Dr Morag Duffin, Director of Student Success, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at ULaw, reflects on the findings around minority group performance under the new assessment regime

In 2021 the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) began the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) with two initial primary objectives. Firstly, greater assurance of consistent, high standards at the point of admission. Secondly, the development of new and diverse pathways to qualification to promote a diverse profession by removing artificial and unjustifiable barriers.

Since the first SRA publication of SQE results by demographic groups, the legal sector (including the SRA itself) has grown increasingly concerned about the pass rate trends for certain demographic groups. Of particular concern is the pass rate gap (or using SRA terminology ‘differential outcomes by ethnicity’) between White students and students from minoritised ethnicities.

From legal secretary, to employment lawyer, to SQE senior tutor, Joanne White has seen it all. We sat down with BARBRI’s SQE2 lead to hear her top tips for success

When she left school at 16, Joanne White had no plans to qualify as a lawyer. Now, with 15 years of experience in practice behind her, she is helping the next generation of students take their first steps into the profession as senior tutor and SQE2 lead at BARBRI.

“I took a bit of an alternative route into the legal profession” Joanne tells me, “I left school at 16 and didn’t go to college or university at that time. I left home and became a secretary.” While continuing to work full-time, Joanne eventually went back to night school to do her A levels followed by a law degree. Joanne completed her law degree while working as a secretary in a law firm, who then encouraged her to take the LPC. “I had never intended to do the LPC, I just wanted to see if I could get a degree!” she says. Nine years after she started night school to pick up her studies, Joanne was a qualified employment lawyer.

Having spent 15 years as a practising lawyer, Joanne moved into legal education in 2019. She finds that her unconventional route to qualification has motivated her to inspire others in a similar position to enter the profession. The route that I took was so laborious: it took me nine years as I was also working full-time, and I didn’t have a cheerleader,” she explains, “It’s rewarding for me and beneficial to others to share my experience, showing that you can work full time and study part time, and that you can get through the tough times – of which there are many!” It is these aspiring lawyers that the SQE aims to assist:

“The SQE was designed to encourage people from all walks of life to enter the law: some career-changers, some older candidates, some people from deprived backgrounds – I tick all of those boxes. It makes me a person who can share that experience, to help people get through what can be a challenging route to qualification.”

When speaking to students struggling to balance SQE preparation with their other commitments – whether that’s family life or a full-time job – Joanne feels her own experience can offer a source of confidence. “It’s easy to start thinking: Is this really for me? Can I do this? Am I just kidding myself?” she says, “being a cheerleader for those people, showing them it can be done – and I’m the proof – is really rewarding and students are grateful for it.”

So how does BARBRI’s online model make studying easier for those students balancing busy lives? “The online platform is very clearly set out,” Joanne responds. “The last thing you want if you’re tired and overwhelmed is to be thinking: Where do I even start? The simplicity of the platform is very valuable.” BARBRI also offer tailored support to each of their students. “Even though it’s an online course, the support is extensive,” Joanne tells me. “We have regular checkups with our students. If we see students’ grades are falling, we will check in with them to make sure everything’s okay. We have weekly strategy sessions where students can come and ask questions. We have tutor calls where students have a one-on-one with a tutor and can talk about their personal experience.”

SQE2 can sometimes seem particularly daunting for students as it takes a slightly different form from exams students may be familiar with. I ask Joanne to explain how this exam is different. “SQE1 is all about black letter law and that’s what most law students are comfortable doing: learn the law, learn the law, learn the law,” she replies. “SQE2 takes a little bit of that law – not all of it – and uses it to test students in six different skills.” These skills are client interview, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research, legal writing and legal drafting.

“The way to approach SQE2 is practice, practice, practice,” says Joanne. “At BARBRI, we give you 48 different practice assessments during your course. It’s not all about learning the law, although you might have to top up your knowledge, it’s about practising those skills. That’s the key difference between SQE1 and SQE2.”

One element of SQE2 that may seem particularly daunting for students is the oral assessments, where you are assessed on advocacy and client interview skills. Joanne assures me that students need not dread these assessments. “Students really fear the oral exams but, in reality, they often perform better in the oral exams than in the written.” She describes how practising exam techniques through role-play gets results, “Students are nervous at the beginning, but they always improve,” she says. The key with these assessments is confidence. “Often, it’s not about lack of ability, but lack of confidence. The ability is there but we need to get the confidence up – when the students improve their confidence, they thrive,” Joanne explains.

In terms of the skill that presents the most difficulty to students in their exam, Joanne mentions legal research. “There is a real skill to legal research. In practice as a lawyer, you get hours to do it — days even — but in SQE2 you have just one hour.” I ask how students can best approach this paper. “The key is time management,” is Joanne’s answer. “As lawyers we tend to be perfectionists; we want to do a perfect job”. The challenge for students is to know when it is good enough to hit the marking criteria and not waste time aiming for perfection – there simply isn’t the time in SQE2.”

So how can candidates prepare for these exams successfully? “Consistency is key. You have just got to keep going because it’s all about practice.” Joanne would also remind students to be resilient when things aren’t going to plan. “Your assessment grades will go up and down. Many students get deflated when there’s a dip in their grades. It’s important to take the rough with the smooth.”

As we wrap up our conversation, Joanne shares one last piece of advice for students approaching their SQE: “Trust the process.” “The BARBRI course has been very carefully compiled with success in mind, and our pass rates demonstrate that,” she elaborates. “Yes, it seems daunting; yes, it’s going to be hard work, but it’s absolutely doable if you follow our process and are consistent in your approach.” She also reminds students that they are not alone: “Make use of our support resources and engage with the course. If you do those things, you will set yourself up to pass the exam.”

Joanne White will be speaking at TOMORROW’S Legal Cheek virtual event, “SQE2 success stories: Sharing student strategies — with BARBRI” at 4pm. Apply now to attend.

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Claire Flores, head of student sales at BARBRI, discusses qualifying via the SQE, the global appeal of US law firms, and how aspiring solicitors can stand out in a competitive market

If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about six-figure salaries, skyscraper offices, and glamorous cross-border deals, you’re not alone. The appeal of US-headquartered law firms has never been stronger among aspiring solicitors in the UK — especially those thinking about qualifying via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). But how do you actually get there?

Ahead of our virtual event How to qualify, apply and work for a US law firm — with BARBRI this afternoon (Tuesday 22 April), we caught up with Claire Flores, Head of Student Sales at global legal education provider BARBRI. A US-qualified lawyer herself, Flores now works with students across multiple jurisdictions, from London to New York to Mexico City, helping them navigate the path to qualification.

Her career journey, much like the legal profession itself, has been anything but linear. “I actually did my undergraduate at the University of Arkansas in marketing management and economics,” she tells Legal Cheek Careers. “But I always felt called to law — it offered a sense of purpose. I loved the complexity of US constitutional law and the academic challenge of it.”

She went on to study for her juris doctorate at Saint Louis University, later passing the bar exam using BARBRI’s prep course. “I’d worked for BARBRI as a student ambassador and later as head ambassador during law school. So, when I passed the bar, they offered me a full-time role, and it felt like the perfect blend of my interests in business, law, and education.”

Flores initially worked with law schools across the US Midwest, but as BARBRI expanded internationally, she was invited to support their London office. “In 2017 and 2018, I spent summers in London helping grow our presence here. At that time, we were promoting the US bar to international markets, but we also had our eyes on the UK — and when the SQE was announced, it was a natural fit.”

By 2020, BARBRI had launched its SQE1 Prep course in time for the 2021 exams, drawing on its expertise in multiple-choice legal testing, a format it had mastered through decades of US bar prep. “There was a clear synergy,” says Flores. “The SRA looked to the US bar exam when designing the SQE, and we already had the infrastructure and expertise in place. It made sense for us to step into the space.”

So, what is it that makes US law firms so attractive to UK students, particularly those looking to qualify via the SQE? “There’s quite a presence of US and internationally-founded firms operating in the UK,” says Flores. “They offer incredibly competitive training and opportunities, and I think that’s very appealing to the new generation of lawyers. The client work is interesting, the case work is challenging, and there’s often a strong culture of high performance.”

She adds that globalisation is driving much of the demand. “Law is becoming more complex as the world becomes more interconnected. That means more cross-border matters, more collaboration between offices, and more international mobility for lawyers. And firms that operate globally are looking for trainees who can operate in that space.”
The SQE route, she explains, fits well with this evolving legal landscape. “It’s flexible and accessible — whether you come from a law background or not, you can qualify through the SQE and tailor the journey around your own circumstances.”

She also highlights the benefits of BARBRI’s SQE Prep course for students targeting top firms. “Our training is deliberately structured to be direct and effective,” she explains. “Whether you’re juggling work, care responsibilities, or other commitments, the programme helps you focus on what you actually need to know, so you can open up time for practical experience or firm placements.”

Flores is especially passionate about the rise in dual qualification — something she’s spoken about recently at events at the British Embassies in Paris and Mexico City. “English law is used globally, especially in arbitration and cross-border transactions. So, it comes as no surprise that international lawyers are increasingly looking to add England and Wales to their qualifications.”

She says many of the lawyers she speaks to cite similar motivations. “The lawyers who are dual qualified all say that having that comparative legal knowledge makes them better lawyers. They’re better able to advise clients, spot issues across systems, and build credibility, both academically and professionally.”

Having worked with thousands of BARBRI students over the years, Flores has a solid sense of what sets the most successful ones apart. “Discipline and dedication are essential — you can’t get through the SQE or the bar exam without those,” she says. “But the students who thrive at the top firms also know who they are. They know their strengths and can present them clearly to a recruiter.”

