Non-law degree to becoming a solicitor under the SQE route

So I now know with the new way to qualify as a solicitor a law degree nor GDL are Not compulsory to take
In theory, a person with a Chemistry degree who passed the SQE 1&2 would qualify as a solicitor eventhough they had no GDL
Therefore I would like to study a non-law degree
However, though the GDL isn’t compulsory, I’m unsure how someone would learn the content of law needed for the exams
I’ve seen that a person would need to do a PGDL and then pass the LLM SQE1&2 (on the UoLaw website this would cost nearly £32,000)
Could someone please enlighten me through this new route and the cheapest possible route? I would be grateful for any input - thanks!
I am planning to study a degree completely unlinked with Law to open up my options in case a legal career doesn’t work out
Thanks for any help

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 1

Titch1781

11

Original post by yhuss98

So I now know with the new way to qualify as a solicitor a law degree nor GDL are Not compulsory to take
In theory, a person with a Chemistry degree who passed the SQE 1&2 would qualify as a solicitor eventhough they had no GDL
Therefore I would like to study a non-law degree
However, though the GDL isn’t compulsory, I’m unsure how someone would learn the content of law needed for the exams
I’ve seen that a person would need to do a PGDL and then pass the LLM SQE1&2 (on the UoLaw website this would cost nearly £32,000)
Could someone please enlighten me through this new route and the cheapest possible route? I would be grateful for any input - thanks!
I am planning to study a degree completely unlinked with Law to open up my options in case a legal career doesn’t work out
Thanks for any help

Hi i was thinking of studying a non-law degree and doing a GDL afterwards. (I've chosen now just to do a law degree).
There is an SQE preparation course offered by the university of law. This course prepares you for the SQE as the name suggests. Here is the link to read about it - https://www.law.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/law/sqe-law-essentials/online/
It would maybe be worth emailing the University of law asking the question about funding. Also the Lawyer portal website is a great help for aspiring lawyers. :smile:

Reply 2

yhuss98

OP

13

Original post by Titch1781

Hi i was thinking of studying a non-law degree and doing a GDL afterwards. (I've chosen now just to do a law degree).
There is an SQE preparation course offered by the university of law. This course prepares you for the SQE as the name suggests. Here is the link to read about it - https://www.law.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/law/sqe-law-essentials/online/
It would maybe be worth emailing the University of law asking the question about funding. Also the Lawyer portal website is a great help for aspiring lawyers. :smile:

Thank you but that SQE preparation only prepares you for the SQE 1 assessment 1 and not the second assessment for the Sqe 1

Reply 3

SChristensen

1

Original post by yhuss98

So I now know with the new way to qualify as a solicitor a law degree nor GDL are Not compulsory to take
In theory, a person with a Chemistry degree who passed the SQE 1&2 would qualify as a solicitor eventhough they had no GDL
Therefore I would like to study a non-law degree
However, though the GDL isn’t compulsory, I’m unsure how someone would learn the content of law needed for the exams
I’ve seen that a person would need to do a PGDL and then pass the LLM SQE1&2 (on the UoLaw website this would cost nearly £32,000)
Could someone please enlighten me through this new route and the cheapest possible route? I would be grateful for any input - thanks!
I am planning to study a degree completely unlinked with Law to open up my options in case a legal career doesn’t work out
Thanks for any help

I was looking at doing UoL LLM SQE 1&2, but it’s just wayyyy too expensive and out of my budget. So I’m self studying with materials from Barbri.

Hi there, I’m selling 2021 Barbri SQE study guide volume 1 & 2 and SQE Final revision (please contact me if interested) for £150 [ebook ver]

Reply 4

AW_1983

15

Whilst you can do a non-law degree and then go straight on to the SQE without a GDL in theory, in practice there are a lot of firms that won't hire you without a GDL so you will be limiting your options. I am in fact going from a non-law degree straight to the GDL myself but I've been a chartered secretary for 12 years and I don't plan to find a training contract (I'm going to get qualifying work experience with my current employer). The work experience and qualifications I have already give me the knowledge I need for the area I want to specialise in.

I've recently begun studying with Barbri and I have to say from what I have seen so far, the SQE alone is probably adequate to practice but I also work with law firms in my day job and unfortunately their reputation for being conservative and slow to adapt to change is thoroughly deserved (another reason why I've chosen to get my QWE in house). I think it will be a long time before most law firms give up on the GDL requirement.

Perhaps as a compromise you would be better getting a degree that is law with another subject? Remember you no longer need a qualifying law degree because of the SQE, but perhaps you could get a degree that covers some key areas of law (e.g. Tort, Contract) plus some modules in the area you want to specialise?

Reply 5

tijafitz

1

Original post by SChristensen

I was looking at doing UoL LLM SQE 1&2, but it’s just wayyyy too expensive and out of my budget. So I’m self studying with materials from Barbri.

Hi there, I’m selling 2021 Barbri SQE study guide volume 1 & 2 and SQE Final revision (please contact me if interested) for £150 [ebook ver]

Hi, are your study guides are still available to purchase?

Reply 6

17Student17

16

The route that will not cost you a penny is an LLB and during that find a big firm to sponsor your SQE1 and 2 courses and exams and then train you. The firm pays. Or if you do a non law degere the firm will also pay for you to do the PGDL first. Obviously those training contracts are like gold dust however and most people cannot get that sponsorship in which case doing an LLB first is going to be cheaper as no dilemma on whether to miss pout the PGDL or not.

The aim is to qualify and be employable rather than qualify the cheapest route and never get a job as a qualified lawyer. SQE has moved the bottle neck of people trying to get in from obtaining a training contract to 2 years later when people qualify.

Non-law degree to becoming a solicitor under the SQE route

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