SQE1 guide
SQE1 vs LPC — which route should you take?
The LPC is closing. Since September 2021 the SQE has been the single route to solicitor qualification for new entrants, and the LPC's transitional window is ending. But if you're deciding between finishing an existing LPC place or switching, or you're weighing your options as a non-law graduate, here's how the two compare — and what to actually do.
Availability
The SQE is the only route for candidates starting from scratch in 2026. The LPC is only available under transitional arrangements to those who began qualifying study before 21 September 2021, and the window closes fully by 2032.
Format
LPC: 9 months full-time, coursework and closed-book exams across skills and electives. SQE: two centralised exams — SQE1 (360 MCQs across two days) and SQE2 (16 skills stations). Assessed nationally, not by your provider.
Cost
LPC: £13k–£17k tuition. SQE1 exam fee £1,888 + SQE2 £2,902 = £4,790, plus optional prep courses £3k–£16k. SQE can be cheaper if you self-study; more expensive if you buy a full provider package.
Recognition
Both lead to admission as a solicitor. Employers increasingly ask for the SQE by default. The Quiet Rooms is built for SQE1 specifically — unlimited SBAQ practice matching the assessment format.
FAQs
- Can I still do the LPC in 2026?
- Only if you began qualifying law study before 21 September 2021. New candidates take the SQE.
- Is the SQE cheaper than the LPC?
- Exam fees are lower, but full prep-course packages can match or exceed LPC tuition. Self-study is where SQE candidates save most.
- Which is harder?
- Different mechanics. LPC is coursework stamina; SQE is exam-day stamina under strict time pressure.
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