BARBRI collaborates with not-for-profit university to deliver SQE

Global legal training provider, BARBRI, has this week announced its collaboration with The University of Buckingham to support students undertaking Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) Prep courses and the California and New York Bar.

This follows a series of collaborations announced by BARBRI in recent months with both national and international institutions ahead of the SQE’s official introduction this September. Now, it will join forces with the not-for-profit University of Buckingham, one of the country’s oldest, private universities to deliver its SQE Prep courses, as well as the California and New York Bar preparatory programmes.

With the first SQE1 exam commencing in November 2021, University of Buckingham students and alumni will benefit from an exclusive discount, as well as one to one consultancy from both BARBRI and the University’s Clinical Legal Education team.

James Tooley, Vice-Chancellor for The University of Buckingham said: “We’re proud to offer accessible and flexible education programmes to our students from the two-year degree to our part-time course options. BARBRI shares this approach to education, and like us, has seen great success in doing so. We appreciate that the SQE is the way forward for those looking to pursue a career in the legal industry, and by working alongside BARBRI, we will be at the forefront of this change. We’ll be proactively supporting our students and alumni wishing to work towards a qualification in this way and alongside BARBRI we will continue to offer teaching excellence and student satisfaction.”

Speaking of the collaboration, Chris Jorgenson, Director of Institutional Partnerships for BARBRI said: “We’re pleased to officially announce our relationship with The University of Buckingham. As one of the oldest independent universities in Britain, its reputation precedes it and we know that it is home to many determined, aspiring solicitors wishing to take their next steps. We’re thrilled to offer our support, and both current students and alumni will have access to BARBRI’s world-class learning technology as we work to help prepare them for SQE success.”

The University of Buckingham is home to the two-year accelerated degree, abolishing the traditional course length to save students valuable time and money, and it is also renowned for its small class sizes. For those looking to qualify in the legal industry in England and Wales via the SQE, candidates will no longer be required to undertake a law degree but can qualify by satisfying the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) SQE requirements, regardless of their degree subject.

Jorgenson added: “The SQE provides greater flexibility and affordability for those looking to qualify. Its introduction will ensure that all qualified solicitors meet the same high standards consistently and as part of our collaboration with The University of Buckingham, we will support the next generation of legal professionals as they take their next steps.”

SQE Prep courses are available to both law graduates and those with a non-legal background and BARBRI is offering both full-time and part-time prep courses to support those working alongside their studies. Registration is now open for BARBRI’s SQE Prep via the BARBRI website.

For more information, please contact Rachel Williams, rachel@stationrd.co.uk

About BARBRI Group

BARBRI offers a comprehensive suite of learning solutions for higher education institutions and law-related businesses. These include global qualification preparation, such as preparation for the U.S. bar exam, the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS), the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), the Professional Skills Course (PSC), as well as curriculum, assessment, online programme management, and professional development.

University of Buckingham

Professional development is integrated into all UG and PG law degree programmes at Buckingham. The dedicated Clinical Legal Education team at Buckingham offers several projects to support students, providing valuable practical experiences to help develop vital skills and gain that all-important first step in the qualification process. Buckingham students are given the opportunity to participate in:

Citizens Advice Law Clinic: to train as Citizens Advice volunteers, offering free, preliminary advice sessions to the local community on a range of consumer issues.

Street Legal: Placement scheme offering shadowing opportunities with law firms, barrister chambers, and in court.

Sandwich work placement programme: Paid work placement opportunity for 1st year UG law students to apply for sandwich placement year with Home Office, Appeals, Litigation and Admin Review Directorate Hub.

Professional Mentoring scheme: opportunity to participate in 1:1 mentoring sessions with regional law practitioners.