CLC Regulated · Level 4 Diploma
5 modules · 50 credits · Ofqual 603/0166/1
96 % first-time pass
Level 4 Diploma in Probate Law & Practice
96% first-time pass rate (Mar 2025 – Mar 2026). Five modules. No prior legal qualifications. Study online at your own pace with Knowledge Mapping that skips what you already know — and sit your assessments when you're ready, not when a timetable says so.
Approved & Regulated by
Qualifications Scotland
Not sure if the Level 4 Diploma is for you?
Talk to our team on 0333 052 3844
What is the Level 4 Diploma in Probate Law & Practice?
Short answer
The Level 4 Diploma is the CLC-regulated entry-level qualification for probate practice. Five modules — English Legal System, Contract Law, Land Law, Law of Wills, Succession & Grants of Representation, and Accounting Procedures — assessed through four written assignments and one 2-hour exam. £2,310 VAT inc., no prior legal qualifications required, fully online and self-paced with practitioner tutor support. 96% of students pass first time (Mar 2025 – Mar 2026).
The Level 4 is the first of two academic stages on the path to becoming a Licensed Probate Practitioner. It gives you the legal foundations — how law is made, how contracts work, how land is owned and transferred (relevant to estate administration), and how wills, succession, and grants of representation operate — plus the accounting competence the CLC requires. On completing all five modules, you're eligible to register as a Probate Technician with the CLC, working under the supervision of an Authorised Person on standard probate matters including non-contentious grants of probate, letters of administration, and estate administration.
The qualification is co-awarded by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers and Qualifications Scotland (the UK accreditation body that replaced SQA in December 2025). It sits at Level 4 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework — broadly equivalent to the first year of a degree — and carries 50 credits across 250 guided learning hours. It's regulated by the CLC as practice regulator and recognised by Ofqual as qualifications regulator.
Three steps from enrolment to qualification
Enrol and get mapped
Knowledge Mapping runs at the start of every topic in every module. It analyses what you already know and builds a study plan around your actual gaps — so you're never sitting through content you've already mastered.
Study at your pace
Fully online, entirely self-paced. Video lectures, interactive activities, downloadable resources, and live webinars with your tutor — all on the VLE, available whenever suits you. No fixed class times, no campus days.
Assess when you're ready
Assignments released instantly, 24/7 — no batch release. Exams run 6 days a week, every week of the year. Online, at your workplace, or at an exam centre.
Two routes to the same qualification
Short answer
The Level 4 Diploma and the Probate Technician Apprenticeship lead to the same CLC Probate Technician registration. The Diploma is for self-funders or employer-sponsored students who want academic flexibility. The apprenticeship is for employed candidates whose employer wants to use levy or government co-investment funding — and adds workplace competence development and an End-Point Assessment.
| Self-funded Diploma | Probate Technician Apprenticeship | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Self-funding individuals, employer-sponsored students, career changers not yet in employment | Employed candidates whose employer funds training via levy or government co-investment |
| Cost to you | £2,310 VAT inc. (or interest-free instalments) | £0 — apprentices never pay toward training |
| Cost to employer | £2,310 if sponsoring (invoiced directly) | £0 for levy-payers; 5% of training cost for non-levy (100% funded for apprentices aged 16–21) |
| Academic content | Same 5 Level 4 Diploma modules | Same 5 Level 4 Diploma modules |
| Additional components | None — academic qualification only | Workplace competence development, off-the-job training (min. 6 hrs/week), End-Point Assessment |
| Duration | 2-year VLE access; most complete in 6–18 months | Typically 18–24 months (apprenticeship standard minimum) |
| Study flexibility | Fully self-paced, no fixed schedule | Structured around employer agreement — flexible delivery models (day release, block release, seasonal) |
| Assessment | On-demand assignments + 1 exam | Same assignments + exam, plus independent End-Point Assessment by Qualifications Scotland |
| Outcome | CLC Probate Technician registration | CLC Probate Technician registration + apprenticeship certificate |
| Progression to Level 6 | Enrol on Level 6 Probate Diploma (£1,920) or Level 6 apprenticeship | Progress to Licensed Probate Practitioner Apprenticeship (employer-funded) |
| Employment required? | No — can study before entering employment | Yes — must be employed for the duration of the apprenticeship |
Both routes lead to the same CLC Probate Technician registration. The right choice depends on your employment status and funding situation. Learn more about the Probate Technician Apprenticeship →
For direct Level 6 candidates: If you hold prior qualifications (LLB, GDL, SQE1) that exempt you from Level 4 entirely, some apprentices enter directly at Level 6 (the Licensed Probate Practitioner Apprenticeship — approximately 3 years total). See the Licensed Probate Practitioner Apprenticeship.
