SQE sponsorship:
a practical guide for law firms
What to pay, which provider to choose, how to time it around training contracts, and what a sensible sponsorship policy looks like. Based on provider pricing and pass rate data as of April 2026.
What SQE sponsorship typically covers
There is no minimum legal requirement for what firms must cover, but market practice has converged around the following:
| Component | Firm-funded? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SQE prep course (SQE1 + SQE2) | Usually | Varies: some firms fund SQE1 only and require passing before committing to SQE2 |
| SRA exam registration fees | Usually | £1,934 for SQE1 (both papers); £2,493 for SQE2 (2026 figures) |
| First resit | About 50/50 | Many firms fund one resit; some require self-funding after first failure |
| Study leave (paid) | Variable | City firms typically give 2–4 weeks paid study leave pre-exam |
| Living allowance during prep | Large firms only | Magic/Silver Circle often pay a maintenance grant during full-time study periods |
Firms that offer full funding (course + exams + one resit + study leave) have a clear recruiting advantage over those that only fund the course fee.
Choosing a provider for your trainees
The two largest providers — BPP and University of Law — have dedicated firm relationship teams, volume pricing, and established track records. Most large City and regional firms use one of them exclusively.
Flexible delivery, strong SQE2 mock programme
From £5,899 (SQE1) to £18,000+ for full suite
Volume discounts available for 5+ candidates. Has dedicated B2B team.
Structured timetable, strong LPC-to-SQE transition support
From £6,999 (SQE1) to £18,850 full suite
Multi-campus presence. Strong in large cohort delivery.
US firm trainees, online-first delivery
From £3,199 (SQE1 only)
Used by several US firms' London offices. More flexible scheduling.
International / overseas-qualified lawyers
From £4,500
Specialist focus on foreign-qualified candidates. Not suitable for standard TC cohorts.
For an independent side-by-side of all 8 providers: full provider comparison →
Cost-per-head benchmarks (2026)
Total cost per trainee depends on course choice, provider, exam registrations and whether resits are covered. These are indicative budgeted ranges:
| Scenario | Course fees | SRA fees | Total (no resit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPP full SQE1+2 | ~£14,000 | £4,427 | ~£18,427 |
| ULaw full SQE1+2 | ~£18,850 | £4,427 | ~£23,277 |
| BARBRI full SQE1+2 | ~£7,500 | £4,427 | ~£11,927 |
| SQE1 only (any mid-tier) | £4,000–£6,999 | £1,934 | £5,934–£8,933 |
SRA fees: SQE1 £1,934 (both papers), SQE2 £2,493. Course prices are published 2026 rates; volume discounts may apply. Use our cost calculator →
Timing SQE around training contracts
Most firms ask trainees to complete SQE1 before the TC starts (or in year one), then SQE2 at the end of the TC or after. Common models:
Pre-TC academic year
Trainee completes SQE1 prep during a funded pre-TC year (similar to the old GDL/LPC year). Start TC only after passing SQE1.
Used by: Magic/Silver Circle, larger regionals
SQE1 during TC year 1
Trainee joins firm, sits SQE1 in January or July of year 1, continues TC regardless of result (firm funds resit if needed).
Used by: Mid-size firms, cost-conscious firms
End-to-end: SQE1 → QWE → SQE2
Firm funds SQE1 prep upfront. TC satisfies 2-year QWE. Firm funds SQE2 prep in year 2. Trainee qualifies on day 1 post-TC.
Used by: Increasingly standard across all firm sizes
Pass rates: what the data means for your trainees
The SQE1 overall pass rate for July 2025 was 41%. First-time candidates who completed a structured prep course perform significantly better — estimated 55–65% pass rate at first attempt for well-prepared candidates, versus below 30% for self-study-only candidates.
What this means in practice
If you send 10 trainees through SQE1 with no structured prep, statistically 3–4 will fail at first attempt. With a quality prep course, that falls to 2–3. Covering a resit (£967 per paper) is cheap compared to the cost of delayed qualification and re-running seat rotations.
Provider-level pass rates are not published by the SRA, but the full pass rate history by sitting is available on this site. Firms with >5 trainees per cohort should ask providers for their internal first-attempt pass rates — reputable providers will share this data.
Policy wording: key clauses to include
A written SQE sponsorship policy protects both firm and trainee and avoids disputes. Key clauses:
What is covered
"The firm will fund the cost of one SQE1 preparation course, SQE1 registration fees, one SQE2 preparation course and SQE2 registration fees."
Resit policy
"The firm will fund one resit per exam. Subsequent resits are the candidate's own expense. The firm will grant one week of paid study leave per resit."
Clawback provisions
"If the trainee leaves the firm within 24 months of qualification, fees paid will be repayable on a sliding scale: 100% if leaving within 12 months; 50% if leaving between 12–24 months."
Provider choice
"The firm has a preferred provider arrangement with [BPP / ULaw]. Trainees wishing to use an alternative provider may do so but will receive reimbursement up to the firm's preferred provider rate only."
Study leave
"Trainees will receive up to [X] days paid study leave in the 4 weeks before each examination. Study leave is not cumulative and cannot be taken in lieu."
These are examples only and do not constitute legal advice. Review with your HR and legal teams before implementing.
Compare all 8 SQE providers
Side-by-side prices, pass rate data, delivery formats and our independent verdict on each provider.
View provider comparison →Frequently asked questions
Are firms legally required to fund the SQE?
No. There is no legal obligation to fund SQE training. However, sponsorship is increasingly standard practice and is expected by candidates at most City and regional firms.
Can we use a clawback clause if a trainee fails and leaves?
Yes, provided the clause is clearly documented in the employment contract or training agreement and is proportionate. Tribunals have upheld reasonable clawback clauses for training costs. Disproportionate clawbacks (e.g. full repayment after 3 years) are at risk of challenge.
How many SQE sittings per year should we plan around?
SQE1 sits twice a year (January and July). SQE2 sits four times a year (January, April, July, October). Most firms plan primary cohorts around the July SQE1 sitting and July/October SQE2.
What is the SRA's position on firm-specific preparation materials?
The SRA assessments are standardised and independent of providers. Firms can commission bespoke workshops from providers (e.g. additional SQE2 orals practice) without affecting the exam itself.
Do paralegals count toward QWE if we later offer them a training contract?
Yes, provided their paralegal work was supervised by a solicitor and they have a QWE confirmation from their supervisor. This is common — many firms now offer TCs to internal paralegals who are mid-way through their QWE.