Foundations in Law
Our 6-week online introduction course to the common law in England and Wales is perfect for everyone looking to start their SQE journey


Didn’t Study Law? No problem!
BARBRI Foundations in Law is an optional course designed to help you familiarise yourself with the legal system used in England and Wales to help you tackle the SQE with greater confidence. We teach you about legal thinking, the application of law, interpreting statute and case law, legal research, and presenting client advice. Foundations in Law can also be taken as a standalone course if you're not interested in qualifying as a solicitor.
The course covers 3 key areas:
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Common law: England and Wales’s legal system
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How to conduct and present legal research
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Core legal terms, concepts, and areas of practice
BARBRI’s SQE1 Prep course will expand on the legal topics covered in Foundations in Law through additional lectures and exercises.
Who is This Course For?
BARBRI Foundations in Law is designed as a self-study resource for anyone looking for an introduction to the study of law in England and Wales. There is no formal entry criteria and no exam at the end.
Aspiring Solicitors
Aspiring solicitors with non-legal degrees wanting some foundational knowledge before embarking on the SQE.
Qualified International Lawyers
Qualified lawyers from jurisdictions outside of England and Wales, looking for dual qualification as a solicitor and wanting an introduction to the common law system.
Former Law Students
Former law students who would like a refresher and gain SQE-relevant knowledge before getting started on the SQE.
Legal and Non-Legal Professionals
Professionals in legal and non-legal industries, from legal support staff to those in human resources, regulation and compliance, and related fields.
What’s Included in our Foundations in Law Course?
Comprehensive Study Materials
Short, interactive lectures break down each of the subjects and are easy to schedule around your time commitments. An online study guide, which you’ll find in your online bookshelf, provides you with overviews and a bit more detail on each subject. The chapters include examples, charts, and tips to help you learn the skills and rules of law.
Highlights:
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Practice + Consolidation
We use interactive exercises and pre-recorded workshops to help you consolidate knowledge and understanding of the learning materials. Lastly, self-review questions help to further your understanding, and includes an introduction to the specialised multiple-choice question format of the SQE1 exams.
Highlights:
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Support + Resources
You also have full access to our wellness and mental health resources, and our careers and employability support. You’ll also get access to Westlaw so you can start developing your legal research skills. There is no endpoint exam, but upon completion, you will receive a digital Credly badge that you can add to your CV or LinkedIn.
Highlights:
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- check_circle Westlaw, an online legal research service
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BARBRI's personal learning plan helped me to fit studying into my busy life. I never need worried about what to learn when. Every time I logged-on I was directed towards what I needed to do.
Course Options + Enrolment
Wondering how you can fund your Foundations + SQE prep course bundle? Explore our funding assistance options to secure the best possible savings and scholarships!
Get Ahead With a Complete SQE Prep Course Bundle…
Experience world-class learning from start to finish with a bundle combining Foundations in Law, SQE1 Prep, and SQE2 Prep
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Best value if you plan to take the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (save up to £898)
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2 part-time study options to fit into your schedule
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Covered by our SQE Guarantee. If you take any of our SQE Prep courses and don’t pass the exam, you may rejoin any SQE Prep course we offer – free of charge – within 12 months of the results date. T&Cs apply.
Foundations in Law | 6-10 hours/week 20-week SQE1 Prep | 20 hrs/wk 20-week SQE2 Prep | 10-12 hrs/wk
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Best for recent law graduates (within the last 3 years) from a UK university who are looking to fit SQE preparation around other commitments.
- Session start dates
SQE1 Prep: 17 Feb 2025 (for Jul 2025 exam)
SQE2 Prep: 1 Sep 2025 (for Jan 2026 exam)
Foundations in Law | 6-10 hours/week 40-week SQE1 Prep | 10-12 hrs/wk 20-week SQE2 Prep | 10-12 hrs/wk
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Best for those in full-time employment who are looking for the most cost-effective route to prepare for the SQE.
- Session start dates
SQE1 Prep: 31 Mar 2025 (for Jan 2026 SQE1)
SQE2 Prep: 16 Mar 2026 (for Jul 2026 SQE2)
Foundations in Law | 6-10 hours/week 20-week SQE1 Prep | 20 hours/week
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Session start dates:
Foundations in Law: 14 July 2025
SQE1 Prep: 25 August 2025 (for January 2026 exam)
Foundations in Law | 6-10 hrs/week 40-week SQE1 Prep | 10-12 hrs/week
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Session start dates:
Foundations in Law: 17 February 2025
SQE1 Prep: 31 March 2025 (for January 2026 exam)
…Start Studying Towards the SQE1...
Tackle the SQE with greater confidence by taking one of our Foundations in Law and SQE1 Prep course bundles.
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Get a continuous learning experience and save £99
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Choose between the Flexible 40-week and Focused 20-week study options
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Covered by our SQE Guarantee. If you take our SQE1 Prep course and you don’t pass the exam, you may rejoin any SQE1 Prep course we offer – free of charge – within 12 months of the results date. T&Cs apply.
…Or Get Started With the Standalone Foundations Course
Not quite ready to take the SQE? This course is ideal for students and professionals who want an introduction to the common law legal system in England and Wales.
6-10 study hours/week 6 weeks online | On-demand
3 Ways to Pay
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Pay in Full
Pay the fees in full upon booking. The only option available for standalone Foundations in Law courses.
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BARBRI Payment Plans
Available for Foundations + SQE Prep bundles. Pay the minimum £199 enrolment deposit and schedule the balance for the course start date, or spread over a few months with our instalment plan (incurs a £149 finance fee). Click here for payment plan options.
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Student Loans
We have partnered with Klarna and Lendwise through whom you can apply for a student loan to pay for your SQE Prep studies. Click for information about our student loan partners.
Late registration
If you would like to register for a Foundations + SQE1 Prep bundle that has already started, please reach out to our team at sqeprep@barbri.com to check availability. A late registration fee of £149 will apply.
Wondering how you can fund your Foundations + SQE prep course bundle? Explore our funding assistance options to secure the best possible savings and scholarships!
Get ahead with one of our complete course bundles…
Experience world-class learning from start to finish with one of our complete Foundations in Law, SQE1 Prep, and SQE2 Prep course bundles
- check_circle
Best value if you plan to take both parts of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (save £99)
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2 part-time study options to fit into your schedule
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Covered by our SQE Guarantee. If you take any of our SQE Prep courses and don’t pass the exam, you may rejoin any SQE Prep course we offer – free of charge – within 12 months of the results date. T&Cs apply.
Foundations in Law | 6-10 hours/week 20-week SQE1 Prep | 20 hrs/wk 20-week SQE2 Prep | 10-12 hrs/wk
-
Best for recent law graduates (within the last 3 years) from a UK university who are looking to fit SQE preparation around other commitments.
- Session start dates
SQE1 Prep: 17 Feb 2025 (for Jul 2025 exam)
SQE2 Prep: 1 Sep 2025 (for Jan 2026 exam)
Foundations in Law | 6-10 hours/week 40-week SQE1 Prep | 10-12 hrs/wk 20-week SQE2 Prep | 10-12 hrs/wk
-
Best for those in full-time employment who are looking for the most cost-effective route to prepare for the SQE.
- Session start dates
SQE1 Prep: 31 Mar 2025 (for Jan 2026 SQE1)
SQE2 Prep: 16 Mar 2026 (for Jul 2026 SQE2)
Foundations in Law | 6-10 hours/week 20-week SQE1 Prep | 20 hours/week
-
Session start dates:
Foundations in Law: 14 July 2025
SQE1 Prep: 25 August 2025 (for January 2026 exam)
Foundations in Law | 6-10 hrs/week 40-week SQE1 Prep | 10-12 hrs/week
-
Session start dates:
Foundations in Law: 17 February 2025
SQE1 Prep: 31 March 2025 (for January 2026 exam)
…start studying for the SQE1 with one of our intro bundles…
Tackle the SQE with greater confidence by taking one of our Foundations in Law and SQE1 Prep course bundles.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit aenean (save £99)
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Covered by our SQE Guarantee. If you take our SQE1 Prep course and you don’t pass the exam, you may rejoin any SQE1 Prep course we offer – free of charge – within 12 months of the results date. T&Cs apply.
…or get started with our standalone introductory course
Not quite ready to take the SQE? This course is ideal for students and professionals who want an introduction to the common law legal system in England and Wales.
6-10 study hours/week 6 weeks online | On-demand
2 Ways to Pay
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Pay with a credit card
Get started today. Simply enrol online and make payment with a credit card for immediate access to your course.
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Invoice employer
We can send your employer a VAT invoice for payment by bank transfer. Please note, payment must be completed to get access to your course.
Late registration
If you would like to register for a Foundations + SQE1 Prep bundle that has already started, please reach out to our team at sqeprep@barbri.com to check availability. A late registration fee of £149 will apply.
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BARBRI's personal learning plan helped me to fit studying into my busy life. I never need worried about what to learn when. Every time I logged-on I was directed towards what I needed to do.