SQE1 vs LPC: Understanding the New Route to Qualification

Introduction

The route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales has changed fundamentally. Since September 2021, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has progressively replaced the Legal Practice Course (LPC) as the mandatory assessment for aspiring solicitors. The LPC is no longer available as a route to qualification for new entrants.

If you are considering a career as a solicitor, understanding the differences between the old and new pathways is essential. This guide provides an honest, detailed comparison of SQE1 and the LPC to help you understand what has changed, why, and what the new system means for your preparation.

What Was the LPC?

The Legal Practice Course was the traditional vocational stage of training for solicitors. After completing a qualifying law degree (QLD) or the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), aspiring solicitors would study the LPC at a university or private provider, typically over one year full-time or two years part-time.

LPC Structure

The LPC comprised:

• Stage 1 (compulsory subjects): Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice, Litigation, Professional Conduct and Regulation, Wills and Administration of Estates, Taxation, and Solicitors Accounts
• Stage 2 (elective subjects): Three electives chosen from a range of options such as Commercial Law, Employment Law, Family Law, Immigration Law, and others
• Skills assessments: Legal research, writing, drafting, interviewing, and advocacy

The LPC was assessed through a combination of coursework, written exams, and skills assessments. Each LPC provider designed its own assessments, although they had to meet standards set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

After the LPC, candidates completed a two-year training contract at a law firm before being admitted as a solicitor.

Criticisms of the LPC

The LPC faced several long-standing criticisms:

• Cost: LPC fees ranged from approximately 10,000 to 18,000 pounds depending on the provider and location, creating a significant financial barrier, particularly for candidates from less affluent backgrounds.
• Inconsistency: Different providers delivered and assessed the LPC differently, meaning the standard of qualification varied depending on where you studied.
• Limited access: The requirement for a qualifying law degree or GDL, followed by the LPC, followed by a training contract, created a rigid and often exclusionary pathway.
• Employer dependency: Many candidates completed the LPC without a training contract lined up, leaving them with significant debt and no guaranteed route to qualification.

What Is SQE1?

SQE1 is Part 1 of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, introduced by the SRA to create a single, consistent standard for all aspiring solicitors. SQE1 tests Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) through two computer-based assessments.

SQE1 Structure

SQE1 consists of two papers:

• FLK1: 180 single best answer MCQs covering Business Law and Practice, Dispute Resolution, Contract, Tort, the Legal System, and Constitutional and Administrative Law
• FLK2: 180 single best answer MCQs covering Property Practice, Wills and Administration of Estates, Solicitors Accounts, Land Law, Trusts, Criminal Law and Practice, and Ethics and Professional Conduct

Each paper is sat over approximately five hours and twenty minutes. The exams are administered by Kaplan on behalf of the SRA and are sat at designated test centres.

The Full SQE Pathway

To qualify as a solicitor under the SQE route, you must:

1. Pass SQE1 — Functioning Legal Knowledge assessments
2. Pass SQE2 — Practical Legal Skills assessments (client interviewing, advocacy, case analysis, legal research, legal writing, legal drafting)
3. Complete Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) — Two years of qualifying work experience, which can be completed at up to four different organisations
4. Meet the SRA's character and suitability requirements

There is no requirement for a law degree, a GDL, or any specific academic qualification. Anyone can sit the SQE, regardless of their educational background.

Key Differences

Assessment Format

LPC: A mix of coursework, written exams, and skills assessments. Assessment methods varied by provider. Some subjects were assessed by open-book exams, others by closed-book exams, and some by portfolio coursework.

SQE1: Exclusively single best answer MCQs with five options. The format is standardised and identical for every candidate, regardless of where they prepared. This is a fundamental shift — the LPC tested the ability to write, research, and draft, while SQE1 focuses purely on testing the application of legal knowledge.

Subject Coverage

LPC: Covered both substantive law and practical skills. Elective subjects allowed candidates to specialise in areas relevant to their intended practice.

SQE1: Covers thirteen subject areas across FLK1 and FLK2. There are no electives — every candidate is tested on the same subjects. Practical skills are not assessed in SQE1; they are tested separately in SQE2.

