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Does a masters at a RG Uni after attending a non-RG Uni enhance employment?

Hi all,

I’m current a History BA student at Kingston University on track for a 1st in my degree. I’m in my second year of study, looking into a legal career but not too sure yet.

It’s no secret that the top firms favour Russell Group universities. I will be applying for lots of internships (I have a lot of work experience + have attended open days etc). In the case that it didn’t work out, if I nailed my undergraduate with a 1st and then did a masters degree at a Russell Group would this boost my prospects of being employed at a top firm - law or not?

I’m relatively new to this world of employment so apologies if it’s a stupid question. Many thanks

Reply 1

sadgiirl

Original post by GTRSkyline

Hi all,
I’m current a History BA student at Kingston University on track for a 1st in my degree. I’m in my second year of study, looking into a legal career but not too sure yet.
It’s no secret that the top firms favour Russell Group universities. I will be applying for lots of internships (I have a lot of work experience + have attended open days etc). In the case that it didn’t work out, if I nailed my undergraduate with a 1st and then did a masters degree at a Russell Group would this boost my prospects of being employed at a top firm - law or not?
I’m relatively new to this world of employment so apologies if it’s a stupid question. Many thanks

Hi, I'm looking to do the same thing. Right now I am doing my undergraduate LLB at the University of Northampton and want to pursue an LLM at a Russell Group university for the same reasons. I have heard a lot of people say doing an LLM or Masters can be useless in law as most firms look at where you got your undergraduate and A level results. Plus almost every solicitor will probably do a Masters (LLM) as it is offered along side an SQE Prep Course, but they recieve them from lower universities like BPP. However, I have spoken to a lot of law mentors about my situation and have said that it is worth going to a Russell Group university as having a notable institution on your CV will look good anyway. Plus most solicitors do not do their Masters/LLM at RG universities, so it may give you a slight edge. So overall, I think it is worth it and I will be doing it to make me look more employable and to prove it to myself that I can do it as I always wanted to attend an RG university. I hope this helps, let me know what you end up doing. Maybe we can help each other out!

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

Durham Rep Ghala

Official Rep

Original post by GTRSkyline

Hi all,
I’m current a History BA student at Kingston University on track for a 1st in my degree. I’m in my second year of study, looking into a legal career but not too sure yet.
It’s no secret that the top firms favour Russell Group universities. I will be applying for lots of internships (I have a lot of work experience + have attended open days etc). In the case that it didn’t work out, if I nailed my undergraduate with a 1st and then did a masters degree at a Russell Group would this boost my prospects of being employed at a top firm - law or not?
I’m relatively new to this world of employment so apologies if it’s a stupid question. Many thanks

Hi there

I don't think going to an RG particularly boosts your chances of employment, as firms ultimately care about your grades and your passion for pursuing a legal career. It's true that some have a higher proportion of Oxbridge and RG unis, but many also don't. Legal Cheek law firm profiles would be a good place to find this out as it offers a pie chart for which firms' trainees have previously come from which unis.

Also, open days in the legal sector are pretty competitive too and you attending them shows that you definitely have potential. Use that and your work experience to your best advantage and I don't think you'll need an LLM from an RG university :smile: