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An image to illustrate the Professional Certificate in Legal Practice: SQE1
The professional certificate in legal practice provides the opportunity to develop functioning legal knowledge aligned to the national Solicitors Qualifying Examination (specifically SQE1). By the end of your certificate, you'll have had the opportunity to study a range of subject topics examined by SQE1, apply your legal knowledge to real-life scenarios and gain experience in answering multiple-choice questions. This provides a foundation if you're planning to prepare for SQE1.
This professional certificate in legal practice has one stage comprising 90 credits.
You’ll begin by studying the legal system, public law, EU law, criminal law and litigation and solicitors' accounts. The second module covers property and private client law (including property law, trusts and wills and probate). You'll complete the certificate by studying business law and dispute resolution (including contract law, tort law and civil litigation). Some of the foundations of legal knowledge (contract, tort, criminal, public) are summarised as a refresher rather than taught in detail.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll start your certificate with:
SQE: legal system, public law and criminal litigation (W321)30Oct
You’ll also study the following:
SQE: property and private client law (W322)30Feb
SQE: business law and dispute resolution (W323)30Feb

By studying this certificate, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, top-quality materials, online tutorials, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Professional Certificate in Legal Practice: SQE1 upon successful completion.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this certificate in as little as nine months and have a maximum of six years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
Part-time, you'll study at roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university. At a pace equivalent to full-time, you'll study at a rate similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this certificate in nine months by studying at a pace between part-time and full-time.
You can complete this certificate in two years by studying at a slower pace in the first year and at a pace equivalent to part-time in the second year.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
To study this qualification, you need to have completed a bachelors degree (ordinary or honours) that is based on English and Welsh law which includes the seven foundations of legal knowledge. Your degree must have been awarded by a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI) or other recognised degree awarding body, or an equivalent qualification from an overseas HEI.
The certificate is not available to any OU LLB student who has taken the SQE route at OU level 3.
£6,132*
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.
Find out about all our available funding options below.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
If you meet the entry requirements, please complete this application form. We will need your completed application by 28 August 2026. Applications received after this date will not be processed in time for the October 2026 start.
You'll develop key legal skills which will assist you if you wish to enter a legal career. In addition, the key skills of reading and assimilating complex materials, critical thinking and analysis, communication and problem solving are taught and developed through the modules. You'll also develop your digital literacy, online research and reflective professional development skills. You will therefore have a valuable set of skills to equip you for postgraduate study and a wide range of careers.
The certificate is aligned to and covers a range of topics specified in the syllabus of SQE1. There will be plenty of opportunities to practice SQE1-style multiple-choice questions throughout the certificate. This will provide a foundation if you wish to sit the SQE1 examinations and will support the development of your professional legal identity and help to further your ambition to become a solicitor in England and Wales.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your qualification:
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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