- Level
- Master Degree
- Duration
- 1 year master degree
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreSep 2027
- Field
- Law, Politics, and Public Administration
- Institution
- Public University
- Offer speed
- Superfast Offer Speed2–3 days
Program overview
A one year master of laws preparing for both stages of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, covering legal practice areas, professional conduct and practical legal skills assessment.
Master of Laws in Legal Practice with SQE1 and SQE2 Preparation is aimed at the route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales, which replaced the old training model in 2021.
Master of Laws in Legal Practice with SQE1 and SQE2 Preparation is taught at the Birmingham City University, a UK university with degree awarding powers. Because the SQE preparation master is a degree, it supports an application under the UK Graduate Route, which gives two years of unsponsored work in Britain after the SQE preparation master ends, or three years for a doctorate. To claim it after the SQE preparation master you must be inside the UK on a valid student visa when you apply. One limit applies to the SQE preparation master as to every taught course in Britain: the rules introduced in January 2024 stop taught students bringing a spouse or children as dependants, so the SQE preparation master cannot support a family move.
Applicants to Master of Laws in Legal Practice with SQE1 and SQE2 Preparation need a bachelor degree with a minimum of 70 percent. The English requirement is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, and tuition for the SQE preparation master is recorded at GBP 20,370 a year. BCU charges no application fee, so applying for the SQE preparation master costs you nothing, and no scholarship is recorded against it. the SQE preparation master lists three September entry windows, in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Apply Study Visa manages the the SQE preparation master application, the deposit, the offer, the CAS and the UK student visa as one process.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: A completed bachelor degree from a recognised university, at the percentage stated.
- English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 86 with reading 18, writing 17, speaking 20 and listening 17; or PTE Academic 59 with no component below 59. The Duolingo English Test is NOT accepted.
- Application and deposit: BCU charges NO application fee, so applying costs you nothing. Confirm the tuition deposit and its refundability in writing before any money is transferred.
- Scholarship: No scholarship is recorded against this course. Budget the full tuition.
- Additional requirement: This course prepares for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. The SQE assessments and the two years of qualifying work experience are separate from the degree and administered by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
- Graduate Route: the SQE preparation master is a degree, so it supports a UK Graduate Route application giving two years of unsponsored work after you finish. You must apply from inside the UK on a valid student visa. Students on taught courses cannot bring a spouse or children as dependants under the January 2024 rules.
- Student visa: Apply Study Visa prepares the CAS request, the financial evidence and the UK student visa submission with you.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Trainee Solicitor: subject to SQE passes and qualifying work experience
- Paralegal: law firms and in house teams
- Legal Executive: after CILEX or equivalent
- Compliance Officer: regulated firms
- Legal Researcher: practices and chambers
- Solicitor: after qualifying work experience
Reality check: this degree prepares for the SQE but does not include the examinations, and qualifying also requires two years of qualifying work experience arranged separately.
About Birmingham City University (BCU)
- Type
- University
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.7
- World rank
- #1189
- Established
- 1843
- Reference No.
- 10007140
