PgDip Solicitors Qualifying Examination

If you’re a law graduate focused on building a career as a solicitor, the University of Bolton’s Postgraduate Diploma Solicitors Qualification Examination is ideal. Our highly experienced team will support you as you learn to apply fundamental legal principles and gain the essential legal and interpersonal skills that underpin practice as a solicitor. We offer outstanding facilities for legal learning and excellent opportunities for work experience.

What is the Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE)?

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a centralised assessment that forms part of a new route towards becoming a solicitor in England and Wales. It is administered by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Introduced in September 2021, the SQE route will eventually replace the route known as the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

Why study the SQE at the University of Bolton?

This Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) SQE course at the University of Bolton will prepare you for the SRA’s centralised SQE assessments. It’s suitable if you’re a law graduate or have completed a law conversion course.

Our School of Law team features barristers, solicitors and solicitor advocates. We are dedicated to supporting you through your legal education and preparing you for success as a fully qualified solicitor. This course covers the full spectrum of knowledge and skills required to pass the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments – please see the Teaching and Assessment section of this page for more information.

We also have a full-service Legal Advice Centre where you’ll be able to work alongside our legal professionals to build confidence, skills and hours towards your required qualifying work experience (QWE).

In addition, as a student with the School of Law, you’ll benefit from access to the full range of support services offered by the University of Bolton, including:

• Academic support to assist you in developing your skills in expressing legal concepts
• Careers guidance through our experienced career progression team
• Employment support from our employability team, who work to provide opportunities for our students to enter legal work if required.

Highlights

• Our mission to develop innovative, rewarding and career-focused training has led to our rating as second in the UK for student experience and teaching quality by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021.
• You can join our vibrant, focused and supportive community of legal scholars working towards the SQE and recognition as a solicitor.
• The School of Law’s dedicated and well-qualified team deliver teaching and supervision, drawing on their professional experience as qualified solicitors, barristers and solicitor advocates.
• The University of Bolton’s excellent libraries, 24/7 IT facilities, WiFi and learning areas are freely available for your use.
• You’ll have access to a research and study skills module to support your academic skills development.
• The programme is designed to run alongside your work commitments, allowing you to earn while you learn.

You must have already achieved a minimum of an Upper Second Class (2.1) Honours degree in a relevant discipline (with high grades in relevant modules). You should possess a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills (or equivalent). You must hold previous experience of counselling/therapy and/or client work (normally 200 hours).