Under the LPC route, non-law graduates without a qualifying law degree need to complete a conversion course, the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). Those candidates then proceed to do the LPC which is followed by the two-year training contract. As the SQE will assess the legal knowledge and subject areas taught in the GDL, a well-structured SQE1 preparation course will already cover these subjects.

Any GDL-style conversion course prior to taking the SQE is, therefore, not required and may simply pro-long the qualification process for non-law graduates and make it substantially more expensive. Having said that, while non-law graduates should pursue the same learning path followed by candidates with a legal background, it is advisable that they devote a few more months to prepare for SQE1.