Northern Ireland: solicitor pathway
Scope
- Degree recognition
Under the law degree route a law degree containing eight core subjects is required.
“your law degree must contain the following eight core subjects”
- Program approval or accreditation
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Additional education or training
The IPLS provides the vocational Solicitor Course, awarded as a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Studies by Queen's University Belfast.
“The Institute of Professional Legal Studies ("the IPLS") is the higher education provider responsible for providing the vocational legal training in Northern Ireland”
- Examination requirements
Applicants sit the IPLS admissions test in the December before the intended start.
“You must sit the IPLS admissions test in the December prior to the year you wish to take up a place on the Course.”
- Supervised practice
Solicitor training runs two years combining in-office training with a Master and IPLS study.
“The solicitor training runs for two-years from the Date of Commencement.”
- Foreign qualification assessment
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Residency or other restrictions
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Online study
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
Regulator: Law Society of Northern Ireland · official source for this record · last checked 1 November 2026.