While it’s never been easy, becoming a qualified solicitor used to be simple: you took the Legal Practice Course (LPC). That’s now being phased out and replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)--which has so far had mixed reviews.
If you began your studies before September 2021, you can choose either route; if you began your law degree or GDL later, you can only take the SQE. This may leave you facing difficult questions: which route should you take? Is the SQE really enough by itself? And if you don’t have a law degree, what does this mean for you?
In this article, we’ll take a look at your options.
Non-law graduates no longer have to take a law conversion course like the GDL to be eligible for the SQE. Instead, you’ll need to:
- Have a university degree in any subject
- Pass a character and suitability assessment
- Pass the first two stages of the SQE
- Have two years of qualifying work experience (QWE).
However, that doesn’t mean skipping the conversion course is a good idea. 98% of law firms will require you to take one before the SQE, according to research by The University of Law. A conversion course that also prepares you for the SQE is your best bet; many universities and legal education providers offer SQE preparation courses.
The GDL, the time-honoured route into the profession for non-law graduates, isn’t completely disappearing; the University of Law now offers a new version, the Postgraduate Diploma in Law, focused on preparing students for the SQE and other legal exams. It also offers an SQE Law Essentials Online course for those who want to get onto an SQE course as fast as possible, or for those considering an MA, it offers an MA Law conversion course that will make you eligible for a postgraduate loan.
However, if a law firm offers you work experience or a training contract, they’ll probably decide for you which route you’ll take, or provide you with bespoke training in-house. Before you pursue a specific route, find out what your shortlisted firms prefer. Getting a training contract will probably also mean the law firm will finance your studies.
Do your research, speak to your careers advisor, get clear on what kind of law firm you’d like to work with, and deciding which route to take will become much easier. If you would like some professional advice on your options, please don't hesitate to get in touch.