What does the Level 4 Diploma cover? Five modules.
Short answer
Five modules covering the legal foundations of probate practice: English Legal System (how law is made and applied), Law of Contract (formation, breach, remedies), Land Law (how land is owned and transferred — essential for estate administration), Law of Wills, Succession & Grants of Representation (wills, intestacy, grants of probate, letters of administration, and estate distribution), and Understanding Accounting Procedures (the CLC Accounts Code and double-entry bookkeeping for probate transactions).
SHARED WITH CONVEYANCING DIPLOMA
MODULE 1
97 % 1st-time pass
English Legal System
6 credits · 32 GLH · 21-day assignment
How law is made, how courts work, how legal disputes are resolved. Sources of law, judicial precedent, statutory interpretation, the court hierarchy, equity, human rights, and ADR. The foundation every other module builds on — and the recommended starting point for students new to law.
SHARED WITH CONVEYANCING DIPLOMA
MODULE 2
97 % 1st-time pass
Contract Law
12 credits · 60 GLH · 28-day assignment
Contract formation, terms, breach, and remedies. The legal framework behind every property transaction — from exchange of contracts to completion. Covers offer and acceptance, consideration, capacity, intention, express and implied terms, exclusion clauses, misrepresentation, duress, undue influence, frustration, and the full range of common law and equitable remedies.
SHARED WITH CONVEYANCING DIPLOMA
MODULE 3
98 % 1st-time pass
Land Law
12 credits · 60 GLH · 28-day assignment
How land is owned, transferred, and encumbered in England and Wales. Registered and unregistered land, legal and equitable interests, co-ownership, trusts of land, easements, covenants, mortgages, and adverse possession. The theoretical foundation for the practical conveyancing module that follows.
PROBATE-ONLY MODULE
MODULE 4
94 % 1st-time pass
Law of Wills, Succession & Grants of Representation
12 credits · 60 GLH · 28-day assignment
The law governing what happens to a person's estate after death. Validity and construction of wills, testamentary capacity, undue influence, intestacy rules, grants of probate, letters of administration, the role of personal representatives, distribution of estates, Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act claims, and the practical steps from initial instruction through to final distribution. The practical core of the Probate Diploma.
SHARED WITH CONVEYANCING DIPLOMA
MODULE 5
92 % 1st-time pass
Understanding Accounting Procedures
8 credits · 38 GLH · 2-hour exam
The CLC Accounts Code, double-entry bookkeeping for conveyancing transactions, office and client account rules, preparing invoices, conveyancing statements, and estate accounts. The only exam-assessed module — a 2-hour online examination with a dedicated Revision & Mock Exam Module included in the price.
Four of these five modules (English Legal System, Contract, Land Law, Accounting) are shared with the Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law & Practice. If you complete Probate and later add Conveyancing, you only need to pass one additional module — Standard Conveyancing Transactions (£555) — because the four shared modules carry across.
Pass rates — programme and per-module
Short answer
96% of Level 4 Probate Diploma students pass first time (Mar 2025 – Mar 2026, programme level). Per-module first-time pass rates (Mar 2025 – Mar 2026): English Legal System 97%, Law of Contract 97%, Land Law 98%, Law of Wills, Succession & Grants of Representation 94%, Understanding Accounting Procedures 92%.
