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Online SQE 1 Preparation Course

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Professional
  • Start Date(s): 15 July 2024
  • Duration: 6 – 12 months
  • Study Mode(s): Distance learning
  • Campus: Online
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
Information for 2024

Introduction:

The Online SQE 1 Preparation Course is intended to be studied as part of your preparation for sitting the SRA's SQE 1 assessment which takes place in January and July each year.

Passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) 1 is the first step in your route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales.

This online only course is for you if you are currently working in a legal environment, already have some legal work experience, or are qualified or studying in a foreign jurisdiction and would like to prepare for the SRA SQE 1 assessment at a time to suit you.

From the point that the course begins you will have access to the online materials for a 12 month period.

Why choose this course?

  • You can access high quality online materials for each module at any time.
  • You will have access to online manuals that will equip you with a better understanding of the relevant law and enable you to thoroughly prepare for the SQE 1 assessment.  The manuals also contain a bank of multiple choice questions for you to practice as you work through each module.
  • Our outstanding teaching team are experienced legal professionals, and have developed materials which take you through key elements of the SQE 1 assessment specification.
  • You will have the option of attending regular drop-in sessions online with the teaching teams during the first six months of the course, to receive support and to meet with your fellow students.

If you do not have legal work experience or would prefer to prepare for the SRA SQE 1 assessment by attending teaching in person, then the SQE 1 Preparation Course – LLM or the SQE 1 Preparation Course - PGDip course may be more appropriate.

Why study at Nottingham Law School?

  • We have 60 years of experience in providing legal education.
  • You will have the support of module tutors who are all experienced legal practitioners, and you will benefit from their practical experience.
  • Every student also has the support of a personal tutor who will support and encourage you in your studies.
  • We offer a multi-award-winning pro bono programme, including NLS Legal, a legal advice centre for the local community.
  • Our dedicated and experienced careers consultants provide guidance and support to help you secure qualifying work experience or other legal employment.
  • NTU is 3rd for the number of PGT students studying Law (Latest HESA data 2021/22)
 

What you’ll study

The modules you will study are:

  • Business Law and Practice
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Property Practice
  • Wills and the Administration of Estates
  • Regulation and Solicitors Accounts
  • Criminal Law and Practice.

Whilst this course does not teach the key principles of foundation law that are assessed by the SQE 1 assessment, you will have access to revision materials and a bank of multiple-choice questions to allow you to test your knowledge and understanding of these key principles throughout the course.

If you would like a SQE 1 preparation course which includes foundation law teaching the Law and Legal Practice: SQE 1 Preparation course may be suitable for you.

Each module contains at least 10 structured units for you to work through at a pace that suits you and your circumstances.   There will be live, online drop-in sessions with a qualified practitioner scheduled at intervals throughout the first 6 months, where you can interact with fellow students and ask for support.

Prior to the course commencing, you will receive pre-reading material for each module you will be studying which covers fundamental principles to allow you to hit the ground running.

How you’re taught

This is an online course that you can work through at a time of day or night to suit you.  Each module will take you through the SRA SQE 1 assessment specification for each law in practice area.

The drop-in sessions will take place via MS Teams during the working week (GMT / BST).  The drop-in sessions will be timetabled in advance to allow you to plan and will take place on a weekly basis (excluding holidays and other events).  All drop-in sessions are scheduled to take place within six months of the course start date to help you prepare for the next upcoming SRA SQE 1 assessment.  (You will however have access to the online materials for a full 12 month period from the start of the course.)

Please note - There are no final assessments on this course and completion of the course does not lead to an NTU award.

Staff Profiles

Jayne Dixon - Principal Lecturer - Student Academic Experience Manager

Nottingham Law School

Jayne Dixon is a Principal Lecturer at Nottingham Law School, NTU and is also the Deputy Head of Department for the postgraduate courses.

Kate Mills - Principal Lecturer

Nottingham Law School

Kate Mills is a Principal Lecturer at the Nottingham Law School, NTU and mainly teaches on the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

Christopher Ratcliffe - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham Law School

Christopher Ratcliffe is a Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Law School, NTU and mainly teaches on professional legal and legal practitioner courses.

Alan Dury - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham Law School

Alan Dury is a Lecturer in Law at Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University for postgraduate and undergraduate teaching of law.

Helen Swift - Lecturer

Nottingham Law School

Helen is a lecturer teaching evidence, criminal law & mooting and applied legal knowledge on the Legal Practice Course.

