be scheduled between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Surgeries and Town Halls will be recorded.

example schedule here

Please note, our courses are developing and the exact details are subject to change.

Solicitors Legal Knowledge Extended: Part-time, 40 weeks

You should only choose this course if you:

  • Have a low or less secure current level of knowledge of the foundation areas of law of England & Wales
  • Haven’t studied for some time
  • Or have a lower classification in your undergraduate degree
  • Have a high level of work or personal commitments
  • Are able to study every week for at least 8-10 hours per week

In this course you will complete:

  • Guided Learning: 4 subunits to be completed per week
  • 60mins Practice area surgeries: 1 per week
  • 10 supervision meetings throughout the course
  • Formative assessments: across the course
  • Summative Assessment: week 40 at the end of the module

You will need some flexibility in your working week to make the most of the course. Surgeries, Town Halls and 121 supervisions will be scheduled between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Surgeries and Town Halls will be recorded.

example schedule here

Please note, our courses are developing and the exact details are subject to change.

You can also study the SQE1 preparation course as a module in the LLM in Legal Practice which is eligible for Master’s Loan funding.

Still not sure which course option is right for you? We know that students who are stronger academically, have a strong and up to date grounding in the law of England and Wales, and have more time to study are more likely to pass the SQE first time. If you are at all concerned about one of those areas, please consider a longer length course, either 20 or 40 weeks. We have a detailed webpage below that highlights everything you should consider before committing to a course via the link below and we are also happy to advise you on a 1-2-1 basis.

what's the right course for me?

 

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR SQE1 PREPARATION COURSES

Apply Now 

 

 

What do students say about this course?

 

77% of students were satisfied or very satisfied with the course
85% of students were satisfied or very satisfied with their personal supervisor
88% of students would highly recommend the College to others

 

(Source: SLK Students 2023)

 

Hear from our students 

 

SQE1 PREPARATION COURSE DETAILS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

These are the course details for Solicitors Legal Knowledge – the College’s SQE1 preparation course:

Admissions Criteria

  • UK undergraduate degree with minimum 2:2 classification or equivalent qualification or experience.
  • Applications are still invited from those with a third-class degree, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are applying with a third-class degree, you will be asked to submit a Personal Statement as part of your application, summarising any circumstances which resulted in your degree classification. You may also be invited to an informal interview with our Academic Team to further discuss suitability for admission.
  • If English isn’t your first language, English language qualifications equivalent to IELTS at level 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in each component (writing, listening, speaking, reading). You can be exempt from this requirement if you have a qualification which is equivalent to a UK undergraduate degree which was taught in English. Please refer to our Admissions Guidance for full entry criteria details.

If you don’t have a UK law degree or equivalent experience based on the Law of England & Wales, we strongly recommend our Graduate Diploma in Law.

Click here to see our Admissions Guidance.

 

Assessment

Timed 90 MCQs

 

Credits for LLM in Legal Practice

30 at FHEQ Level 6

 

Course options

13-week full-time course, with an average of 30-35 hours of learning per week
20-week part-time course, with an average of 15-20 hours of learning per week
40-week part-time course, with an average of 8-10 hours of learning per week

Please arrange a Course Options Chat with us if you are unsure which course is right for you or read our advice on choosing the right course for you.

Choosing the right course for you

 You can also study this course as a module in the LLM in Legal Practice, which is eligible for Master’s Loan funding.

 

Course Fees

£2,200

A deposit is required to secure your place and you can pay via instalments, please see the fee schedule for details.

Please note, if you are an international student there may be an additional postage fee for hard copy materials.

If you are a GDL student at the College, you are eligible for a 10% discount on course fees, please see the fee schedule for details.

Funding options are available through instalment plans, scholarships, and Master’s Loans.

Explore funding options

 

Timing

Courses are timed to prepare students for each SQE1 assessment, in line with the SRA schedule

View our full schedule for our SQE1 preparation courses and the SQE1 assessment timings they align with.