97%
English Legal System
97%
Law of Contract
98%
Land Law
95%
Law of Wills, Succession & Grants
92%
Understanding Accounting Procedures
How do these compare? The only CLC training provider that publishes a comparable figure is Law Training Centre, at 78% first-time. The SQE1 has a first-time pass rate of 46–60% across its four-year history (SRA data, Nov 2021 – July 2025). The CILEX legacy Level 6 single-subject unit average is 66% (CILEx Regulation, 2026).
Pass rates reflect teaching quality, material design, and support structure — not exam difficulty. Our materials are built by practising conveyancers specifically for CLC qualifications, supported by unlimited tutor access and a Knowledge Mapping Assessment that focuses your study time on genuine gaps rather than covering familiar ground.
What's included in the £2,310 price
Short answer
Everything. Knowledge Mapping Assessment, on-demand assessments with no fixed exam windows, unlimited tutor support, 24/7 student advisor, all course materials (video lectures, downloadable PDFs, interactive modules), live webinars (recorded), eBook Central legal textbook library, exam delivery (online, workplace, or exam centre), and a free first reassessment on any failed module. No hidden fees.
Knowledge Mapping Assessment
Every topic in every module starts with a personalised diagnostic. Before you study a single page, KMA analyses what you already know about that specific topic and what you don't — then builds a study plan around the gaps. You're not guessing where to focus. The system tells you.
Skip what you know.
Years handling grants and estate administration? You won't sit through the basics of Wills. KMA identifies existing knowledge topic by topic and lets you move past it.
Focus where it matters.
For each gap — a concept you've never encountered or something half-remembered — KMA directs you to the specific materials, activities, and practice questions that close it.
It runs continuously, not once.
Not a one-off placement test. KMA operates at the start of each topic within each module — adapting to your growing knowledge throughout the programme.
Result: experienced conveyancers cut study time by 30–60%. Students new to law get a clear, structured route through every topic.
Assessments entirely on your terms
Some providers lock you into fixed exam windows — sometimes only two or three sittings a year. We don't have exam windows at all.
Assignments released instantly, 24/7.
Apply through the VLE any time — midnight Sunday, first thing Monday — and it's in your hands immediately. No batch release dates.
Exams 6 days a week, every week.
Apply for your Accounting exam and we'll arrange the sitting within 14 days. You choose the day.
Three exam venues, your choice.
Online from home, at your workplace (CLC- or SRA-regulated practice), or at a designated exam centre.
No waiting for resits.
Reassessments rebook on the same on-demand basis. No six-month wait for the next window.
Only CLC training provider
offering all three exam venues — most competitors offer online only.
Unlimited tutor support — named tutors for each module, all practising conveyancers or solicitors. Response within one working day.
All course materials Video lectures, downloadable PDFs, interactive modules.
Dedicated webinar series Live sessions per module, all recorded.
eBook Central access Legal textbook library for the duration of study.
All five assessments Assignments released instantly; exam within 14 days of application.
First reassessment included Free on any module if you don't pass first time.
Entry requirements
Short answer
None. No prior legal qualifications, no law degree, no specific GCSEs or A-levels, no legal experience. The Level 4 Diploma is designed as the entry point into CLC conveyancing qualifications and assumes no prior legal knowledge.
What matters is motivation, a willingness to engage with the material, and access to a computer with an internet connection. The English Legal System module — the recommended starting point — introduces you to the legal system from first principles. A reasonable standard of written English is helpful for the assignment-based assessments.
If you do hold prior qualifications (a law degree, SQE1, CILEX, NALP, LPC, or others), you may be exempt from some or all Level 4 modules — see "Am I exempt from modules?" below or use our Exemptions Calculator.
How long does the Level 4 Diploma take?
Short answer
It depends on what you already know. You have 2 years of VLE access from enrolment. Students new to law and studying alongside full-time work typically complete in 12–18 months. Experienced conveyancers using the Knowledge Mapping Assessment can finish in 3–6 months. The Total Qualification Time set by Qualifications Scotland is 500 hours (250 guided learning hours).
