A law conversion course lets graduates from other subjects study law in the UK and move towards qualifying as a solicitor. Since the Solicitors Qualifying Examination replaced the old route, the conversion course is no longer compulsory, but most non-law graduates still take one to prepare. This guide sets out the routes, what they cost and how the visa works for Indian students, checked on 26 October 2026.
- The Solicitors Regulation Authority says you need a degree in any subject or an equivalent level 6 qualification, passes in SQE1 and SQE2, two years of qualifying work experience, and character and suitability checks
- From September 2026 the SQE fees are 2,006 pounds for SQE1 and 3,086 pounds for SQE2, a total of 5,092 pounds for a first attempt.
What Is a Law Conversion Course in the UK?
A law conversion course teaches the core areas of English law to graduates whose degree is in another subject. It is usually called a PGDL, GDL or MA Law, and it often runs for seven to twelve months full time. It prepares you for further study and the SQE, but it does not qualify you as a solicitor.
Before September 2021, the Graduate Diploma in Law was a required step for non-law graduates who wanted to become solicitors. Under the SQE route, the SRA no longer requires a law degree or a conversion course. What it requires is a degree in any subject and passes in the exams. A conversion course is now a way to learn the law the SQE tests.
Barristers follow a different route through the Bar Standards Board, and a recognised conversion course is still part of that route. Decide early whether you aim to be a solicitor or a barrister, because it affects which course you pick.
LLM in the UK for Indian Law Graduates: Fees and SQERead →Who Can Become a Solicitor Through the SQE Route?
The SRA says anyone with a degree in any subject, or an equivalent level 6 qualification, can qualify if they pass SQE1 and SQE2, complete two years of full-time qualifying work experience or its equivalent, and pass character and suitability checks. Non-law graduates can qualify, and the SRA has a process to check overseas degrees.
Qualifying work experience can be gained with up to four organisations, and it can be done before, during or after the exams. It must be confirmed by a solicitor or compliance officer. For international students, the hard part is usually finding that legal work, not passing the exams.
If your degree is from an Indian university, use the SRA's degree checking guidance before you plan the route. The SRA decides whether your qualification counts as equivalent to a UK degree.
How Much Does a Law Conversion Course in the UK Cost?
Fees vary by provider and city. Nottingham Law School lists 10,650 pounds for international students on its 2026-27 full-time PGDL, and listings for The University of Law show about 11,950 pounds outside London and 14,850 pounds in London. Check each provider's fee page, because figures change each year.
| Law conversion course UK cost 2026 | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Conversion course, outside London (examples) | About 10,650 to 11,950 pounds | Provider listings, check before applying |
| Conversion course, London (example) | About 14,850 pounds | The University of Law listing |
| SQE1 exam fee | 2,006 pounds | SRA, from September 2026 |
| SQE2 exam fee | 3,086 pounds | SRA, from September 2026 |
| Student visa health surcharge | 776 pounds a year | GOV.UK |
On top of the course and exam fees, budget for SQE preparation if your conversion course does not include it, the visa application fee, the health surcharge and living costs. One law student we interviewed in Liverpool paid about 165 pounds a week for a studio near the university and tried to keep food spending under about 15 pounds a day. London costs are higher. For the provider's wider fee list, see University of Law fees for international students.
What Is the Law Conversion Course UK Cost Compared With an LLB?
A conversion course is usually cheaper and much shorter than a second degree. A UK LLB takes three years for most students, while a conversion course takes under a year full time. Both lead to the SQE, so non-law graduates rarely gain from a full LLB unless they want an undergraduate law qualification.
Some universities also offer senior status or accelerated LLBs for graduates, often over two years. These give a full law degree, which can help if you also want to qualify in another country. Check how any degree would be recognised by the Bar Council of India if you plan to practise in India, because UK and Indian requirements are different.
How to Become a LawyerRead →Can Indian Students Get a Student Visa for a Law Conversion Course?
Yes, if the course is offered by a licensed student sponsor and meets the Student visa rules. Many postgraduate conversion courses qualify. Check with the provider that it can issue a CAS for your course, and budget for the visa fee, the health surcharge and the funds you must show.
Course length affects your options after study. The Graduate visa is open to students who complete an eligible UK degree at bachelor's level or above, so check whether a postgraduate diploma qualifies before relying on it. The Graduate visa lasts 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, and two years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, or three years with a doctorate. The application fee is 937 pounds plus the health surcharge. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK before you plan around them.
Our interview with a University of Law student showed how different postgraduate study can feel. He said every master's course is at level seven, and tutors expect you to do your own research rather than be guided through everything as in India.
Best Universities to Study Law in the UKRead →How Should You Plan Your Route to Qualifying?
Work backwards from the job. Secure your conversion course and SQE preparation, then plan qualifying work experience, ideally a training contract or paralegal role with a firm that can confirm it. Firms sometimes sponsor future trainees through the course and exams, which can cover fees for those who get an offer early.
Our University of Law interview mentioned that law firms send employees there for SQE training. Firm-sponsored places are competitive, but they remove much of the cost risk. Apply to vacation schemes and training contracts early, often a year or more before you would start.
If you plan to return to India, check how a UK solicitor qualification is treated there before you commit. A UK law qualification is respected, but practising rights in India have their own rules.