MSc Law & Finance vs LLM (Banking) + QWE for Solicitor Route – Need Practical Insights

Hi everyone,

I’m a law graduate from India with hands-on exposure in real estate business development and project valuation. I’m planning to move to the UK to strengthen my academic profile and gain experience in banking/finance, before eventually pursuing an MSc in Real Estate Development, which aligns with my long-term career.

Instead of a traditional LLM (Banking/Finance), I’m seriously considering an MSc in Law & Finance. My reasoning is that an MSc would allow me to operate more within financial and banking circles, rather than being limited to a purely legal support/positioning role, which seems more common with LLM graduates.

My key questions are:

1.	From a career and employability perspective, does an MSc Law & Finance genuinely offer broader access to finance/banking roles compared to an LLM in Banking & Finance for a law graduate?

2.	While working in finance (e.g., legal analyst, compliance, risk, structured finance, transaction support, or roles involving legal + financial work), can such experience count as QWE under the SRA for qualifying as a solicitor?

3.	Has anyone here taken a non-traditional route (MSc + finance roles) and later qualified or progressed towards qualification as a solicitor?

I’ve read the SRA guidelines and a lot online, but I’m really looking for practical experiences and real-world perspectives from people who’ve actually navigated this path.

Would really appreciate any insights 🙏