SQE

Hi everyone,

I recently completed my LLB with a 2:1 from a Russell Group university and am now preparing to self-fund my SQE journey. As an international student on a graduate visa, I've been accepted into the University of Law's LLM (SQE 1 & 2) Online programme, starting this September.

However, I'm torn between pursuing the LLM or opting for the University of Law's in-person SQE 1 & 2 Preparation course.

Given that I’m not currently working, do you think the online format might be a disadvantage for me? Would enrolling in the LLM program offer significant benefits in terms of knowledge and employability, or would the standalone preparation course be more practical?

I understand that the LLM is often chosen by those who seek student loan funding, but since I'm not eligible for that, it’s not a relevant factor for me.

I would really appreciate any insights, experiences, or advice you have on which option might be more advantageous in the long term.
Thank you!

Hi there. I am a foreign qualified solicitor (did my LLB overseas) looking to do the SQE 1 in January. Which course would you recommend based on those who have passed SQE1?
For example ULaw, BPP or Barbri.
Thanks so much! Any tips are also welcome!

Has anyone got a timetable of the part time course at ULAW for doing the LLM SQE 1 and 2? Just wondering how much work is required each week and the order of study.

Hello!

I am wondering if anyone is/ has been in the situation where you are working full-time and then receive a TC offer (where the firm is sponsoring the SQE preparation courses (full-time) and providing a living allowance)? If so, I am wondering if you can share any advice on how you made up the difference between the living allowance and a full-time salary? I am struggling to see how this is manageable with a rent contract/bills/cost of living etc. and would be so grateful for any insights!

To add more detail, the firm have an arrangement where trainees do a full-time course and I already have a master's so I can't apply for student funding.

I am accustomed with the LPC study and assessment format. However, the LPC seems redundant as most firms prefer the SQE.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Basically i am thinking of going with Barbri for SQE 1. On the barbri website I can just apply to SQE 1 but on the Central Applications Board it says I can also for a slight reduction apply for both courses. Is it worth it? I am not sure if Barbri is the best for SQE 2 and was thinking that I would much rather use ULaw for SQE 2, which my employer is willing to pay for (Only SQE 2). Is this possible and should I do it?

Hi, all. Just trying to get my head around to the timeline between getting a TC offer and starting the TC for a career changer who has already graduated.

If I get a TC offer in summer 2025 due to start in autumn 2027, what are the two years made up of? I've seen on Legal Cheek that firms offer a grant for each the GDL and the SQE. If you do the SQE full time I'd it just one year? And what happens if you fail - are there opportunities to resit?

Do you do both SQE & GDL as non-law or just SQE, or does it depend on the firm? If so, anyone know what the route is for Pinsent Masons / Eversheds?

Thanks a lot!

Hi

If I am self-funding my LLM SQE, does the course provider matter? I am leaning towards City but have noticed most firm-sponsored students go to UoL or BPP. If I go to City, will that impact my chances when applying for TCs?


Would really appreciate some guidance!!!

For anybody who has done the (September start) SQE1 and 2 LLM at ULaw this year, could anybody give me some insight into the workload in June time? This is after both the SQE1 and SQE2 exams are done.

I have a family wedding next June in Europe, and I’m just wondering whether it would be possible to miss a week of class for that. I haven’t been able to find much information about the LLM part of the course online!

Thank you

Hey all,

I don't actually have an offer, and I am yet to apply for any TCs but I was doing a bit of firm research and Baker Mckenzie is one I'm quite interested in. I've seen that they no longer fund the PGDL and instead fund the SQE prep course with Barbri. In addition it seems Barbri offer a 6 week online "legal foundations course" with non-law grads receiving an extra £1000 bursary over law students I assume to compensate for this?

Am I right in assuming that this means non-law students not required to do the PGDL at Baker Mckenzie? How would this impact someone later in their career, being a qualified solicitor without a qualifying law degree or PGDL? Is the legal foundations course and an sqe prep course enough preparation to actually sit the SQE? Is this all accomplished in one year as opposed to the 2, that many non-law students do?

As a non-law student it's an interesting idea, and would allow us to get working and started with our career sooner, but I can't help feel I'd be woefully underprepared for the exams.

Has anybody had any experience with this route or with Baker Mckenzie?

Hey! Has anyone been through the NTU sqe/llm prep course? Would you recommend it? I initially wanted to attend ULaw but missed key deadlines as an international student so my only choice now is NTU? Will it make a difference?

BPP requires a 2:2 qualifying law degree, but my exam results are not out until July. I have made the payments for the course. Do I just wait for the exam results to come out now and submit the?

