Reddit Roundup: August 2024

By April Baniqued. Published 30 August 2024.

Here are the questions: 

1. Is it possible to study for the SQE1 alongside a full-time job? 
2. Can you apply through Clearing even if you have an offer? 
3. How can I support my loved one who is going through Clearing? 
4. What are you supposed to do at a law fair as a first-year law student?  

Is it possible to study for the SQE1 alongside a full-time job? 

It is possible. Many of our students study alongside a full-time career, but the course is demanding and you need to have realistic expectations about how much time you can commit to multiple things at once. 

We understand every person has different responsibilities, so we offer different course lengths and study methods to provide flexibility. We have both part-time and full-time study options, and a choice of on-campus and online study locations. Here is a breakdown of our SQE courses. 

There are benefits to all these options. The one you choose will depend on your priorities. With a full-time job, you may consider the part-time study option so you can space out your study and work time more easily. 

Remember to carefully do your research to understand what the SQE is, what the SQE1 portion involves and how it will fit alongside your lifestyle. Here is some key information: 

• The SQE is the new centralised way to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. It includes two assessments: SQE1 and SQE2.
• The SQE1 examines your Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK). It is made up of two exams: FLK1 and FLK2. These exams span over two days, each lasting 5 hours and 6 minutes. The exams are computer-based and test you using specialised multiple-choice questions. You’ll be given several realistic scenarios and will be tasked to choose the best answer. There are 180 questions in each exam. You can see the topics for each part on the SRA page. 

Here is some advice if you decide to study the SQE1 alongside a full-time job: 

Schedule your time 

It is worth having a calendar or diary so you can jot down all your commitments. 

You’ll need to block time for things such as: 

• work schedule
• class times
• independent study time 
• assignment deadlines 
• other commitments e.g. childcare 

Don’t forget to also schedule your leisure time. As important as it is to study, maintaining your well-being is also imperative. Take the breaks you need. 

Plan your annual leave 

Consider how much annual leave you have and carefully plan when you’ll take time off to study and take your assessments. You can maximise your study time by combining your annual leave with public holidays and weekends. 

When preparing for your SQE1 exams, it is worth booking off the week ahead of your assessment period. This way, you can make sure you have time to study and mentally prepare yourself.  

You can choose when you’d like to take your SQE1 exams from several dates throughout the year. You can see the available dates through the SRA website. 

Get support from your employer 

Do some research on your work’s study policies and talk to your manager about your study commitments so they can understand how they can best support you. 

Here are some things you may want to request: 

• changing your work schedule so you can study more 
• asking if you can work from home occasionally to reduce commute time 
• flexibility around project scheduling to align with assessments and study deadlines. 

Explain how studying will help enhance your skills and abilities for your current role. 

Our May Reddit Roundup covers the process of becoming a solicitor in more detail.  

For more SQE assistance, you can check our SQE Explained page or download our SQE guide. 

Can you apply through Clearing even if you have an offer? 

Yes. Clearing is also available for those who have changed their minds with their original offer. This can be because they want to go to a different university, take a different course and many other reasons. 

If you have already accepted an offer but no longer want to go ahead with that choice, you will have to first decline your firm and insurance choices so you can request to be released into Clearing. You can do this by self-releasing on the UCAS Hub or talking directly to the university with the original offer. It is advisable to talk to the university. After doing this, your UCAS status will change, and you can add a Clearing choice. 

You can call us to answer your Clearing questions on our Clearing hotline: 0800 009 3375. It is normal to be nervous but there is no need to worry, we are here to support you. Feel free to have someone with you during the call to help ease the pressure. 

You can see our full Clearing vacancy list on the UCAS website. Regularly check this as new places will be added when they become available. This will also include the entry requirements for the courses (you will be redirected to our individual course pages). If you don’t meet the entry requirement, you can still call our Clearing hotline, we have plenty of options to help you with your education. 

If you’ve been offered a verbal offer after calling our Clearing hotline, we will give you details to use on the UCAS Hub. On the website, add the course as your Clearing option in the ‘Your Choices’ section. 

How can I support my loved one who is going through Clearing? 

There are many ways you can support your loved ones during the Clearing period. Here are a few: 

Research the universities and courses 

There are many universities and courses available through Clearing. Remind your loved one to take their time when researching what’s available. There are lots of things to consider, including:.  

• Which course are they interested in? 
• Are the course modules of interest? 
• Will it be full-time/part-time/weekend study mode? 
• Online or in-campus?
• What are the entry requirements? 

With so much to think about, they should jot down the information. They can even ‘like’ specific universities on their UCAS account, so it is easier for them to return to the specific pages. 

One of the most important things to have them consider is the WHY. When calling up the universities, they need to be ready to express their interest. Have them write this down before the call. You can even practice with them so it’s less daunting. 

Call up the universities 

Whilst you can’t call any universities on behalf of your loved one, you can help them prepare for the calls they need to make to secure a space.  

You can let them know the things they need on hand during the call, which is their: 

• Personal ID number
• Clearing number
• Grades/UCAS Tariff points 

They may be calling several universities, so help them write down the universities, their phone numbers, the course codes and titles, and leave room for any notes. This will help them focus on each call, rather than going back and forth checking who they’re talking to. 

Emotional support 

One of the best ways to support the applicant is by just being there. Ask them directly how you can help. They may want to go out for a coffee just to talk through their emotions, receive help with researching the Clearing process or have some encouragement that it will all be okay. 

We know Clearing is a huge topic, so we have a dedicated Clearing FAQ page available on our website. 

What are you supposed to do at a law fair as a first-year law student? 

Attending a law fair as a first-year law student provides you with the perfect opportunity to plan for your future. They are an excellent way to get information on: 

• Different careers
• Companies
• Work experience opportunities
• Tips for extracurricular activities. 

Speak to firms you’re interested in 

Research ahead of time who is attending the fair and focus on the firms or societies that interest you the most. If you’re looking to boost your CV and work your way towards a specific firm, find out if they offer any schemes or insight days that are specifically aimed at first-year students. These will give you a foot in the door at your chosen firm, boost your experience and put you ahead of the game when applying for vacation schemes.  

Network 

Walking into a room of strangers and starting a conversation can feel daunting, but remember, you’re all there for the same reason; to either become, or find, the next generation of elite legal professionals. The exhibitors want to talk to you, so take a deep breath and get stuck in. If you get on well with anyone or have an interest in the company or society, remember to follow and interact with them on LinkedIn.

You can learn more about how to impress at a law fair now.