That doesn’t mean having your whole career mapped out from day one, she adds. “I always ask students: what kind of law are you drawn to? What unique experiences can you bring? Maybe you’ve worked in another industry, maybe you speak another language — those things can set you apart if you learn to present them confidently.”

She encourages students to experiment and stay open-minded. “Sometimes it’s about learning what you don’t want to do. And that’s just as valuable. Trying different areas of law is how you home in on your path.”

As for the SQE itself, Flores has two top tips:

“First, trust the process,” she says. “We’ve designed our courses using learning science. Every assignment, every module has a purpose. It might feel different to what you did at uni, but it works. Trust it, follow it, and you’ll be in a good place.”

Her second tip is about exam-day nerves. “In the last two or three weeks before your exam, start practising your perfect exam day. Go to bed at the time you will the night before the exam. Wake up at the time you’ll need to on the day. Eat the breakfast you plan to eat. Take the same journey. Literally rehearse the day.”

Why? “Because it helps reduce anxiety,” she explains. “You can’t control the trains or the noise outside the test centre, but you can control your routine. It made such a difference when I did it. I walked into the exam calm, well-rested, and already in the mindset I needed to be in.”

Want to hear more? Join us for ‘How to qualify, apply and work for a US law firm — with BARBRI’ THIS AFTERNOON at 4pm. The virtual event will explore the realities of qualifying and practising at a US law firm, and how BARBRI’s SQE Prep courses can help you get there. Speakers include Claire Flores and lawyers from top US-headquartered firms.

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Alysia Hoe, future trainee solicitor and SQE student at ULaw, discusses staying motivated on the SQE and finding your route into law

Talking to Alysia Hoe ahead of The University of Law’s upcoming event, ‘The SQE Explained’, you get the impression she’s the kind of person who makes the most out of every opportunity and brings a lot of joy along the way.

She’s currently studying for the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE) at ULaw and has a training contract lined up with national law firm Stevens & Bolton. But law hasn’t always been the plan. “I actually didn’t do a law degree,” she says. Instead, she studied modern languages at the University of Exeter and only turned her sights on the legal profession later on. “I’d always kind of considered it, but I wasn’t sure at 17,” she explains, echoing the internal tug-of-war that many school leavers face.

It was during her final year at Exeter that Hoe decided to give law a proper shot, enrolling first on the conversion course, and now tackling the SQE full-time at ULaw. Along the way, she threw herself into applications, legal work experience and student life, eventually landing that elusive training contract.

Hoe’s CV includes stints in charity work, an internship at the Devon Community Foundation, and freelance data analysis for litigation analytics platform Solomonic. She’s also worked in a real estate legal team and juggled a part-time role as a student ambassador for ULaw. And while not all the jobs were glamorous — “I didn’t enjoy real estate masses,” she admits — they all fed into her legal growth. “It was really, really helpful when studying the property practice part of SQE. I already knew what all the forms looked like. I might not know how to do them, but I knew what they looked like,” she laughs.

Her role as a student ambassador also opened unexpected doors. “I just really enjoy talking to people,” she says, which made getting paid to do just that “a bit of a no-brainer”. But beyond the social perks, it’s helped her build her legal network, from meeting other students and recruiters to attending major events. “It’s been a really good job alongside my studies, not just for employability, but because I actually think it’s really fun.”

So, how did her training contract come about? Like many non-law grads, her first round of TC applications didn’t go to plan. “The feedback was always the same, that I had no evidence I was committed to law,” Hoe says. Instead of giving up, she used that feedback to build a case for herself, getting involved in pro bono at ULaw and even converting a rejected application into paid work experience. “I managed to persuade them to keep me on one day a week for a whole year,” she says.

By the time she reapplied, she had a clearer idea of the kind of firm she was after. “I knew that I didn’t really see myself at one of the big, massive firms in London,” she says. “It’s really for some people, but I didn’t think it was for me.” Instead, she focused on firms around the Southeast, closer to her Hampshire roots, and was drawn to Stevens & Bolton by both reputation and a friend of the family who had worked with the firm.

A vacation scheme sealed the deal. “Everybody is recruited from the vac scheme, and I think that’s such a great way to get to know the people, the environment, and what it feels like to work there.” Her biggest piece of advice for others applying? “Message someone on LinkedIn who did the scheme the year before. People are genuinely nice and will reply. I wish I’d done that.”

And then, of course, there’s the SQE, that infamous mountain all aspiring solicitors now have to climb. Hoe passed SQE1 on her first try, but she’s candid about how difficult it was. “It’s definitely the most physically and mentally exhausting exam I’ve ever done,” she says. “There were definitely tears.” The exam structure itself doesn’t help. “I had my last lesson on 2 December, and the exam wasn’t until late January, so trying to stay motivated over Christmas was hard,” she explains.

Her approach to revision, though, was methodical. “I broke everything down into subtopics and made a map with chapter numbers, ticking them off as I went.” She made the most of ULaw’s bite-sized revision videos and single best answer (SBA) practice banks, aiming for a balance between content learning and question practice. “I didn’t do this at the start,” she admits, “but toward the end I’d do topic-based revision in the morning and questions in the afternoon.”

So what surprised her most? “Everyone says SQE2 is easier, and I think in some ways that’s true, but it’s definitely still challenging,” she says. The higher pass rate, she points out, doesn’t tell the full story. Only those who’ve passed SQE1 can sit it, so it’s a much smaller cohort. Plus, the skills-based element of SQE2, including legal drafting, advocacy and case analysis is a whole different beast. “You need to know the law but also be able to apply it. In SQE1 you’re just clicking the right answer. Now I’ve got to argue it.”

Still, Hoe feels cautiously optimistic. She’s been taking part in ULaw’s exam prep workshops, where students practise skills like interviewing and advocacy through mock assessments. “It’s really intense, but definitely worth it,” she says. “Having a plan is key. Me and my friends all have different revision schedules, but just knowing what you’re doing helps.”

As for misconceptions? “Everything I thought about the SQE — that it was going to be awful, that it was going to be long, that there were going to be tears — turned out to be true,” she laughs. “But I also knew I’d done all I could, and that helped.”

Looking ahead, Hoe’s advice to future SQE candidates is refreshingly grounded. Don’t just rely on practice questions. Take breaks. Make time for the things and people that energise you. For her, that meant working shifts as a student ambassador, going for runs, and chatting to people about why they should do law. “It’s kind of like a break,” she says. “You’re still doing something, but you’re not revising.”

And whether it’s finding the right firm, passing a brutal exam, or just navigating the Christmas slump, she’s living proof that the SQE slog is survivable.

Find out more about the SQE at ULaw event “The SQE Explained” on 17 April 2025. Apply now to attend.

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BPP’s Julie Manson talks exam success

Julie Manson, a module leader at BPP University Law School, first joined the law school in 1998, “when it was still relatively small,” she recalls. Since then, she has combined her role with experience in corporate practice and a range of learning and development (L&D) positions — including roles at an international law firm, another University, and even Christie’s auction house.

This rare combination, practitioner, academic and L&D expert, has led her to her current role as professional skills and behaviours module leader, where she teaches students how law firms operate, how legal practice is changing, and the skills and behaviours you need to be successful in your role within an organisation.

It’s a role that sits at the intersection of knowledge, reflection and, crucially, confidence-building. These are all themes which feature heavily in the SQE2 taster workshop, a virtual student hosted by Julie tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 8 April).

“The SQE2 is a very different set of assessments to SQE1,” she tells Legal Cheek Careers. “You’ve got to be able to take in new information there and then, whether that’s in writing or through a client conversation, and adapt accordingly. That’s a big shift from SQE1, where it’s all about knowledge recall.”

While the SQE1 focuses on legal knowledge through multiple choice questions, SQE2 is heralded as the more practical stage. It tests oral and written skills like advocacy, interviewing, legal drafting and case and matter analysis. The goal is to ensure that aspiring solicitors can actually apply the law in real-world, client-facing contexts.

“It’s a big shift,” Julie says, “because students often come in thinking it’s just about knowing the law. But SQE2 is about how you use that knowledge, how you listen, how you communicate, how you present ideas in a way that makes sense to someone who might not know the law.”

Julie gives a recent example from a mock client interview. “The students that did well weren’t the ones who talked the most or asked the most questions. They were the ones who listened. You can come in with a script in your head, but if you’re not open to what the client is really saying, you’ll miss the mark.”

This shift from academic prowess to adaptable, empathetic communication is one that excites Julie. “I love seeing that moment where someone realises they’ve got something to offer, that their way of thinking or communicating is valid and useful, even if it’s not what they first expected,” she says. “Everyone brings different strengths to the table, and SQE2 really allows those to come through”.

This focus on confidence and practical application is woven into BPP’s approach to SQE preparation. Students who take both SQE1 and SQE2 with the provider benefit from a structured programme that introduces the core skills early on. “Even though SQE1 is primarily knowledge-based, we embed elements of the SQE2 skills throughout,” Julie explains. “So, by the time students move on to the second stage, they’re not starting from scratch.”

Once students are in the SQE2 phase, BPP offers a blend of workshops, online resources, one-to-one practice sessions including live interviews and advocacy assessments, and what BPP calls a “cycle of learning”. This cycle includes preparation, live practice, reflection and feedback, all essential elements for what she describes as “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable”.

“We ask our students to try everything, even the things they’re unsure about,” she says. “You’re not expected to be perfect straight away. But if you can be brave enough to give it a go, take feedback on board, and keep building, you’re putting yourself in a really strong position.”

This is where events like the SQE2 taster workshop come in. Taking place virtually on 8 April, the session will give aspiring lawyers the chance to get a flavour of what SQE2 is really like, from understanding the key skills to actually participating in real time.

