SQE vs LPC
The SQE has replaced the LPC as the route to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. The LPC is closing to new starts, and the transitional route is open only until 31 December 2032 for those who were already eligible. For almost everyone starting now, the route is the SQE. Here is how the two differ, and how to tell which applies to you.
Is the LPC still an option?
For most people, no. The SQE became the route to qualify in September 2021, and LPC providers are closing the course to new entrants around 2026. If you started or accepted a place on a qualifying law degree, the GDL, the LPC, or a training contract by autumn 2021, you fall within the transitional arrangements and have until 31 December 2032 to qualify through the LPC. After that date, the SQE is the only route. Check your exact position against the SRA transitional rules.
How the two routes work
- LPC route: a taught postgraduate course (often a year full-time), followed by a period of recognised training (a training contract).
- SQE route: two central assessments — SQE1 (functioning legal knowledge, multiple choice) and SQE2 (practical legal skills) — plus two years of qualifying work experience, which can be gained more flexibly across up to four placements.
The headline differences: the SQE is centrally assessed at one national standard, is generally cheaper in assessment fees, and lets you choose how you prepare. The work-experience element is more flexible than a single training contract.
Which applies to you
If you are starting your journey now, plan for the SQE. If you are in the transitional cohort, you can weigh finishing via the LPC against switching — bearing in mind the 2032 cut-off. Either way, for the SQE route the first hurdle is SQE1.
Preparing for the SQE route
SQE1 comes first, and it rewards practising single-best-answer questions at the real standard across the whole syllabus. See how to prepare for SQE1, what it costs, and how hard it is.
Common questions
Is the LPC being scrapped?
It is being phased out. The SQE replaced it as the route to qualify from September 2021, and LPC providers are closing the course to new starts around 2026. If you were already eligible under the transitional arrangements, you have until 31 December 2032 to qualify through the LPC route; after that, the SQE is the only way.
Can I still do the LPC?
Only if you fall within the transitional arrangements — broadly, people who started or accepted a place on a qualifying law degree, the GDL, the LPC or a training contract by autumn 2021. New entrants now qualify through the SQE. Check your position against the SRA transitional rules.
Is the SQE harder than the LPC?
They test differently. The LPC was a taught postgraduate course assessed over a year; the SQE is two central assessments — SQE1 (multiple choice) and SQE2 (skills) — taken at one standard. Many find the breadth and the closed-book, applied, timed format of SQE1 the bigger challenge, which is why practising at the real standard matters.
Which is cheaper, the SQE or the LPC?
The SQE assessment fees (SQE1 plus SQE2) are far lower than typical LPC tuition, though preparation is on top of the exam fees. The total depends heavily on how you prepare — a question bank costs a fraction of a full taught course.
Independent SQE1 preparation for study — not legal or careers advice. Routes, transitional arrangements and the 2032 cut-off are set by the SRA; confirm your position on the official SRA site.