Self-study is an essential part of any exam preparation, since knowledge and skills cannot be purchased.
No matter where you are in your SQE journey, whether it’s SQE1 or SQE2, our expert resources are here to support you throughout:
Meaning of Self-Preparation
Regardless of your chosen provider, the ultimate outcome of your SQE preparation depends on your own efforts and dedication – after all, the knowledge tested in the SQE exams cannot be obtained out of thin air. Law as a social science is best learned through interactive and collaborative methods, especially when developing the skills necessary for the SQE2 assessments. Consider partnering with a study friend or joining a study group to enhance your learning experience.
We view SQE self-preparation as a way to prepare when you do not rely solely on a single training provider that offers a comprehensive program, including SQE lectures, notes, books and mock tests for the SQE1 or SQE2. Instead, you take advantage of various sources, including marketplaces providing access to individual sessions or revision materials, and recommendations of successful candidates who have already passed the SQE exams. Drawing on multiple sources gives you diverse perspectives on the application of your knowledge, and allows you to work on various legal skills. Besides, you can benefit from a broader range of recommendations and suggestions from different SQE providers – shaped by their unique SQE expertise.
So let’s explore the possibilities and strategies of cost-effective preparation for the SQE exams, and try to understand whether self-preparation is a viable option.
SQE Prep Options
There are numerous preparation options available to SQE candidates, and the choice between them should certainly be determined by the candidate’s personal circumstances, objectives and perspectives.
| SQE prep option | Advantages | Disadvantages | Suitable for |
| University LLM/LLB degree integrating SQE prep | 1. Even if you don’t pass the exam, you will obtain a degree. 2. Depending on the course, there are higher chances of obtaining thorough knowledge of the law. 3. Student visa for international aspiring solicitors. | 1. Expensive and time consuming. 2. Universities have limited experience with the SQE2 and are unlikely to be able to teach you specific exam techniques and tactics. 3. Universities tend to provide limited practical experience. This drawback can be counteracted by law clinics recently opened at some universities – their effectiveness for the SQE however is yet to be proved. | 1. Non-law graduates. 2. Those who do not have a degree. |
| Online preparatory course | 1. Preparation by online SQE training providers is cheaper compared to the LLM/LLB degrees. At the same time, there is considerable price variation in this sector. 2. The study content and study sessions are more SQE focused. 3. The course is usually more flexible and less time-consuming. 4. Smaller-scale training providers offer a more personalised approach, with one-to-one study sessions and individual feedback. | 1. If you do not pass the exam, it can be a waste of money – you won’t obtain a degree. 2. Not all providers have the knowledge it takes to properly prepare you for the SQE. 3. Among hundreds of online SQE courses that have recently flooded the market, there are those whose services are rather doubtful. Please note, these SQE training providers are not regulated by the SRA. For this reason, it is crucial to work with the providers that you can trust – based on: 1. how long they have been in the market 2. whether they used to prepare candidates for earlier qualifying exams (like QLTS) 3. whether anyone you know has already studied with them and passed the SQE. These points are especially relevant for the SQE2 where proper training is the key to success. Here at the Academy of Smart Lawyers, we pride ourselves on having passed the qualifying exams ourselves and accumulated years of experience providing individual study sessions with personalised feedback. | 1. Experienced professionals who already have a UK law degree. 2. Experienced foreign lawyers based in other jurisdictions. 3. Aspiring solicitors with limited financial resources. 4. Legal apprentices. 5. UK law graduates. |
| Self-preparation as defined above | 1. Flexibility and thoughtful decision-making allow you to save costs. 2. Self-prep contributes to your professional growth by developing your soft skills: critical thinking, independent work, self-planning. That will make you a better and more employable practitioner. 3. SQE self-prep is easy to combine with an actual legal career. | 1. SQE self-preparation may take longer and requires more effort from the aspiring solicitor. 2. You should think critically about all the materials that you will come across. | 1. Everyone who has limited financial or time resources. 2. Resitters – now you know that you should only rely on yourself. 3. Not recommended for non-law graduates that are not legal apprentices. |
Your decision on which SQE training provider to choose should definitely be informed and well-grounded. At the same time, no training provider cancels the need to invest your own effort in SQE preparation. In other words, the ultimate result of any SQE prep method you choose is determined by how prepared you are to sweat over it.
While financial resources do not guarantee success in the SQE assessments, it is still important to allocate some funds for the necessary expenses related to preparing and passing the exams. These, together with exam fees, can be considered basic costs – and will be addressed in our next publication.
SQE Preparation Fees
Fees for SQE preparatory courses and study materials. The SQE requires a lot of intensive preparation. While it’s true that you can self-prepare and pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam without enrolling in a prep course, it mostly holds true for the SQE1. Extensive and thoughtful reading combined with regular practice in multiple choice questions can indeed get you through stage 1 of the SQE.
However its next stage, SQE2, builds up on the knowledge that has already stood the test of time (and SQE1) – and assesses aspiring solicitors on legal skills and application of law.