“We want people to get a sense of what this assessment is really testing,” says Julie. “It’s not just about whether you know the right answer. It’s about whether you can communicate with a client, whether you can analyse a situation, and whether you can adapt to the context you’re in.”

The session will also include time for follow-up questions and virtual networking with the BPP team, providing further insight into the qualification process and career planning. “We know this can feel like a daunting stage,” Julie adds. “But the earlier you engage with it, the more you reflect and practise, the better prepared you’ll be.”

So, what are Julie’s top tips for students getting ready for SQE2?

First, stay organised. “Those that do well tend to be really disciplined,” she says. “They follow the structure we provide, they manage their time effectively, and they build in time to revisit their legal knowledge from SQE1, because you’re still tested on that in SQE2.”

Second, be reflective. “We actually assess students on their ability to reflect,” Julie explains, referring to BPP’s internal portfolio element. “It’s not just about doing the skill. It’s about recognising where you’re strong, where you need to improve, and how you’re going to get there”.

And third, say yes to everything. “We offer loads of opportunities for live practice, advocacy, interviews, written feedback, and my advice is to take every one of them,” she says. “Even if you’re nervous. Even if you feel like you’re not ready. Give it a go. That’s where the growth happens”.

It’s this growth mindset, and the belief that legal skill is something that can be developed, that defines Julie’s approach to teaching. She sees her role as not just an educator, but as a confidence coach of sorts, helping students see the value in their own voice and perspective.

And it’s clearly a space she thrives in. “I’ve had a lot of variety in my career so far,” she reflects, “but I always come back to this work. Helping people develop, seeing those shifts in understanding, it’s incredibly rewarding. It keeps me excited about what we do here at BPP”.

Join us TOMORROW for our virtual student event “SQE2 taster workshop — with BPP”.

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Jonathan Worrell, director of business development at BARBRI, shares his insights on supporting non-law graduates, navigating the SQE route, and the value of flexible, practical preparation

With the SQE pathway now firmly embedded into the legal landscape, one question continues to crop up: how do aspiring solicitors actually prepare for these tough exams, especially if they’re not following the traditional law degree route?

That’s exactly what Jonathan Worrell, director of business development at BARBRI, is coming to discuss at ‘No law degree? No problem. Your path to becoming a solicitor — with BARBRI’, our upcoming virtual event on 25 March. Ahead of the session, we caught up with Worrell to hear about his own career journey, the evolution of the SQE and what makes BARBRI’s approach different.

Worrell started out in the City, working in business development teams at two international law firms. There, he cut his teeth supporting lawyers on pitches and client relationships. “It was a fast-paced and pressurised environment,” he recalls, “but one that really drills into you the importance of the client experience.” A shift into the education sector followed, including time in accountancy training and tech startups, before he found his way back to the legal world via BARBRI. “What I enjoy about legal education,” he explains, “is helping talent to thrive, particularly when the exams are this challenging.”

That passion for supporting early careers talent is a thread that runs through much of Worrell’s work today. He’s keenly aware that entering the legal profession has never been more competitive, and that the path can look different depending on whether you’re a law graduate, a paralegal, or someone coming from another field entirely. “It’s a time of opportunity, but also of uncertainty,” he says. “We’re seeing volatility in the wider economy, but law continues to hold steady. It remains a solid, secure career path and we want to help make that path accessible to more people.”

So, what does that look like in practice? According to Worrell, the key is flexibility. “What makes BARBRI different,” he says, “is that we haven’t tried to bolt the SQE onto a traditional LPC-style programme. From the start, we’ve used data and tech to tailor everything around what’s needed to pass these specific exams.” That means stripping away any filler content and zeroing in on what really matters. “We’ve analysed student performance in detail to figure out what works. And we’re constantly updating the course based on that feedback.”

BARBRI’s SQE preparation courses are delivered entirely online, but that doesn’t mean students are left to go it alone. Far from it. Each candidate receives a ‘Personal Study Plan’ — a tailored learning platform that maps out their SQE journey week by week. It contains everything from recorded lectures and interactive exercises to thousands of multiple-choice questions. And for those moments when a student wants to talk through a tricky concept, learning coaches and tutors are just a few clicks away.

“It’s not about passive learning,” Worrell explains. “Yes, we have recorded lectures, but we also make them interactive, and we run live law clinics so students can talk through questions in real time. The tech allows us to track their progress and identify where they’re struggling. If someone starts falling behind, we step in.”

It’s a system designed with busy lives in mind, he explains. “We all have things going on: work, family, whatever it might be. Our students can log in from anywhere and study at a time that works for them,” he says. “That might sound like a small thing, but it’s huge, especially for people who wouldn’t be able to get into a classroom regularly.”

Flexibility, however, doesn’t mean compromise:-

“These exams are tough,” Worrell says, “and we never lose sight of that. It’s not about making the journey easier — it’s about making it doable.”

One of the biggest challenges for SQE1 candidates is mastering the art of the multiple-choice exam. “It’s five hours a day, over two days. That’s a lot of brainpower,” Worrell says. “So, we don’t just give students content. We teach them exam technique, and we give them as much practice as possible.” He describes the process as helping students become “assessment literate”, ensuring they’re not just learning the law but learning how to apply it under pressure.

The platform also supports personalisation, something that’s particularly important for neurodivergent learners. “Some people slow the videos down. Some speed them up. Some increase the font size, or skip back and rewatch sections,” he explains. “Everyone processes information differently, and we’ve built a system that allows for that.” It also helps students spot their own patterns: which areas of the law they’re strongest in, and which topics they need to revisit.

Worrell also highlights the support BARBRI provides to paralegals and overseas-qualified lawyers. “We work with a wide range of students,” he says. “Some are full-time trainees on a structured route into a City law firm. Others are working full-time and fitting study around their jobs. We offer different course lengths and levels of intensity to suit those different paths.”

For paralegals in particular, Worrell sees a growing trend. “Some firms are now using the paralegal route as a stepping stone to qualification,” he says. “You do a year or two as a paralegal, show your value, and then the firm supports you through the SQE. In other firms, there are more distinct routes. But either way, the barriers are coming down.”

So, what would Worrell say to someone standing at the start of their SQE journey, unsure whether they can make it? “Feel the fear, but do it anyway,” he says. “Yes, it’s daunting. But don’t be put off by the horror stories online. With the right provider and the right plan, it’s absolutely achievable.”

Looking ahead, Worrell is excited about the wider transformation happening in legal training. “We’re seeing more and more firms switching from the LPC to the SQE. It’s taken time, but the momentum is building,” he says. “We’re working with those firms to get the right systems in place with everything from study leave to wellbeing support.”

And while the legal profession is still finding its feet in the age of AI, Worrell is optimistic about what tech can bring to training. BARBRI already uses artificial intelligence within its course platform, including a feature called ‘ISAAC’ that adjusts a student’s study plan if they’re falling behind. “It identifies where they’re struggling and helps them make the most of the time they have left,” he says. “That’s just the start. There’s so much more potential in using AI to personalise education.”

But perhaps the most exciting change, he says, isn’t about tech — it’s about people. “The profession is opening up. There’s a lot more work to do, but firms are recognising the value of bringing in talent from different backgrounds,” he says. “We’re seeing more social mobility, more diversity. That’s what the SQE was meant to deliver, and I’m hopeful that over time it will really shift the dial.”

Find out more from BARBRI at ‘No law degree? No problem. Your path to becoming a solicitor — with BARBRI’, a virtual student event taking place on Tuesday 25 March. Apply now to attend.

 

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Hilary Chadwick, Head of Law at BPP University’s Waterloo campus, shares her insights on breaking into the profession, the reality of the SQE and the importance of gaining practical experience

The road to qualification as a solicitor has changed dramatically in recent years, and few people have a better view of how it’s all playing out than Hilary Chadwick – Head of Law at BPP University’s Waterloo campus, where the Law Conversion Course and Legal Apprentice programmes are delivered in London. She also teaches on the SQE from BPP’s London Holborn campus.

With over 25 years in legal education and a background in private practice, Chadwick has spent her career preparing students for life in the profession. Moving into teaching was a natural progression, driven by a genuine enthusiasm for training the next generation of lawyers. “I’ve always enjoyed the idea of developing future solicitors and being part of their journey,” she explains.

No conversation about legal education in 2025 is complete without the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) – the still new(ish) pathway to solicitor qualification that replaced the LPC in 2021. Given that the SQE is now becoming more established, is it living up to expectations?

For Chadwick, the SQE jury is still out. “I think it’s still very early days,” she says. “It’ll be a few more years before anyone can say whether the next generation of lawyers who’ve qualified through the SQE route are better or worse than those who did the LPC.” She points out that many of those who sat the first SQE exams in 2021 are only just starting out in their legal careers – making it difficult to judge the full impact just yet.

That said, one thing the SQE has undeniably improved is accessibility. “It’s definitely opened up different ways into the profession,” Chadwick notes. Unlike the traditional LPC and training contract model — which required candidates to complete their academic and vocational training before securing a two-year training contract — the SQE allows for more flexibility. Now, qualifying work experience (QWE) can be gained at any stage of the process, meaning aspiring lawyers can work towards qualification in a way that better suits their circumstances.

Chadwick explains that BPP has embraced this new flexibility while ensuring that employability remains at the core of its training. “It’s not just about passing exams — it’s about making sure students are actually prepared for practice.” That’s why BPP’s law conversion course is designed not just to meet the SQE requirements and beyond, but also those going down the barrister route as well.

