The PM Law Group are offering graduates the opportunity to work and study towards becoming a Solicitor as part of our SQE Training Program. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a fantastic way for graduates of any degree to gain the experience and knowledge necessary to take the next step in their legal career and be fully qualified as a Solicitor. Flexible and purpose-built, we’re proud to offer the SQE in collaboration with The College of Legal Practice .
What is the SQE?
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the newest route to qualifying a Solicitor in England and Wales, replacing the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Engaging with the SQE avoids the requirement for a Training Contract, as it allows you to become a Solicitor by passing the SQE1 and SQE2 exams. This is complemented by two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) with the PM Law Group that runs concurrently with your studies.
The SQE is a fantastic option for enthusiastic and hard-working graduates looking to become a Solicitor. Through a combination of study and practical work experience, the SQE gives graduates a chance to be fully immersed in a legal environment. At the PM Law Group, we want to embrace the best new graduates and can guarantee jobs to some students who successfully complete the SQE with us.
Who is Eligible for the SQE?
Anyone with a degree, regardless of subject, is eligible for the SQE. Having a degree, or equivalent level 6 qualification, is the initial requirement for the SQE, however you will then need to:
- Pass the SQE1 examination
- Pass the SQE2 examination
- Complete two years of QWE
If your degree is in a non-law subject, then you can still pursue the SQE but you will need to complete a Graduate Foundation in Law Programme (GFL). The GFL must be completed before going on to complete the SQE1 and SQE2 exams. Law graduates can go straight to studying for the SQE examinations.
Funding for the SQE
At The PM Law Group, we understand the financial commitment aspiring legal professionals face when qualifying as a Solicitor.
That's why we’re collaborating with the CLP, who have designed a comprehensive training program that not only equips trainees with the knowledge needed to excel but also offers competitive pricing and flexible funding options.
The fee structure outlines the costs of the qualification for our trainees. Here's a breakdown of the approximate fees for the SQE training program:
GFL Programme (for non-law graduates)
- Price: £2,900 per employee
SQE1 Preparation
- Price: £1,620 per employee (excluding SRA exam fee)
SQE2 Preparation
- Price: £2,070 per employee (excluding SRA exam fee)
Elective Modules (O shape)
- Will be undertaken following qualification
Please note, these fees already incorporate a 10% discount on the College of Legal Practice's published prices, offering trainees an advantageous cost structure.
The CLP’s Comprehensive LLM Package: For a more comprehensive learning experience, the LLM comprises SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses, three elective modules of your choice, and the Capstone business project module. This all-inclusive package is offered at an attractive rate of £6,000 per employee.
Pass Guarantee: The CLP stands by their training program's quality and offer a Pass Guarantee to all students. In the event of a failed attempt, trainees receive free revision prep, effectively granting them another preparatory course for their next attempt.
Flexible Funding Options: The CLP aim to make pursuing the SQE as accessible as possible. To support trainees, we offer multiple funding options:
- Pay nothing: Enrol in the SQE through the Master’s Programme and claim a Master’s Loan (£11,834 for England 22/23).
- Pay SRA exam fees directly: SQE1 = £1,622, SQE2 = £2,493 (Total: £4,155)
- Pay course fees directly: SQE1 prep = £1,600, SQE2 prep = £2,100 (Total: £3,700)
At The PM Law Group, we're dedicated to empowering future legal professionals through a comprehensive and affordable SQE training program. Get in touch with us to explore further funding options or discuss enrolment scales. Your success in the legal field is our priority, and we're here to support you every step of the way.
Studying for the SQE with us
At the PM Law Group, we make studying for the SQE as flexible as possible. The SQE can be done in a few different ways, making it a flexible, progressive and modern route to becoming a Solicitor. Here are some of the options you can take when pursuing the SQE with the PM Law Group:
Full SQE Pathway
Below are some examples of the full SQE pathway for law and non-law graduates. These pathways are flexible and run every six months with students also being able to move between them. We’ve included some timescales for:
Part time
- Study hours: 8 hours per week
- Course timeline: SQE1 (40 weeks), SQE2 (40 weeks)
- QWE: 2 years legal tasks that runs concurrently to your studies
- : £4,000
Part time (accelerated)
- Study hours: 15-20 hours per week
- Course timeline: SQE1 (20 weeks), SQE2 (20 weeks)
- QWE: 2 years legal tasks that runs concurrently to your studies
- Approximate costs: £4,000
Part time - Non-Law Graduate
- Study hours: 8 hours per week
- Course timeline: GFL (40 weeks), SQE1 (40 weeks), SQE2 (40 weeks)
- QWE: 2 years legal tasks that runs concurrently to your studies
- Approximate costs: £6500
Part time – Non-Law Graduate (Accelerated)
- Study hours: 15-20 hours per week
- Course timeline: GFL (40 weeks), SQE1 (20 weeks), SQE2 (20 weeks)
- QWE: 2 years legal tasks that runs concurrently with your studies
- Approximate costs: £6500
LPC SQE Pathway
At the PM Law Group, we also want to encourage LPC graduates to pursue the SQE. The main difference with LPC graduates is that you’ll only be required to complete SQE2 and an additional O shaped skills module. Here you can see the SQE pathways that we offer for LPC graduates:
Part time (20 weeks)
- Course timeline: SQE2 (20 weeks), O shaped skills module (20 weeks)
Part time (40 weeks)
- Course timeline SQE2 (40 weeks), O shaped skills module (20 weeks)
Apply for the SQE with the PM Law Group
If you’re a recent graduate and want to become a Solicitor, you can apply for the SQE with us today. You’ll receive unwavering support from our training team who will help give you the best chance of success. We pride ourselves on our graduate recruitment programme and are thrilled to now offer the SQE to our next group of talented graduates.