Which law firms fund your SQE?

If you've got a training contract or graduate scheme offer on the table, there's a good chance your SQE is being paid for. Firm-funded SQE prep is common and has been the norm for years under the old LPC system, and most firms that funded that route now do the same for the SQE.

There's no single published list of "firms that fund the SQE" worth trusting, because the details change year to year and firm to firm. What's more useful is understanding how sponsorship actually works, what it typically covers, and what questions to ask before you sign anything. That's what this post covers.

The basic model: sponsorship through a training contract

Firm-funded SQE prep is almost always tied to an offer, not given out on its own. You apply for a training contract or graduate scheme, the firm makes an offer, and funding for your SQE prep and assessment fees is part of the package.

This mirrors how it worked under the LPC for two decades. Most firms that ran LPC sponsorship schemes carried the same logic over to the SQE: they fund your prep course and the SRA assessment fees, then you join them as a trainee once you've qualified. The firm gets a pipeline of trainees who arrive already qualified (or close to it), and you get your prep paid for in exchange for committing to join.

The exact timing varies. Some firms fund your SQE prep before you start working for them, so you study first and join as a newly qualified solicitor or during your qualifying work experience. Others build SQE study into a paid placement, where you work and study SQE1 or SQE2 in parallel. Ask which model a firm uses, because it changes how you budget your time and money in the run-up to your sitting.

What sponsorship typically covers

Coverage varies by firm, but the pattern is fairly consistent across firms that do sponsor:

• Prep course fees. The firm usually pays for a full SQE1 and SQE2 preparation course with a provider of their choice (often BARBRI, BPP, or the University of Law, sometimes via a firm-specific partnership).
• SRA assessment fees. The SQE1 and SQE2 sitting fees themselves, which the SRA sets independently of any prep course. We've broken these down in detail in what the SQE actually costs.
• A maintenance grant. Many firms, particularly larger ones, pay a stipend to live on while you study full-time, since a full-time SQE prep course leaves little room for paid work.

Smaller firms and those with tighter graduate recruitment budgets are more likely to cover assessment fees only, or to part-fund a course rather than pay the full list price. A few reimburse costs after you join rather than paying upfront, which matters if you'd otherwise need to find the money yourself in the meantime. None of this is guaranteed just because a firm offers training contracts, so it's worth asking directly rather than assuming.

What's usually attached: return-of-service conditions

Sponsorship isn't free money with no strings. Most firms that fund your SQE expect you to join them for a minimum period afterwards, commonly a set number of years post-qualification. If you leave early, some contracts include a clause requiring you to repay some or all of the funding on a sliding scale.

This is a normal and fairly standard feature of graduate sponsorship, not a red flag on its own. But you should read the terms carefully before accepting an offer. Ask what the minimum commitment period is, whether it's the training contract period only or extends after qualification, and what the repayment terms look like if your circumstances change.

Firm size and funding generosity

There's no fixed rule linking firm size to what they'll fund, but some patterns tend to hold:

1. Larger commercial and City firms are more likely to fund the full package: course fees, assessment fees, and a maintenance grant.
2. Mid-sized and regional firms often cover assessment fees and contribute towards course costs, sometimes with a cap.
3. Smaller firms and those recruiting fewer trainees per year may offer funding on a case-by-case basis, or expect candidates to self-fund and reimburse costs later.

Because this shifts each recruitment cycle, don't rely on general reputation. Check each firm's current graduate recruitment page or ask their recruitment team directly what's covered for the specific intake you're applying to.

If you don't have a firm-funded offer yet

Plenty of people start SQE prep without sponsorship lined up, either because they haven't secured a training contract yet or because they're pursuing a different route into the profession. If that's you, a few things are worth knowing.

First, firm sponsorship isn't the only funding route. Solicitor apprenticeships, the Law Society's Diversity Access Scheme, and various provider bursaries all exist alongside self-funding. We've mapped out the full picture in how to fund the SQE.

Second, some firms will consider funding candidates who are partway through self-funded prep, particularly if you've already passed SQE1 and are applying with a clear plan for SQE2. It's worth asking during the application process rather than assuming an offer only applies to candidates starting from scratch.

Third, if you're self-funding while you wait to hear back from firms, a clear study plan protects you either way. A free SQE study planner can help you map revision against your actual sitting date, so your prep stays on track whether or not sponsorship comes through later.

Questions to ask before accepting a sponsored offer

Before you sign anything, get clear, written answers to these:

• Which prep provider will the firm fund, and can you choose an alternative if you prefer a different course format?
• Does funding cover both SQE1 and SQE2 assessment fees, or only the prep course?
• Is there a maintenance grant, and if so, how much and when is it paid?
• What's the minimum service commitment after you qualify, and what happens if you leave early?
• What happens if you don't pass first time? Some firms fund resits within the normal SRA limits, others don't.

None of these questions are awkward to ask. Graduate recruitment teams field them constantly, and a firm's answers tell you a lot about how the offer will actually work in practice.

Timing matters too

If you're weighing a sponsored offer against a plan to self-fund and apply later, timing is worth factoring in. SQE assessment fees are rising from September 2026, so a firm-funded offer that includes assessment fees locks in that cost regardless of the increase. We've covered the current sitting calendar in SQE dates for 2026 and 2027 if you're mapping an offer against exam windows.

Frequently asked questions

Do most law firms pay for the SQE? Not all of them, but many firms that offer training contracts or graduate schemes do fund some or all of SQE prep and assessment costs for their trainees, in the same way most firms funded the LPC before it. Coverage varies by firm, so always confirm the specifics for the offer you're considering.

What's typically included in SQE sponsorship? Most sponsored offers cover the prep course fees and the SQE1 and SQE2 assessment fees set by the SRA. Many, particularly larger firms, also include a maintenance grant to cover living costs while you study full-time. Smaller firms may cover assessment fees only.

Do I have to pay back SQE funding if I leave the firm? Often, yes, if you leave before a minimum service period ends, which is a standard condition in most sponsorship agreements. Repayment terms vary by firm and are usually set out in your training contract, so read them carefully before accepting an offer.

Can I get SQE funding without a training contract? Firm sponsorship is almost always tied to a training contract or graduate scheme offer. If you don't have one, other funding routes exist, including the Law Society's Diversity Access Scheme, solicitor apprenticeships, and provider bursaries. See how to fund the SQE for the full list.

Which firms fund SQE prep specifically? There's no reliable single list, since policies change firm to firm and year to year. The safest approach is to check each firm's current graduate recruitment materials or ask their recruitment team directly what's covered for the intake you're applying to.