If you’re planning to sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE2), one of the first questions you’ll face is: “Do I need an SQE2 prep course, or can I just self-study?”
It’s a fair question — after all, the SQE is expensive, and many candidates are already juggling jobs, family commitments, or debt from previous studies. But while some candidates do try to prepare for SQE2 without structured support, some find that an SQE2 prep course gives them the clarity, practice, and confidence they need to succeed.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons, plus what self-study really looks like in practice.
🎓 What Does an SQE2 Prep Course Actually Offer?
An SQE2 prep course is designed to cover both the legal knowledge and the practical skills you’ll be assessed on. A good course should typically include:
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Clear structures for each assessment type (advocacy, interviews, drafting, etc.).
- Lectures going over the FLK and/or assessment types.
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Mock exams that mirror the real SQE2 format.
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Feedback from tutors so you know where you’re hitting the criteria and where you’re falling short.
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Revision resources to refresh your functioning legal knowledge (FLK).
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Textbooks and tailored study materials to consolidate both skills and black-letter law.
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Study schedules and accountability to keep you on track.
The point isn’t just giving you more big books — it’s training you to think and perform like a solicitor under exam conditions.
✅ The Pros of an SQE2 Prep Course
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You save time. Instead of reinventing the wheel, you should get ready-made structures, checklists, and mock questions that focus your revision.
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You get feedback. Self-study makes it hard to know if you’re “doing it right.” A course gives you expert eyes on your work.
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You learn the marking criteria. Passing SQE2 isn’t about writing everything you know; it’s about showing the examiners exactly what they’re looking for. Prep courses should train you to hit those criteria.
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Accountability. Having deadlines, mock schedules, and tutor support keeps you moving, especially when motivation dips.
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Community. Many prep courses connect you with other candidates — so you’re not going through it alone.
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Extra materials. Most providers include textbooks, sample answers, and additional practice materials that would be costly to source on your own.
❌ The Cons of an SQE2 Prep Course
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The cost. SQE2 courses aren’t cheap, and on top of exam fees, they’re a significant investment.
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Not all courses are equal. Some offer brilliant resources, others are little more than recycled notes. Choosing the wrong one can waste both time and money.
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Content balance issues. Some SQE2 prep courses — even from large providers — put too much focus on the skills and neglect the black-letter law, leaving candidates underprepared on the fundamentals.
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Less flexibility. Structured programmes can feel restrictive if you prefer setting your own pace or focusing only on weaker areas.
🤔 What About Self-Study?
It is possible to prepare for SQE2 on your own, but it requires serious discipline. Self-study usually means:
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Creating your own study timetable.
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Finding peers to practise oral skills with (advocacy, interviews).
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Marking your own work against the official criteria.
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Keeping yourself accountable without external deadlines.
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Investing in a good set of textbooks to cover the law comprehensively.
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Making sure you get exposure to mocks (purchased from providers or obtained from previous students) so you can practise under exam conditions.
Some candidates succeed this way, especially if they’ve already had significant paralegal or training experience and are used to applying law in practice.
🔑 The Middle Ground
You don’t necessarily need the most expensive full-time SQE2 prep course. Many candidates find success with:
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Modular options (buying only a set of textbooks, mocks, outlines or only feedback).
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Flexible shorter online courses that let you study around work.
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Targeted tutoring for weaker skills (like advocacy or drafting).
This way, you get structured support where you need it most — without paying for extras you don’t use.
For modular options and supplemental resources, check out my resources here. You’ll find outlines, mock exams, and modular feedback options designed to help you focus on exactly what you need.
🚀 Final Thoughts: Do You Really Need an SQE2 Prep Course?
It comes down to your circumstances. If you’re:
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Short on time,
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New to practical legal work, or
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Unsure how to go about your prep…
…then an SQE2 prep course is usually worth it.
If you’re highly disciplined, have strong practical experience, and are confident building your own study plan with textbooks and mocks, then self-study might be enough.
For some candidates, though, the exam is too high-stakes to leave to chance. A well-chosen SQE2 prep course doesn’t just teach you the law — it should give you the strategies, structures, and feedback to perform like a solicitor on exam day.
And that’s exactly what the SQE2 is testing.