How to become a solicitor in England and Wales without a law degree (SQE route)

Can you become a solicitor without a law degree?

Yes. To become a solicitor in England and Wales through the SQE route, you need a degree in any subject or an accepted equivalent, passes in SQE1 and SQE2, two years’ full-time or equivalent qualifying work experience, and to meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements. A law degree is not required. (SRA, SQE route)

This guide is for people entering the profession, including graduates changing careers. Already qualified lawyers have different requirements: the SRA does not require them to complete qualifying work experience (QWE). (SRA, qualifying work experience)

Check your degree or equivalent qualification

The SRA accepts a degree in any subject or an equivalent qualification that meets its criteria. Accepted equivalents include regulated qualifications at level 6 or above in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and eligible qualifications or apprenticeships at level 9 or above under the Scottish framework. Overseas degrees must be shown to be equivalent to a UK degree or accepted qualification. (SRA, degree and equivalent qualifications)

Arrange validation through mySRA. Solicitor apprentices do not need to complete this application. The SRA’s third-party validation service checks UK and international qualifications. Have your certificates and qualification details ready. For an overseas degree, the service checks compatibility with UK level 6. (SRA, degree check)

No law degree is different from no degree at all. Without a degree, an eligible equivalent qualification or work experience may satisfy the academic requirement. The SRA considers work-based equivalence individually. Do not assume that completing QWE automatically establishes degree equivalence: these are separate requirements. (SRA, degree and equivalent qualifications) (SRA, SQE route)

You do not need a degree to sit SQE1 or SQE2, but you do need a degree or accepted equivalent for admission. Establish how you will meet that requirement before committing to assessment fees. (SRA, SQE Q&A)

Do you need a GDL or law conversion course?

The SRA does not require a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or prescribe a particular preparation course for the SQE route. Its training guidance expressly includes a non-law degree followed by SQE preparation, with options including a course for non-law graduates, a master’s programme or self-study. You still need to learn the full range of assessed law. (SRA, SQE training options)

Treat a conversion course as a learning decision. Compare its syllabus with the SQE specification and ask what prior knowledge it assumes. A course that starts with legal foundations may suit you better than revision materials aimed at law graduates. Check the entry requirements of any course or employer-backed programme separately, together with its funding terms and study commitments.

Prepare for SQE1, then SQE2

SQE1 tests the application of legal knowledge at the standard of a newly qualified solicitor. It is closed book and uses single best answer questions about realistic client situations. You must choose the best answer from five options. (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification) Its assessments cover:

• FLK1: business law and practice, dispute resolution, contract, tort, the legal system of England and Wales (including constitutional and administrative law and EU law), and legal services.
• FLK2: property law and practice, wills and estates, solicitors accounts, land law, trusts, criminal liability and criminal law and practice.

Ethics and professional conduct run through both assessments. (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification) As a non-law graduate, start by building legal vocabulary and understanding how rules apply. Then practise identifying the relevant facts, applying the rule and explaining why the alternatives fail. Keep a record of errors and revisit the underlying topic before trying further questions.

For the route described here, you must pass SQE1 before taking SQE2. (SRA, SQE training options) SQE2 tests practical legal skills: interviewing with an attendance note and legal analysis, advocacy, case and matter analysis, research, writing and drafting. These skills are assessed in legal practice contexts, so retain and apply your legal knowledge as you prepare. (SRA, SQE2 Assessment Specification) Our SQE1 and SQE2 comparison explains the assessment differences.

Build qualifying work experience alongside your study plan

QWE requires two years’ full-time or equivalent experience across no more than four organisations. It must involve real legal services and give you the opportunity to develop at least two solicitor competences. Eligible experience can include paralegal work, a law clinic, voluntary legal work or a training contract. A job title or employment in a law firm alone does not establish that the work qualifies. (SRA, qualifying work experience)

You can gain QWE before, during or after the assessments, and previous roles can count if they meet the criteria. Experience can be paid or voluntary, in England and Wales or overseas. Each period needs confirmation by a solicitor of England and Wales or a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP). An external confirming solicitor must review your work and obtain feedback from your supervisors. (SRA, qualifying work experience)

Discuss confirmation when arranging a role. Keep a record of dates, responsibilities, legal tasks and the competences you can evidence. Register the completed QWE by the time you apply for admission. (SRA, qualifying work experience) Our QWE guide explains what counts and who can confirm it.

Complete the suitability and admission requirements

Passing the exams is only part of qualification. You must also meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements and complete its background checks. (SRA, SQE route) You must disclose matters relevant to the SRA’s suitability assessment when applying for admission. If you have a concern, consult its guidance on seeking an early assessment before investing in training. (SRA, character and suitability)

Use the SRA screening guidance to plan the checks around your circumstances and admission application. The required evidence depends on your residence history, and screening results must remain valid for admission. (SRA, screening) Keep degree validation, exam results, confirmed QWE and suitability checks together in your qualification plan.

How long will it take, and what should you budget?

The two-year QWE requirement is not a promise that the whole route takes two years. Because work experience can overlap with preparation and assessment, your remaining timetable depends on your starting knowledge, eligible experience and progress through the exams. (SRA, qualifying work experience) Plan backwards from a realistic assessment window and allow room to change your study pace.

The SRA’s published assessment fees for 2026/27 are £2,006 for SQE1 and £3,086 for SQE2: £5,092 combined, calculated by adding those fees. These are assessment fees, not a complete qualification budget. (SRA news release, 21 April 2026) Compare training quotes and allow for study materials, travel, living costs and any resits, as well as qualification checks and admission. Our qualification costs guide separates the charges. Check the SRA website for the fees applicable when you book.

Where should a non-law graduate start?

Start with a qualification checklist: your degree or equivalence evidence, preparation needs, possible QWE and any suitability issue to clarify. Then map your learning against the assessment subjects. Try the free SQE1 quick test to see how applied questions work and use the explanations to identify topics to study. Treat it as a starting point, not a prediction of your exam result. The SQE1 course page shows subject coverage and sample questions to help you assess whether the practice fits your preparation plan.

High Performer Certs is an independent study platform. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and it is not authorised or accredited by the SRA or the SQE assessment provider. The SQE and SOLICITORS QUALIFYING EXAMINATION trade marks are the property of and are used under licence from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.