Are you ready for the next step of your exciting journey to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales? The Solicitor’s Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a big part of the process. The SQE assessments comprise of two components, SQE1 and SQE2. If you are wondering, "When are the upcoming SQE exams?" you’re in the right place! In this article we outline all the important SQE exam dates straight from the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA). As providers of SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses, we’ve also clearly outlined the best courses to take that prepare you in time for your chosen exam date.
Remember, you must complete SQE1 before taking SQE2 unless you have specific exemption from the SRA for SQE1. If you are taking your exams outside of the UK, double-check your timings as these can vary internationally.
SQE1
SQE1 runs twice a year, in January and July. It is split into two assessments: FLK1, and FLK2.
For this exam, we recommend our SQE1 prep course. We also offer an LLM programme that includes SQE prep for those interested in gaining a Master's degree alongside their SQE preparation. Please note that this course lasts 1-2 years, depending on whether you choose the part-time or full-time option.
Our SQE1 preparation courses run year round, and are offered as a full time 13-week option, a part time 20-week option, and a part time 40-week option. Read more information about each course.
July 2026 SQE1 exam:
- Dates: FLK1: 13-17 July 2026 / FLK2: 20-24 July 2026
- Booking opening: TBC
- Booking close: TBC
- Results date: 8 September 2026
Our full time, 13-week SQE1 prep course for this assessment is running from the 30 March to the 26 June 2026 - applications close 16 March 2026. This course is the best option for you if you can dedicate 35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying.
Our LLM in Legal Practice includes preparation for both SQE1 and SQE2 examinations. Both the full and part-time study options allow you to prepare for the July SQE1 exam. Our full-time LLM for this assessment date begins on 30 March 2026, and applications close on 16 March 2026. Our part time offer for this assessment is now closed.
January 2027 SQE1 exam:
- Dates: FLK1: 11-15 January 2027 / FLK2: 18-22 January 2027
- Booking opening: TBC
- Booking close: TBC
- Results date: TBC
Our full time, 13-week SQE1 prep course for this assessment is running from 21 September to the 18 December 2026. Applications close on 7 September 2026. Our part time, 20-week course runs from the 3 August 2026 to 18 December 2026, and applications close on 20 July 2026. Our full time course is the best option for you if you can dedicate 35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying. Our part time course requires 15-20 study hours per week so better fits if your commitments take up half of your working week.
Our extended part time, 40-week courses for this assessment begins on the 16 March 2026 and ends on 18 December 2026. Applications close on 2 March 2026.
Our LLM in Legal Practice includes preparation for both SQE1 and SQE2 examinations. Both the full and part time study options allow you to prepare for the January 2027 SQE1 exam. Our full-time LLM for this assessment date begins on 21 September 2026, and applications close on 7 September 2026. Our part time offer for this assessment begins on 3 August 2026, applications close 20 July 2026.
July 2027 SQE1 exam:
- Dates: FLK1: 12-16 July 2027/ FLK2: 19-23 July 2027
- Booking opening: TBC
- Booking close: TBC
- Results date: 8 September 2026
Our full time, 13-week and part time 20 week SQE1 prep courses for this assessment are not yet open for applications - check our course calendar for updates. Both courses are the best option for you if you can dedicate 35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying.
Our extended part time, 40-week courses for this assessment begins in September 2026 and ends in June 2027. Applications open soon, keep an eye on our calendar for updates.
Our LLM in Legal Practice includes preparation for both SQE1 and SQE2 examinations. Both the full and part time study options allow you to prepare for the July 2027 SQE1 exam. Our full time LLM will begin on the 21 September 2026, and our part time will begin in August 2026.
SQE2
SQE2 assessments run four times a year in January, April, July and October. They comprise of two components - a written exam, and an oral exam. The oral assessments take place at exam centres in Birmingham, London, Cardiff and Manchester. Written assessments are at Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and across the world, more details on the SQE2 centres can be found here.
April 2026 SQE2 exam:
Oral dates:
- First Sitting: 5-6 May 2026
- Second Sitting: 7-8 May 2026
- Third Sitting: 12-13 May 2026
- Fourth Sitting: 14-15 May 2026
Written dates:
- Dates: 28-30 April 2026
- Booking opening: 29 January 2026
- Booking close: 30 March 2026
- Results date: 27 August 2026
Our 10-week full time, 20-week part time and extended 40-week part time SQE2 prep courses that best prepare you for this exam have now closed.
