I’m Aleksandra, a newly qualified solicitor now working in commercial litigation at a mid-sized international law firm in the UK. I recently completed the LLM in Legal Practice with The College of Legal Practice, which included preparation for both SQE1 and SQE2.
Originally, I trained in Poland and gained legal experience there as both a law firm assistant and a judicial assistant. That early exposure to the courtroom - supporting judges with case prep - has proved really valuable in my current litigation work. But when I decided to move to the UK, I knew I needed a new route to qualification without having to start from scratch.
Why did you choose The College of Legal Practice for your SQE prep?
I was already working full-time when I decided to start preparing for the SQE. I wanted a course that’d fit around my job and support me through the process. The College’s fully online model, flexible course structures, and clear study plan made it a strong choice and the affordability and option to pay in instalments really helped too.
I went for the full-time LLM, which includes both SQE1 and SQE2 prep, plus two practical modules and a research project. I was working 9 to 5, studying in the early mornings and late into the evenings, and occasionally squeezing in study blocks on weekends. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend working full-time while doing a full-time course, but for me, it was about pushing through and not prolonging the journey any further.
The calendar and structure provided by the College were invaluable. I could log in on a Sunday and see exactly what was coming up in the week ahead. That let me plan out my time, and even manage expectations with my employer.
What was the LLM experience like?
The LLM gave me much more than just exam preparation. The transactional modules, for example, were very useful in terms of real legal practice, especially now that I’m working in commercial litigation.
The College also assigns you a personal supervisor who tracks your progress and supports you all the way through. When I was preparing for SQE2, I wasn’t sure if I’d be ready for the April sitting. My supervisor reviewed my assessments, went over my average grades, and gave me the confidence to go for it and I passed.
What advice would you give international students thinking about the SQE?
Firstly, start early! Especially if your degree is from outside the UK, the SRA’s recognition process can take months, up to 180 days in some cases. Don’t wait until you’ve passed your exams to start those admin tasks. Set up your MySRA account early and get ahead on the paperwork, like degree verification and character disclosures.
Second, understand what’s being assessed. SQE1 is very knowledge-based, with 360 multiple choice questions that test your ability to apply legal principles to tricky factual situations. SQE2 is a completely different style, more practical, focused on oral and written legal skills, and you need to take the oral exams in person in the UK. So if you’re studying from abroad, factor in travel time and costs.
Lastly, be honest with yourself about your capacity. If you’re working full-time, part-time study may be more realistic. There’s no point in rushing if it compromises your wellbeing or your results. You want the best chance of success, and that means planning wisely.