At the beginning of my requalification journey in the UK, I found it nearly impossible to choose between two options for my professional development: a traditional Master’s degree and the SQE preparation route. In the end, I decided to do both at once – because I wanted to accelerate my immersion into the English legal system.
Balancing an LLM degree with SQE1 preparation was never going to be easy – especially in a new legal system. But with the right support, even the most complex challenges can become opportunities for growth.
For those who do not know, the SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) is the new route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales, consisting of two stages: SQE1 (legal knowledge) and SQE2 (practical legal skills).
During my first trimester at university, I began studying Business Law and Solicitors’ Accounts – two demanding subjects filled with complex terminology and unfamiliar concepts. While I have more than 12 years of experience as a practising lawyer, the legal and financial language used in English law was completely different from what I was used to in Ukraine. In particular, understanding the SRA Accounts Rules was much more difficult than I had expected.
In Ukraine, the system of legal bookkeeping is quite different, so my background did not help me much when it came to this area. I realised I needed extra support – something that would help me not only catch up but also feel confident working in a new legal environment.
That’s when I enrolled in the Smart SQE1 Course, by the Academy of Smart Lawyers, and it became a turning point. Through carefully designed English law lectures, the SQE course helped me bridge key knowledge gaps. Complex legal concepts were explained in plain English, with a clear, structured approach that made everything easier to follow. It also helped me manage a very busy academic schedule: a 3,000-word essay on Business Law and a 50-question multiple-choice test – both assigned early in the trimester.
Thanks to the pre-recorded English law lectures, I was able to organise my learning, understand essential legal vocabulary, and complete my assessments with much more confidence. It gave me the academic support I needed – but more importantly, it helped me believe that I truly could succeed in a new legal system.
From Struggle to Clarity: How Smart Learning Built My Confidence.
What’s even more remarkable is that the impact of this course did not end with one subject or one exam. The in-depth and methodical approach it offered helped me to build a solid foundation in other key areas, including Criminal Practice of England and Wales and the Law of Succession (Will, Probate and Administration of Estate). I watched the English law lectures in these subjects at least 10 to 15 times – not only did they deepen my understanding, but they also helped me memorise the material so thoroughly that I ended up knowing it by heart. As a result, I completed my second trimester with greater ease and clarity feeling far more confident in navigating the structure and substance of the UK legal system.
Over time, my knowledge began to build in layers. What initially felt like isolated topics gradually connected into a broader, more coherent understanding of legal practice and the law of England and Wales. This accumulation of insight was not accidental, it was the direct result of the carefully designed structure of the lecture notes. The unique approach they use presents each legal topic as a structured one-page synopsis, clearly outlining its key elements and how the legal tests interrelate. This visual format allows you to absorb the topic as a whole, making it much easier to memorise even the most challenging areas of English law.
What made the experience truly exceptional was the consistent support provided by the SMART team throughout the course. Their materials were not only well-organised and focused, but developed to help students build comprehension step by step. Each video broke complex topics into understandable segments, while the accompanying charts, summaries, and visual aids made it easier to retain key ideas and stay on track. Thanks to this, even the most technical legal and financial terminology became far more accessible.
Beyond the self-paced learning, the course offered interactive live lectures in English law, where we could apply what we had learned to real-world exam scenarios – a vital step in developing legal problem-solving skills. For more individual support, 1-to-1 sessions were available on demand, offering a space to practise under timed conditions and receive tailored feedback. Whether I needed clarity on a particular rule or just reassurance before the exam, the SMART team was always responsive, supportive, and approachable.
Importantly, the course didn’t only help with Business Law it supported me across all the modules I encountered in my LLM programme. The logical progression, plain-language explanations, and personalised feedback gave me the tools I needed to approach more advanced legal areas with growing confidence. By the end of my second trimester, I could clearly see how this structured method had transformed my understanding of English law and laid the foundation for future success.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson wisely said:
“The good lawyer is not the man who has an eye to every side and angle of contingency, and qualifies all his qualifications, but who throws himself on your part so heartily, that he can get you out of a scrape.”
This quote underscores the importance of dedication and wholehearted commitment in the legal profession values that are deeply reflected in the teaching style and ethos of the SMART team.
The Academy’s SQE courses are delivered via a tailor-made learning hab – SUPERexam. It is far more than just an academic resource. It is a comprehensive, student-centred learning system designed to equip future legal professionals with both knowledge and confidence. For anyone requalifying or transitioning into the UK legal system, especially those from different legal backgrounds like myself this course provides not just a pathway, but a powerful companion on the journey.
