With the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) in September 2021, a frequently asked question is – do I still need to complete a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) before undertaking the SQE? Those law schools offering a GDL will argue that their GDL will help a non-law graduate prepare for legal practice. Others will point out that the SQE includes all the content of a GDL (and much more) and so the GDL will be repetitious of SQE preparation.
Professor Claire McGourlay, Professor of Legal Education at the University of Manchester, explains how the SQE is changing the route to legal qualification and how non-law graduates can further their careers without a GDL.
What is the GDL?
The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a mandatory one-year, full-time conversion course for non-law graduates who want to follow the traditional Legal Practice Course (LPC) route to qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales. The diploma covers the seven core compulsory LLB law modules – Criminal Law, Law of Torts, The Law of Contract, Land Law (or Property Law as it’s informally known), Equity and Trusts, Constitutional and Administrative Law, and EU Law.
Although some may find comfort in the familiar, the GDL adds another costly layer to the qualification journey and recent research from Hook Tangaza found that 85% of non-law graduates are funding the conversion courses themselves. The average cost of solicitor qualification via the LPC route is around £24,000 and annually, £21 million of qualification costs are spent by students who never qualify. Although the LPC will still be available until 2032 as the SQE is phased in, we anticipate that many students will “vote with their feet” and opt for a more affordable route to qualification.
How does the SQE route work?
The SQE, or “super exam”, was officially introduced in 2021 and is replacing the LPC route to qualification. The SQE comprises two parts – the SQE1 tests your Functional Legal Knowledge (FLK) through multiple-choice questions, and the SQE2 assesses your practical application of legal skills through oral and written tests.
Read all about it here: How to become a lawyer in the UK
And here: All about the SQE exams
Will I need to complete the GDL before starting the SQE?
No, non-law graduates preparing to take the SQE will not need to do the GDL conversion course to be able to qualify as a solicitor. Instead, the Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) portion of the SQE1 exam will fill this knowledge gap.
There have been some questions about whether law students will be at an advantage as they’ll have already covered the core modules in their LLB, meaning they will have baseline knowledge of course content. This is partly true, and they’ll be familiar with the way the common law system in England and Wales works, and recognise some legal terminology, but the SQE is wider in scope and includes lots of topics that aren’t covered in an LLB.
Your BARBRI SQE1 Preparation course covers all the core modules of the GDL, and we usually advise that you take our 40-week prep course, which offers more repetition and practice opportunities to give you enough time to digest all the material and give you the best chance of succeeding. And if you feel you need to get up to speed before you start with your SQE1 prep, we offer an optional 6-week online Foundations in Law course, covering the common law system of England and Wales, common terminology, and how legal research is conducted.
I am graduating in Summer 2024 – does this affect me?
There is a transition period meaning that those who had already committed to (eg. paid a deposit or signed a contract) or commenced their GDL, LPC or training contract on or before September 2021 may continue on the old route to qualification and must qualify by 2032. But if you’re graduating this year, whether from a law or a non-law degree, you must now follow the SQE route to qualify as a solicitor.
Read about the transition period on the SRA website.
What criteria will I need to meet for the SQE?
There are four main criteria required for passing the SQE. This includes a university degree or equivalent (like an apprenticeship) in any subject (law or any other degree subject), passing SQE1 and SQE2, completing two years’ Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) and passing the SRA’s character and suitability assessment – whether that’s in one consistent placement or multiple roles. Once all four criteria have been completed, individuals can then be added to the Roll of Solicitors.
How can I enhance my experience before and during the SQE?
One way to enhance the overall learning process is through practical experience. We see a lot of representation of the legal sector on TV today – think Suits, Law and Order and more – which are incredibly inaccurate and don’t effectively represent reality. However, by gaining work experience, you can expose yourself to the reality of the industry and for recent graduates, this can help to fill the September to December gap that tends to cause a great deal of angst. After all, we typically see a trend in those struggling to secure a job signing up to master’s courses to find a new direction.
However, ahead of the 40-week SQE1 Prep course in January, candidates could use this time to complete pro bono activity or get a head start on QWE which can be completed before, during or after SQE exams. Learners may not be aware that they do not have to complete the equivalent workloads typically expected from trainee solicitor but instead, can look at wider legal experience opportunities such as a position as a secretary in law firm. Plus, in a highly competitive sector, we know that anything that differentiates a candidate will help them to stand out to law firms.
There you have it. While some may be cautious of progressing with the SQE route without the added reassurance of the GDL, removing this step will still equal qualification success – but without the same price tag.
Professor Claire McGourlay is the Professor of Legal Education at the University of Manchester. BARBRI has partnered with the University of Manchester to offer the University’s students and alumni a comprehensive preparation programme for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). You can find out more information about the partnership here.
For any questions, speak to the BARBRI team today.