How to choose an SQE1 preparation course.
When preparing for SQE1, most aspiring solicitors choose to enrol in an SQE1 training/preparation course. Others may choose to enrol in a master’s programme which incorporates SQE preparation, or they may choose to self-study.
If you are considering enrolling in an SQE1 training/preparation course, this article may be useful. It provides answers to the following questions:
What is an SQE1 training/preparation course?
What types of SQE1 training/preparation courses are on the market?
What factors should I consider when choosing an SQE1 training/preparation course?
What is an SQE1 training/preparation course?
An SQE1 training/preparation course is a course designed to help learners prepare for SQE1. Such courses are offered by different institutions, including universities.
What types of SQE1 preparation courses are on the market?
Some SQE1 preparation courses are very traditional. They include classes taught face to face or live online. Other programmes, though mainly traditional because they offer face to face teaching, include elements of online live teaching. Some institutions which offer traditional type SQE1 preparation courses include BPP and the University of Law.
To learn more about different traditional SQE1preparation courses on the market and their prices, watch this video.
There are also a number of non-traditional type SQE1 courses available on the market. These courses typically include recorded video lessons with access to workshops. While some offer tutor support, not all do. Prices range from £2,200 to £3,900.
Some providers of non-traditional type SQE1 preparation courses include Barbri, QLTS, The College of Legal Practice and The Law Training Centre. To learn more about what each of these institutions offer, including the prices of their courses, watch this video
What factors should I consider when choosing and SQE1 training/preparation courses?
When choosing an SQE1 training/preparation course, one of the first things you should consider is how much time you will need to prepare for SQE1. This involves an analysis of how many hours you can study each day and week and for how long. Once that is clear, you will need to pay close attention to the length of the courses on the market and decide which one is suitable for you.
As there are both traditional type courses and non-traditional courses on the market, you will need to decide which is better for you. This decision may be influenced by work and living arrangements and your preferred learning styles.
For example, if you work full-time and believe it would be difficult to attend classes after work, you may decide that an online course with live teaching is better for you. However, you may decide that while logistically the online live teaching sessions are better for you, you would work more effectively if you could study on your own and occasionally have tutor support when necessary. In that case, you may opt for a course which includes mainly recorded lessons.
On the other hand, another person who knows they thrive through regular feedback and interaction with a tutor, may decide the online recorded lessons are not suitable for them. They may then consider how viable it would be for them to attend face to face lessons. If it would be, they may choose to enrol in a face to face course. However, if they are working or have other commitments and believe making it to an institution would be challenging, they may choose to join a course which offers online live lessons.
Another important factor to consider is the amount of and type of support that you will be given on the courses you are considering. This is important because you will have questions that need to be answered. These questions may be academically centred, or they may be related to organising studies and or other preparations relevant to the exam.
This is especially important when considering courses that are taught live online, or those which mainly include recorded online lessons. Some online course providers offer some type of support, but this is not always offered with every single package they offer. For example, The College of Legal Practice’s SQE1 preparation course includes tutor support; QLTS offers three SQE1 preparation courses, but only one of them includes tutor support.
When considering online courses with recorded lessons, you should also pay close attention to the length of time for which access will be given to the recorded lessons. Additionally, before making payment for any course, it is worth clarifying if course materials such as books are provided with the course. If they are not, you will need to purchase extra materials for your studies, and this will affect final costs.