The Student Room Group

High 2:2 + Masters Distinction (overall above 70%) - chances of applying for TC?

Hey guys, just wondering if you have any thoughts about it. I finished my LL.B with a high 2:2 - 58%, so pissed as I always know that I am a 2:1 standard student. Decided to do a Masters, and I'm aiming an overall Distinction, had my exams results back - very good, I now have a nearly 70% excluding the dissertation, so I'm gonna work extra harder to get good grade.

Just wondering... will the law firms take in to account of my Masters grades, or.. even with an Distinction at the Masters level, they will still think I am not as competitive as others just because I have narrowly missed a 2:1?...

Shall I study like a London external degree and try to achieve a 2:1 or something? I was just really disappointed that I missed a 2:1 for only 2%. I really am a very good student.

Thanks

xx

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Unfortunately for you many law firms do not view a masters as 'redeeming' a weak undergraduate performance. Some may do so, but generally if you don't have a 2.1 at undergraduate level your application will be filtered out as not meeting the minimum requirements to get an interview. I might be wrong, but this is the general view that comes across on threads on here at least.

As another comment, I would disregard anyone who posts something like "Lewisy is wrong, firms consider each application on their merits and therefore you should apply as your chances are every bit as good". Although I may seem like the harsh person just shooting you down for no reason that is not the case; I am simply not the kind of person who will tell you what you want to hear to be 'popular' on the boards.

As a final point, can I ask where you did your degrees? It seems bizarre to me that you were let onto an LLM with a 2.2 at a highly respected institution, no offence.
Reply 2
I'd agree with Lewis you chances are poor due to sheer numbers. However I do know of someone who went into a small firm as an assistant and worked very hard and ended up getting offered a TC. Its all whether you want to risk the money for the LPC.

You can do an LLM with a 2.2 most places. On a forum of would be lawyers it may seem like a waste of paper, but its a pretty respectable educational achievement.
Reply 3
Don't want to mention the name but I went to top 5 Law Schools, both undergraduate and postgraduate... (everyone knows Oxbridge are top 2, and from 3-5 the ranking maybe slightly different every year, but always those unis - UCL/LSE/Durham).

Apparently I have submitted loads of supporting materials and I have references from my tutors saying that although I have narrowly missed a 2:1, I am still a 2:1 standard student. I guess the fact that although my exam results are not so good, I always had very high marks in essays throughout my LL.B also help to demonstrate that I am not a bad student... only the essays marks were not counted towards the final degree mark, otherwise I would have a good 2:1.

I understand that 2:1 is the minimum requirement, but won't a Distinction be one of my selling points to employers. I know somehow this can't make up my lack of 2:1, but will they consider the fact that I'm having a Distinction at the Masters level at all?...

So unfair.
Reply 4
I don't really see the differences between undergraduate and taught masters...
All are taught courses, accessed by exams and sometimes essays.
wshvn
I don't really see the differences between undergraduate and taught masters...
All are taught courses, accessed by exams and sometimes essays.

In the former degree you study the fundamentals of law -- i.e. what is necessary for a training contract. The latter degree may be more esoteric in its scope and so not wholly pertinent to employment.
wshvn
Don't want to mention the name but I went to top 5 Law Schools

Would those be LSE and Durham? I'm not your stalker; just using the power of inference.
Reply 7
Can't comment specifically on law, but in general, having a masters improves your undergraduate degree class by one. Still as people have said, this isn't going to be taken into consideration by the majority of computer controlled application systems.

jismith1989
Would those be LSE and Durham? I'm not your stalker; just using the power of inference.


Seeing as the OP has Durham as their location and LSE in their profile, it would be a fair guess... :p:
Ad-Alta
Seeing as the OP has Durham as their location, it would be a fair guess... :p:

And they labelled LSE as their place of study in their profile. :p:
It may not seem fair, but unfortunately law firms take the view that you should perform to a consistently high standard, hence why they have minimum A-level requirements even if you have a 2.1 degree.
Reply 10
Ok,my location gives it away. Never mind.

I understand everything you guys said. It's just... I feel so stressed up finding jobs.

Not sure if I should give up career in law at all. Still want to be a commercial lawyer thou, that's why I've chosen corporate/commercial related modules, and somehow I still think that I'll be really good at practicing them. Maybe I should get some experiences first. (Btw, I have amazing A-Levels, and I did quite a lot of thinks during my LL.B years at the Uni, like running for different university societies etc, maybe these things have distracted me... )
After all my the negativity surrounding your prospects you are still clearly very keen to have a career in commercial law and therefore you should probably pursue it, although take into account the costs involved if you don't have sponsorship as another factor! At this point I would recommend emailing some firms you might want to work for (perhaps some in London and some elsewhere if you don't necessarily want to work in London) to get their view on your circumstances. You never know, I might be being overly negative. The problem with this approach, of course, is that many firms will not simply come out and say "no you have a 2.2" even if that is their practice. They are most likely to say "we consider each application on its merits" etc etc. Nevertheless if you have good extra curriculars and can write a good application and perform well at interview you might have a decent chance. Whatever you decide to do, good luck.
Reply 12
wshvn
Ok,my location gives it away. Never mind.

I understand everything you guys said. It's just... I feel so stressed up finding jobs.

