Barbri, QLTS and SQE: What Internationally Qualified Lawyers Need to Know in 2026

If you are searching for "Barbri QLTS" in 2026, you are almost certainly an internationally qualified lawyer trying to work out how the old route relates to the new one, or what Barbri now offers. This page answers both questions directly.

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QLTS no longer exists

The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) was the route by which lawyers qualified in other jurisdictions could become England and Wales solicitors. It involved two assessments: a multiple choice test (OSCE) and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Barbri was one of the main providers of QLTS preparation materials.

QLTS closed to new applicants on 1 September 2021. The SRA replaced it with the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which applies to all routes to qualification: domestic law graduates, non-law graduates, and internationally qualified lawyers alike.

If you started a QLTS application before September 2021 and were granted an extension, you may have been able to complete it under the old rules. That window has now closed. Everyone qualifying from this point forward goes through SQE.

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What Barbri offers now

Barbri transitioned from QLTS preparation to SQE preparation when the route changed. In 2026, Barbri offers:

• SQE1 preparation — covering FLK1 (Business Law, Contract, Tort, Dispute Resolution, Constitutional and Administrative Law, EU Law, Legal System) and FLK2 (Criminal Law, Property Practice, Land Law, Wills and Administration of Estates, Trusts, Solicitors Accounts)
• SQE2 preparation — covering the six written and oral assessment types: client interviewing, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research, legal writing, and legal drafting
• Combined SQE1 + SQE2 courses — full-route preparation for candidates going through both assessments

Barbri's SQE1 + SQE2 combined course is priced at approximately £5,899 as of 2026, which makes it one of the more affordable full-service providers. It sits between the self-study budget providers like QLTS School (£2,500) and the premium campus providers like University of Law and BPP (£12,000 to £18,850).

Barbri has historically focused on international candidates, and its materials and teaching style reflect that — the content tends to assume less prior familiarity with the English legal system than some domestic-focused providers.

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The SQE route for internationally qualified lawyers

The key question for any internationally qualified lawyer is whether you need to sit both SQE1 and SQE2, or just SQE2.

SQE1 exemption

The SRA will grant an exemption from SQE1 to lawyers who are:

• Qualified in a Common Law jurisdiction (which includes the US, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, and several others)
• Able to demonstrate equivalent legal knowledge through their prior qualification

This is not automatic. You must apply to the SRA for the exemption, provide evidence of your qualification, and be approved before you can register for SQE2. The SRA evaluates applications individually. Lawyers from civil law jurisdictions (EU countries, most of continental Europe, most of Asia outside Common Law jurisdictions) are generally not eligible for SQE1 exemption and must sit both assessments.

If you hold a recognised Common Law qualification, applying for the SQE1 exemption is worth doing before investing in SQE1 preparation — Barbri or otherwise. If it is granted, your costs and preparation timeline drop substantially.

SQE2 for internationally qualified lawyers

SQE2 is a practical assessment. It tests six skills across twelve stations: oral stations (client interview, advocacy) and written stations (case analysis, legal research, legal writing, legal drafting). The subject matter draws on areas of English law — so even with SQE1 exemption, candidates from non-English law backgrounds will typically need some substantive law preparation alongside the skills preparation.

Barbri's SQE2 course is designed to cover both: the practical skills and the underlying law. For candidates who are strong on procedure but less familiar with English substantive law, this integrated approach tends to work better than purely skills-focused preparation.

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How Barbri compares to other providers for this route

For internationally qualified lawyers considering the full SQE route (or SQE2 only), the main provider options in 2026 are:

Barbri (£5,899 for SQE1 + SQE2) Online-first, strong SQE2 focus, historically served international candidates. Cheaper than BPP and ULaw. Less infrastructure than the largest providers but good materials.

University of Law (£15,150 to £18,850) Widest range of delivery modes. Campus, online, and hybrid. Strong brand recognition. Most expensive option. Can be accessed in flexible segments if you only need SQE2.

