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The University of Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ ranks 10th in the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ for quality of teaching in National Student Survey 2024. Find out more

SQE

MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE1)

Our new MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE1) is a law conversion course and includes our SQE1 Preparation Course, which prepares students for the SQE1 assessments. The course is designed for non-law graduates who want to qualify as a solicitor and gain a legal qualification at Master’s level.

As an internationally recognised qualification, a Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Master’s is a great addition to your portfolio. With a strong level of support from the start, as well as four weeks guaranteed Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) within our Legal Advice Clinics. This course is a great introduction to law if you hold an undergraduate degree in another discipline. Successful completion of the MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE1) also qualifies you to progress on to study the SQE2 Preparation Course to become a solicitor.

Pass first time or study for free
We’re so confident in our SQE courses that, if you don’t pass SQE1, you can repeat our SQE1 Exam Preparation Course for free up to two further times.*

International Students: Students who require a visa to study in the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ are not able to start this course in September. Instead, please apply to start your studies with us in January.

 

*See Terms and Conditions for full details

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Key Facts

Entry requirements

An undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline (or equivalent).

Course requirements âž”

Entry requirements

Next start date

January 2025

See all Start Dates

Study online

 

If you're looking for a more flexible approach to your studies, why not consider our online study option?

 

Receive four weeks of guaranteed Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) within our Legal Advice Clinics and put your theory into practice working on real-life cases.

Learn to think like a lawyer: develop practical legal skills built around real-life case studies through small group workshops and problem-based learning.

78% of our students passed the January 2024 SQE1 assessments first time, compared to the industry average first attempt pass rate of 59%*

Course Details

MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE1)

Our MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE1) is a conversion course designed for non-law graduates. On successful completion of this course, including the SQE1 assessments, you will gain an internationally recognised Master’s qualification.

Although there is no longer a formal requirement for qualification as a solicitor, this course will give learners the academic legal knowledge they need (as part of Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) for SQE1) and will encourage learners to think like a lawyer from the start.

This MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ conversion course also develops the key professional skills and behaviours required by lawyers, alongside skills required to pass professional examinations for qualification as a solicitor. In all modules there is a focus on combining knowledge and understanding of core areas of law with the ability to analyse, evaluate and form critical judgements about the law. Study is centred on practical activities that enable students to learn by doing to help them thrive as a lawyer in a work environment.

Many employers value the combination of a non-law undergraduate area of expertise combined with the solid grounding in core legal principles and legal skills, provided by a law conversion course.

Why choose the MA LAW (SQE1) course?

  • Learn to think like a lawyer and develop practical legal skills through practical workshops and problem-based learning.
  • Be ready to progress your legal training – this course includes the SQE1 Preparation Course which will prepare you for the SQE1 assessments. Once you complete this course, you will then be ready to progress onto our SQE2 Preparation Course.
  • The Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ of Organisations module focuses on company and partnership law - ideal preparation for your late studies and practice
  • With one of the largest legal careers services in the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½, UÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ gives you the support and the Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) opportunities you need to make the best start in your legal career.
  • Experience of working in practice. You’ll learn in the context of our virtual law firm, UÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ LLP. UÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ LLP replicates the working environment of a law firm and students perform real world tasks on simulated cases, deals and transactions, as if they were in the office.
  • Brand new resources, developed specifically for SQE by our expert lecturers. You’ll be provided with all course materials, including:
    • an extensive bank of practice exam questions
    • UÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ SQE – our intelligent revision app provides practice tests and feedback
    • brand new online study manuals
  • In depth guidance and support from our experienced lecturers, who will monitor your progress and give feedback using predictive analytics, so you’ll know where to focus.
  • Taught by qualified lawyers, with lectures and practical workshops to develop your legal skills, so you’ll know what to expect in a real-life work environment.
  • Our online programmes will save you the time and money on commuting to and from campus and allow you to study anywhere, across devices, however you can be reassured that the course won’t be compromised on quality or be less demanding than our on campus courses
  • Flexible study - We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why we offer a wide range of study modes (full-time, part-time, on campus, online) across our courses to provide you with the greatest choice and flexibility you need to succeed in your studies. 
  • We have a vast network in the legal industry and deliver training to 91 of the top 100 law firms, with exclusive relationships with 61 of the top Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ law firms and many of the most prestigious US firms.
  • Receive four weeks of guaranteed Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). Get hands-on legal work experience working with real clients in our Legal Advice Clinics. You’ll get to see how a case progresses in practice and how the skills that you will learn are relevant in a practical context.

