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Explains that solicitors must pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and complete qualifying Work Experience (QWE), which can be gained through a range of legal experiences. Covers conversion via PGDL and SQE preparation, SRA suitability and eligibility criteria, traineeship options, timing for different graduation years, and requalification routes and exemptions.",{"@graph":69,"@context":127},[70,84,106],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":20,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/careers-service-what-are-the-routes-towards-qualifying-as-a-solicitor/396828/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/careers-service-what-are-the-routes-towards-qualifying-as-a-solicitor/396828.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"Taylor Morgan","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-29","2026-09-26",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":105},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",13,{"@type":107,"mainEntity":108},"FAQPage",[109,115,119,123],{"name":110,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":112},"What are the two main components required to qualify as a solicitor?","Question",{"text":113,"@type":114},"You must pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and complete 2 years of qualifying Work Experience (QWE). The document notes QWE can include a range of legal experiences beyond the traditional training contract.","Answer",{"name":116,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":117},"Do I need specific exam order between SQE 1 and SQE 2?",{"text":118,"@type":114},"Yes. The four requirements state that SQE 1 must be completed before SQE 2, and both parts are required for qualifying.",{"name":120,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":121},"How can I complete QWE, and when can it be done relative to the exams?",{"text":122,"@type":114},"QWE can be completed through a training contract or via no more than 4 different organisations. It can be completed before, alongside, or after SQE1 and SQE2.",{"name":124,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":125},"What should I consider if I want to qualify in another jurisdiction or requalify?",{"text":126,"@type":114},"The document says that for other countries, you should check with the relevant Law Society or Bar Council/Association, usually involving a set of exams. 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QWE could be a range of different legal experiences, rather than just the traditional training contract. This makes it possible for volunteering roles and placements through university to count towards the total.  \nYou’re likely to want to do a conversion course in English/Welsh law – the typical route is to do a postgraduate diploma in law (PGDL) followed by an SQE preparation course.  \nOrganisations and firms will manage the SQE and QWEin different ways so make sure you do your research.  \nYou need to meet four requirements set out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA):   \n• Complete a degree (in any subject) or equivalent.  \n• Complete SQE parts 1 and 2-SQE 1 must be completed before SQE 2.  \n• Complete 2 years of QWE-Through a training contract or via no more than 4 different organisations. QWE can be completed before, alongside, or after SQE1 and SQE2 .  \n• Meet the SRA’s suitability requirements.  \nSolicitor  \nApply for admission to the role of solicitors through the SRAQWE must be completed before applying for admission  \nRoutes vary – research firms recruiting into other jurisdictions.  \nCheck with the Law Society or Bar Council/Association for the country you are interested in – it usually involves passing a set of exams.  \nWhich country are you interested in working in?  \nDiploma in Professional Legal Practice  \n(1 year full time; 2 years part time)  \nOther countries  \nDo you have or are you studying towards a Scots Law LLB that allows you to practise as a Scottish solicitor (i.e. meets the Law Society of Scotland’s foundation programme outcomes)?  \nYes  \nThere are different routes to becoming a solicitor for students from any discipline. One way to think about this is through jurisdictions-where would you like to  \npractise?  \nWhere can you do a traineeship?  \n• Big law firms; tend to be large commercial firms-can recruit two years in advance  \n• Smaller, medium sized firms; high street firms-recruit as and when they need a trainee  \n• In-house organisations; private or public sector-can offer anything from current vacancies up to 1-2 years in advance  \nWhen are you due to graduate from your LLB?  \nI already have, and have started the Diploma:  \nMost of the large commercial firms advertising will be recruiting for 2027/2028 start dates so you may have a 1-2 year gap after finishing your Diploma. Through the year, opportunities for 2026 starts will arise, particularly with smaller firms and just-in-time recruitment.  \n2026:  \nApply for traineeships starting 2027 or 2028. Look at routes in via vacation placements too.  \n2027:  \nTalk to firms about internships/vacation placements and early applications to 2028 traineeships.  \n2028 or later:  \nSome firms offer work experience opportunities for earlier year students and you can get an insight into different areas of work to help inform your future choices.  \nIf you have qualified in another jurisdiction and wish to requalify, there may be various  \nexemptions and  \nexams to take:  \n• Requalifying into Scotland-check with the Law Society of Scotland  \n• Requalifying into England and Wales – check with the Solicitors Regulation Authority  \nYou should do a 2 year Scots Law Graduate LLB after your first degree  \nNo  \nEngland & Wales  \nScotland  \nYou then follow this route  \nOther countries  \nIf you require this document in an alternative format, such as large print or a coloured background, please contact the Careers Service via email [careers@ed.ac.uk or by telephone 0131](careers@ed.ac.uk or by telephone 0131) 650 4670.  \nJuly 2025","cbCaim7zsgCitH6O","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaim7zsgCitH6O","pdf",1789047,"English","# Routes towards qualifying as a solicitor\n## England & Wales and Scotland overview\n## SQE and QWE requirements\n## Conversion and preparation courses\n## Traineeship options and timing\n## Other jurisdictions and requalification\n## SRA suitability and eligibility","[{\"question\":\"What are the two main components required to qualify as a solicitor?\",\"answer\":\"You must pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and complete 2 years of qualifying Work Experience (QWE). The document notes QWE can include a range of legal experiences beyond the traditional training contract.\"},{\"question\":\"Do I need specific exam order between SQE 1 and SQE 2?\",\"answer\":\"Yes. The four requirements state that SQE 1 must be completed before SQE 2, and both parts are required for qualifying.\"},{\"question\":\"How can I complete QWE, and when can it be done relative to the exams?\",\"answer\":\"QWE can be completed through a training contract or via no more than 4 different organisations. It can be completed before, alongside, or after SQE1 and SQE2.\"},{\"question\":\"What should I consider if I want to qualify in another jurisdiction or requalify?\",\"answer\":\"The document says that for other countries, you should check with the relevant Law Society or Bar Council/Association, usually involving a set of exams. It also mentions potential exemptions and exams when requalifying into Scotland or England and Wales.\"}]","Careers Service - What are the routes towards qualifying as a solicitor? | PDF",1790452347]