From an SRA perspective, the PGDL is not required under the SQE route. If you have a degree or equivalent, pass SQE1/ SQE2, complete QWE and meet the character/suitability requirements, you can qualify without doing a conversion.
But - in practice many MC/SC and large City firms still require non-law future trainees to complete the PGDL before starting their SQE prep. I think this is partly because their trainee programmes are built around a standardised route and they want everyone to have the same core legal foundation before starting.
That said, your position is a bit different because you are not a standard undergraduate applicant. If you already have completed QWE as a paralegal and have strong academics, it is probably worth asking graduate recruitment directly whether they would consider a bespoke route or whether the PGDL is mandatory for all non-law candidates.
It will vary alot firm by firm so do some research on the ones you are interested in and reach out to them directly if it isn't clear!
