QLTS MCT candidates
Updated 17 November 2023
The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) has been replaced by the SQE route. This information is only for lawyers who have passed the QLTS Multiple Choice Test.
The deadline to book to sit the SQE2 as an equivalent to the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has now passed.
Already passed the SQE2
You have until 31 March 2024 (inclusive) to apply for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales.
Sat the SQE2 in October 2023
If you pass SQE2, you will have until 31 March 2024 (inclusive) to apply for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales. Your results will be released on 20 February 2024.
If you fail, you will have to restart your qualification through the SQE route. This means you will need to complete both SQE assessments, passing SQE1 before sitting SQE2.
You will need to create a new SQE account, as this will reset your attempts to zero.
Already sat and failed the SQE2
You will have to restart your qualification through the SQE route. This means you will need to complete both SQE assessments, passing SQE1 before sitting SQE2.
You will need to create a new SQE account, as this will reset your SQE attempts to zero. There is a waiver in place for this from 1 April 2024. You do not need to apply for this waiver if you are sitting SQE1 in July 2024 or after.
Sitting SQE1 January
If you are sitting the SQE1 assessment in January 2024, you must apply for an individual waiver so that your SQE attempts can be reset to zero.
Please make sure you reference this waiver as part of your application and that you are sitting the SQE1 in January 2024.
You do not need to apply for this if you are looking to sit the SQE1 any time after this ie July 2024.
Not attempted SQE2
If you have not attempted SQE2, you will have to restart your qualification through the SQE route. This means you will need to complete the entire SQE, passing SQE1, before sitting SQE2.
To do this, you will need to close any current SQE account and create a new account without including the MCT pass. This will reset any SQE attempts to zero.
Candidates who have passed a QLTS OSCE
The deadline has passed for you to apply for admission. Please contact us to find out your options.
Passing the QLTS MCT is not equivalent to passing the SQE1 and you do not qualify for an SQE2 exemption.
Any SQE2 exemption is based on a candidate being assessed through SQE1 as well, and their practice rights being the same as a solicitor of England and Wales.
There are differences between the QLTS day one outcomes and the Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) tested in SQE1. For example SQE1 includes the procedural subjects of Business Law and Practice Wills and the Administration of Estates, Property Practice, Dispute Resolution and Criminal Practice.
If you apply for an SQE2 exemption, and are successful, you will have to qualify through the SQE route, not QLTS. This means you would need pass the SQE1 assessment or apply for an individual exemption.
If you apply for an SQE1 exemption, you can ask us to take your MCT into account. This could be for the whole of SQE1 or just Functioning Legal Knowledge 1 (FLK1) or Functioning Legal Knowledge 2 (FLK2). Your MCT alone is not equivalent to all of FLK1 or FLK2.
We do not grant partial exemptions from either of the two SQE1 assessments – FLK1 and FLK2.