July 2026 SQE2 exam:
Oral dates:
- First Sitting: 4-5 August 2026
- Second Sitting: 6-7 August 2026
Written dates:
- Dates: 28-30 July 2026
- Booking opening: TBC
- Booking close: TBC
- Results date: 17 November 2026
If you’re looking to take the SQE2 assessment in this sitting, our full time, 10-week SQE2 prep course best coincides with this sitting and runs from 20 April 2026 to the 26 June 2026. Applications close on 6 April 2026. This is the best option for you if you can dedicate 30-35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying.
Our part time 20-week and extended part time, 40-week SQE2 prep courses have now closed.
October 2026 SQE2 exam:
Oral dates:
- First Sitting: 3-4 November 2026
- Second Sitting: 5-6 November 2026
- Third Sitting: 10-11 November 2026
Written dates:
- Dates: 27-29 October 2026
- Booking opening: TBC
- Booking close: TBC
- Results date: 23 February 2027
If you’re looking to take the SQE2 assessment in this sitting, our full time, 10-week SQE2 prep course best coincides with this and will run from 13 July 2026 to 18 September 2026. Applications close 29 June 2026. This is the best option for you if you can dedicate 30-35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying.
Our part time, 20-week SQE2 prep course for this sitting will run from the 4 May 2026 to 18 September 2026. Applications close 20 April 2026. Our extended part time, 40-week SQE2 prep course for this sitting is now closed.
January 2027 SQE2 exam:
Oral dates:
- First Sitting: 4th - 5th August
- Second Sitting: 6th-7th August
Written dates:
- Dates: 28th-30th July 2026
- Booking opening: TBC
- Booking close: TBC
- Results date: TBC
If you’re looking to take the SQE2 assessment in this sitting, our full time, 10-week SQE2 prep course that best coincides with this will run from 12 October 2026 to 18 December 2026. Applications close 28 September 2026. This is the best option for you if you can dedicate 30- 35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying.
Our part time, 20-week SQE2 prep course for this sitting will run from 3 August 2026 to 18 December 2026. Applications close 20 July 2026. Our extended part time, 40-week SQE2 prep course for this sitting will run from 16 March 2026 to 18 December 2026, applications close on the 2 March 2026.
April 2027 SQE2 exam:
Oral dates:
- First Sitting: 26-27 April 2027
- Second Sitting: 28-29 April 2027
- Third Sitting: 11-12 May 2027
- Fourth Sitting: 13-14 May 2027
Written dates:
- Dates: 20-22 April 2027
- Booking opening: TBC
- Booking close: TBC
- Results date: TBC
If you’re looking to take the SQE2 assessment in this sitting, our full time, 10-week SQE2 prep course that best coincides with this sitting is not yet open. This is the best option for you if you can dedicate 30-35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying.
Our part time, 20-week SQE2 prep course for this sitting will run from 9 November 2026 to 9 April 2027. Applications close 26 October 2026. Our extended part time, 40-week SQE2 prep course for this sitting will run from 22 June 2026 to 9 April 2027, applications close on 8 June 2026.
July 2027 SQE2 exam:
Oral dates:
- First Sitting: 27-28 July 2027
- Second Sitting: 29-30 July
Written dates:
- Dates: 3-5 August 2027
- Booking opening: TBC
- Booking close: TBC
- Results date: TBC
If you’re looking to take the SQE2 assessment in this sitting, our full time, 10-week SQE2 prep course that best coincides with this sitting is not yet open. This is the best option for you if you can dedicate 30-35 hours per week to study, and want to take on the quickest possible route to qualifying.
Our part time, 20-week SQE2 prep course is not yet open. Our extended part time, 40-week SQE2 prep course for this sitting will run from 7 September 2026 to 25 June 2027. Applications close on 24 August 2026.
More resources
Ready to start your SQE journey? Visit our SQE hub for comprehensive guides to the assessment or view our SQE preparation courses.
Published January 2026.
The information on this page was correct at the time of publishing.