Costs of qualifying

This page provides an outline of the financial costs you may incur on the graduate route to entry.

Find out about options to fund your studies.

University

Universities and colleges can charge up to £9,250 a year for courses, although you will not need to pay these fees upfront if you are from England and studying for your first degree or other higher education qualification.

Fees can vary depending on personal circumstances. How much you have to pay depends on:

• the university
• the course
• where in the UK you are studying

For exact fees and how much they are likely to rise over the length of your course, check your university's prospectus.

Part-time courses

There are no regulations stating how much universities can charge in tuition fees for most part-time courses. You will need to check this with your university.

Living expenses

Rent costs can vary hugely and will depend very much on where you decide to study. 

Other expenses include:

• study costs - books, stationery, printing and photocopying
• travelling to and from campus
• food

There will be many more costs such as clothes, laundry and phone calls.

Converting to law

If your first degree is not a qualifying law degree you will have to complete a conversion course, the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), to go on to the further stages of legal training. This can be taken over one year full-time or two years part-time.

The fees for the GDL varies between £7,000 - £12,000 depending on:

• the type of course
• where you decide to study

Find out more about the GDL

The Legal Practice Course

After obtaining a qualifying law degree or taking a conversion course, students must pass the Legal Practice Course (LPC). This can be taken:

• on a full-time basis over a period of one year, or
• part-time over two years

Full-time fees for the LPC range from £9,000 to over £17,000, depending on the type of course you choose and where you decide to study.

Read more on the LPC

Solicitors Qualifying Exam

From Autumn 2021, the route to qualifying is changing. The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is expected to cost between £3,000 to £4,000.

Find out more about the SQE

Find out more about funding the SQE