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Online SQE 1 Preparation Course

About this course

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.

We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.

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 Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) preparation courses.

Christopher Ratcliffe - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham Law School

Christopher Ratcliffe is a Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Law School, NTU and 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: postgraduate and undergraduate teaching of law; Applied Legal Knowledge; Solicitors' and Barristers' professional qualification training.

Helen Swift - Lecturer

Nottingham Law School

Helen Nicholson is a Lecturer at Nottingham Law School.

Careers and employability

Qualification

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.

Please note, successful completion of this course does not lead to automatic qualification as a solicitor or a barrister in England and Wales.

Qualifying Work Experience

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 students

UK applicants will be eligible to enrol on this course if they have either a relevant qualification or work experience in a legal role. Please look at the additional requirements for more information.

International students

International applicants will be eligible to enrol on this course if they have either a relevant qualification or work experience in a legal role. Please look at the additional requirements for more information.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.
  • £4,700

This course is not eligible for the postgraduate student loan.

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

Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.
  • £4,700

This course is not eligible for the postgraduate student loan.

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

Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Most modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential textbooks, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) - meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

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.

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

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.

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

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!