Law conversion/SQE1 (non-law graduates)
Law conversion/SQE1 (non-law graduates)
The pathway to becoming a solicitor for non-law graduates
What is a law conversion course?
For aspiring solicitors and barristers who have completed either a non-law degree or a non-qualifying law degree, undertaking a law conversion course is a compulsory step in the traditional qualification route. This course provides the foundational legal knowledge required before progressing to vocational training.
The law conversion course is taken prior to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) for prospective solicitors or the Bar Course for aspiring barristers. Both the LPC and Bar Course serve as essential vocational programmes, undertaken before commencing the respective periods of on-the-job training.
What impact will the SQE have on it?
From 1 September 2021 onwards, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has become the centralised route to qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales for all students commencing a law or non-law degree. However, during the transitional period, those who began their law degree, Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), Master of Arts in Law (MA Law), Legal Practice Course (LPC), or period of recognised training before this date may continue to qualify via the traditional LPC pathway. This option will remain available until 31 December 2032, after which the SQE will be the sole route to qualification.
under the new SQE framework, non-law graduates are no longer required to complete a law conversion course in order to qualify as a solicitor. Nonetheless, many institutions continue to offer conversion programmes such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) or a Master’s in Law Conversion to help students build a solid foundation in English and Welsh law before attempting the SQE assessments.
These courses typically cover core modules, which may vary by provider, including:
For aspiring barristers, the route remains unchanged. All non-law graduates must complete a law conversion course before progressing to the Bar Course.
Pre-course study
Before commencing a law conversion course, certain law schools require students to complete an online preparatory programme in legal method. Typically taking 40–50 hours, this stage is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of law, ensuring they are well-prepared to begin the course with confidence.
Assessment Structure
Law conversion courses are assessed through a combination of methods, which may include multiple-choice tests, open and closed book examinations, written coursework, and oral presentations. The precise structure varies between providers, so prospective students are strongly encouraged to research individual course requirements and assessment formats in advance to make informed choices.
Where can I study the law conversion course?
If you have already secured a training contract or pupillage before beginning your law conversion course, the terms of your offer may specify the provider and location where you are required to study.
If you have not yet secured a contract or pupillage, you retain the flexibility to choose from among 31 institutions across the UK that currently offer the law conversion course.
Duration of the Law Conversion Course
The length of the law conversion course depends on the study mode selected. Full-time programmes are typically completed within eight months, while part-time options usually take around 20 months. Overall, completion timelines range from one to two years, depending on the course structure and intensity.
Eligibility Criteria
Securing a place on a law conversion course is generally not highly competitive. Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification), though the subject area is not restricted. Most providers typically require a UK degree with at least a 2:2 classification, while some may set the bar higher at a minimum 2:1 degree level.
The application process usually involves submitting a personal statement and academic or professional references. In certain cases, providers may give preference to applicants who select their institution as a first-choice option, making it important to consider your selection carefully.
How much does the law conversion course cost?
The cost of the law conversion course varies significantly by institution and location; it costs around £12,000 in London and £9,000 elsewhere.
Funding the law conversion course
As part of their training contract offers, many law firms cover the cost of professional training fees and provide a maintenance grant to future trainees. This financial support is generally conditional on not having started the law conversion course or LPC before receiving the offer.
Therefore, if you begin either course prior to securing a training contract, it is unlikely though not entirely impossible that you will be able to recover these costs at a later stage.
Alternative Funding Options
If your fees are not covered by a law firm, there are several pathways to finance the law conversion course:
- Self-funding through personal savings
- Part-time work alongside a part-time law conversion course
- The Law Society Diversity Access Scheme
- Scholarships offered by training providers
- Inns of Court scholarships (for aspiring barristers)
- Flexible payment plans available from law schools
- Postgraduate degree with an integrated conversion course
Next Steps After the Law Conversion Course
Upon completing the law conversion course, candidates are required to progress to a vocational stage of training before beginning professional practice.
- Aspiring solicitors: proceed to either the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), depending on their chosen pathway.
- Aspiring barristers: continue to the Bar Course as preparation for pupillage.