Preparing for the SQE1 or SQE2 while working full-time is already challenging — but doing it in an environment where your employer doesn’t understand the time commitment is another level entirely.
Too many candidates are stuck trying to juggle demanding workloads with an exam that requires months of structured, focused revision. And yet… some firms and companies still treat SQE prep as something you can squeeze in “after work” or “at the weekend.”
If that sounds familiar, this thought piece is for you.
Here’s how to navigate it, how to position the value you bring, and how to advocate for yourself — professionally and confidently.
First: No, You’re Not Being Dramatic
Let’s call it what it is:
The SQE is not a side hobby.
It’s not something you casually revise for while half-watching Netflix.
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SQE1 requires months of heavy black-letter law revision.
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SQE2 requires mastering six skills and demonstrating day-1 competence across five legal areas.
This is solicitor qualification — which is likely the highest-stakes exam you’ll ever sit in your legal career.
So if your employer thinks you can do it “in a few hours here and there in your spare time,” they’re not being realistic. And you’re not being unreasonable for wanting support.
Why Employers Often Don’t ‘Get It’
Most employers — especially those who qualified via the LPC — simply don’t understand the SQE structure.
Common misconceptions include:
❌ “SQE1 is just multiple choice.”
❌ “SQE2 is just skills; it doesn’t require studying.”
❌ “Everyone passes eventually.”
❌ “You have prepared just by working.”
They don’t know the intensity because they haven’t lived it.
They don’t realise the level of independent study required.
They don’t appreciate the stress, the time pressure, or the cognitive load.
And that’s not your fault.
But it is your job to educate them.
How to Position the Conversation About Study Leave
If you want your employer to understand what you need, the message must be strategic — not emotional. Here’s how to frame it effectively:
1. Emphasise the Win–Win
A qualified solicitor is:
✅ More valuable
✅ More efficient
✅ Able to take on higher-level work
✅ A long-term asset
And — if you’re self-funding — they’re getting all of this for free.
No training contract cost.
No law school fees.
No internal programme.
You’re giving the company a fully qualified solicitor without them spending a penny.
That point should land (if they have an ounce of sense).
2. Explain the Actual Time Requirement (Because They Don’t Know)
Give simple, honest numbers:
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SQE1 prep = 250–400 hours
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SQE2 prep = 150–250 hours, including mock interviews, drafting, advocacy, and time-pressured tasks
Most managers will immediately understand this cannot always be slotted into evenings and weekends alone.
3. Present a Clear Ask
Be specific about what you need – for example:
✅ Two weeks’ study leave
✅ Reduced workload in the 4–6 weeks before the exam
✅ Protected revision evenings (i.e., no late meetings)
✅ Agreement not to schedule major deadlines during exam week
Vague requests get vague responses.
Clear requests get solutions.
4. Show That You’ve Planned Your Side
Frame it professionally:
“I’ve created a structured study plan to ensure my preparation is organised and consistent. With study leave on these dates, I will be able to perform at my best and return fully focused.”
Employers should respond well to competence and planning.
It reassures them you’re managing the process responsibly.
5. Remind Them of Their Reputation
Nobody wants to be known as the company that:
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refuses study leave
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burns out junior staff
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hinders professional development
A line like this works beautifully:
“Supporting qualification isn’t just about helping me — it reflects the company’s commitment to developing future talent.”
It appeals to their brand, not just your need.
If They Still Don’t Support You…
This part may sting, but it’s true:
If an employer is unwilling to support you qualifying as a solicitor, you need to seriously consider whether they are invested in your future.
A company that won’t:
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protect 1–2 weeks of your time,
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or acknowledge the reality of the SQE,
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or make minimal adjustments
…is not thinking long-term about you or your development.
And that matters.
Final Thoughts
You deserve an employer who understands that SQE preparation takes real time, real effort, and real commitment.
Whether you receive formal study leave or you self-fund everything, you are working toward a qualification that directly benefits your employer.
So don’t downplay what you need.
Don’t apologise for asking.
And don’t let anyone minimise what the SQE requires.
When you qualify, your company gains a solicitor — a regulated, skilled professional — because of your hard work.
The least they can do is give you the time to prepare properly.
If your employer doesn’t understand that…
this blog post is your permission to advocate for yourself.