Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) - Guidance for Applicants 2025 Fund

Sep 21, 2026

Guidance for the City of London Law Society’s Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) for applicants seeking SQE preparation support in 2025 and completing the associated SQE Parts 1 and 2 during the 2025–2026 period. The document explains eligibility requirements, financial criteria evidence (including bank statements and earnings/savings limits), and what funding covers—SQE preparation courses and assessments—while excluding living and other incidental costs. It outlines the online application process, essay questions, interview stage, and submission deadlines.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

About the Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF)

Application Eligibility Criteria

Scope of the Scheme

Financial eligibility

Process

The City of London Law Society Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) "Delivering front-line social welfare solicitors” Guidance for Applicants 2025 Fund 3203978719/3/08 Oct 2024 1 1 About the Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) The SWSQF provides financial assistance for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam preparation coursesand assessments (Parts 1 & 2), starting in 2025 and concluding in 2026 to outstanding applicants currently working in or contracted to work in social welfare law for organisations serving disadvantaged communities. Guidance information about the criteria, process and timetable is detailed in this document, along with guidance on completing the separate SWSQF online Application Form (at Appendix 1) . Any queries that are not addressed by the Guidance may be emailed [to SWSQF@citysolicitors.org.uk](to SWSQF@citysolicitors.org.uk). 2 Application Eligibility Criteria An applicant must fulfil the criteria set out in The Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) Eligibility Criteria 2025 document to be eligible to be considered for the SWSQF. The applicant will be asked to provide written confirmation of the statements in the Eligibility Criteria 2025 document in the Application Form during the application process. 3 Scope of the Scheme 3.1 The SWSQF 2025 is only open to applicants seeking to start the SQE preparation course in April 2025 and sit the SQE part 1 in January 2026; and seeking to start the SQE part 2 preparation course (likely in May 2026) and sit the SQE part 2 before the end of October 2026. We anticipate, and are working on the assumption, that applicants complete both SQE1 and 2 within a two-year period. 3.2 Funding provided through the SWSQF is exclusively for the SQE Parts 1 and 2 preparation course and attendant SQE assessments and will be paid directly to (1) BARBRI with whom the applicant will sit the SQE preparation course and (2) Kaplan, who are the assessment provider. You may specify the amount that you wish to apply for up to the full cost of the SQE assessments/SQE preparation course fees. Funds will be allocated on the assumption that you will pass the SQE assessments at the first attempt. See section 5 of the SWSQF Eligibility Criteria for details of how the funds for each stage of the preparation course and exams will be released and the confirmations required from BARBRI to release funding for the next stage. 3.3 No additional funding is available to assist with any living expenses such as accommodation, childcare, transport; nor for any other costs which may be incurred in undertaking the SQE assessments/SQE preparation course. 3.4 While it is not necessary to have a confirmed place on the SQE Part 1 preparation course before submitting a SWSQF application, all awards will be subject to acceptance onto a BARBRI SQE preparation course and a place on an SQE assessment with Kaplan, both parts anticipated to be passed by the end of October 2026. 4 Financial eligibility 4.1 Awards made under the SWSQF represent an investment in successful applicants by the City of London Law Society (CLLS) and the SWSQF’s city law firm sponsors. As the scheme only provides financial assistance towards SQE preparation course fees and assessments, you must be able to support yourself and your dependants. 4.2 If shortlisted, you will be required to provide evidence of your financial position, as detailed in your application at the interview including: 4.2.1 Three months of bank statements (covering all relevant accounts to establish that you meet the financial eligibility criteria, including but not limited to your current 3203978719/3/08 Oct 2024 2 account, any savings account, ISA or other way of evidencing that you do not have more than £19,500 in savings) . 4.2.2 Loan rejection or acceptances, as appropriate. 4.3 If shortlisted, you will be required to provide evidence you meet the following: 4.3.1 Either; I cur

FAQs

Who is eligible to apply for the SWSQF in 2025?

Applicants must meet the criteria in the SWSQF Eligibility Criteria 2025 document. During the application process, written confirmation of statements in that eligibility document is required in the online application form.

What does the SWSQF funding cover, and what does it not cover?

Funding is exclusively for SQE Parts 1 and 2 preparation course fees and attendant SQE assessments, paid directly to BARBRI (course) and Kaplan (assessment provider). It does not provide additional funding for living expenses such as accommodation, childcare, or transport, or other incidental costs.

What financial evidence may be required if shortlisted?

If shortlisted, applicants must provide evidence including three months of bank statements and information about loan acceptance/rejection and their earnings and savings. The guidance specifies limits such as not having more than £19,500 in savings and meeting the stated earnings ranges (with certain Universal Credit or Working Tax Credits conditions).

Sep 21, 2026

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