How to become a solicitor in the UK: SQE vs LPC explained

If you’re looking to become a solicitor in the UK, you’ve likely come across two main routes: the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). With the SQE now firmly established and the LPC set to be phased out in the coming years, deciding which path to take isn’t always straightforward, particularly if you’re weighing up cost, flexibility and long-term career prospects. 

This is especially relevant in spring and early summer, as many law students and graduates receive their results and begin exploring their next steps. Whether you’re planning ahead or actively deciding now, understanding the differences between the LPC and SQE is key to making the right choice. 

In this guide, we break down how each route works, the key differences between them, and how your chosen path could shape your early legal career. As a specialist in legal recruitment, Sellick Partnership works with candidates across a range of legal roles and can offer insight into how qualification routes may affect your next steps.

What has changed in the route to becoming a solicitor? 

The introduction of the SQE represents a significant shift in how solicitors qualify in England and Wales. With the LPC route due to be phased out by 2032, the SQE is quickly becoming the standard pathway into the profession. 

For candidates qualifying now or in the coming years, this means there is an increasing emphasis on flexibility, transferable experience and demonstrating practical legal skills in real-world settings. 

As a result, many aspiring solicitors are beginning to plan their route earlier, particularly around the summer period when results are released and career decisions come into sharper focus. 

LPC vs SQE: the basics 

The LPC route has been established for many years, and is designed mainly for candidates with an existing background in legal education to get the qualifications they need to practise. 

The main attributes of the LPC are as follows: 

• Open to candidates who meet the LPC transitional requirements, usually those who had already started, accepted an offer for, or completed a qualifying law degree, GDL, LPC or training contract pathway before the SQE transition. 
• Usually involves completing the Legal Practice Course, either full-time or part-time, depending on the provider and course structure. 
• Once the main course is complete, you will usually need to complete a period of recognised training, often referred to as a training contract. 
• You must also meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements before admission. 
• Costs range between around £9,000 and £17,000 in total to complete the LPC, depending on the type of course you choose and where you study. 

The SQE has now become the main route to qualification for most aspiring solicitors. The LPC route remains available only to candidates who meet the transitional requirements, and candidates qualifying through this route must apply for admission by 31 December 2032. 

The SQE route works in the following way: 

• Open to law and non-law graduates, as well as candidates with an equivalent degree-level qualification or experience. 
• There is no requirement to complete a year-long course before sitting the SQE assessments, although many candidates choose to take a preparation course. 
• You will also need to complete two years’ full-time, or equivalent, qualifying work experience. This does not need to be a formal training contract and can be completed before, during or after the SQE assessments, provided the work meets the SRA’s requirements and is signed off appropriately. 
• Candidates must also meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements before admission. 
• As of assessments up to September 2026, the total cost of sitting SQE1 and SQE2 is £4,908. For assessments from September 2026 onwards, this will increase to £5,092. 

SQE vs LPC: key differences to consider 

There are several important differences between the LPC and SQE routes, particularly around cost, flexibility, support and accessibility. Understanding these differences can help you decide which route is most suitable for your circumstances. 

Costs 

Cost is one of the biggest differences between the LPC and SQE routes. 

The LPC route usually involves higher upfront course fees, with costs often ranging from around £9,000 to £17,000 depending on where and how you study. By comparison, the SQE assessment fees are lower, although candidates should still factor in preparation courses, study materials and potential resit fees. 

As of assessments up to September 2026, SQE1 costs £1,934 and SQE2 costs £2,974, bringing the total cost of sitting both assessments to £4,908. From September 2026, SQE1 will increase to £2,006 and SQE2 will increase to £3,086, bringing the total assessment cost to £5,092. 

It is also important to consider resit costs. LPC resit fees vary depending on the provider, so candidates should check the terms and costs with their course provider. SQE resits are charged at the same rate as the relevant assessment or assessment part, which means costs can increase quickly if you need to resit SQE1, SQE2 or both. 

The SQE route may also appeal to candidates who want or need to continue earning while they qualify. Qualifying work experience can be gained before, during or after SQE assessments, which means candidates may be able to build relevant experience while working in paralegal, legal assistant or junior legal roles. 

This can make the SQE route particularly attractive to candidates already working in legal roles, as well as those looking to enter the profession through a more flexible, work-based route. 

Time commitment and flexibility 

The LPC route usually involves structured academic study and the completion of a one-year course, followed by a period of recognised training, which means it can take longer to complete. Even if you choose to do the one-year LPC on a part-time basis, you will need to complete your studies in the evenings alongside your work. 

By contrast, the SQE route does not require candidates to complete a specific legal education course before sitting the assessments. However, many candidates choose to take an SQE preparation course, particularly if they have not completed a law degree or do not already have strong legal knowledge. For candidates who are comfortable with self-directed study, the SQE route can offer greater flexibility around work, family or other commitments. 

Support structure 

The LPC route tends to be preferred by candidates who want a more traditional learning environment. As a structured course, it usually provides regular teaching, academic support and direct guidance from tutors. 

