SQE 1 preparation course
I am working full time and have a management degree. I am interested in the SQE 1 prep course options. Having not studied a law degree or taken a conversion course I am trying to find out if I would be at a disadvantage not having any background in law & would it be best to do a conversion course first. I prefer a course that provides clear expectations and interactive online or live support rather than lots of reading so I am able to retain the information. Has anyone done the university of law, Bpp, barbari or QLTS for the SQE. What was your experience. Not doing a law degree or conversion course just thinking will the prep courses give me enough knowledge to pass the SQE exams. Thanks
Reply 1
I would be interested in hearing about any recent feedback regarding QLTS or other similar prep courses for SQE1.
Are the providers ever audited by anyone? Do they have to demonstrate to the SRA that their courses properly cover all of the material?
Are the providers ever audited by anyone? Do they have to demonstrate to the SRA that their courses properly cover all of the material?
Reply 2
Original post
by Begum1974I am working full time and have a management degree. I am interested in the SQE 1 prep course options. Having not studied a law degree or taken a conversion course I am trying to find out if I would be at a disadvantage not having any background in law & would it be best to do a conversion course first. I prefer a course that provides clear expectations and interactive online or live support rather than lots of reading so I am able to retain the information. Has anyone done the university of law, Bpp, barbari or QLTS for the SQE. What was your experience. Not doing a law degree or conversion course just thinking will the prep courses give me enough knowledge to pass the SQE exams. Thanks
Hello, I really do understand why you're thinking carefully about this.
I came into law from a non-law background too, with an undergraduate degree in Politics, so it's certainly possible to take the SQE route without a law degree.
You’re not automatically at a disadvantage if you haven’t studied law before. A lot of people taking the SQE come from different academic backgrounds, and what really matters is how you learn and the level of support your course provides. The key thing to remember is that the SQE assesses functioning legal knowledge rather than traditional essay-writing, so good preparation and clear structure are much more important than your original degree subject.
That said, because you mentioned that you prefer clear expectations, interactive teaching and guided support rather than lots of independent reading, you may find that a conversion course, such as the MA Law or PGDL, gives you a stronger foundation. These courses are specifically designed for students who have not had prior legal training and include structured teaching before you move into SQE preparation. However, many people do go straight into SQE1 Prep without a conversion course.
The difference is how much background knowledge you feel you need to feel confident. If you’re working full-time, structure and support become even more critical. Each provider is slightly different, so it’s worth comparing how much live or interactive teaching they offer, how much tutor support you receive, how mock exams and feedback are delivered and how flexible the schedule is for full-time workers. I can’t comment in detail on every provider’s course. Still, if you want something more guided rather than heavily self-study-based, it’s worth speaking directly to admissions teams at ULaw, BPP, BARBRI or QLTS to ask how their teaching is delivered for students new to law.
If you’d like, I can help you outline what questions to ask each provider so you can compare them clearly.
Kind regards,
Faith
MA Law Conversion Student at ULaw and ULaw Ambassador
Reply 3
Original post
by Begum1974I am working full time and have a management degree. I am interested in the SQE 1 prep course options. Having not studied a law degree or taken a conversion course I am trying to find out if I would be at a disadvantage not having any background in law & would it be best to do a conversion course first. I prefer a course that provides clear expectations and interactive online or live support rather than lots of reading so I am able to retain the information. Has anyone done the university of law, Bpp, barbari or QLTS for the SQE. What was your experience. Not doing a law degree or conversion course just thinking will the prep courses give me enough knowledge to pass the SQE exams. Thanks
If you are not keen on lots of reading, law is not the career for you.
Shortcuts don't work in the law.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 4
2
Original post
by UniofLawStudent4Hello, I really do understand why you're thinking carefully about this.
I came into law from a non-law background too, with an undergraduate degree in Politics, so it's certainly possible to take the SQE route without a law degree.
You’re not automatically at a disadvantage if you haven’t studied law before. A lot of people taking the SQE come from different academic backgrounds, and what really matters is how you learn and the level of support your course provides. The key thing to remember is that the SQE assesses functioning legal knowledge rather than traditional essay-writing, so good preparation and clear structure are much more important than your original degree subject.
That said, because you mentioned that you prefer clear expectations, interactive teaching and guided support rather than lots of independent reading, you may find that a conversion course, such as the MA Law or PGDL, gives you a stronger foundation. These courses are specifically designed for students who have not had prior legal training and include structured teaching before you move into SQE preparation. However, many people do go straight into SQE1 Prep without a conversion course.
The difference is how much background knowledge you feel you need to feel confident. If you’re working full-time, structure and support become even more critical. Each provider is slightly different, so it’s worth comparing how much live or interactive teaching they offer, how much tutor support you receive, how mock exams and feedback are delivered and how flexible the schedule is for full-time workers. I can’t comment in detail on every provider’s course. Still, if you want something more guided rather than heavily self-study-based, it’s worth speaking directly to admissions teams at ULaw, BPP, BARBRI or QLTS to ask how their teaching is delivered for students new to law.
If you’d like, I can help you outline what questions to ask each provider so you can compare them clearly.
Kind regards,
Faith
MA Law Conversion Student at ULaw and ULaw Ambassador
I came into law from a non-law background too, with an undergraduate degree in Politics, so it's certainly possible to take the SQE route without a law degree.
