5 SRA Updates Every SQE Candidate Needs to Know
Preparing for the SQE? Here are the 5 important SRA updates from 2026 covering pass rates, fee increases, and what is changing before you qualify.
5 SRA Updates Every SQE Candidate Needs to Know
1. SQE1 January 2026 Results: 58% First-Time Pass Rate (Published: March 2026)
The January 2026 SQE1 sitting saw 7,863 candidates complete both parts. First-time candidates achieved a 58% pass rate, while the overall pass rate including resitters came in at 53%. That is a notable recovery from July 2025’s record low of 41%. The gap between first-timers and resitters is significant and worth paying attention to. If you are preparing right now, treat your first attempt as your primary window.
Source: https://www.sra.org.uk/news/news/jan-sqe1-26/
2. The SQE: Four Years On Report Reveals What Actually Predicts Performance (Published: January 2026)
This is the most strategically useful piece of research the SRA has published for candidates. Prior education and past academic achievement have the most impact on SQE performance, accounting for 22% of the variance at SQE1. Ethnicity accounts for 8% of variance, while gender, age, disability, and socioeconomic background each account for less than 1%. On the diversity side, 35% of SQE candidates identified as Asian, Asian British, Black, or Black British, compared to 14.5% in the working population, and 38% came from less privileged backgrounds. Solicitor apprentices continue to outperform the wider cohort significantly.
Source: https://www.sra.org.uk/news/news/press/sqe-four-years/
3. SQE Fees Are Rising Again from September 2026 (Published: April 2026)
From September 2026, SQE fees will rise to £2,006 for SQE1 and £3,086 for SQE2, totalling £5,092. This is a 3.7% increase and marks the fourth fee rise since the SQE launched in 2021. The SRA cited inflation and Welsh translation costs. If you can book before October 2026, you pay the lower 2025/26 rate.
Source: https://www.legalcheek.com/2026/04/sra-announces-further-sqe-fees-increase/
4. New SQE Course Comparison Tool Now Live (Published: February 2026)
A new SQE training and course finder is now available, allowing aspiring solicitors to filter by study mode, duration, and price, and compare providers side by side. Over 150 providers and 250 different training options are included. Given how confusing the prep market has been, this is a genuinely useful tool if you are still deciding how to prepare.
Source: https://www.sra.org.uk/news/sqe-update/sqe-update-february-2026/
5. Mandatory Ethics Discussion Requirements Under Consultation (Published: April 2026)
The SRA has published a consultation on potential new rules around solicitors’ learning and development, including proposed mandatory ethics discussion requirements. The SRA is seeking views on whether additional requirements should be introduced to ensure aspiring solicitors understand ethics before admission. This is still a consultation so nothing is confirmed, but if it passes it will directly affect what is expected of you at the point of qualification.
Source: https://www.sra.org.uk/news/sqe-update/sqe-update-april-2026/
The Be an Adult Section
The information presented above is accurate at the time of writing (May 02, 2026), however, it is best to review the SRA’s website for the latest information.