The SQE route can involve more independent study, particularly for candidates who choose not to take a preparation course. This means candidates need to be organised, disciplined and confident managing their own learning. 

Accessibility 

LPC students are required to gain work experience through a formal training contract, which can be hard to find and competitive to get into. Training contracts have historically been competitive, with fewer opportunities available than applicants seeking them. 

The SQE route is more flexible in this regard, as candidates can gain qualifying work experience in a broad variety of roles, potentially including the job they are already working in. This experience can be gained across up to four organisations, provided the work gives candidates the opportunity to develop solicitor competences and is confirmed by an appropriate solicitor or compliance officer. 

Which route is right for you? 

While both routes lead to the same end goal, the right choice will depend on your individual circumstances, experience and career ambitions. 

As a general guide: 

The SQE route may be right for you if you: 

• Want more flexibility in how and when you study  
• Don’t have a law degree but are looking to transition into law  
• Need to work while you qualify or want to avoid full-time study  
• Are open to gaining qualifying experience in a range of settings, including the public sector  
• Want a route that aligns with the future direction of the profession  
• Are already working in a legal role and want to build qualifying work experience alongside your studies 

The LPC route may be right for you if you: 

• Have already started or remain eligible for the LPC pathway 
• Prefer a structured, classroom-based learning environment  
• Have secured, or are aiming for, a traditional training contract  
• Want a more guided and supported approach to qualification  

For many candidates now, the SQE is becoming the more practical and accessible option - particularly for those looking to build experience alongside their studies or enter areas of law where traditional training contracts are less common. 

By weighing up your personal circumstances, career objectives and preferred approach to learning, you will be able to find a path to qualification that meets your needs, and sets you up for a long and successful solicitor career. 

Planning your next legal career move? 

There is no single right answer when choosing between the LPC and SQE routes. The best option will depend on your eligibility, finances, preferred learning style, current experience and long-term career goals. 

If you are working towards qualification, the right legal role can make a real difference. Relevant legal work can help you build practical skills, understand different practice areas and gain experience that supports your future career. 

At Sellick Partnership, we support legal professionals across local government, public sector organisations, private practice and in-house legal teams. Whether you are just starting out, building qualifying work experience, or planning your next move, our specialist legal recruitment team can offer insight into the market and help you explore opportunities that align with your chosen route. 

To take the next step, visit our legal recruitment hub, read our latest legal recruitment insights, or browse our current public sector, in-house and private practice legal roles. 

If you would like advice on the legal market or your next career move, get in touch with our specialist legal recruitment team. 

Frequently asked questions about LPC's and SQE's:

What is the difference between the LPC and SQE? 

The LPC is the older route to qualification and is only available to candidates who meet the SRA’s transitional requirements. The SQE is now the main route to qualification for most aspiring solicitors in England and Wales. The SQE route is generally more flexible, as candidates can build qualifying work experience across a wider range of legal roles and organisations. 

Is the LPC still available? 

Yes, the LPC route is still available, but only for candidates who meet the SRA’s transitional requirements. Candidates qualifying through the LPC route must apply for admission by 31 December 2032. After this date, candidates will need to qualify through the SQE route. 

Who can still qualify through the LPC route? 

You may still be able to qualify through the LPC route if you had started, accepted an offer for, or completed a qualifying law degree, GDL, LPC or training contract pathway before the SQE transition. Eligibility depends on the SRA’s transitional requirements, so candidates should check the latest SRA guidance before making a decision. 

Do I need a law degree to take the SQE? 

No, you do not need a law degree to take the SQE. The SQE route is open to candidates with a degree in any subject, or an equivalent degree-level qualification or experience. However, candidates without a law degree may benefit from taking a preparation course before sitting the SQE assessments. 

Do I need a training contract for the SQE? 

No, you do not need a traditional training contract to qualify through the SQE route. Instead, you need to complete two years’ full-time, or equivalent, qualifying work experience. This can be gained in up to four organisations and may include roles such as paralegal, legal assistant or other substantive legal positions, provided the work meets the SRA’s requirements. 

What counts as qualifying work experience for the SQE? 

Qualifying work experience must involve real-life legal work and give you the opportunity to develop some or all of the competences required to practise as a solicitor. It can include experience gained before, during or after the SQE assessments and must be confirmed by an appropriate solicitor or compliance officer. 

Can paralegal work count as QWE? 

Yes, paralegal work may count as qualifying work experience if it gives you the opportunity to develop solicitor competences and is confirmed by an appropriate solicitor or compliance officer. This can make paralegal roles a useful option for candidates who want to gain legal experience while working towards qualification. 

Is the SQE cheaper than the LPC? 

The SQE assessment fees are usually lower than LPC course fees, but candidates should also consider preparation course costs, study materials and resit fees. As of assessments up to September 2026, SQE1 and SQE2 cost £4,908 in total. For assessments from September 2026 onwards, this will increase to £5,092.