And beyond traditional face to face and live online teaching, BPP offers a range of employability-focused initiatives, including an award-winning careers service, a multi-award-winning social impact team (formerly the pro bono team), and networking events designed to help students build key relationships early. “We put on a lot of networking events to encourage students to form those key connections they’ll need in their careers,” Chadwick says. The idea is to give students exposure to real-life legal work while they study – so they graduate not just with a qualification but with experience and connections too. This is why BPP now also offers three 1-year paid QWE placements with BPP’s Social Impact team to SQE graduates.

To help students cope, BPP has developed a ‘Managing Your Wellbeing’ initiative – a virtual suite of resources covering topics like mindfulness, managing stress, developing resilience, and coping with exam anxiety. The programme was a direct response to student feedback.

Technology is reshaping legal education and practice — and BPP is keen to keep its students ahead of the curve. AI is the big buzzword right now, and Chadwick acknowledges that legal education must adapt quickly to keep up.

As part of its efforts, BPP offers a free AI awareness course to both students and staff. “It provides a wealth of information about what generative AI is, how it works, and its specific applications in an educational context,” she says. With legal tech evolving at breakneck speed, staying informed is just as important as mastering the law itself.

So, what’s the one piece of advice Chadwick would give to aspiring lawyers? “It’s an incredibly competitive profession, and having good academic results isn’t enough,” she warns. Law firms are looking for much more than just a strong CV — they want to see leadership, emotional intelligence, and resilience.

Most undergraduates have few, if any, contacts in the legal profession. Chadwick advises recommends you start building your network early. “Attend events, join university associations, start developing those key skills — don’t leave it to the last minute,” she says. “Academic excellence is taken as a given. It’s how you make yourself stand out that matters.”

Unlike some university exams that students can blitz through with a few weeks of intense revision, SQE success depends on consistent effort from day one. Chadwick advises: “You cannot cram.” She stresses that preparing for the SQE requires a different mindset from traditional law school exams. With SQE1 covering a vast syllabus in a multiple-choice format and SQE2 testing practical legal skills, success depends on consistency and structured preparation. “You have to keep on top of it from the very beginning,” she explains. “This isn’t the kind of exam where you can put in a few weeks of intense revision and hope for the best. The volume of material is too great, and it requires deep understanding rather than just memorisation.”

She also advises students to make use of the support available to them. “It’s important to pace yourself, manage your workload properly, and try not to let stress take over,” she says. Many students, she notes, go into the exam feeling like they’ll never be fully prepared – and that’s normal. “One of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard from trainees who’ve been through the process is that you’ll never feel 100% ready for SQE1, and that’s okay. What matters is putting in steady, sustained effort, trusting in your preparation, and keeping a healthy work-life balance.”

Beyond passing the exams, Chadwick reminds aspiring lawyers that the SQE is just one step in a longer journey. “The legal profession is tough — it requires resilience, adaptability, and a real commitment to learning. Treat your preparation for the SQE as training for the kind of discipline you’ll need throughout your career,” she says. “And above all, don’t leave things until the last minute. Preparation is key.”

Join us MONDAY for our virtual student event “SQE1 taster workshop — with BPP”.

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BARBRI business development director Emma Cavendish discusses qualifying in-house, developing commercial awareness and her advice for aspiring in-house lawyers

Emma Cavendish has spent much of her career working at the intersection of legal technology, knowledge management, and client relationships. Having held roles at Practical Law, Thomson Reuters, and most recently at Flex Legal, she has worked closely with law firms and in-house corporate teams to improve efficiency and adapt to new technology. Now, as business development director at BARBRI, her focus has shifted towards legal education, working with in-house legal teams to help them train and qualify trainee and junior lawyers.

Her role is about encouraging in-house teams to think strategically about how they develop legal talent. “It’s about working with companies, charities, or public sector bodies, to support their junior talent,” Cavendish explains. “That means helping people already within organisations to qualify and encouraging employers to consider new approaches to talent development.”

For decades, qualifying as a solicitor meant securing a training contract at a law firm, qualifying, and then  — maybe  — moving in-house later in one’s career. “Before the SQE opened the doors for aspiring lawyers to qualify in-house, law firms had the monopoly on manufacturing the next generation of legal talent,” Cavendish says. “You assumed you had to spend time in private practice before your career could really begin.”

The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has significantly disrupted this traditional route. The requirement for two years of qualifying work experience (QWE) allows candidates to train in-house from the outset rather than first qualifying in private practice. “No longer do you have to go through the traditional pathway  — that’s not the only rite of passage anymore,” Cavendish points out. “If you have a broader world view, a commercial mindset, and you’re motivated by working towards a specific organisational goal, whether that’s making a bank more profitable, increasing retail sales, or supporting a charity’s mission, then working in-house is a fantastic option.”

Yet despite this shift, many in-house legal teams have not fully adapted to the opportunity. “It’s new for everybody,” she acknowledges. “Legal teams have been around for years within organisations, but they’ve grown organically. Now, as they face cost pressures, they need to think about how they upskill the people they already have.” She notes that while in-house teams are used to hiring experienced lawyers, they often haven’t considered bringing in and training junior legal staff in the same structured way that law firms have traditionally done.

For businesses, training lawyers in-house can have significant advantages, particularly in terms of commercial awareness. Junior lawyers who train in-house from the start gain a deep understanding of how the business operates, its risk appetite, and its long-term strategic goals. They are embedded in the organisation from day one, rather than coming in later with only private practice experience. “It’s not just about giving legal advice,” Cavendish says. “It’s about being part of the fabric of the business and understanding what it’s trying to achieve.”

However, she acknowledges that some aspiring lawyers still see private practice as the default qualification route, while in-house training is sometimes viewed as a secondary option. Cavendish argues that this perception is outdated. “There’s still this idea that if you go in-house, it’s because you weren’t quite good enough to get a training contract at a big firm,” she says. “That’s just not true. The reality is that the skills required to be a good in-house lawyer are different from those needed in private practice. The two routes aren’t necessarily comparable in that way.”

She highlights that in-house lawyers need to be able to work across multiple areas of law and collaborate with a range of teams outside the legal function. “One day, you might be working on contracts with the sales team, the next providing risk advice with the CEO, and the day after that on an employment issue with HR,” she explains. “You need to be comfortable with that variety and be able to make decisions quickly.” Unlike in private practice, where lawyers are surrounded by legal colleagues, in-house lawyers work closely with non-lawyers daily. “You’re dealing with a variety of stakeholders of all levels,” she says. “You need to understand their priorities and be able to align your legal advice with the organisation’s wider goals.”

If in-house teams are going to take legal training seriously, they need structured support for junior lawyers. This is where BARBRI plays a role. “We offer multiple course durations suited to different working environments,” Cavendish says. “For those in-house, we have a longer 40-week course designed for candidates balancing full-time work with study.”

BARBRI also provides guidance on how in-house legal teams can structure QWE. “Some in-house lawyers who are supervising trainees may not be as familiar with the qualification process,” she says. “We help them understand what competencies need to be met, how to structure work experience, and how to ensure junior lawyers are getting exposure to a broad enough range of legal work.”

Beyond the technicalities, Cavendish emphasises that in-house teams need to see legal training as part of their long-term talent strategy. “I think part of what BARBRI is doing is not necessarily creating the need, but exposing it,” she says. “Some in-house teams may not have thought critically about this before, but when you ask the right questions, they realise it’s an option.”

For aspiring lawyers considering an in-house route, Cavendish stresses that choosing an in-house route should be an active decision, not something seen as a fallback:-

“Get out of your mind that it’s in some way a lesser pathway,” she says. “Really commit to it and embrace it. Recognise that the pathway you’ve chosen is as valid as anybody going through the same experience in a law firm.”

Cavendish also acknowledges that some students still worry about how an in-house qualification will be perceived compared to a traditional training contract at a law firm. But she argues that the legal industry is shifting, and more businesses now recognise the value of training lawyers in-house. “The people who will be supporting you and sponsoring you do not think of in-house as second best,” she says. “In-house lawyers are really proud of the fact that they’re in-house and clear about the value they bring.”

For those choosing this path, she advises thinking strategically about how to develop the right skills. “The base skills for being a lawyer are still the same  — you need a critical eye, an ability to interpret facts, and the skills to provide legal advice,” she says. “But the working environment is different.” She emphasises that in-house lawyers need to be adaptable and commercially aware. “You need to think beyond just the legal problem in front of you. It’s about understanding what the solution means for the wider organisation,” she explains.

The in-house route is becoming an increasingly viable alternative to the traditional training contract, but Cavendish recognises that it will take time for attitudes to fully shift. “It’s a work in progress,” she says. “A lot of in-house teams haven’t fully considered the opportunity yet, but as more businesses see the advantages of growing their own talent, that mindset will start to change.”

And if more in-house teams take qualification as seriously as law firms have traditionally done? “Then we’ll really be onto something,” she says.

Join us on Thursday 27 February for our virtual student event ‘Beyond the law firm: Why qualifying as an in-house lawyer might be right for you’. APPLY NOW.

 

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BCLP’s Bradley Fisher shares his experience

The number of solicitor apprenticeships offered by law firms has been steadily climbing over the last few years, providing school-leavers the opportunity to earn money and gain work experience while they complete their legal studies.

Bradley Fisher, associate in the real estate team at BCLP, completed a solicitor apprenticeship with the firm while studying with BPP University. We sat down with Fisher, ahead of his appearance at next week’s Pre-SQE Student Summit Manchester — in partnership with BPP, to hear about his experience with BPP, how he balanced work and studying, and his top tips for SQE preparation.

Why did you decide to pursue a solicitor apprenticeship?

I came across solicitor apprenticeships by chance. My dad sent me a link to an article talking about legal apprenticeships and some firms offering them. Apprenticeships were not really promoted when I was at college, so I had to do my own research to find out more information.

