Education and training


Potential causes of differential outcomes by ethnicity in legal professional assessments

There is a widely acknowledged and long-standing difference in legal qualification outcomes by ethnicity. Our annual education and training monitoring reports show this difference and it is also evident in other sectors, countries and stages of education.

Update on progress (March 2021 to February 2024)

This is an update on the progress we've made towards fulfilling our commitments in the SQE Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Risk Assessment, published in July 2020

SQE Independent Reviewer Annual Report 2022/23

In January 2019, the SRA created a role of Independent Reviewer of the SQE. The purpose is to provide external assurance to the SRA and its exam services provider Kaplan, that the SQE is fair, defensible and can command public confidence.

Experiences of qualifying work experience: survey findings

We have conducted a baseline survey in November 2022 to gather information about initial perceptions and experiences of the SQE and QWE.

SQE Quality Assurance Annual Report 2022-23

This is the second report in which we explain what we have done to quality assure the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). It covers SQE1 and SQE2 delivered between October 2022 and July 2023.

Evaluating the SQE

It is essential we evaluate the impact of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and here we outline how we will do this.

Education and training authorisation and monitoring activity September 2021 - August 2022

This SRA annual report details the quality assurance activity in relation to education and training of solicitors. It covers the period 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022.

Education and training - corporate report 2021/22

Solicitors enter the profession through a range of routes but the majority of solicitors now take SQE assessments. This report charts training and education trends during 2021 and 2022.

SQE Quality Assurance Annual Report 2021-22

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a single assessment for all aspiring solicitors. We introduced the SQE to give assurance of consistent, high standards at the point of admission.  

SQE year one: Initial perceptions and experiences

In October 2022, we surveyed candidates, training providers and firms to collect initial perceptions of the SQE.