Routes to qualification for law
Law degrees at Bristol are based around the ‘seven foundations of legal knowledge’, providing you with the necessary skills to take the next step in your legal career, whether that is to become a solicitor, barrister or something else entirely. Learning alongside world-renowned academics will get you noticed by top international law firms - with the knowledge and skills to articulate and critique how the law can tackle some of society's biggest challenges.
What does the Solicitors' Qualifying Exam (SQE) mean for me?
The definition from the SRA website reads, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, or SQE, is the assessment for all aspiring solicitors in England and Wales. It is designed to assure consistent, high standards for all qualifying solicitors.
The SQE is split into two assessments - SQE1 and SQE2.
From 1 September 2021, to qualify you will need to:
- have a degree in any subject (or equivalent qualification or work experience)
- pass both stages of the SQE assessment - SQE1 focuses on functioning legal knowledge and SQE2 on practical legal skills and knowledge
- have two years' Qualifying Work Experience
- meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements
Learn more: How the SQE works
What does the Bar Training Course (BTC) mean for me?
A career as a barrister can be very varied and rewarding. However, becoming a barrister is highly competitive. There are many more people who want to become barristers than places available.
There are three components to training to become a barrister. These are:
- the academic component;
- the vocational component, and
- the pupillage or work-based learning component.
1. Your Law Degree must include the seven foundations of legal knowledge and the skills associated with graduate legal work such as legal research.
2. You must join an Inn before you start vocational training but you can join earlier if you wish.
3. Some AETOs offer courses which allow you to combine the academic and vocational components of Bar training. Some incorporate an undergraduate law degree and some are designed as postgraduate courses which you can study if you have a non-law degree.
4. You may start the first six-month period of pupillage before being Called to the Bar but you will not be able to start your second six-month period unless you have been Called, because your second six involves you practising as a barrister under the supervision of your Pupil Supervisor.
Find out more on the Bar Standards Board website.