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I studied and did a full-time job with the SQE 1 and it was brutal especially if you are starting in September and planning to sit in January. The months will fly away in a blink of an eye. It's not about the subjects but the way you need to study for it, in the sense of practice questions, memorise and revise.
Why do they not reject us then☠️ This is really not the best way to deal with things
It was an invitation to interview and a request for availability over the next two weeks
It took time and costly, usually they will send the rejection after the AC-final stage or recruitment cycle is over.
. That flexibility becomes especially important in the few weeks leading up to the SQE1 (and SQE2), which are essential for consolidation. If your employer isn’t willing to give you time off or allow you to step back during that period, it could seriously compromise your revision.Hi @Ram SabaratnamHey @👩🎓
First off, huge congratulations on your TC offer! What a brilliant way to end the summer, and I’m really glad to hear the forum has been helpful along the way.
On your question about working while studying for the SQE full-time, I’d say it’s certainly not impossible, but it does require careful planning and have realistic expectations of yourself. I’ve been in a similar position myself over the past year (balancing study with part-time work) and although I did receive a generous stipend from my firm, I still needed to work and needed to think very strategically about how to manage my time and structure my revision. It can be done, but it’s not something to take on lightly.
The first thing I’d suggest is checking your firm’s policy. Some firms include a contractual clause that prohibits you from taking on any form of employment while you’re studying for the SQE. This is something you really don’t want to overlook; you don’t want to be in breach of your offer without realising it.
Even if it’s permitted, the SQE demands a significant volume of study. The content goes well beyond a traditional LLB, and there’s a lot of detail you’ll need to absorb across both FLK1 and FLK2. I’ve seen several candidates who tried to juggle demanding part-time roles (working anywhere from 15 to 20 hours a week) and unfortunately ended up failing at least one of their FLK assessments and thus failing to pass SQE1. It’s hard to say whether they would’ve passed had they not been working, but what’s clear is that the pressure of combining the two definitely affected their preparation. When you factor in things like commuting, rest, and time to properly revise and test yourself, you’ll need to be honest about whether you’re giving yourself the best chance to succeed. If your firm has a resit policy, it’s worth understanding what that looks like now, in case you’re trying to decide how risk-averse to be.
Another point worth thinking about is your employer. If you do choose to work, you’ll want to make sure your supervisor is understanding and flexible. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a boss like @Jaysen
If you do decide to take on work alongside full-time study, I’d strongly recommend starting early (in fact, as early as now). Begin refreshing your knowledge of the LLB subjects that come up in the FLK exams so you’re not starting from scratch in September. That way, you’ll reduce the pressure during the most intense weeks of the course. I began my revision in August 2024, because I knew that I'd need to work.
I’ve also linked this outstanding thread by @average_jo123, which breaks down what the SQE really demands. It’s worth having a look before you finalise your decision. Whatever you end up deciding on, I'm sure you'll be great! Good luck!
I literally received an email from them to arrange a virtual AC alone as I am based outside of the UK now.
Genuinely, I also find it really weird it’s taking them so long to get back to the rest of us, they seemed quite organised to me. If they’re done shortlisting, surely sending the rejection emails shouldn’t take more than a few minutes
