Newcastle/Sheffield/Manchester reputable enough for a TC at top law firm?

Hi, checkout Chambers students ranking on how many people from big London law firms come from certain universities. It's really useful as they used quite a large sample size to get their results

http://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/where-to-start/newsletter/what-universities-do-most-trainees-come-from

As you can see Manchester actually rates really highly above places such as Warwick, Exeter and Kings. Newcastle does reasonably well but not as good whilst Sheffield is quite low. However I know a friend who is at Sheffield and has managed to get vacation schemes at MCs. So I really don't think you should rest too much interest into which unis better than which because it's really down to opinion.

You have to remember the reason oxbridge grads tend to dominate rates of getting TC is due to personal ambition and not necessarily down to the uni. For instance a Leeds grad may be just as good as one from UCL but it's more likely that UCL grads feel more confident applying to Magic circle firms. Also if your crap at interviews or have nothing particularly interesting (extra curricular) about you it's doesn't matter what university your from- you won't get the job.

Also take a look at the Times High Fliers Report. They do a really great research into which unis are most targeted by top graduate industries such as law, banking, engineering etc. I believe Manchester, Nottingham and Warwick always come up really highly (top 3 or 4) One thing i think you REALLY should consider, is that even if it seems imposible now- when you get to uni you may realise other careers are better suited to you i.e. banking, working for the UN, consultancy, advertising, journalism, Mi5 lol etc. Dont chose your uni based solely on a career that isnt guaranteed

I think studying German and learning the language looks great on the CV. However so does vacation schemes, volunteering, getting involved in committees etc. Also from my personal knowledge I'm not aware of Germany being a key area that law firms are currently targeting and setting up offices. However this could change. If I was you I would definitely keep Sheffield perhaps as insurance as the opportunity to study aboard is simply amazing (and im pretty sure Sheffield take people on even if they miss out on the grades) I know someone their doing law with French that got BBC and still got in. Ucl and Durham are more prestigious then Manchester and Newcastle. However going to Newcastle and Manchester would still certainly get you to large London law firms. My boyfriend at Manchester in his second year people already had TCs lined up at DLA piper, Clifford chance, hogan lovells.

well im a first year at sheffield, and we are sponsored by lots of law firms, had loads of law firms come to visit us at the recent law fair, and i know a number of 3rd years with training contract offers, some with magic circle outfits. firms frequently hold presentation evenings and drinks receptions, and actively encourage sheffield students to apply. we have an exclusive norton rose fulbright open day coming up, and sheffield was the uni with the most training contracts awarded by addleshaw goddard last year. many people who are now in senior positions at law firms attended sheffield, so it has a solid rep as a top institution