Solicitor Qualifying Examinations - SQE1

Course overview

This course gives you a solid grounding in the core areas of English law assessed in the SQE1. You’ll explore a wide range of subjects spanning business, dispute resolution, property, contracts, tort, trusts, and criminal law, while also gaining an understanding of the legal system and professional responsibilities of solicitors.

Through expert-led teaching, you’ll develop the ability to apply legal knowledge to practical scenarios, strengthen your problem-solving skills, and build the confidence needed to approach the SQE1 assessments successfully.

Reasons to study SQE1 at Middlesex

• Expert-led preparation: Learn from a highly experienced law lecturer with over 20 years of teaching experience, including five years delivering SQE preparation and teaching OSCE/QLTS overseas lawyer programmes.
• Designed for your career goals: This course is tailored for law graduates and career change students preparing for SQE1, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to progress towards qualification.
• Support every step of the way: As a Middlesex student, you'll benefit from dedicated academic guidance, wellbeing support, and career advice to help you succeed.
• Outstanding resources: Access our state-of-the-art facilities, specialist law library, and online learning platforms to support your preparation.

By the end of the course, you'll be fully prepared to sit the SQE1 exam, leading to a clear next step towards SQE2 preparation and qualification as a solicitor of England and Wales.

About your course

Develop deep knowledge across core legal subjects, critical thinking and applied problem-solving. With our focused exam strategies, you'll master proven techniques and clear frameworks to approach SQE1 confidently and effectively. Plus, you'll gain hands-on experience through participation in the Law Clinic, working with local law firms.

On completion of the SQE1 preparation course, you will be fully equipped to sit or prepare for the second stage, the SQE2 exam, and take the next step toward qualification as a solicitor. In certain cases, particularly for overseas lawyers, students may be exempt from SQE2 and can progress directly to applying for admission to the Roll of Solicitors. To qualify fully, all students must complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), which can be gained before, during, or after their SQE studies.

Schedule details

• 12-month course: 
  • January to December or July to June 
  • Saturdays 9am to 10:15am, online only
• 6-month course:
  • January to June or July to December 
  • Mondays 6:30pm to 7:45pm, on campus and online
  • Saturdays 2:30pm to 3:45pm, online only

Learning and teaching

Teaching for this course combines live online sessions with some campus sessions. Sessions focus on developing your skills through multiple-choice questions and practical exercises using ReviseSQE materials. You will receive support from the academic team and graduate learning assistants to help you understand concepts and track your progress.

Weekly study commitment:

• 12-month course: 1.25 hours of live teaching per week, plus approximately 10 hours of independent study
• 6-month course: 1.25 hours of live teaching twice per week, plus approximately 20 hours of independent study

Assessment

You will work through questions and mock exams together during live sessions, receiving guidance and feedback from the academic team. This hands-on approach allows you to identify areas for improvement, consolidate your understanding, and develop practical strategies for applying legal knowledge.

There are no internal assessments for this course. All formal assessment is carried out externally by Kaplan on behalf of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Fees and funding

The course (12 months and 6 months) costs £3,995, for UK and international students.

Additional costs

You will need to purchase the full set of ReviseSQE books, at a rough cost of £236.

Entry requirements

An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) is needed, with a minimum 2:1 classification preferred.

How to apply

To apply to this course, please fill in the application form.