I discovered that I could learn whilst I earn, obtain a law degree, pass the solicitors exams, gain a lot of practical experience and get my foot in the door at a firm from a young age. All of this felt like a no-brainer to me and fitted in with my aspirations.

I applied to a few firms and I was lucky enough to come across BCLP. The firm and its offerings sounded perfect. After an assessment centre, I was offered the role to start in October 2017. Since then, I have never looked back.

Can you tell us about your apprenticeship experience?

I started at the firm working in the post-completion team, dealing with Land Registry applications of all shapes and sizes. This was my first taste of the legal profession, and it kick-started my aspirations to become a real estate lawyer. I loved working in the Land Registry team. I found it fascinating to say I had played a small part in something for a skyscraper in London, or a major supermarket. From there, I moved on to the legal administration team and then one of our client teams.

I then moved into our structured finance team where I was working for a big US investment bank. The demands in this team were high, both internally and from the client. I learned a lot from being in this team, especially how to become more resilient. Next, I moved back to Real Estate, this time in our core asset management team, where I stayed for my first seat in September 2022 as part of my training contract. I really enjoyed this team and worked on challenging matters and got involved with some great clients.

I was seconded to Heathrow Airport for my next seat in February 2023, which meant I moved down to London for 6 months. This has been one of my favourite experiences to date and I worked on some interesting deals. The office for the legal team was right next to one of the runways, which was very cool. I still keep in touch with my contacts at Heathrow today and hope to work with them again in the future!

In September 2023, I came back to BCLP and sat in our Office of General Counsel team. I took SQE1 in this seat which I passed in January 2024, having completed the prep course with BPP, so had some time off to sit those exams.

In March 2024, I rotated back into real estate, based in a client team. I then sat SQE2 in April and May. Once I came back from those exams, I was given the chance to move into our real estate disputes team.

I found out I passed SQE2 in August 2024. I knew I wanted to qualify into real estate in our core asset management team. Luckily, there was a spot for a newly qualified lawyer in the team and I was absolutely delighted to be offered the role. I qualified as solicitor on 3 February 2025, and am now an associate in our Real Estate team, based in Manchester.

Tell us a bit more about how, being a part-time student, you managed to fit your studies with BPP around your work.

I had an allocated study day, and the programme was entirely online. I found the study day to be vital, as it meant I could attend the live online lectures without worrying too much about work. It also allowed me to complete all of the pre-work for the lecture, and consolidation work afterwards, in good time. Additionally, I did extra work at the weekends to make sure I was on top of everything.

I enjoyed my studies with BPP. I did a different topic each term, sometimes two topics each term. I found the courses to be engaging and well taught.

What are the benefits (and challenges!) of studying while working?

One of the main benefits is being able to apply what you have learned in practice to your studies, and vice versa. For example, when my property topics came up on my university course, I was eager to learn more about it as it was my current area of practice. I found I was able to apply some of the work and knowledge I already had to help answer assessment questions. I was also able to apply what I learned at BPP to my work. Another benefit was that I didn’t get into any student debt, as the firm covered the costs of my education as part of the apprenticeship.

In terms of challenges, I found it difficult at first to get into the groove of online lectures and not going to a lecture hall or classroom. However, over time I got used to it and enjoyed it in the end.

What advice would you give current apprentices on balancing your studies with work?

My advice would be to utilise the study day as best you can. I made sure I was up and about on my study day, finishing off pre-lecture work, attending live lectures and completing consolidation. It was almost like an actual working day, just that I was learning and not working.

I was quite strict with my study days during my apprenticeship. I rarely logged on to work or checked emails, as my study day was where I could focus hard on my learning.

Another tip would be to use your spare time wisely. I made sure I did some extra studies at the weekends, just so I was prepared for the week ahead. Just a few hours on a Saturday or a Sunday, sometimes both if an exam was coming up, but that extra work really went a long way and helped secure my understanding of topics and prepared me for lectures and exams.

You have successfully passed SQE 1 and 2! What is the secret to your success?

From my experience, time is the big concern when sitting SQE. If you can make the most of your time, both before and during the exam, you will be in a good place.

I started my revision five months before I sat SQE1. This gave me a good amount of time to prepare.

Making sure you attempt practice questions in timed conditions will be a massive help. I was nervous I would run out of time in the SQE1 exams as I was taking longer than the recommended time to answer questions. But by the time SQE1 came around, I found that because I had honed my exam technique quite well, I even had time left to check through my answers.

I found SQE2 to be more about focusing your knowledge into a skills-based framework, and applying what you know to the facts presented to you. The mock questions from BPP were very helpful. I found attempting them myself with access to my notes first helped to build my confidence. I then took away the notes and sat the mock papers in exam conditions, so I had experience of the time constraints in the actual exams for SQE 2.

The ‘Discussion of Assessment’ documents for the SQE 2 sample papers are also very helpful when it comes to understanding what the assessor is looking for in terms of the standard, as well as how best to set out your answers.

I also tried not to be too hard on myself throughout the whole process, and not ‘over-revise’ – if you can call it that. There were some challenging moments in the lead-up to exams, but I made sure to give myself plenty of breaks and down time to spend with my family and friends. Keeping active was a good release, as was finding an easy TV show to dip in and out of to give my mind a bit of a rest.

What support did you receive from BPP while completing the SQE prep course?

I found BPP to be very supportive in providing live teaching, comprehensive materials, MCQ practice, scenario practice for SQE2, and live revision lectures with tutors. The revision lectures were particularly helpful, as they were a couple of hours long for each topic and really focused on the core principles. BPP also ran formative assessments for SQE2 with their tutors, who provided feedback on my performance and areas for improvement, which was very useful. I also knew that the BPP tutors were available should I have any concerns.

All in all, I felt well supported throughout the process.

Join us on the afternoon of Wednesday 19 February for The Legal Cheek Pre-SQE Student Summit — in partnership with BPP University Law School. The summit will take place in both London and Manchester. Apply now.

 

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BPP student Samantha Howlett discusses her finding the right firm, balancing apprenticeship and parenthood, and her insider advice for acing SQE1

It was a personal experience with the legal system that motivated Samantha Howlett to pursue a career as a solicitor. “I saw how important it is for vulnerable people to understand their rights and feel like there is someone on their side,” she tells me. “This kickstarted my interest in law and my decision to finish my studies.” Already a mum of three, Howlett studied law as a mature student at the University of Essex. She then went on to study the SQE with BPP University Law School while completing a graduate solicitor apprenticeship at a private client firm based in London and Essex.

Howlett is currently working in the private family law department at her firm, an interest she has been developing since her undergraduate degree. “I’ve always been very interested in family law. At university I was student director of the law clinic for two years, where I worked really closely with the family law project and domestic and sexual abuse project,” she tells me.

I ask her about the process of securing qualifying work experience, a hurdle many aspiring lawyers struggle with. “I went for a few interviews with London firms and local firms which gave me a really good indication of what I was really looking for,” she responds. “I realised I was looking for a firm which felt more collegiate and decided to focus on firms in my local area.” She spoke to tutors at her university as well as university alumni, asking about their experiences with local firms. “That direct, face-to-face research was so important,” she says.
“When you’re looking for a firm, remember you’ll be spending a lot of time there so it has to be right for you.”

Offering some advice to current law students, Howlett says, “Have confidence in yourself.” She continues, “At my first few interviews I didn’t feel fully confident so I spent some time building up my confidence, practising talking about myself in a positive light – it’s not something that comes naturally to a lot of us!” This was pivotal in her ability to secure a graduate apprenticeship: “I could sell myself in interviews without feeling so awkward,” she laughs.

While working, Howlett has been studying with BPP and passed her SQE1 in July 2024. She sat SQE2 back in October and is waiting for her results. Looking back on her SQE journey, Howlett tells me how helpful the ability to study online with BPP while completing an apprenticeship has been. “The real benefit is being able to earn money while studying,” she says. “This is really important, especially for someone like me who has a young family to support.” Howlett spends four days a week in the office and studies in a live online classroom one day a week. “I find this works really well and I’m able to tackle my revision and studying at a steady pace,” she tells me. As well as providing income, working while studying can actually make the course content sink in faster, she explains: “I have been able to directly apply the practical skills the SQE teaches as I have learnt them, which is really good for consolidating the skills and knowledge. A lot of the core skills the SQE teaches are very applicable to my work.”

So, what was the secret to Howlett’s SQE1 success? “My first piece of advice is to break it down into manageable chunks,” she says. “It’s a huge exam, with a lot of content. It can be very overwhelming when you look at it as a whole.” She advises a more practical method: “Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to cover absolutely everything. The best approach is to get a solid amount of knowledge on each module and prioritise breadth.” She also gives some useful tips for exam preparation and revision. “It really helped me to as many practice questions as possible,” she shares. “The more you’re used to the format of the exam, including the timing and how the questions are worded, the better you will do.”

She also cites the support she received from BPP during her prep course as a reason for her success. Of her tutors who delivered her regular live teaching, she says, “I really felt that they wanted me to pass and were willing to go the extra mile to help me out.” She goes on, “Every single one of them were happy to answer any question I had, and were prepared to receive emails and stay after sessions to give explanations.” She tells me that the online resources are “easily accessible and clearly laid out”, commenting that, “I was very well-guided during the course and never felt like I was left to do it alone.”

Juggling work, studying and childcare responsibilities is no mean feat. I ask Howlett how she manages her time to fit in all these commitments. “It’s really challenging – I’ve got to be honest,” she says frankly, adding, “I think I’ll be looking for that perfect balance for a very long time.” However, she is keen to point out the advantages that being a parent has given her. “There are lots of skills that you have as a mother that are very transferable to the law,” she begins. “The organisational skills I learned through parenting, have really helped me in my career so far. As a parent, organisation is so important – you have to have your life organised down to the minute sometimes,” she laughs. In terms of advice, she would offer others balancing the same responsibilities, she says, “It is workable. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and make sure you have a good support network to rely on.”

