How to Become a Solicitor in the United Kingdom — Step-by-Step

Becoming a Solicitor in the UK — Overview

The legal profession in the United Kingdom is one of the most structured and well-respected in the world. Whether you want to become a solicitor handling transactions, advising clients, and managing cases, or a barrister specialising in courtroom advocacy, there is a clear pathway to qualification. This guide covers every step of the journey.

For context on the broader market, see our complete guide to UK legal jobs in 2026.

Step 1: University Education

Law Degree (LLB) — 3 Years

The most direct route is an undergraduate law degree (LLB), which typically takes three years in England and Wales (four years in Scotland). Top UK law schools include:

• University of Oxford — BA in Jurisprudence, consistently ranked first or second for law in the UK
• University of Cambridge — BA in Law (Tripos), renowned for academic rigour
• London School of Economics (LSE) — LLB, particularly strong in international and commercial law
• University College London (UCL) — LLB, well-regarded with strong connections to the London legal market
• King's College London (KCL) — LLB, known for its Dickson Poon School of Law
• University of Bristol — Consistently in the top five for law
• Durham University — Strong law school with excellent employment outcomes
• University of Nottingham — Well-regarded, particularly for commercial and international law
• University of Edinburgh — Scotland's leading law school, teaching Scots law alongside UK and international perspectives
• University of Manchester — Large, research-intensive law school
• University of Warwick — Known for its interdisciplinary approach to legal education
• University of Exeter — Strong and rising in law school rankings
• University of Glasgow — One of Scotland's oldest law schools

Non-Law Degree + Conversion

If you hold a non-law degree, you can still become a solicitor. Traditionally, this required completing the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), a one-year conversion course. Under the new SQE system, the GDL is no longer mandatory, but many candidates still complete it or an equivalent SQE preparation course to gain foundational legal knowledge.

Step 2: The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

Since September 2021, the SQE has replaced the Legal Practice Course (LPC) as the standard route to qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales. The SQE is administered by Kaplan on behalf of the SRA.

SQE1 — Functioning Legal Knowledge

SQE1 consists of two assessments, each containing 180 multiple-choice questions. The exams cover core practice areas including business law and practice, dispute resolution, contract, tort, constitutional and administrative law, and legal services. SQE1 typically costs around £1,500–£1,800 in exam fees.

SQE2 — Practical Legal Skills

SQE2 tests practical skills through written and oral tasks including legal research, legal writing, client interviewing, advocacy, and case analysis. The exam typically costs around £2,500–£2,800 in fees. Many candidates take SQE preparation courses from providers like BPP, University of Law, BARBRI, or Kaplan.

Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) — 2 Years

In addition to passing SQE1 and SQE2, aspiring solicitors must complete at least two years of Qualifying Work Experience. Unlike the old training contract system, QWE can be completed with up to four different employers and does not need to follow a set structure. However, it must involve real legal work and be confirmed by a solicitor.

Step 3 (Traditional Route — Being Phased Out): LPC + Training Contract

The traditional pathway — completing the LPC (Legal Practice Course) followed by a two-year training contract — is being phased out. The LPC is no longer a requirement for candidates starting their qualification journey, though some firms still sponsor it for trainees who began the process before the SQE transition. Training contracts remain common at many firms, but they now form part of the QWE under the SQE framework.

The Barrister Route

For those who wish to specialise in advocacy and become barristers rather than solicitors, the pathway is different:

• Academic Stage: A qualifying law degree (LLB) or non-law degree plus GDL
• Vocational Stage: The Bar Training Course (BTC, formerly BPTC), which is a one-year postgraduate course costing approximately £13,000–£20,000 depending on the provider
• Inn of Court Membership: All aspiring barristers must join one of the four Inns of Court — Lincoln's Inn, Gray's Inn, Inner Temple, or Middle Temple — and complete qualifying sessions (formerly 'dining')
• Pupillage: A 12-month apprenticeship in barristers' chambers, split into two 'sixes'. The first six involves shadowing a pupil supervisor; the second allows the pupil to take on their own cases under supervision. Pupillage awards range from approximately £15,000 (some criminal sets) to over £100,000 (top commercial and chancery sets)
• Tenancy: After pupillage, the pupil applies for tenancy — a permanent place in chambers. Not all pupils secure tenancy at their pupillage chambers

Pupillage is extremely competitive. The Bar Council reports approximately 2,000 applicants competing for around 250 pupillage places each year.

Career Transitions

The UK legal profession increasingly supports career transitions:

• Solicitor to In-House: Many solicitors move in-house after 3–6 years PQE for better work-life balance
• Solicitor to Barrister: Solicitors can transfer to the Bar by completing a shortened pupillage
• Barrister to Solicitor: Barristers can requalify as solicitors, often for in-house roles
• Legal to Non-Legal: Law firm experience is highly valued in consulting, banking, compliance, and government policy
• Foreign Lawyer to UK Solicitor: International lawyers can qualify via the SQE — see our guide for foreign lawyers

Next Steps

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