MA Law (SQE1)

Course Details

MA Law (SQE1)

Our MA Law (SQE1) is a conversion course designed for non-law graduates. On successful completion of this course, including the SQE1 assessments, you will gain an internationally recognised Master’s qualification.

Although there is no longer a formal requirement for qualification as a solicitor, this course will give learners the academic legal knowledge they need (as part of Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) for SQE1) and will encourage learners to think like a lawyer from the start.

This MA Law conversion course also develops the key professional skills and behaviours required by lawyers, alongside skills required to pass professional examinations for qualification as a solicitor. In all modules there is a focus on combining knowledge and understanding of core areas of law with the ability to analyse, evaluate and form critical judgements about the law. Study is centred on practical activities that enable students to learn by doing to help them thrive as a lawyer in a work environment.

Many employers value the combination of a non-law undergraduate area of expertise combined with the solid grounding in core legal principles and legal skills, provided by a law conversion course.

Why choose the MA LAW (SQE1) course?

• Learn to think like a lawyer and develop practical legal skills through practical workshops and problem-based learning.
• Be ready to progress your legal training – this course includes the SQE1 Preparation Course which will prepare you for the SQE1 assessments. Once you complete this course, you will then be ready to progress onto our SQE2 Preparation Course.
• The Law of Organisations module focuses on company and partnership law - ideal preparation for your late studies and practice
  
• With one of the largest legal careers services in the UK, ULaw gives you the support and the Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) opportunities you need to make the best start in your legal career.
• Experience of working in practice. You’ll learn in the context of our virtual law firm, ULaw LLP. ULaw LLP replicates the working environment of a law firm and students perform real world tasks on simulated cases, deals and transactions, as if they were in the office.
• Brand new resources, developed specifically for SQE by our expert lecturers. You’ll be provided with all course materials, including:
  • an extensive bank of practice exam questions
  • ULaw SQE – our intelligent revision app provides practice tests and feedback
  • brand new online study manuals
• In depth guidance and support from our experienced lecturers, who will monitor your progress and give feedback using predictive analytics, so you’ll know where to focus.
• Taught by qualified lawyers, with lectures and practical workshops to develop your legal skills, so you’ll know what to expect in a real-life work environment.
• Our online programmes will save you the time and money on commuting to and from campus and allow you to study anywhere, across devices, however you can be reassured that the course won’t be compromised on quality or be less demanding than our on campus courses
• Flexible study - We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why we offer a wide range of study modes (full-time, part-time, on campus, online) across our courses to provide you with the greatest choice and flexibility you need to succeed in your studies. 
• We have a vast network in the legal industry and deliver training to 91 of the top 100 law firms, with exclusive relationships with 61 of the top UK law firms and many of the most prestigious US firms.
• Receive four weeks of guaranteed Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). Get hands-on legal work experience working with real clients in our Legal Advice Clinics. You’ll get to see how a case progresses in practice and how the skills that you will learn are relevant in a practical context.

Our years of experience in training more practising lawyers in the UK than any other law school has helped our students go on to succeed in law, business, politics and more. We believe in training students for the real world from the moment they accept a place with us.

Not sure if this course is right for you? Download our free guide, An SQE Course for Everyone, to find your path to becoming a solicitor.

*All eligible cohorts contacted, results based on over 1,800 responses.

Access to the SQE app

Students studying our MA Law (SQE1) course will receive access to our intelligent SQE revision app ULaw SQE whilst studying the SQE1 component of the course. The app is designed to help prepare and embed your Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK), ready to take on the SQE1 assessments.

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Course Structure

Required pre-course study

The Law & Constitution Module element requires 25 hours of pre-course study in English Legal System & Constitutional Law (including EU Law), through guided module units with all materials provided online.

Modules

The modules you’ll study during the course are:

• English Legal System and Constitutional Law (including EU Law) (15 credits)
• Tort Law (15 credits)
• Contract Law (15 credits)
• Criminal Law (15 credits)
• Administrative Law and Human Rights (15 credits)
• Land Law (15 credits)
• Equity and Trusts (15 credits)
• Law of Organisations (15 credits)
• Skills and Behaviours (non-credit-bearing)
  
  
• SQE1 (60 credits):
  • Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 1 (Business, Legal Services, Dispute Resolution)
  • Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 2 (Property Law and Practice, Wills, Solicitors’ Accounts, Criminal Practice)

This course develops the key intellectual and personal skills required by lawyers, alongside skills required to pass professional examinations for qualification as a solicitor.

All modules focus on combining knowledge and understanding of core areas of law with the ability to analyse, evaluate and form critical judgements about the law. Study is centred on practical activities that enable students to learn by doing. Workshops involve students completing further practice based tasks, including an application of FLK to Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs).

Alongside academic modules, students will engage in a Skills and Behaviours module, allowing you to recognise and develop key professional and personal attributes necessary to thrive as a lawyer in a work environment, and to manage your career.

The SQE1 Preparation Course will also prepare you for the SQE1 assessments, which will test your FLK.

On successful completion of this course, including the SQE1 assessments, you will gain an internationally recognised Master’s qualification.

Course Start Dates

January 2025

• MA Law (SQE 1)
  • Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Egham (Royal Holloway), Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Reading
  • Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury
  • Part-time Weekend: London Bloomsbury and Manchester

September 2025

• MA Law (SQE 1)
  • Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield
  • Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury and London Moorgate
  • Part-time Weekend: Birmingham, London Bloomsbury, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham

January 2026

• MA Law (SQE 1)
  • Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield
  • Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury and London Moorgate
  • Part-time Weekend: London Bloomsbury, Manchester and Newcastle

Online

Study MA Law (SQE1) Online starting January 2025, September 2025 or January 2026

Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)

As part of the new SQE route to practice, you must complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) which can be completed with up to four employers.

For all students on this course, we’re offering you the chance to complete four weeks of QWE within our Legal Advice Clinics*.

How it works

You’ll get the opportunity to work on a range of real-life cases by providing free legal advice and representation to members of the public.

Throughout the programme you’ll get to put the theory and skills you have learnt into practice. You’ll be able to demonstrate your ability to deal with a number of processes such as triaging, conflict checks, familiarisation with Case Management Systems, client meetings and interviews, drafting letters, research and ensuring solicitor competencies.

At each stage you will be closely supervised by a qualified Supervising Solicitor to ensure what you are doing and the advice you are giving is correct.

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^{*On enrolment to the course, you’ll get the opportunity to opt-in to complete QWE within our Legal Advice Clinics.}

Get to know our lecturers

Hear from our lecturers about what makes law conversion a fascinating path to study leading to a fulfilling and dynamic career.

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