Join us TOMORROW for our virtual student event “SQE student panel: all your questions answered — in partnership with BPP University Law School”.

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Alice Kemp, ULaw student and future trainee at the London office of a US law firm, shares her insights on navigating the SQE, landing a training contract and staying motivated through the challenges of qualification

The University of Law student, Alice Kemp, bagged a US law firm TC and is currently studying the SQE. Having experienced the competitive application process as well as facing the challenge of the qualifying exams, she is in a prime position to offer her advice to aspiring City lawyers.

In this Q&A, Kemp shares her legal journey so far and her pearls of wisdom for aspiring solicitors ahead of Legal Cheek’s virtual student event, ‘Secrets to Success London – with Ashurst, Willkie and ULaw’. We discuss how she is finding SQE prep so far, and her advice for future lawyers who are soon to take on the challenge of qualifying.

1. Can you walk me through your educational journey so far, and what attracted you to law?

I studied my undergraduate degree in English Literature at Durham University, and then moved to London to complete the MA Law Conversion with The University of Law, which included writing a dissertation on intellectual property. After gaining a training contract with a global law firm and passing the SQE1, I paused my studying to work temporarily for an investment management company and a private hedge fund, and now I am returning to ULaw to take the SQE2 and SQE Plus to complete my LLM Legal Practice course.

I was initially attracted to law because of the people; having been involved with charities and student-led fundraising at university, I was motivated by the invaluable relationships that I built during those experiences, and reaching out to lawyers on platforms like LinkedIn helped me understand the wide variety of work and what it means to be part of a driven, innovative team. I also attended an inspiring career talk led by human rights barrister Parosha Chandran, who discussed the importance that a legal role has for others. It was encouraging to hear about these different pathways into law, and how I could relay my transferable skillset from my undergraduate degree and work experience to pursue a legal profession.

2. You work as a student ambassador for ULaw, can you talk to me about this role, and what your biggest learnings have been?

I have been a Student Ambassador at ULaw for nearly two years, and it’s a fantastic role that has developed my confidence and interpersonal skills when engaging with guests. As a representative, I act as the first point of contact to welcome visitors at our student recruitment events, including open days, taster sessions, and online events, such as The Legal Cheek Virtual Law Fairs. The ambassadors lead informative campus tours, share knowledge about the courses and facilities at ULaw, and provide assistance in group presentations and Q&As.

I have learned the most in this role about how different everyone’s journeys are into law. Being an ambassador has given me the opportunity to meet so many new people, from sixth-form students interested in solicitor apprenticeships, to postgraduate students enquiring about training contracts and pupillages, to career changers with a wealth of experience. I really enjoy giving advice about which course may best suit their needs, and answering the same questions that I had when I first discovered the conversion course — it’s very rewarding to be able to share my story, and hear about their motivations in return.

3. You’re a student on the LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) with ULaw. How are you finding the SQE so far, and what aspect of the LLM are you finding most useful at this stage?

The SQEs are certainly challenging. I found the transition from my MA to the SQE1 relatively smooth, because we do Single Best Answer Questions as part of our learning and assessments on the conversion course, and so I felt familiar with the question style. The SQE2 is also based on the same modules, but for me these exams are more about putting that knowledge into practice and gaining a commercial skillset, as they challenge you in real-life situations such as speaking before a judge or interviewing a client. This means that I have been continuously revising my academic knowledge as well as developing my legal practice skills.

The most useful resource so far has been the ULaw Revision App — it’s a bank of over 3000 SBAQs that you can use to practice and track your progress for the SQE1. I would answer around 30 questions every weekday morning, before I did any studying, to get used to the different wording formats and revisit detailed knowledge, and towards the end of my course I would sit 90-question mocks that were reflective of the 2.5 hour exam. This was extremely helpful for me, because you have to sit and concentrate for a long time in the SQE1! I am currently collecting mocks for the SQE2 from my course and online, with the intention of practicing these papers in the same way and building my preparation over time.

4. Taking the Plus modules on the LLM means that you can additional modules in key practice areas. Which modules are you taking? Which are you enjoying most and why?

I have just started the SQE Plus component of my course, which includes presentations and coursework-based assessments. I am taking modules in the corporate and commercial pathway that have been chosen by my law firm, because they are the key practice areas that the firm specialises in and will be the most helpful for my seats when I join as a trainee solicitor, such as Capital Markets. I am also taking the Preparation for Practice module which underpins the legal practice content and focusses on developing your commercial skills as a lawyer. Whilst I have only just started the Plus, my favourite module on the SQEs so far has been Dispute Resolution, as I really enjoy the dynamics of litigation and the variation of the precedents that define our contentious laws.

5. Many SQE students have fears going into this challenging set of exams. Can you walk me through any tips on how to keep your cool throughout your studies?

It can be daunting to study for these exams when they are still relatively new, but my advice to anyone taking them would be to organise your work gradually, if you are able to, over a period of time. I am treating my studies like a 9-to-5 job, so I will make sure that I am at my desk in the morning, have a lunch break, and then carry on throughout the afternoon, with the evening to relax and recuperate. This routine means that I am revising for the majority of the day but splitting it up into manageable amounts and giving myself regular breaks. I also play hockey matches on a Saturday, which is a great way to handle my stress by letting off some steam!

Additionally, I would advise SQE students to make sure that they celebrate small milestones. It can be quite overwhelming to revise for these exams, so taking a small break after studying or practising questions is a good way to boost your morale and refocus. Whether it’s making a cup of tea, going for a walk to the park, or having dinner with my friends, I would always try to celebrate my achievements, no matter how small, and be proud of myself and my progress.

6. What have you learned about yourself through your SQE journey so far?

I would say that I have learned about my ability to persevere more than anything! I am happy with the way that I have kept myself going throughout the conversion course, the SQEs, and even training contract applications, which has so far been an intense yet fulfilling process. Persevering through small setbacks, like getting a low score on a practice test, and self-motivating to carry on has been tricky at times, but I always remain determined and try again. I am really looking forward to returning to ULaw with my cohort and starting the SQE Plus modules whilst pressing ahead with my revision for the SQE2.

7. What are your biggest tips for SQE candidates?

My first tip would definitely be to utilise your tutors and peers. If you’re struggling with a particular topic or finding a type of question difficult to answer, then reach out and ask for help! For example, I arranged to have a couple of virtual lessons with my Business Law tutor to help me with tax, and she was incredibly supportive. It can also be useful to answer SBAQs or plan a mock SQE2 paper with your classmates, so that you can compare answers and learn from one another’s methods and perspectives. I would also suggest that SQE candidates go through the SRA’s website thoroughly, using the assessment specification as a topic list and making use of the practice papers that they provide – they are the closest to the real thing!

Lastly, my main advice to anyone would simply be: practice, practice, practice. The more questions you complete, the more familiar you will feel with the structure and wording, and this helps me understand exactly what they’re asking for. Remember to also give equal attention to the different parts of the exam, as they all count equally towards the final result. I wish you the best of luck!

The University of Law London Moorgate will be hosting ‘Secrets to Success London — with Ashurst, Willkie and ULaw’ on Thursday 6 February, 4pm to 6:30pm. Apply now to attend.

 

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SQE student Brian Okwaisie discusses balancing revision strategies and why he chose BPP

The introduction of the SQE in 2021 transformed the qualification process for future solicitors in the UK. Its roll-out has been far from smooth, marred by organisational chaos, marking errors and strikingly low pass rates — with only 44% of candidates passing SQE1 this summer.

Many students face the challenge of tackling these rigorous exams while juggling jobs and applying for vacation schemes and training contracts. To learn how to navigate such a demanding schedule, I spoke with Brian Okwaisie, a student enrolled in the SQE 1+2 LLM program at BPP University Law School, about his strategies for successfully passing SQE1 while managing a host of other commitments.

Balancing competing commitments is a common struggle SQE students face while preparing for their exams. Okwaisie opted to take BPP’s SQE 1+2 LLM course online, allowing himself some extra flexibility. “I chose BPP because of their success rate compared to some other SQE providers I looked at,” he tells me. Okwaisie goes on to give me an insight into what his typical week looked like on the SQE1 prep course. “I had around five two-hour online workshops each week. You are expected to turn up to the sessions knowing the content so you can spend the session going through practice questions and asking clarification questions to your tutor,” he says. Okwaisie admits that this made for a challenging weekly timetable: “To be honest, I didn’t have much of a work/life balance. It was very much just working and studying for those three months.”

I am curious to know how BPP supported Okwaisie as he completed the SQE1 prep course. “The support from BPP was really good. I had the option to study my course online which was really good because it allowed me a bit more flexibility,” he responds. He also mentions the support of the tutors at BPP:

“Sometimes when you’re balancing study and work you will get behind on a few tasks but my tutors were very happy to help me catch up and they were always available to answer questions over email,” he tells me.

BPP tutors also play a role in helping students manage their time to prevent themselves falling behind. “I was given a personal tutor who could help me manage my time and create a plan for balancing work and studying,” Okwaisie says. “I was able to go and see my tutor and discuss my progress and my wider career goals.”

Okwaisie shared some of his top tips for staying sane while coping with a challenging workload. “What really helped was making lists when I felt overwhelmed. This helped me break down my work into manageable chunks and be practical instead of panicking,” he says. “I had a detailed timetable to make sure I knew what I needed to do.”