If you're new to law — 12–18 months is realistic, studying 5–8 hours per week alongside full-time work. No fixed terms, no cohort start dates, no scheduled teaching sessions.
If you already work in conveyancing — the Knowledge Mapping Assessment identifies what you already know and focuses your study on genuine gaps. Experienced fee-earners routinely complete modules in 2–4 weeks, bringing the total to 3–6 months.
If you can study full-time — 3 months is achievable for a motivated student dedicating 20+ hours per week.
How is the Level 4 Diploma assessed?
Short answer
Four modules assessed by written assignment (21 or 28 days), one module assessed by a 2-hour online exam. Assignments are released instantly when you apply through the VLE — 24/7, no waiting. Exams are arranged within 14 days of application, available 6 days a week. Pass mark: 50%. First reassessment included free on every module.
| Module | Credits | GLH | Assessment | Standalone price | Pass rate | Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Legal System | 6 | 32 | 21-day assignment | £450 | 97% | Conv & Probate |
| Law of Contract | 12 | 60 | 28-day assignment | £555 | 97% | Conv & Probate |
| Land Law | 12 | 60 | 28-day assignment | £555 | 98% | Conv & Probate |
| Law of Wills, Succession & Grants of Representation | 12 | 60 | 28-day assignment | £555 | 94% | Probate only |
| Understanding Accounting Procedures | 8 | 38 | 2-hour exam | £555 | 92% | Conv & Probate |
All prices VAT inclusive. Pass rates: Mar 2025 – Mar 2026, Access Law Online student data. Credits and GLH per Qualifications Scotland / Ofqual regulated qualification specification (GL7J 53).
Assignments are open-book, completed in your own time, with short-form and scenario-based questions — practical rather than essay-focused. The Accounting exam can be sat online with remote invigilation, at your workplace (if CLC- or SRA-regulated), or at one of our exam centres.
Qualifications Scotland permits two attempts at each assessment — a first sit plus one free reassessment. This is a regulatory rule that applies to all Qualifications Scotland programmes, not an Access Law-specific policy.
Payment options
Short answer
£2,310 VAT inclusive. Pay in full or spread the cost interest-free: 3 instalments of £770, 5 instalments of £462, or 12 instalments of £192.50. Employer sponsorship available — we invoice your employer directly.
All instalment plans cover the same total fee of £2,310. No interest, no credit check, no additional cost for choosing instalments. Payments are collected by Direct Debit after an initial deposit.
| Plan | Per instalment | Total | Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay in full | £2,310 | £2,310 | 0% |
| 3 instalments | £770 | £2,310 | 0% |
| 5 instalments | £462 | £2,310 | 0% |
| 12 instalments | £192.50 | £2,310 | 0% |
All prices VAT inclusive. All instalment plans are interest-free with no credit check. Payments collected by Direct Debit after initial deposit. Employer sponsorship available — we invoice your employer directly.
Employer sponsorship: Many employers fund the Level 4 Diploma for their staff. Your employer can pay in full or choose any instalment plan. We invoice them directly. Download the Student Enrolment Form and ask your employer to complete the Sponsor Section.
Student Enrolment FormLevy-payer employer? The Probate Technician Apprenticeship may be a better route — the apprentice pays nothing. See our Employer Hub for funding guidance.
Am I exempt from any modules?
Short answer
You might be — it depends on what you've already studied or qualified in. Several prior qualifications exempt you from specific Level 4 modules, and others exempt you from the entire Level 4 Diploma. If you have four or more years of fee-earning experience, you may qualify for the CLC's Professional Experience Exemption, which bypasses Level 4 altogether.