Our years of experience in training more practising lawyers in the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ than any other law school has helped our students go on to succeed in law, business, politics and more. We believe in training students for the real world from the moment they accept a place with us.

Not sure if this course is right for you? Download our free guide, An SQE Course for Everyone, to find your path to becoming a solicitor.

*All eligible cohorts contacted, results based on over 1,800 responses.

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Access to the SQE app

Students studying our MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE1) course will receive access to our intelligent SQE revision app UÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ SQE whilst studying the SQE1 component of the course. The app is designed to help prepare and embed your Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK), ready to take on the SQE1 assessments.

Find out more

Course Structure

The Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ & Constitution Module element requires 25 hours of pre-course study in English Legal System & Constitutional Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (including EU Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½), through guided module units with all materials provided online.

The modules you’ll study during the course are:

  • English Legal System and Constitutional Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (including EU Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½) (15 credits)
  • Tort Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (15 credits)
  • Contract Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (15 credits)
  • Criminal Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (15 credits)
  • Administrative Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ and Human Rights (15 credits)
  • Land Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (15 credits)
  • Equity and Trusts (15 credits)
  • Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ of Organisations (15 credits)
  • Skills and Behaviours (non-credit-bearing)

  • SQE1 (60 credits):
    • Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 1 (Business, Legal Services, Dispute Resolution)
    • Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 2 (Property Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ and Practice, Wills, Solicitors’ Accounts, Criminal Practice)

This course develops the key intellectual and personal skills required by lawyers, alongside skills required to pass professional examinations for qualification as a solicitor.

All modules focus on combining knowledge and understanding of core areas of law with the ability to analyse, evaluate and form critical judgements about the law. Study is centred on practical activities that enable students to learn by doing. Workshops involve students completing further practice based tasks, including an application of FLK to Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs).

Alongside academic modules, students will engage in a Skills and Behaviours module, allowing you to recognise and develop key professional and personal attributes necessary to thrive as a lawyer in a work environment, and to manage your career.

The SQE1 Preparation Course will also prepare you for the SQE1 assessments, which will test your FLK.

On successful completion of this course, including the SQE1 assessments, you will gain an internationally recognised Master’s qualification.

Course Start Dates

  • MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE 1)
    • Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield
    • Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury
    • Part-time Weekend: London Bloomsbury, Manchester and Newcastle
  • MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE 1)
    • Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield
    • Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury and London Moorgate
    • Part-time Weekend: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham
  • MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE 1)
    • Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield
    • Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury and London Moorgate
    • Part-time Weekend: London Bloomsbury, Manchester and Newcastle

Online

Study MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE1) Online starting January 2025, September 2025 or January 2026

As part of the new SQE route to practice, you must complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) which can be completed with up to four employers.

For all students on this course, we’re offering you the chance to complete four weeks of QWE within our Legal Advice Clinics*.

How it works

You’ll get the opportunity to work on a range of real-life cases by providing free legal advice and representation to members of the public.

Throughout the programme you’ll get to put the theory and skills you have learnt into practice. You’ll be able to demonstrate your ability to deal with a number of processes such as triaging, conflict checks, familiarisation with Case Management Systems, client meetings and interviews, drafting letters, research and ensuring solicitor competencies.

At each stage you will be closely supervised by a qualified Supervising Solicitor to ensure what you are doing and the advice you are giving is correct.

Find out more âž”

*On enrolment to the course, you’ll get the opportunity to opt-in to complete QWE within our Legal Advice Clinics.

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Get to know our lecturers

Hear from our lecturers about what makes law conversion a fascinating path to study leading to a fulfilling and dynamic career.

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Make an Enquiry

Course requirements

The course demands show you the requirements, prior knowledge and commitments our course will involve.

Find out more âž”

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Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Conversion Courses

Start your legal journey

We offer a number of law conversion courses, which offer you a pathway to progress onto become a solicitor or barrister.

View our law conversion guide to make the best choice for you and your career.

Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Conversion Guide âž”

Will non-law graduates on the SQE pathway be required to complete a conversion course?

study online

Study Online

If you’re looking for the perfect combination of a flexible study programme to fit around your other commitments together with the benefit of our expertise, experience and employability focus, why not consider our online study option?

MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE1) Online âž”

study online

Course Information

 

Application and booking deadlines vary by intake - take a look at our key application and enrolment deadline dates for more information.

With so many options for how and where you can study the MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE1), you can be sure to find a start date and study option to suit your needs.

Calendar

 

Internal assessments

All modules will incorporate 40% examination by Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs) to support any future progress onto SQE1 assessment.

The other 60% will vary according to the module. This will include:

  • online open book examination
  • coursework
  • oral presentation.

Functioning Legal Knowledge is assessed internally through the following final assessments:

  • FLK1 Students will sit a Multiple Choice Question paper using Single Best Answer style questions (SBAQs) covering the topics in Functioning Legal Knowledge 1. The assessment will consist of 90 SBAQs and will be delivered online using the University’s Virtual Learning Platform Elite. The SBAQs will mimic the SRA’s SQE1 assessments in terms of syllabus coverage and timings to best prepare students for these external assessments.
  • FLK2 Students will sit a Multiple Choice Question paper using Single Best Answer style questions (SBAQs) covering the topics in Functioning Legal Knowledge 2. The assessment will consist of 90 SBAQs and will be delivered online using the University’s Virtual Learning Platform Elite. The SBAQs will mimic the SRA’s SQE1 assessments in terms of syllabus coverage and timings to best prepare students for these external assessments.

Once successfully passed, the assessments will contribute 60 credits towards the student’s master’s award.

Ethics will be assessed pervasively across FLK 1 and 2 including unflagged ethical questions.

External assessments

SQE1 is assessed by centralised assessments introduced by the SRA. These assessments are an essential requirement to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales (together with SQE2) but do not need to be passed in order to gain our master’s award.

The SRA assessments for SQE1 and SQE2 are under the control of the SRA’s chosen assessment provider Kaplan. For details on how to book, pay and receive your results for your SQE assessments, as well as request any reasonable adjustments, please visit the .

Student working from a text book

 

  • Each taught module comprises of workshops and incorporates streamed lectures or media.
  • Class contact time is combined with online tutorials, online Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs) and self-study from study manuals and online research.
  • The learning model is based around undertaking activities in the workshops (or equivalent online activities) to develop both knowledge and key skills
  • The Skills and Behaviours module will comprise of workshops spread over all semesters.
  • The SQE1 Preparation Course will be delivered as a blended learning programme, including face to face workshop delivery, and also online.
Students studying

Employability We Set You Up For Success

We care about your career, which is why we offer support with job applications and other work experience opportunities as soon as you accept your place.

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Fees and Applying

 

If you’d like to study full-time you can apply through CAB. For part-time study you can apply directly with us.

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Please note: The SQE assessment fee is not included in this course fee.

2024/25 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2024)

Domestic

  • London: £17,950
  • Outside London: £15,100

Non-domestic

  • London: £19,350
  • Outside London: £16,250

See the full fee schedule for the MA Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ (SQE1) here.

Discounts:

We are offering a £500 Postgraduate Award to students studying at Newcastle University and a £1,000 Postgraduate Award to students studying at our Nottingham Campus. Dependant on start date. Terms and conditions apply.

We’re so confident in our SQE courses that, if you don’t pass the SQE1, you can repeat our Exam Preparation Courses up to two further times.*

: eBooks are included in the course fee, and you’ll receive a 50% discount if you’d like to purchase print versions.

If you’re a UÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ alumnus, you may be eligible to receive our £500 General Alumni Discount and receive an additional £250 discount, as part of our Early Bird Alumni Offer.

We also have a range of scholarships and bursaries available which make studying with us more affordable than ever.

You could also be eligible for a postgraduate student loan.

**Terms and conditions apply.

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We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.

If you are an international student and are coming to the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ to study, then you must apply to the Home Office for a visa. In most cases you will need to obtain a Student Route visa. In order to apply for this visa you must be sponsored by an education provider which is licensed by the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Home Office.

The Home Office has also introduced a Graduate Work visa which allows Graduates to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career in the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ for 2 years post completion of a Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ degree. The Graduate route is an unsponsored visa, meaning students will not need a job offer to apply for this visa.

Please note that the University does not currently provide visa sponsorship to students for part-time study. We also cannot sponsor students for online courses due to Home Office regulations.

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