The definition from the SRA website reads, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, or SQE, is the assessment for all aspiring solicitors in England and Wales. It is designed to assure consistent, high standards for all qualifying solicitors.

The SQE is split into two assessments - SQE1 and SQE2.

From 1 September 2021, to qualify you will need to:

• have a degree in any subject (or equivalent qualification or work experience)
• pass both stages of the SQE assessment - SQE1 focuses on functioning legal knowledge and SQE2 on practical legal skills and knowledge
• have two years' Qualifying Work Experience
• meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements

Learn more: How the SQE works 

Studying law at the University of Bristol does more than provide you with the legal knowledge required to kick start a legal career - it expands your career ambitions with optional units that ignite interest in specialist fields such as technology, health, climate and many more.

In addition to our research-led teaching offering, we have partnered with BPP University to offer their Bridge Programme, aiming to bridge the gap between a degree and the next stage of your legal training. It includes modules that share relevant information to help career-related decisions and help to develop critical skills needed during recruitment processes.

The programme consists of two tracks:

• ‘Bridge to the SQE’ which is tailored towards aspiring solicitors and includes modules such as ‘Navigating the SQE’, ‘Virtual Vacation Schemes’ and an ‘Introduction to Legal Technology’.
• ‘Bridge to the Bar’ provides support for aspiring barristers and provides Bar focused modules including ‘Preparing for the BTC’, a ‘Virtual Mini Pupillage’ and an ‘Advocacy Masterclass’.

BPP and the Law School will award a Social Mobility Scholarship of £5,000 to one eligible student, and up to three more awards worth £2,000 each, upon partial or full completion of the Bridge Programme. Find out more about the programme.

A career as a barrister can be very varied and rewarding. However, becoming a barrister is highly competitive. There are many more people who want to become barristers than places available.

There are three components to training to become a barrister. These are:

• the academic component;
• the vocational component, and
• the pupillage or work-based learning component.

1. Your Law Degree must include the seven foundations of legal knowledge and the skills associated with graduate legal work such as legal research.

2. You must join an Inn before you start vocational training but you can join earlier if you wish.

3. Some AETOs offer courses which allow you to combine the academic and vocational components of Bar training. Some incorporate an undergraduate law degree and some are designed as postgraduate courses which you can study if you have a non-law degree.

4. You may start the first six-month period of pupillage before being Called to the Bar but you will not be able to start your second six-month period unless you have been Called, because your second six involves you practising as a barrister under the supervision of your Pupil Supervisor.

Find out more on the Bar Standards Board website.

Studying law at the University of Bristol does more than provide you with the legal knowledge required to kick start a legal career - it expands your career ambitions with optional units that ignite interest in specialist fields such as technology, health, climate and many more.

In addition to our research-led teaching offering, we have partnered with BPP to offer their Bridge Programme, aiming to bridge the gap between a degree and the next stage of your legal training. It includes modules that share relevant information to help career-related decisions and help to develop critical skills needed during recruitment processes.

The programme consists of two tracks:

• ‘Bridge to the SQE’ which is tailored towards aspiring solicitors and includes modules such as ‘Navigating the SQE’, ‘Virtual Vacation Schemes’ and an ‘Introduction to Legal Technology’.
• ‘Bridge to the Bar’ provides support for aspiring barristers and provides Bar focused modules including ‘Preparing for the BTC’, a ‘Virtual Mini Pupillage’ and an ‘Advocacy Masterclass’.

BPP and the Law School will award a Social Mobility Scholarship of £5,000 to one eligible student, and up to three more awards worth £2,000 each, upon partial or full completion of the Bridge Programme. Find out more about the programme.