Not sure if I should give up career in law at all. Still want to be a commercial lawyer thou, that's why I've chosen corporate/commercial related modules, and somehow I still think that I'll be really good at practicing them. Maybe I should get some experiences first. (Btw, I have amazing A-Levels, and I did quite a lot of thinks during my LL.B years at the Uni, like running for different university societies etc, maybe these things have distracted me... )


Don't let other people distract you from what you want to achieve. The thing is, you've got 2.2 and a Masters (be it Distinction or Merit) and that's what you will have to work with. It's a bit too late to cry over spilled milk now so you'll just have to get on with it and apply with the results you have. Most companies will probably auto-reject you but you'll just have to try everywhere. If you can't get a TC that just means you will have to find another way in. Work in legal-related profession, do your LCP part-time, network... Just work consistently towards your goal. The grades are just the initial hurdle and after 3 years of working life what you have done during this time will be much more important than what your degree class was.
Reply 13
Lewisy-boy
The problem with this approach, of course, is that many firms will not simply come out and say "no you have a 2.2" even if that is their practice. They are most likely to say "we consider each application on its merits" etc etc. Nevertheless if you have good extra curriculars and can write a good application and perform well at interview you might have a decent chance. Whatever you decide to do, good luck.


That's what they usually do, telling they consider each application on merit yet practically throw out everyone without a 2:1. I do have good extra curriculars, so at least these are the things that I can talk about on the application forms.

Thank you for your wishes, that's really nice. And... I have to say I really appreciate your honesty, I know how hard it's gonna be for a 2:2 to... been feeling like a loser since I knew my degree results, there were days when I felt hopeless. But then, I decided that I don't want this negative attitude. I don't have high hope for a successful outcome, but maybe it is not impossible either - although I don't know it yet.
Reply 14
Hey people! Don't want to hijack the thread, but I've got a similar concern. I've just finished (like a month ago) my 2nd year LLB at the LSE. I got 60% overall in my first year (got a 2.1 in 2 1/2 mods, and 2.2 in 1 1/2 mods). Not too disastrous for a first year I guess, but I expect far worse this year - perhaps 50%. So my question is should I apply for a tc this summer? Or wait - work real hard next year - and reapply then? this would be quite difficult - you know, finding something to do during gap year, but as a last resort i guess.

Can't believe I totally ****ed up last year!!!
Reply 15
crema
Don't let other people distract you from what you want to achieve. The thing is, you've got 2.2 and a Masters (be it Distinction or Merit) and that's what you will have to work with. It's a bit too late to cry over spilled milk now so you'll just have to get on with it and apply with the results you have. Most companies will probably auto-reject you but you'll just have to try everywhere. If you can't get a TC that just means you will have to find another way in. Work in legal-related profession, do your LCP part-time, network... Just work consistently towards your goal. The grades are just the initial hurdle and after 3 years of working life what you have done during this time will be much more important than what your degree class was.


This is part of the plan. Really don't mind finding other ways in if necessary, I have even thought about what sort of jobs I can do to gradually build my own way up. Thank you for your encouragement = ) And I guess you're right, past is the past, I have to live with it. People also been telling me the same, they say at the end of the day, it's the experience that is just as important.
Reply 16
2026
Hey people! Don't want to hijack the thread, but I've got a similar concern. I've just finished (like a month ago) my 2nd year LLB at the LSE. I got 60% overall in my first year (got a 2.1 in 2 1/2 mods, and 2.2 in 1 1/2 mods). Not too disastrous for a first year I guess, but I expect far worse this year - perhaps 50%. So my question is should I apply for a tc this summer? Or wait - work real hard next year - and reapply then? this would be quite difficult - you know, finding something to do during gap year, but as a last resort i guess.

Can't believe I totally ****ed up last year!!!


No, feel free to post anything here.
Can I ask... When will your exam results become available?
Reply 17
wshvn
No, feel free to post anything here.
Can I ask... When will your exam results become available?


thanks.

i think the 7th of july. most people i know have started their tc applications, but i just don't have the motivation because im quite worried about my 2nd yr results. hopefully everything will be cleared up once the results are in.
Reply 18
2026
thanks.

i think the 7th of july. most people i know have started their tc applications, but i just don't have the motivation because im quite worried about my 2nd yr results. hopefully everything will be cleared up once the results are in.


Maybe you should start looking, do some research and see what sorts of firms you wanted join and when their deadlines are. If their TC application deadlines are 31 July or later, you can always wait till the results are out before deciding whether to submit the applications - I actually still don't know whether it is rolling intake or they'll wait till the actually deadline and then review all applicants together. At least you can start thinking how to answer all those silly questions appear on the application forms - they take hell lot of time!!!

People been telling me not to think about the past for it is gone. Maybe the results will be better than your expected - it didn't happen to me but other students I know all seem to have better marks than they have thought how well they have done in exams. How many % does your 1st and 2nd year to be counted towards your final degree classification? Is it 10%+40%+50%?

I guess relevant experience is also important, maybe you can get some a summer job or something, in law-related field. If you can't get one within the legal sector, anything that can help you develop necessary skills to be a great lawyers will still be good = )

Hope this helps. Good luck!
Reply 19
You should first find out whether getting a distinction in your masters is dependant on your dissertation mark, before assuming distinction is given if you are 70 overall. My mrs just got her MSc results, she got 71 overall, however it's not distinction because her dissertation was 65. Gutted.

Does anyone know if this is standard for masters degrees? Or it's just her uni's prerogative?