Is City University Worth It? Honest SQE Course Review 2026

TL;DR: City, University of London charges £9,500-£11,500 for SQE prep with self-reported 62% SQE1 / 87% SQE2 pass rates. Mid-range pricing for top London university prestige-but are you paying for academic quality or just the location?

What You're Paying For

City University SQE1 + SQE2 Combined:

• Online: £9,500
• Classroom: £11,500
• Hybrid: £10,500

Compare this to:

• BPP: £12,200-£14,300 (22-25% more expensive)
• BARBRI: £5,899 (38% cheaper)
• QLTS School: £2,500 (74% cheaper)
• University of Law: £15,150-£18,850 (38-64% more expensive)

Use our cost calculator to see the full breakdown including resits.

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The Reality: Self-Reported Pass Rates

Critical context: City claims 62% SQE1 / 87% SQE2 pass rates, but these are self-reported and unverified. The SRA hasn't published official provider-level data-a major point of criticism from the Legal Services Board.

What "62% pass rate" likely means:

• NOT 62% of all students who enrolled
• PROBABLY 62% of students who:
  • Completed >90% of course materials
  • Attended all workshops
  • Submitted all assessments
  • Actually sat the exam

This is standard across all providers. See our pass rates transparency guide for full context.

Actual SRA overall pass rates:

• SQE1: 41% (July 2025)
• SQE2: 78% (October 2025)

Worth noting: City's self-reported 62% is lower than BPP's 68% despite being a top London university.

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What You Actually Get

SQE1 Preparation

✅ Academic-quality materials:

• University-level textbooks (physical + digital)
• Journal and research database access
• Video lectures and tutorials
• 2,500+ practice MCQs
• Revision guides

✅ Tutor support:

• 15+ hours of tutor access
• Live online workshops
• Office hours for questions
• Academic guidance

✅ Mock exams:

• 3 full mock assessments
• Performance analytics
• Individual feedback

SQE2 Preparation

✅ Practical skills training:

• In-person workshops (classroom option)
• Virtual skills sessions (online option)
• Mock client interviews
• Mock advocacy exercises
• Legal writing practice

✅ Central London advantage:

• Study in the heart of the City
• Network with London legal professionals
• Access to City law firm events
• Prime location for interviews

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City's Actual Strengths

1. London University Prestige ✅ City is a top London university with excellent academic reputation. The credential carries weight.

2. Prime Central London Location ✅ Based in the heart of London's legal district. Perfect for networking and accessing City law firm events.

3. Academic Excellence ✅ Research-led teaching from experienced academics. You're getting university-quality education, not just exam prep.

4. Strong City Law Firm Connections ✅ Exceptional links to City law firms. Valuable if you're targeting Magic Circle or major City firms.

5. Competitive Pricing ✅ At £9,500-£11,500, City is cheaper than BPP (£12,200+) and ULaw (£15,150+) while offering university prestige.

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City's Actual Weaknesses

1. Lower Self-Reported Pass Rates ❌ 62% is lower than BPP (68%) and only marginally higher than BARBRI (58%) despite costing £3,600 more.

2. Unverified Claims ❌ Like all providers, pass rate statistics are self-reported marketing claims, not verified data.

3. Limited Campus Network ❌ Only one location (London). No regional campus options like ULaw.

4. London-Only Benefit ❌ The central London location premium only makes sense if you're actually in London.

5. Still Expensive for Online ❌ At £9,500 for online, you're paying for London prestige even if you're studying remotely.

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Who City University Is Actually For

✅ London-based students If you're in London, the central location, networking opportunities, and City firm connections are valuable.

✅ Students targeting City law firms If you want Magic Circle or major City firm roles, City's connections and reputation help.

✅ Those wanting university prestige If you value the academic credential and research-led teaching, City delivers at a lower price than ULaw.

✅ Employer-sponsored students If your firm is paying and you're in London, City is an excellent choice.

❌ Budget-conscious students At £9,500+, this is still expensive. BARBRI (£5,899) or QLTS School (£2,500) offer better value.

❌ Regional students If you're not in London, the central location premium doesn't benefit you. Consider BPP (multiple locations) or online-only providers.

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The Value Proposition Question

City vs BARBRI comparison:

Question: Is university prestige and tutor access worth £3,601?

If you're in London and value prestige: Possibly yes.

If you're budget-conscious or remote: Probably no.

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What Students Actually Say

Positives:

• "Excellent location in the heart of the City"
• "Strong academic teaching quality"
• "Great for networking with City law firms"
• "University credential looks good on CV"
• "Tutors are knowledgeable and supportive"

Negatives:

• "Still expensive for what you get"
• "Pass rates aren't better than cheaper options"
• "Location only matters if you're actually in London"
• "Online option doesn't justify the London premium"
• "Could've saved money with BARBRI and passed anyway"

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The Honest Verdict

Is City University worth £9,500-£11,500?

If London-based + targeting City firms: Yes. The location, connections, and prestige justify the mid-range cost.

If employer-sponsored: Yes. Take advantage of the university quality and networking.

If self-funded and budget-conscious: Questionable. Consider whether:

1. University prestige matters to you
2. You'll actually use the London location
3. £3,600 premium over BARBRI is worth 4% higher self-reported pass rate

Better value alternatives:

• BARBRI (£5,899) - 38% cheaper, only 4% lower self-reported pass rate
• QLTS School (£2,500) - 74% cheaper for self-study
• Nottingham (£7,500-£9,500) - similar price, Russell Group university

More expensive options with different benefits:

• BPP (£12,200) - 22% more, higher pass rates (68%)
• University of Law (£15,150) - 59% more, 10+ campus locations

Compare all providers side-by-side on our provider comparison page.

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The Smart Approach

If choosing City:

1. Only if you're London-based or targeting City law firms
2. Use the location for networking extensively
3. Leverage City law firm connections
4. Make use of central London study facilities

If self-funding:

1. Calculate total costs including potential resits using our cost calculator
2. Honestly assess if university prestige matters to your career goals
3. Consider whether BARBRI at £5,899 meets your needs
4. Remember: Your pass/fail depends on your effort, not your provider's location

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The Bottom Line

City, University of London offers a mid-range option with genuine university prestige. You're paying for:

• Top London university credential
• Prime central London location
• Academic excellence
• Strong City law firm connections
• Tutor support and structure

You're not paying for:

• Higher pass rates than cheaper alternatives (62% vs BARBRI's 58%)
• Verified statistics (self-reported data only)
• Content unavailable elsewhere (everyone teaches SRA syllabus)
• Guaranteed results

Best for: London-based students targeting City law firms who value university prestige and can justify the mid-range cost.

Not ideal for: Budget-conscious students outside London who prioritize value over prestige.

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Disclaimer: City University's pass rate statistics are self-reported and unverified. The SRA has not published official provider-level data. All provider claims should be treated with skepticism. See our pass rates transparency page for full context.