Hi ,
I'm planning on studying the PGDL in September at BPP and I was wondering if anyone has information about deadlines. I'm completing a vacation scheme in June/ July, and the firm would sponsor my studies if I secured a training contract. However, if I don't manage to secure a training contract then I'm planning on doing the Masters version of the course in order to access a postgraduate student loan. I get the impression that law schools accept applications up until quite close to the start date, but I don't want to leave this too late and risk missing out on a place and/or government funding. Any information and advice would be appreciated, thank you!

Hi I’ve opted for BARBRI as my course provider for the SQE has anyone had a recent experience with them for the SQE prep and any advise u can give .

Hi I’ve opted for BARBRI as my course provider for the SQE has anyone had a recent experience with them for the SQE prep and any advise u can give .

This may be a stupid question but can someone please explain the SQE timings with a potential TC. I just graduated my fourth year at the Uni of Edinburgh with a non-law degree, and am currently looking at applying for TCs and Vac schemes (decided on law only recently). I would need to apply to firms who were willing to help fund my SQE as can't self-fund but I don't understand whether I need to apply for a TC first and then apply for an SQE course or apply together? Can I apply for an SQE course at any point throughout the year? My problem is I don't have the current funds to finance the SQE and would want the security of a firm funding it first

Approximately how many hours per week do you have to spend studying independently for this course? Thanks in advance for any replies!

Hi everyone!

I'm currently choosing from two options: — LLM SQE 1&2 or SQE 1&2 preparation courses:

Do you know what is the difference between them (apart from price, duration and additional module) for my employability? As far as I understand it, LLM is better for those who would like to access student loan funding, but I am not eligible for it and it's not relevant to me. Is there any difference in studying LLM SQE and SQE preparation courses? The second option (just preparation course) is cheaper, that's why I am interested in it.

I am a bachelor in law (overseas degree equivalent to LLB, non-common law), 2:1 diploma. I have work experience as a paralegal and even as a lawyer outside of the OK (1.5 years in total) in the area of logistics and insurance, but I don't have any training contract in the UK (and I don't think that I will secure it soon because I don't have any local experience).

Hello,
I'll be starting the SQE/CCP at BPP Holborn in September 2024. I have a few questions which it would really help to know the answers to in order to plan my year (accommodation, travel, work, etc.). Could anyone who did the course this year shed some light? (Obviously, I recognise there could be differences between this past year and next year, but it would be really helpful to have a rough idea.)
I know it's a 12-month course, and I know it starts on 2nd Sep - but literally nothing else. I actually went to BPP Holborn last week and tried to ask them, but they wouldn't provide any information.

1. How many contact hours did you have per week? I've heard 10, but would like confirmation.
2. How many days a week were the contact hours spread out over? (I recognise this will vary by group, but were most groups having to go in 5 days a week?)
3. Were there any socials/opportunities to meet students in other groups?
4. When were the exams?
- BPP internal exams
- SQE exams (I think SQE1 is in January, but when is SQE2? In particular, when does it end? Do you get a summer holiday?)
5. Were there any holidays or reading weeks, and if so, when were they?
6. What was the Plus Programme like? Was it intense? Were there exams?
7. If you can be bothered after all my other questions - any advice?

Any responses hugely appreciated!

Hi everyone,

What are your experiences with ULAW’s SQE Plus modules? How difficult are they and are the assessment deadlines generous? I’m starting the SQE Plus modules in about 2 weeks and intend to sit the SQE2 in October. Is it possible to manage both if I’m studying from now?

Hi!

I am currently a trainee solicitor and I have completed the SQE exams. Because of my previous experiences, I have enough qualifying work experience to send everything off now and ‘qualify’. However, I still want to complete my training contract for the experience. I just would like to have it all signed-off so that my “qualification year” on the SRA roll is a bit earlier in case that is helpful to me further down the line.

Does anyone know if it is ok to technically be a “qualified solicitor” on the SRA roll, whilst holding a “trainee solicitor” position? My firm has not seen this situation before.

Thank you in advance!!

Hi all,
I am planning on taking the LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1 and 2) full-time in London beginning Sept 2024. I wondered if anyone who is currently studying it (from the Sept 2023 course) has the timetable and could share it with me. I just wanted to see how the course is structured and when holidays are etc. They only have the part-time timetables on their website for this course. Thanks!

I am currently looking at self-funding my SQE LLM. I was looking at Nottingham Law School, University of Law, or BPP. I was wondering what type of preferences law firms have between different SQE prep course . master's providers etc? Furthermore, is it perceived differently if I take it online? As I wouldn't be able to relocate to London whilst taking the course.

Hi,

I'm looking for another person to practice my oral exam skills with for the upcoming SQE2 (i'm doing my oral exams in early May).

Particularly looking for someone to schedule a video call with to practice some Interviewing mocks that I have. I'm studying with ULaw and I have about 3-4 mock cases to do. Willing to return the favour and play the client for anyone that also needs the extra practice!

Thanks!

Hi anyone received updates after the group interview on 15th April?