Full Level 4 Diploma exemption (skip straight to Level 6)
- LLB, BA in Law, or GDL (complete)
- SQE1 FLK1 + FLK2 (both)
- CILEX Level 6 or CPQ Advanced/Professional qualifications
- NALP Level 4 Diploma with relevant elective
- LPC with the right units passed in the last 6 years
Partial exemptions (skip some modules, study the rest)
- SQE1 FLK1 only: exempts English Legal System and Contract Law. Complete Land Law, SCT, and Accounting Procedures.
- SQE1 FLK2 only: exempts Land Law, SCT, and Accounting Procedures. Complete English Legal System and Contract Law.
- CILEX Level 3/4 with relevant units: module-specific exemptions depending on units passed.
How to enrol if you're exempt from some modules
Don't enrol on the full Diploma at £2,310. Instead, enrol on the individual modules you still need (£450 for English Legal System, £555 for all others). Your passed + exempted modules together complete the Diploma — you receive the full Diploma certificate from Qualifications Scotland once all five module requirements are satisfied (whether by study or exemption).
Important: If you hold a prior qualification from outside the Qualifications Scotland system, you must complete at least one module with Access Law Online to be awarded the Qualifications Scotland Diploma. This is a Qualifications Scotland regulatory requirement.
Not sure what applies to you?
Use the Exemptions Calculator for a personalised assessment in minutes, or call 0333 052 3844.
Professional Experience Exemption (PEE): If you have four or more years of continuous fee-earning experience in probate, you may qualify for the CLC's PEE, which bypasses the entire Level 4 Diploma. PEE is assessed and granted by the CLC directly.
Who is the Level 4 Probate Diploma for?
Short answer
Anyone wanting to qualify in probate law — whether you're a paralegal formalising your role, a career changer entering the profession, a school leaver choosing an alternative to university, or an experienced fee-earner who needs the formal qualification to match their practical capability.
"I'm a paralegal or probate assistant"
You're already doing the work but don't yet hold the formal CLC qualification. The Diploma gives you the academic credential, and the Knowledge Mapping Assessment means you won't waste time studying what you already know.
"I'm a career changer with no legal background"
No legal background needed. The Diploma assumes none and is designed to be studied alongside other commitments. If unsure, start with one module (£450) and upgrade within 30 days of passing — you pay only the difference.
"I'm a school leaver or graduate"
A direct route into a regulated legal profession without a law degree. If you're in employment, the apprenticeship route means you don't pay anything — your employer funds it.
"I'm an experienced fee-earner without formal qualifications"
The KMA identifies what you already know. Some experienced practitioners complete the Diploma in 3–6 months. With 4+ years of continuous fee-earning experience, check whether the Professional Experience Exemption lets you skip Level 4 entirely.
Employers: See our Employer Hub for guidance on funding options (Diploma sponsorship or apprenticeship route) and the business case for qualifying your team.
What happens after Level 4?
Short answer
Level 4 qualifies you as a Probate Technician. Level 6 qualifies you as a Licensed Probate Practitioner with full practice rights. The combined cost of Level 4 + Level 6 via the Diploma route is £4,230.
STAGE 1 · YOU START HERE
Level 4 Diploma
→ Probate Technician
Free CLC Technicians Register. Work under supervision on standard probate matters.
£2,310 · this page
STAGE 2
Level 6 Diploma
→ Licensed Probate Practitioner
3 modules + 1,200h supervised practice. Full practice rights, handle estate administration independently, hold client money.
£1,920 · L4 + L6 = £4,230 total
STAGE 3
Add Conveyancing
→ Dual specialism
2 modules (L6 Conveyancing Law & Practice + L6 Landlord & Tenant) + 1,200h supervised practice.
Exempt: Level 4 Conveyancing Diploma and Level 6 Accounts module.
£745 + £745 = £1,490 total
How does the CLC route compare to SQE and CILEX?
