PGDip/PGCert Solicitors Training Course SQE Prep

Progress your pathway to qualification as a solicitor on our course designed to offer flexibility around your work commitments and finances.

Why study the Solicitors Training Course (SQE Prep)?

This course will prepare you to sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) 1 and 2, which you'll need to pass as one of the steps required to qualify as a practising solicitor in England and Wales. The course is open to both law and non-law graduates; you may already be working in legal practice, or starting your training in the legal profession.

The course consists of two separate parts:

SQE 1 Prep focuses on Functional Legal Knowledge and will prepare you for the externally-set SQE 1 exam.

SQE 2 Prep focuses on Legal Skills and will prepare you for the externally-set SQE 2 skills assessments.

You can choose to study either or both SQE 1 Prep and SQE 2 Prep at UWE Bristol. Successful completion of SQE 1 Prep leads to the UWE Bristol award of Postgraduate Certificate Solicitors Training Course (SQE 1 Prep).  You can then choose to take the award at that point and have a break from your studies or to continue your studies at UWE Bristol to complete SQE 2 Prep. Successful completion of SQE 1 Prep and SQE 2 Prep leads to an award of Postgraduate Diploma Solicitors Training Course (SQE Prep).

If you're an international student, you'll be required to complete both stages of assessment (SQE 1 Prep and SQE 2 Prep) under the conditions of your visa. Therefore, you'll be unable to take a break between the two parts. 

If you've completed and passed your SQE 1 Prep at another institution you can come to UWE Bristol to study the SQE 2 Prep. Recognition of your SQE 1 Prep and successful completion of SQE 2 Prep at UWE Bristol leads to the UWE Bristol award of Postgraduate Diploma Solicitors Training Course (SQE Prep).

If you have achieved the PG Diploma with us you can then choose to continue your studies to masters level.

Why UWE Bristol?

Established for over 40 years, UWE Bristol Law School is one of the UK's largest and most respected full-service law schools and has strong links to the profession. The School has an excellent reputation as a provider of postgraduate vocational education and training for those progressing to qualification as a solicitor or barrister.

Taught by our highly-experienced teaching team of legal professionals, you can be sure to receive high-quality training.

Our course places emphasis on face-to-face group tuition, offering you a more personalised learning experience.

You'll study in our state-of-the-art £55 million business and law school building, where you'll benefit from purpose-built teaching facilities including mock courtrooms.

Get individual support from your academic personal tutor.

UWE Bristol alumni can take advantage of our alumni discount for 2022/23 entry.

Where can it take me?

The course will prepare you to take the SQE exams as part of your pathway to qualify as a practising solicitor in England and Wales.

• An Honours degree (minimum 2:2)

If English is not your first language you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components

Bristol Law School has over 40 years' experience of training students heading into the solicitors profession, who are now working in a range of legal careers, including as partners in City law firms, working in a small high-street practice undertaking criminal defence work, and in-house counsel, for example. Our graduates secure roles in many different law firm businesses practising many different types of law.

Our new SQE Prep course prepares you to undertake the SQE exams you must pass to qualify as a practising solicitor, equipping you with skills and knowledge you'll need to secure a role in the legal profession.

Some of our Law School students have secured a training contract/legal work before undertaking our courses, some combining legal work. Others benefit from our award-winning University Careers Service, where you can access advice including CV clinics, careers talks, 'ask the experts' events and mock interviews, to help you stand out from the competition.

You can also take advantage of our mentoring scheme where you'll be paired with an external solicitor or barrister (many are former students) providing you with a valuable opportunity to learn more about your career from a professional in practice.

Plus, benefit from our Business and Law Clinic, which will provide opportunities for a range of legal work experience; some of which will allow you to give back to the community while enhancing your employability at the same time. Any work you undertake in the Clinic, or secure or through our links with the local profession, will provide you with some of the qualifying work experience you need for qualification as a solicitor.