I am curious to know about the revision strategies that helped Okwaisie pass SQE1. “My first tip would be to start early,” he says. “I was revising the content little and often from the start of the course.” He also recommends identifying your weaker topics and targeting your revision accordingly. “I had existing knowledge of some of the SQE topics from my undergraduate law degree, but I needed to refresh my knowledge on subjects like land law which I hadn’t studied since my second year. I identified topics like these which I would need to work harder on. I blocked out time in the week to go over these topics, for me it was on a Sunday.”

Okwaisie adapted his approach as the exam drew nearer. “When the SQE course finished in December, I focused on doing practice questions, making a Word document of the questions I got wrong along with a note of the underlying law.” Again, starting this process early was key. “By the time it got to January, I had a 20 or 30-page document for each FLK (Functioning Legal Knowledge paper) which covered the topics I was weaker on. I tried to go through these every day.”

All this hard work paid off and Okwaisie passed the SQE1. I ask about how the SQE experience differed from that of his undergraduate law degree. “Because I was studying my undergrad during the pandemic, I actually didn’t have any in-person exams. Instead, we had 24-hour open book exams,” Okwaisie explains, raising the fact that the SQE may prove particularly challenging for this current generation of ‘Covid graduates’. “During the SQE, you’re in that hall by yourself with no notes,” Okwaisie says. “I had to approach my preparation differently and focus on memorising the content as well as understanding it.”

Okwaisie is currently waiting for the results of his SQE2 exam which he sat a few weeks ago. Looking to the future, he tells me about the careers support BPP offers in addition to the SQE prep course. “There’s the BPP futures website which has a jobs board,” he says. “You can also send applications over to the careers service who will review them for you. I am finding this very helpful as I’m hoping to qualify as a solicitor at a commercial firm.”

Brian Okwaisie will be speaking at ‘Why is the SQE so hard to pass? — with BPP University Law School’, a virtual student event taking place TOMORROW (Tuesday 26 November). Apply now to attend.

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Andrea Spears discusses the differences between academic life and legal practice and how BARBRI aims to bridge this gap

In the fast-paced and competitive world of law, junior lawyers looking to get ahead will need more than just legal know-how. Andrea Spears is part of a team at BARBRI developing skills training courses which aim to bridge the gap between academic study and legal practice. BARBRI launched its Legal Life Skills courses earlier this year, focusing on essential practical skills for a successful law career that are not covered by the SQE.

Spears initially studied international business at university before completing a law conversion and qualifying at a commercial law firm. With eight years of experience as a corporate M&A lawyer in private practice and time spent working in-house for a global manufacturing company, she brings diverse insights from the legal profession. Later, she pivoted to legal education, creating a customised LPC course for a Magic Circle firm. Now a learning and development consultant with extensive experience in both face to face and virtual skills training and professional development, Spears focuses at BARBRI on preparing students for success in the workplace beyond the SQE.

I kick off our conversation by asking Spears about the skills that trainee solicitors and junior lawyers overlook as they begin their careers. “I would say business writing,” she responds.

“When you get into practice, you don’t immediately draft contracts or advise clients – the tasks that your formal training has prepared you for,” she says. “You’re much more likely to start off writing emails and legal research notes. It is these things that many trainees aren’t prepared for.”

Reflecting on her own experience as a trainee solicitor, as well as those she has supervised, she continues: “For many of us before we enter the workplace, our experience of writing has been academic. This means that we write to demonstrate our knowledge and understanding of a topic.” Recognising the new audience you’re writing for, busy professionals, is essential to effective business writing, Spears explains: “Whether writing for colleagues or clients, your audience is short on time—they want writing that’s succinct, clear, and sharp.”

Spears also stresses the importance of commercial awareness and understanding business. “If you want to get on, just being a good technical lawyer is not going to cut it,” she explains. “While in education, our focus is on finding the best legal solution to a problem, but this isn’t always what clients are looking for. For our clients, they have a business opportunity or challenge, which has a legal aspect to it. Junior lawyers need to learn to balance their technical legal knowledge with an understanding of commercial risk to help their clients strike a balance between achieving their business goals and ensuring their client’s don’t take undue legal risk.”

For those training in private practice, it is equally important to understand your law firm as a business. “You need to apply that commercial mindset to the business you work for, understanding your role within the firm,” Spears says. “I went into my legal career thinking that my role was to get better at law.” This mindset is shared by many trainees eager to build their technical legal knowledge. However, Spears says “the firm is going to expect something back, and are looking for you to make a valuable contribution to the business You therefore need to start thinking beyond legal skills and start building solid business development skills, be those networking or presentation skills, in order to contribute.”

The final set of skills Spears identifies are management skills. “This often comes down to time and stress management,” she says. Again, she emphasises the disconnect that exists between student life and life in a law firm. “It is easy to think that you have cracked time management because you have been balancing university work with a part-time job. However, in an office environment, your time isn’t necessarily your own. You will have that last-minute meeting or an urgent call which disrupts your schedule.” In order to really thrive as a trainee or junior lawyer, you will need to do more than just complete your tasks, says Spears. “It’s about managing your time in such a way that you don’t undersell yourself by producing work that is less than top quality due to stress and time constraints.”

As the legal industry evolves and the growth of legal tech continues, all these skills are only becoming more important. “When I was a trainee, much of our work involved routine document and time intensive tasks which are now taken care of by legal technology,” she says. From Spears’ perspective, this will have a positive effect on junior lawyers. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for those getting into the profession,” Spears tells me, adding, “You will get more client-facing work which will push you to that next level quicker. The flipside is that whilst these skills have always been important in the profession, to cope with this more client focused work, aspiring lawyers will need to be prepared: “law firms are going to be looking for these legal life skills more and more when they are recruiting.”

So how do BARBRI’s Legal Life Skills courses support those looking to develop these crucial skills? “Many young lawyers will be told which skills they lack, but they are rarely told how to develop them,” Spears responds. “These courses give you the practical tools to build key skills.” The courses are aimed at anyone looking to get into the legal profession: “This could be trainees and paralegals or aspiring trainees and paralegals who want to be practiced in these skills when they get through the door on day one,” Spears says. But they are also vital to junior lawyers in practice who want to accelerate the development of their existing skills. The courses were developed by the BARBRI team in consultation with lawyers, trainees, paralegals, clients and learning and development specialists working in law firms. “It was important to get a balanced view on the skills junior lawyers need as well as what is reasonable to expect from lawyers at this stage,” Spears reflects.

Additionally, these online courses can be completed in short bitesize chunks on your own timetable. “The days of going out for a full day of training are behind us because of the cost and time involved,” Spears explains. “We also find that a day in a training room doesn’t work as effectively when it comes to learning and development – there’s only so much a person can take in at a time, especially when the training is scheduled for a specific day where they have other demands on their time.” The online content is complemented with live masterclasses led by a subject matter expert during which students can discuss and reflect on what they’ve learnt and develop even more skills. “Participating in a live session where you can talk and ask questions is key for building confidence,” Spears says.

To wrap up our discussion, I ask Spears how these skills, which are so important for lawyers to develop at the start of their careers, pave the way for long-term career growth. “Based on my experience, both in private practice and in-house, is that lawyers never stop learning”, she responds. “You will be continually building your skills throughout your career. In order to do this, you need a firm foundation — that’s where these skills come in. If you start off your career understanding the need for these critical skills and how to develop them, you will build a solid career which won’t crumble later down the line due to weak foundations,” she concludes.

Find out more from BARBRI about employability skills at ‘Supercharge your CV: essential skills for aspiring solicitors — with BARBRI’, a virtual student event taking place TOMORROW (Thursday, 31 October). Apply now to attend.

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ULaw student Brian Ngure gives his top tips for SQE success

As Brian Ngure progresses through the one-year LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) programme at The University of Law (ULaw), he’s already making significant steps towards a career in law. Becoming a trader of US stocks before the pandemic, Ngure has built up a significant amount of commercial knowledge on the movements of the markets.

With tomorrow’s Legal Cheek in-person workshops and networking event (on 17 October), we spoke with Ngure to gain an insider’s view on moving into the law, and what he’s learnt undertaking SQE preparation with ULaw.

Can you walk me through your educational journey so far, and what attracted you to law?

My law journey begun in 2018 when I started trading American stocks and I became increasingly aware of the multi-jurisdictional issues that affected the trades I was making; I wanted to understand how commercial lawyers would solve these issues for their clients. I enjoy problem solving and I ending up preferring learning and applying legal concepts over trading. This experience influenced my decision to study Law and Business at the University of Northampton before swapping to the LLB course to deepen my understanding of law. I moved back to Liverpool in July 2023 to study the LLM Legal Practice (SQE1 & 2) at the University of Law. I held the Vice President and SQE class rep positions at ULaw and I even organised the Liverpool Law Ball with other class reps.

You work as a student ambassador for ULaw, can you talk to me about this role, and what your biggest learnings have been?

I applied for the role early into my year and attended training with other potential ambassadors. We answered questions and played fun ice breaking games which allowed me to build some friendships with a few ambassadors. So many people applied, and I wasn’t sure if I’d secure the role, but I am happy that I was shortlisted!

As a student ambassador for ULaw, I have the privilege of representing ULaw at law fairs, open days, and various networking events across three campuses: Liverpool, Manchester, and Chester. My role involves engaging with prospective students and their families, offering insights into the university experience, and answering their questions. This responsibility not only allows me to develop my communication skills but also enables me to gain valuable experience.

You’re studying for the LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) with ULaw, and you recently passed the SQE1 exams. Congratulations! Can you talk to me about how ULaw uniquely prepares its students to succeed?