Short answer
The CLC route is the dedicated specialist route into conveyancing and probate. It's shorter, more focused, and has significantly higher pass rates than the SQE. It doesn't produce a solicitor — it produces a Licensed Probate Practitioner, which is a separate regulated profession with full practice rights in probate law.
| CLC Route (Access Law Online) |
SQE Route (Solicitor) |
CILEX Route (Chartered Legal Exec) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Licensed Probate Practitioner — specialist lawyer with full practice rights in probate and estate administration | Solicitor — broad practice rights across all areas of law | Chartered Legal Executive — broad practice rights, typically specialising in one area |
| Focus | Probate and conveyancing only — every module is directly relevant to probate practice | All areas of law — probate is a small component of the broader syllabus | Multiple practice areas — probate available as an elective specialism |
| Level 4 cost | £2,310 (VAT inc.) | SQE1 exam: £1,798 + prep course: £3,000–£12,000 | CPQ Foundation: varies by provider (typically £2,000–£4,000) |
| Total cost to full qualification | £4,230 (Level 4 + Level 6 Diplomas) | £8,000–£17,000+ (SQE1 + SQE2 + preparation courses) | £6,000–£15,000+ (Foundation + Advanced + Professional stages) |
| First-time pass rate | 96% Level 4 Probate (Mar 2025 – Mar 2026) | 46–60% SQE1 first-time (SRA data, Nov 2021 – July 2025) | 66% legacy Level 6 unit average (CILEx Regulation, 2026) |
| Duration to full qualification | 2–3 years (Level 4 + Level 6, self-paced) | 2–5 years (including qualifying work experience) | 3–6 years (Foundation → Advanced → Professional) |
| Entry requirements | None — no degree, no prior legal study | None formally, but most candidates hold a law degree or GDL | None formally for CPQ Foundation |
| Study mode | Fully online, self-paced, on-demand assessments | Varies by prep provider — classroom, online, or blended | Online or blended, with fixed assessment windows |
| Assessment flexibility | On-demand — assignments released instantly 24/7, exams within 14 days | Fixed sitting windows (January and July for SQE1) | Fixed assessment windows per stage |
| Apprenticeship route available | Yes — Probate Technician (L4) and Licensed Probate Practitioner (L6) | Yes — Solicitor Apprenticeship (Level 7) | Yes — Paralegal (L3) and Chartered Legal Executive (L6) |
| Practice scope | Probate and conveyancing in England and Wales | All areas of law in England and Wales | All areas of law in England and Wales |
| Best for | Anyone who knows they want to work in wills, estates, and probate — the most direct, cost-effective, and highest-pass-rate route | Those who want broad legal practice rights or aren't sure which area of law to specialise in | Those who want broad legal practice rights through a work-based route without a law degree |
Sources: Access Law Online student data (Mar 2025 – Mar 2026); SRA SQE1 Statistical Reports (Nov 2021 – July 2025); CILEx Regulation 2026 PCF Consultation. Comparator figures re-verified May 2026. Costs are indicative — SQE and CILEX costs vary by preparation provider.
Where the CLC route wins: specialism (conveyancing and probate only — nothing else), speed (L4 + L6 in 2–3 years vs 3–6 for SQE/CILEX), cost (£4,230 vs £8,000–£17,000+ for SQE), and pass rates (96% vs 46–60% SQE1).
Where it doesn't: scope. A Licensed Probate Practitioner can only practise probate (and conveyancing, with the additional qualification). A solicitor or CILEX lawyer can practise across multiple areas of law. If you want to work in family law, criminal law, or commercial litigation, the CLC route isn't for you. If you know you want to work in wills, estates, and probate, it's the most direct path.
What our students say
Frequently asked questions
The full Level 4 Diploma in Probate
Start here
Module 1
English Legal System
21-day assignment
£450
Module 2
Law of Contract
28-day assignment
£555
Module 3
Land Law
28-day assignment
£555
Module 4
Law of Wills, Succession & Grants of Representation
28-day assignment
£555
Module 5
Understanding Accounting Procedures
28-day assignment
£555
Still have questions?
Talk to our team on 0333 052 3844 or email support@alo-email.com. We can help you work out which route is right for you, check your exemptions, or walk you through the enrolment process.
Contact us