Careers and employability

Completion of this course will help prepare you to sit and pass the SRA SQE 1 centralised assessments. This is an essential step towards becoming a qualified solicitor in England and Wales.

We have a dedicated Employability team who will support you in your search for Qualifying Work Experience and other opportunities.

At Nottingham Law School we ensure we provide the support required to give you the best possible start to your legal career:

  • Our Employability team offers 1:1 support (online and in-person) with career decision-making and preparation for recruitment processes.
  • You will also have free, on-demand access to an AI-driven CV checker, a virtual interview simulator and practice psychometric tests.
  • The Law School’s Aspiring Legal Professionals Mentoring Programme connects students with local law firms for insights into the profession.
  • Employability and commercial awareness are given appropriate focus, which provides a true bridge into practice.

Entry requirements

UK applicants will be eligible to enrol on this course if you have either a relevant qualification or work experience in a legal role. Please see below for further details:

Relevant qualificationWork experience

You can enrol on this course if you hold a UK undergraduate degree in any subject awarded by a recognised degree-awarding body. This is usually an undergraduate degree but can also include an equivalent UK qualification including:

  • An accredited qualification at level 6 (or above) of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, awarded by recognised degree-awarding body.
  • regulated qualification at level 6 (or above) of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). This includes CILEx level 6 qualifications.
  • An apprenticeship at level 6 or above, approved by the government departments of England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
  • A qualification or apprenticeship at level 9 or above of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) or awarded by a Scottish degree awarding body.

You will be eligible to enrol on this course if you have a minimum of 2 years’ work experience in a legal role.

If you are applying on the basis that you have relevant legal work experience, please provide information regarding your work history including:

  • where you have worked and how long for;
  • what was your role; and
  • what sort of legal experience you have acquired.

The above qualifications reflect those required by the SRA for qualification via the SQE as a solicitor in England & Wales. The SRA will decide whether your qualification / work experience satisfies their requirements to become a solicitor at the point you apply for admission as a solicitor.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

International students holding one of the following overseas qualifications will be eligible to enrol on this course:

  • A qualification shown to be equivalent to either a UK degree/equivalent qualification; or
  • An accredited qualification at level 6 (or above) of the European Qualifications Framework.

You will also be eligible to apply if you have work experience equivalent to a UK degree/equivalent qualification. If you are applying on the basis that you have relevant legal work experience please provide information regarding your work history including where you have worked and how long for, what was your role and what sort of legal experience you have acquired.

The above qualifications reflect those required by the SRA for qualification via the SQE as a solicitor in England & Wales.  The SRA will decide whether your qualification / work experience satisfies their requirements to become a solicitor at the point you apply for admission as a solicitor.

English language requirements

For students whose first language is not English there is currently a requirement that they have IELTS academic test grade of 6.5 with minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent qualification.


Getting in touch

If you need any more help or information, please complete our Ask NTU form

Fees and funding

£4,700 July 2024 entry

£250 postgraduate taught award discount applies to July 2024 entry only.

This course is not eligible for the postgraduate student loan.

The SRA SQE 1 assessment fee is not included in the course fee.

£4,700 July 2024 entry

£250 postgraduate taught award discount applies to July 2024 entry only.

This course is not eligible for the postgraduate student loan.

The SRA SQE 1 assessment fee is not included in the course fee.

How to apply

Applications are made through the NTU Applicant Portal. This will be accessed via the Apply button at the top of the page once the course is live.

If you are interested in this course and/or the SRA SQE route to qualification, please contact the Course Team by email.

Applications will close for the July 2024 intake at 9am on Monday 1 July 2024.

Please be aware that this course is subject to a minimum number of enrolments in order for the course to run.

If you are interested in joining us in January 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from mid-late July onwards - please keep an eye on this page for further details.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates’ guide. Here you’ll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.

Getting in touch

If you need any more help or information, please complete our Ask NTU form

Good luck with your application!

Applications are made through the NTU Applicant Portal. This will be accessed via the Apply button at the top of the page once the course is live.

If you are interested in this course and/or the SRA SQE route to qualification, please contact the Course Team by email.

Applications will close for the July 2024 intake at 9am on Monday 1 July 2024.

Please be aware that this course is subject to a minimum number of enrolments in order for the course to run.

If you are interested in joining us in January 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from mid-late July onwards - please keep an eye on this page for further details.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates’ guide. Here you’ll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.

Getting in touch

If you need any more help or information, please complete our Ask NTU form

Good luck with your application!