I passed SQE1 on my first attempt, and I will sit my SQE2 exams at the end of October. University of Law follows a prepare, engage, and consolidate framework which is good at preparing students to pass their external and internal exams. An example of the technique in practice is, you do the reading, then you would attend a two-hour seminar for an in-depth discussion, before going back home to consolidate the learning by attempting practice questions and reflecting on progress. Personally, the online textbooks I found better than the physical copies as I could read them on my phone at any time. If you are struggling with a particular topic, lecturers can answer your emails or stay back at the end of the seminars to provide extra support that will help you understand the topic better.

I did SQE mocks, and I attained 45% and then after revision, I attempted the same mocks and achieved 60%. Ulaw has over 7,000 practice questions that you can practice online or through their app. These questions were like the questions in my real exam and at least 10 questions were identical.

Having passed SQE1, which set of exams did you find the most challenging and why?

I found Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 1 of the SQE1 exams to be challenging due to the vast amount of knowledge you need to retain for the exams. Moreover, FLK1 modules did not complement each other as much as FLK2 modules. For example, the wills module contained property practice information, and some tax calculations were similar across different modules. I spent over six weeks trying to memorise the legal tests in contract and tort, understanding the documents required when forming a company or the dates that will be counted when deciding if a claim form is deemed served. These are just a few things that were very confusing and hard to memorise.

I also found the exam style to be challenging as both back-to-back exams were two and a half hours long  — with just an hour break in between them. I was exhausted after the first half and although I ate some food during the break, I felt tired during the second exam. FLK2 was a lot easier after my FLK1 experience and I was more prepared by sleeping longer the night before my exams.

Many SQE students have fears going into this challenging set of exams. Can you walk me through how you practiced resilience throughout your studies?

I knew that I wanted to be a lawyer and, because I funded my exams independently, I put in a lot of effort to ensure that I would pass first time to avoid paying for resits. When I failed my first mock exams, I knew I had a lot of time before my real exam and I planned my time well to revise enough before the real exam. My advice to aspiring solicitors is to stay calm. Remember that if you’re coming to the SQE from a law degree, you will have retained a lot of information without realising.

My confidence and resilience improved when I realised that I was familiar with a lot of the material in the SQE1 exams and other aspiring solicitors should remain confident that they will understand the new content.

I did a lot of practice questions, some I achieved 30% whilst some tests I achieved 90%. On the day of the exams, I did ten practice questions whilst walking to the test centre and read through some of the legal tests I struggled to remember. I secured three or four extra marks because of this last-minute reading!

What have you learned about yourself through your SQE journey?

I enrolled onto the LLM SQE course with ULaw, despite having less than the £4,700 required for the exams. I pushed through and worked up to 60 hours a week to save the money required to pay for my SQE exams as well as extra money required to pay my bills. I sacrificed sleep and my social life, but I worked hard and did whatever it took to pass so that I could realise my aspirations of becoming a commercial lawyer. I learnt that I am resilient, and I can do anything I put my mind to.

I also learnt to manage my time better. Once my priorities were straight, I found the long hours easy, and I picked modules that explored commercial topics I was interested in which helped me decide what practice areas I wanted to specialise in.

I learnt to balance my time and found creative revision techniques to retain information. For instance, I would teach my brother dispute resolution mechanisms or different business mediums for fun. This helped me memorise a lot of the material whilst enhancing my ability to explain complex information clearly.

What are your biggest tips for SQE candidates?

What I found useful was reading every single page in the textbooks I received as a ULaw student. I made sure to do my reading after every session and attempt at least 15 practice questions. Then I would attempt 10 extra practice questions at some point during the day, either at work or before driving somewhere. When approaching the exam dates, I revised everything again and I attempted over 3,000 questions within six weeks. Practice questions are key.

My other tip is to pay attention to the names of cases you learn. For example, one of the SQE1 exam questions asked what rule would be appropriate for the scenario they gave, and the answer was ‘rule in Rylands v Fletcher’.

Lastly, take breaks. I had Sundays off and that allowed me to refresh. The night before the exam, stop revising at 10pm and then do something else or sleep! Do not revise too much last minute.

Brian Ngure chats to Legal Cheek ahead tomorrow’s event (17 October), ‘In-person workshops and networking in Manchester 2024 — with Addleshaw Goddard, Clyde & Co, TLT and ULaw’. Apply now to attend HERE.

 

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BARBRI’s Emily Allen discusses the perks of flexible learning, the importance of downtime and the challenges of exam prep

“There’s no limit to how many questions you should ask,” says Emily Allen, senior tutor at BARBRI. “I had one student who posted one hundred queries on our online platform all in one day. We answered all of them.”

Allen began her career as a criminal barrister before realising that her vocation lay outside of practice. She started teaching the LLB and GDL in 2008 and now has over 14 years’ experience in legal education. She joined BARBRI in 2021 where she now prepares students to sit part one of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). “Getting into law is really challenging, as we all know,” she tells me, explaining her motivation for moving into teaching. “Helping people who are going through the process is really satisfying; it’s nice to help people on their journeys.”

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) rolled out the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) in September 2021 in an effort to address some of these challenges that aspiring solicitors face. “One of the great things about the SQE is that it’s designed to open access to this career,” Allen says. However, she admits that this new exam brings with it challenges of its own, “In terms of the psychology of it all, it’s a bit of a battering sitting this exam.” The SQE requires candidates to swot up on 16 course modules which are all tested in two five-hour mega-exams. Allen acknowledges the difficulty of this, refuting claims that these exams constitute a “dumbing down” of legal education, “Actually, getting through this exam with 360 questions on 16 different modules all within two days and where the percentage pass rate is likely to be in the fifties. That’s really challenging.” Candidates need to answer just over half of the questions correct in order to pass.

Allen goes on to explain how this can affect students’ motivation in the exam room:

“As you sit the test you are very aware of the fact that you’re getting loads of questions wrong,” she says. “It’s really important to remember that even if you get one in three questions wrong, you’re doing really well. When students leave the exam, even the best performing candidates often feel as if they’ve failed.”

These “psychologically much tougher” exams are something that the BARBRI SQE1 takes into account. “Prepping students for exam day is a large part of the prep course,” Allen tells me. “At BARBRI we have learning coaches and performance coaches that students can have as many appointments with as they want,” she explains. Allen herself is a learning coach, “I have some students who will book in with me every week to have a check-in and talk through any worries they have that week. I don’t answer legal questions in these sessions, it’s all about pastoral and wellbeing support.” Students in need of emotional bolstering can choose between appointments with a learning coach like Allen or a BARBRI performance coach, “these are trained coaches, rather than qualified lawyers.” This is an important way that the course brings connection into online learning, Allen explains, “Students don’t feel isolated because we have these opportunities for one-on-one appointments. It’s available to anyone and they can have as much as they want. I think that’s pretty special.”

I am curious to hear Allen’s advice for students who are preparing for the SQE1 as we speak. “You cannot cram for this exam,” she answers. Acknowledging that sometimes this advice is easier said than done, she admits, “I am someone who crammed for my law exams when I did the GDL. But I could cram for that format of exam. It’s just not an option for SQE1 because there’s so much content for two days’ work of assessment.” She recommends “being organised and finding a way to get through the content one way or another. Don’t beat yourself up when you fall behind but re-engage with the material and make sure you get to the end.”

So, what would Allen’s advice be for students who are worried that they have fallen behind already? “The first thing to is to acknowledge that it’s very normal to fall behind,” she responds “it’s not a failure in any way; life happens. The key is getting back into the swing of things.” Allen goes on to explain how the BARBRI prep course is designed to accommodate students’ changing needs through their online Personal Study Plan (PSP). “Once you’ve signed up to a course, lots of things could happen,” she says, “You might get ill, you might start a job, you might take on new care responsibilities, all of this will affect your study.” She adds, “If you have fallen significantly behind, my advice would be to adjust your PSP. It will increase the number of study hours you need to do between now and the exam so you are no longer behind.” Don’t catastrophise, instead focus on what your next steps are is Allen’s advice, “getting students to see that it’s not as bad as they thought is often all they need to get back on track,” she says.

While students make their way through the course content, Allen is keen to stress the importance of relaxation and downtime. “It’s important to block out study time in your diary. Not just so you can get the work done but also, perhaps more importantly, so that you can see where your free time is,” she explains. “The risk is that students are always either studying, or if they’re not studying, they’re feeling really guilty because they feel like they should be studying. This can be really draining and demotivating.” To keep your spirits up, Allen recommends “being kind to yourself, being realistic and giving yourself the freedom to enjoy your down time.”

BARBRI’s fully remote offering lets students decide for themselves how they do this. Allen describes the course as “super flexible” and tells me, “It’s really easy to integrate studying at BARBRI into otherwise busy lives, and lots of our students do have very busy lives. It fits because you can choose how you make it fit.” BARBRI sets students up on their online platform where they can find all the learning materials for the course and practice exam questions. Lectures are available offline so students can listen on their morning commute or even during a flight! “Because you can study from anywhere and learn in bitesize chunks, our exercises tend to be only of half an hour or so, it is really easy to combine this study with other obligations,” Allen tells me.

Despite the flexibility that online learning has to offer, Allen is aware of the fact that some students might balk at the idea of a fully remote course. “One of the reasons people hesitate about online learning is that they’re worried they might feel isolated and unsupported,” she acknowledges, but is keen to emphasise that “studying online doesn’t have to be lonely.” BARBRI have thought of this as well, it seems, “We have systems in place to help students form study groups. If they want to go away and study together in-person, they can do that too,” Allen says. She also mentions the live sessions that are on offer at BARBRI, including group strategy sessions and live online law clinics, which give students the chance to connect, “you really can personalise your experience,” she finishes.

Emily Allen will be speaking at ‘SQE success strategies: tailoring prep to your individual needs — with BARBRI’, a virtual student event taking THIS AFTERNOON (Wednesday, 25 September). Apply for one of the final few places.

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