You’re not automatically at a disadvantage if you haven’t studied law before. A lot of people taking the SQE come from different academic backgrounds, and what really matters is how you learn and the level of support your course provides. The key thing to remember is that the SQE assesses functioning legal knowledge rather than traditional essay-writing, so good preparation and clear structure are much more important than your original degree subject.
That said, because you mentioned that you prefer clear expectations, interactive teaching and guided support rather than lots of independent reading, you may find that a conversion course, such as the MA Law or PGDL, gives you a stronger foundation. These courses are specifically designed for students who have not had prior legal training and include structured teaching before you move into SQE preparation. However, many people do go straight into SQE1 Prep without a conversion course.
The difference is how much background knowledge you feel you need to feel confident. If you’re working full-time, structure and support become even more critical. Each provider is slightly different, so it’s worth comparing how much live or interactive teaching they offer, how much tutor support you receive, how mock exams and feedback are delivered and how flexible the schedule is for full-time workers. I can’t comment in detail on every provider’s course. Still, if you want something more guided rather than heavily self-study-based, it’s worth speaking directly to admissions teams at ULaw, BPP, BARBRI or QLTS to ask how their teaching is delivered for students new to law.
If you’d like, I can help you outline what questions to ask each provider so you can compare them clearly.
Kind regards,
Faith
MA Law Conversion Student at ULaw and ULaw Ambassador
Hi, your response has been really helpful. If you could outline questions to ask that would be great. Did you undertake a conversion course ?
Reply 5
Hi!
I’m currently a PGDL student at BPP, so hopefully I can add some useful context here.
In short: yes, you would very likely be at a disadvantage going straight into SQE1 without a law background, unless you’re exceptionally strong academically or already familiar with core legal principles.
The PGDL has been really useful preparation for the SQE because it gives you a solid grounding in the fundamentals, contract, tort, criminal law, public law, land, trusts, etc. From speaking to friends and peers who are currently doing SQE1 prep (including some at BPP and other providers), there’s a general expectation that you already know the core legal principles in these areas. The SQE1 prep courses tend to assume this baseline knowledge.
As a result, the SQE prep course doesn’t really “teach you law from scratch”. Instead, it focuses on:
That’s fine if you already have a law degree or conversion, but if you don’t, you’re effectively learning black-letter law + SQE application + exam technique all at once, which is a lot.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the SQE is a very difficult exam. As I’m sure you’re aware, the most recent SQE1 pass rate was around 41%, which says a lot. Unless you’re exceptionally confident in picking up dense legal concepts very quickly, most people I’ve spoken to (including tutors) would strongly recommend doing a conversion course first to give yourself the best possible chance.
That said, it is not impossible to pass SQE1 without a conversion. I do know a small number of people who went straight into SQE prep with no prior law background and passed, but often narrowly, and they’ve said it was extremely intense.
Hope this helps and happy to answer follow ups!
Ronak
I’m currently a PGDL student at BPP, so hopefully I can add some useful context here.
In short: yes, you would very likely be at a disadvantage going straight into SQE1 without a law background, unless you’re exceptionally strong academically or already familiar with core legal principles.
The PGDL has been really useful preparation for the SQE because it gives you a solid grounding in the fundamentals, contract, tort, criminal law, public law, land, trusts, etc. From speaking to friends and peers who are currently doing SQE1 prep (including some at BPP and other providers), there’s a general expectation that you already know the core legal principles in these areas. The SQE1 prep courses tend to assume this baseline knowledge.
As a result, the SQE prep course doesn’t really “teach you law from scratch”. Instead, it focuses on:
•
Applying existing legal knowledge to SQE-style MCQs
•
Teaching the new SQE-specific content (e.g. property practice, solicitor accounts, ethics, dispute resolution, business practice)
•
Exam technique and question strategy
That’s fine if you already have a law degree or conversion, but if you don’t, you’re effectively learning black-letter law + SQE application + exam technique all at once, which is a lot.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the SQE is a very difficult exam. As I’m sure you’re aware, the most recent SQE1 pass rate was around 41%, which says a lot. Unless you’re exceptionally confident in picking up dense legal concepts very quickly, most people I’ve spoken to (including tutors) would strongly recommend doing a conversion course first to give yourself the best possible chance.
That said, it is not impossible to pass SQE1 without a conversion. I do know a small number of people who went straight into SQE prep with no prior law background and passed, but often narrowly, and they’ve said it was extremely intense.
Hope this helps and happy to answer follow ups!
Ronak
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- SQE/TC/ masters
- BPP or University of Law
- BPP LLM SQE 1 & 2 or QMUL: Law and Economics LLM
- Which SQE prep course to take?
- Graduates help in career
- SQE Plus ourse
- SQE
- Law with humanities at Warwick
- SQE - to self study or not...
- Legal Practice course
- Passing SQE's without a law degree
- Any benefits of doing a PDGL at a particular place?
- Conversion to Law
- Advice for a Career Changer looking to qualify as a solicitor
- CCCU Alumni? Your Legal Career Starts Here with Exclusive Support from CCCU
- SQE 1 Question Banks
- Advice on how to study postgraduate in the UK
- Open University or Essex Online University LAW LLB degree
- SQE then LLM?
- Career Pathways after the Barrister Training Course
Latest
Trending
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