With this in mind, it seems a safer approach to select a SQE2 prep course that satisfies your needs – particularly in view of the fact that SQE candidates are limited to three attempts in each SQE assessment. The prices for SQE courses vary:
SQE Providers and Prices
| SQE providers | Online / In person | SQE1 prep price | SQE2 prep price | SQE1+SQE2 |
| Future Solicitor | Online | £345 per month | £460 per month | £694 per month |
| Academy of Smart Lawyers | Online | Package A FLK1 & FLK2 – £1800 Package B FLK1 – £500 Package C FLK2 – £500 SQE1 Recorded Lecture – £35-70 per one SQE1 Live Revision Lecture – £25 per one | SQE2 Skills Package – £680 SQE2 Oral Package – £320 SQE2 LPC Package – £1,250 (1-to-1 mocks) SQE2 Advanced Package – £1,990 (1-to-1 mocks) SQE2 Advanced + Package – £2,290 (1-to-1 mocks) SQE2 1-to-1 mock exams from £70 to £120 (discounts available on a bulk purchase) Group Written Mocks Package – £350Group Oral Mocks Package – £220 Group Mocks Package (Oral + Written) – £550 Group Interview Mock – £60 Group Advocacy Mock – £60 Group Matter Analysis Mock – £60 | Combined package SQE1 (FLK1&FLK2) + SQE2 – £3439 (Smart Bursary Programme (Limited) – £3000) |
| The Law Simplified | Online | SQE1 Prep Masterclass – £1,549
SQE Prep FLK1 – £599 SQE Prep FLK2 – £599 | – | – |
| The College of Legal Practice | Online | SQE1 Preparation – £1,800 | SQE2 Preparation – £2,300 | – |
| QLTS school | Online | Basic – £1,990
Advantage – £2,490 Premium – £2,990 | Basic – £1,990
Advantage – £2,490 Premium – £2,990 | – |
| Brighlink Learning | Online | SQE1 Revision only – £900
SQE1 for Law Graduates – £1,855 SQE1 for Non Law Graduates – £2,900 | – | – |
| Law Training Centre | Online | SQE1 Prep: Flexi-Learn – £2,900
SQE1 Prep: Exam-Track – £2,700 SQE1 Just Mocks – £395 | SQE2 Full Prep with concession for SQE1 returning learners – £2,000 SQE2 Full Prep – £2,500 SQE2 Just Mocks – Oral Skills – £375 SQE2 Just Mocks – Practice area – £295 per area | – |
| BARBRI | Online | SQE1 Prep Course – £2,999 | Full SQE2 Prep course – £3,499
BARBRI SQE1 Prep alumni – £2,999 | – |
| BPP | Both | SQE1 Preparation (Self-study) – £3,300 (online)
SQE1 Preparation Course – £6,500 (London), £5,500 (online) LLM Law Conversion with SQE1 – £17,100 (London), £14,200 (online) | SQE2 Preparation Course – £4,000 (online) | SQE1&2 Diploma – £12,100 (London), £10,300 (online)
LLM SQE1&2 – £14,600 (London), £12,400 (online) |
| The University of Law | Both | SQE Law Essentials Online – £3,900
SQE1 Preparation for Legal Professionals Online – £5,400 SQE1 Preparation Course – £6,200 (London) SQE1 Exam Preparation Course – £550 (short revision course) MA Law (SQE1) – £17,950 (domestic/London), £19,350 (non-domestic/London) | SQE2 Preparation Course – £5,950 (London)
SQE2 Preparation for Legal Professionals Online – £4,650 SQE2 Exam Preparation Course – £1,100 (short revision course) | LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&SQE2) – £17,800 |
| London Metropolitan University | In person | Professional Legal Practice – PG Cert – £5,000 | – | – |
| NTU NLS | Both | Law and Legal Practice: SQE 1 Preparation Course – £12,850
SQE 1 Preparation Course PGDip – £4,700 Professional Legal Practice: SQE 1 Preparation Course LLM – £8,500 | SQE 2 Preparation Course – £3,350 | SQE 1 and SQE 2 Preparation Course – £11,600 |
| Arden University | Online | – | – | LLM in Professional Legal Practice (SQE1 and SQE2) – £10,550 |
| De Montfort University | Both | – | – | LLM SQE – £11,450 |
| The Open University | Online | Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB) – £22, 416
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (graduate entry) – £14,944 | – | – |
Though being arguably cheaper compared to the LLB and LPC costs in the UK, the SQE does come at a price. The SQE costs include:
SQE Assessment Fees
The SRA has announced an increase in the candidate fees for the SQE assessments, including resits, effective from September 2024. This change will first impact candidates booking the October 2024 SQE2 exam.
- SQE1 – £1,888
- SQE2 – £2,902
Resitting these assessments – which is not uncommon – will be an extra burden on the SQE candidate.
SQE Travel Expenses
- While the SQE1 is offered in various locations, in Pearson VUE centres in the UK and internationally, many candidates still find themselves having to travel to take the exam, at least within their locality.
- Currently, the SQE2 oral assessments are only conducted in the UK, specifically in London, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Manchester. Even though the SRA are planning to make international locations available in the future, so far it remains just a plan.
In the previous qualifying examination (QLTS), aspiring foreign lawyers typically spent between £7,000 and £30,000 or more in total. In the SQE, these estimates can turn out to be significantly higher – considering that now SQE preparation is included in Master’s, LLB, or GDL programmes offered by universities.
To summarise, self-preparation for the Solicitor Qualifying Exam is not only possible, but inevitable. By relying on yourself and taking control of your preparation, you obtain an opportunity to structure your knowledge, develop valuable hard and soft skills, thus creating an effective springboard for a remarkable legal career.
How the Academy of Smart Lawyers Can Help You with the SQE
The Academy of Smart Lawyers offers expertly designed individual and group SQE2 mock packages to equip you with the preparation needed to pass the SQE:
- Group Oral Mocks Package
– 2 client interviews + attendance notes (suggested answers)
– 2 advocacy sessions - Group Written Mocks Package
– 19 written mocks for self-assessment (legal research and drafting)
– 1 case and matter analysis with a live meeting SQE2 1-to-1 mock exams with individual feedback
– client interview
– advocacy
– legal writing
– legal drafting
– legal research
– case and matter analysis
For more information, read more at this link.
