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International Students

International Students

Here at The College of Legal Practice we are pleased to be able to welcome students from all across the world. We have already welcomed students based in many different countries, including Nigeria, Singapore and Dubai.

Our learning is fully virtual and our flexible learning design means that students can make choices about when they study our courses, often around their working life as a legal professional.

On this page we have tried to address the common enquiries that we receive from international students to help you with your decision to study with the College.

FAQs

 

Do I need to attend any learning in person?

No, there are no requirements for you to be on campus or attend any learning in person.

We conduct weekly live, virtual Town Hall and Unit Surgeries during the course and while the timings of these are subject to change, they usually take place during early afternoon in the UK, however all sessions are recorded so you can watch them back at a more convenient time (and you can pose questions in advance of the sessions). 

If you are studying for the SQE assessments. The SQE2 Oral assessment requires at present travel to England & Wales.

The SQE & QWE

Many of the questions that we receive are regarding the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). For the basic information about the SQE please visit our ‘What is SQE? page which also includes specific details for international students.

There is no geographical limit on where the QWE is gained.

Any experience in legal services that helps develop the competencies found under the Statement of Solicitor Competence is potentially acceptable, wherever carried out.

Two different scenarios for sign off of QWE

1

Where there is a solicitor or compliance officer regulated in England and Wales, in the firm or entity where the experience is being obtained. The requirement of ‘supervision’ is essentially one of sign off. This does not mean that the individual signing off the work has day to day supervision of the work, rather that the person signing off QWE has evidence (whether by seeing a portfolio or being assured by firm and organisational processes that others have been supervising) in order to make an accurate declaration that the QWE has been carried out.

2

Where sign off of QWE is by a solicitor or compliance officer regulated in England and Wales, who is outside the firm or entity where the experience is being obtained.

In this case (this could for example be sign off by someone working for a partner firm or organisation), the person signing off QWE must have direct knowledge of the work of the individual carrying out QWE (so, e.g. direct conversations or contact with the supervisor or with the individual carrying out the QWE.)

In each scenario the solicitor or compliance officer signing off QWE does not have to hold a practising certificate.

What is the solicitor signing off QWE doing?

They are confirming that:

  • the length of work experience was carried out
  • that it provided the opportunity to develop some or all of the prescribed competences for solicitor
  • that no issues arose during the work experience that raise questions over the candidate's character and suitability to be admitted as a solicitor


For more information on Qualifying Work Experience - visit our dedicated page on QWE here and visit the SRA's website.

Still got a question on the SQE? Get in touch

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