Consistency

LPC: Different providers, different assessments, different standards. A candidate who passed the LPC at one institution may have had a very different experience from a candidate at another.

SQE1: Every candidate sits the same exam under the same conditions. The pass mark is determined by a standard-setting process that aims to ensure consistency across sittings. This was one of the SRA's primary objectives in introducing the SQE — a single, uniform standard for entry to the profession.

Cost

LPC: Typically 10,000 to 18,000 pounds for the course itself, plus living costs for the study period.

SQE1: The exam fee for SQE1 is currently 1,798 pounds. Preparation course costs vary widely — from free self-study using textbooks to structured courses costing several thousand pounds. However, the minimum cost of entry is significantly lower than the LPC.

Entry Requirements

LPC: Required a qualifying law degree or GDL as a prerequisite.

SQE1: No academic prerequisites. Candidates from any background can sit the exam. This is a deliberate move by the SRA to widen access to the profession and remove barriers that disproportionately affected candidates from non-traditional backgrounds.

Training Contract vs QWE

LPC route: Required a formal two-year training contract at a single firm, which the firm had to register with the SRA.

SQE route: Requires two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), which can be completed at up to four different organisations, including law firms, in-house legal teams, legal advice centres, and other settings. The QWE is confirmed by a solicitor who supervised the work, rather than requiring a formal training contract.

This change is significant. QWE is more flexible than the training contract, allowing candidates to gain experience in different settings and making it easier for those who cannot secure a traditional training contract to qualify.

Which Is Better?

This is not a straightforward question, and opinions within the profession are divided.

Advantages of the SQE Over the LPC

• Lower cost of entry: The exam fees are a fraction of LPC fees, and candidates can choose how much to spend on preparation.
• Consistent standard: Every candidate is measured against the same benchmark, removing the inconsistency that plagued the LPC.
• Wider access: No academic prerequisites means the profession is open to a broader range of candidates.
• Flexible work experience: QWE is more adaptable than the training contract model.

Potential Concerns About the SQE

• MCQ format limitations: Some critics argue that MCQs cannot adequately test the higher-order skills — such as legal analysis, drafting, and problem-solving — that solicitors need. SQE2 addresses practical skills separately, but SQE1 is entirely MCQ-based.
• Self-study challenges: Without a structured LPC course, some candidates may struggle to prepare effectively, particularly those studying independently.
• Employer attitudes: Some firms still prefer candidates who have completed the LPC (or its equivalent from their training provider). However, this is becoming less common as the SQE becomes established.
• Preparation quality varies: The quality of SQE preparation courses varies enormously. Without the structure of an LPC, candidates must be more discerning about their choice of study materials.

Preparing for SQE1 Effectively

Regardless of the debate about the two systems, if you are qualifying as a solicitor now, the SQE is your route. Here is how to prepare effectively for SQE1:

Invest in quality preparation materials. The SRA publishes a detailed syllabus and sample questions. Use these alongside a reputable SQE1 preparation manual and a good practice question bank.

Practise extensively. SQE1 is an MCQ exam, and the best preparation is answering thousands of practice questions. Research confirms that practice testing is the most effective study method. Track your performance by subject and focus your revision on weak areas.

Do not underestimate the breadth. SQE1 covers thirteen subject areas. You cannot afford to neglect any of them. Build a study plan that allocates time in proportion to the breadth and complexity of each subject.

Study the law of England and Wales. SQE1 tests the law as it applies in this jurisdiction. Make sure your materials are up to date and specific to England and Wales.

Get comfortable with the format. Practise answering five-option single best answer questions under timed conditions. The format is specific and requires a particular approach — eliminating wrong answers, identifying the best rather than a merely correct answer, and managing your time across 180 questions.

Start Your SQE1 Preparation

The SQE is now the established route to qualifying as a solicitor. Whether you have a law degree, a GDL, or no legal background at all, SQE1 is your first step.

Sign up for free access to our SQE1 practice question bank and begin building the knowledge and exam technique you need to pass.