SQE1 prep course calendar

 

How to Apply

Applications are open for all courses.

APPLY HERE

 

Apply early and receive a free pre-course starter pack to get ahead with your preparation. Once you have paid your deposit, you will receive a substantial online study pack that includes four practice areas from the SLK Manual.

If you have any questions about your circumstances or the programme, please contact us.

Join us at a College event to learn more about this course

Explore our events

SUCCESS STORIES

Meet Mary

Trainee Solicitor at Medical Solicitors and LLM in Legal Practice student, passed both SQE1 and SQE2 with the College.

“I was particularly impressed with the number of MCQs that there were on the course, and having now taken and passed the SQE1 assessment, the College MCQs are very similar. You take regular mocks throughout the course, under timed conditions so I was able to get used to the time constraints for the actual exams.”

Read more on Mary's experience



Give yourself the best chance to succeed with our Secrets to SQE Success Guide


  • The SQE route to qualification: What is it? What are the costs? 
  • Top tips on how to succeed within your SQE prep studies
  • The College's approach to preparing students for the SQE assessments
  • Students sharing their experiences with the prep course and assessments
  • Funding your SQE 
  • Tips and thoughts from our supervisors and much more!
  •  

    SECRETS TO SQE SUCCESS GUIDE 

     

     

     

    SQE1 PREPARATION COURSE FAQS

    What is the SQE?

    The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the new route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. Introduced in 2021 it will replace the current Legal Practice Course (LPC). Instead of needing a training contract, you can now qualify as a solicitor by passing the SQE1 and SQE2 examinations and completing two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE).


    Learn more

    Is all the learning on-demand?

    The guided learning is all on-demand, and accessible at any time, however there are short live 1-2-1 and group sessions that will support you and your learning that are held between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

    Can I buy SQE1 materials?

    No, but all the SQE1 materials are included in the course fee, this includes the SLK hard copy manuals. You cannot buy them separately.

    Are there any additional costs?

    There are no additional costs for students based in the UK. If you would like us to post the SLK manuals to you internationally then you will need to cover the postage.

    Can I study from abroad?

    Yes, the course is fully virtual and you can study from abroad. For international students there are some considerations to studying in different time zones.


    Learn more

    How often are SQE1 courses offered throughout the year?

    We have three different course options, and each one runs twice a year, in line with each SQE1 assessment. All the courses finish the month before the SQE1 exam.


    Course calendar

    Is there flexibility in study schedules for working professionals?

    Yes, there is a lot of flexibility in studying this course. All the guided learning is available for you to study at any time, There are weekly deadlines for you to complete a set number of units a week. The assessments can also be completed up to a deadline.

    If you cannot attend the live town halls or surgeries you can watch the recordings. We recommend you attend some if you can and also your personal supervisions. They are all online and short, so can be fitted in around meetings if you have some flexibility.

    How are assessments conducted in the SQE1 course?

    The course has two types of assessments:

    • Formative Assessments: Practice tests that help you build up your practice of MCQs under timed conditions and test your knowledge throughout the course
    • Summative Assessment: A timed paper of 90 MCQS that you need to pass to pass the module (required for the completion of the LLM)

    Can you provide information on SQE1 exam pass rates for previous students?

    The College doesn’t have pass rates for previous students, but we do know that we can confidently predict if a student is going to pass from their performance in the course. We also know from our students that they feel very well prepared for the SQE1 assessments and that our questions are similar to those in the exams.

    Is there any qualifying work experience offered in the SQE1 course?

    The College is fully focused on helping students prepare and pass the SQE, as such there is no direct work experience offered to students The students have access to career resources and events to help them progress their legal career.

    What career support is offered for SQE1 students or graduates?

    The College students have access to careers resources and events to help them progress their legal career through regular student newsletters, there is also a LinkedIn student and alumni community for networking opportunities.

    Book a 1-2-1 chat to find out more

    book now