BPP (£12,200 to £14,300) 12 UK centres, strong legal vocational reputation. Significant price premium. Worth considering if you want classroom preparation and can access a BPP location.

QLTS School (£2,500) Self-study online only. No live teaching, no tutor access. Very cheap but requires significant self-direction. Does not publish pass rate data. Suitable for disciplined candidates who are already strong on English law fundamentals.

For internationally qualified lawyers who are new to English law, the structured approach of Barbri, BPP, or ULaw tends to reduce risk more than the self-study model, even at a higher price. The cost of a failed attempt (£2,006 to resit SQE1, £3,086 for SQE2, plus preparation costs) makes getting it right the first time financially significant.

Use the cost calculator to model total costs including SRA exam fees and potential resits for each provider.

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SRA exam fees in 2026

These are the SRA's own fees, separate from any provider course costs:

• SQE1: £1,934 (April 2026 sitting), rising to £2,006 from September 2026
• SQE2: £2,974 (April/July 2026 sittings), rising to £3,086 from September 2026
• SQE1 + SQE2 combined: £4,908 (pre-September 2026), rising to £5,092 from September 2026

These fees apply regardless of which provider you use for preparation. If you are exempt from SQE1, your SRA fee is £2,974 (or £3,086 from September 2026) for SQE2 alone.

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Qualifying work experience

Alongside passing SQE1 and SQE2, you need two years of qualifying work experience (QWE). For internationally qualified lawyers, legal work done in your home jurisdiction can count as QWE if it is supervised and the work involves legal activities.

You do not need to complete QWE through a formal training contract. Paralegal roles, in-house legal positions, and international legal work can all qualify, subject to employer sign-off confirming the work was supervised legal practice. The QWE Tracker is a free tool for logging and documenting your qualifying experience.

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Practical next steps

1. Check your SQE1 exemption eligibility — if you hold a Common Law qualification, apply to the SRA before committing to SQE1 preparation
2. Compare providers — for a structured comparison of Barbri, BPP, ULaw and others, use the provider comparison tool
3. Check exam dates — SQE1 and SQE2 sittings, registration deadlines and results dates are on the exam dates page
4. Understand costs — use the cost calculator to model total costs including provider fees, SRA fees, and potential resits

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still complete QLTS in 2026?

No. QLTS closed to new applicants in September 2021. It is no longer possible to start a new QLTS application. All internationally qualified lawyers seeking to qualify as England and Wales solicitors now go through SQE.

Does Barbri still do QLTS preparation?

No. Barbri has transitioned to SQE preparation. In 2026, Barbri offers SQE1 and SQE2 courses individually and as a combined package. QLTS no longer exists as a qualifying route so Barbri no longer offers QLTS materials.

Do I need to sit both SQE1 and SQE2 as an internationally qualified lawyer?

It depends on your prior qualification. Lawyers from Common Law jurisdictions can apply to the SRA for an SQE1 exemption. If granted, you sit SQE2 only. Lawyers from civil law jurisdictions generally need to sit both SQE1 and SQE2. The SRA decides exemption applications individually.

Is Barbri good for SQE2?

Barbri has a stronger SQE2 reputation than SQE1 among its candidates. Its materials cover both the practical skills and the underlying law, which is useful for internationally qualified lawyers who are familiar with legal practice but less familiar with English substantive law. It is priced below BPP and ULaw, making it a reasonable mid-range option for candidates who want structured preparation without the highest-cost providers.

What is the difference between QLTS and SQE?

QLTS (Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme) was a conversion route for internationally qualified lawyers, involving a multiple choice test and an OSCE practical assessment. SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) replaced it and applies to all qualification routes. SQE1 tests legal knowledge across 180 multiple choice questions per sitting. SQE2 tests six practical legal skills across twelve stations. The SQE also requires two years of qualifying work experience.