The Student Room Group

Transferring to a Russell Group Uni in Second year for Law??

Hi, I’ve completely bombed my A Level exams and have lost my spaces at Manchester and Exeter and am now having to study at Kent. I was wondering if it was possible to transfer second year to an RG uni if i get REALLY high grades in my first year, given my A Levels are pretty bleak (granted there is a lot of contextual information surrounding them). I know Manchester doesn’t allow second year transfers for Law but others do. Will it be possible for me?? I’m a little nervous to ask the admissions team because I am a little embarrassed, so I was wondering if anyone was in the same situation?

Edit: i’ve decided to stick with Kent and will likely do a postgrad at a RG uni :smile:
(edited 1 month ago)
I'm really sorry but I think this is unlikely. Generally, the new university will expect you to meet the A level grade entry requirements. But really, the only way to find out for sure is contacting the admissions teams.

Its a shame to go into university feeling like you 'have to' study there rather than wanting to. Kent is a fine place to study. Have you considered resitting the A levels and taking a gap year? Or trying to get onboard with the idea of Kent? I know its been a blow and takes some adjuestment but going to Kent is likely to be just as a forfulling experience as Exeter and Manchester.
Reply 2
Original post by totallyfine
I'm really sorry but I think this is unlikely. Generally, the new university will expect you to meet the A level grade entry requirements. But really, the only way to find out for sure is contacting the admissions teams.
Its a shame to go into university feeling like you 'have to' study there rather than wanting to. Kent is a fine place to study. Have you considered resitting the A levels and taking a gap year? Or trying to get onboard with the idea of Kent? I know its been a blow and takes some adjuestment but going to Kent is likely to be just as a forfulling experience as Exeter and Manchester.

Thanks for your honesty!! I did consider resitting my A Levels but I don’t think I could do another year at home. Plus I just want to get my career started up as soon as possible :/ . I’ll may still give it a try (cause what’s the harm in trying 😅😅😅), if that doesn’t work out I’m going to try do a Postgrad in a RG uni as law firms are hard to get into without some kind of qualification for a RG uni. </3
(edited 1 month ago)
Extremely unlikely, and essentially zero chance.

Most Law firm applications are now made 'Uni blind' with the name of your Uni blanked out.
For postgrad applications, other Unis dont care about 'which Uni'.
Work you socks off, get a First, and do more at Uni than just study. You'll be fine.
Reply 4
Original post by McGinger
Extremely unlikely, and essentially zero chance.
Most Law firm applications are now made 'Uni blind' with the name of your Uni blanked out.
For postgrad applications, other Unis dont care about 'which Uni'.
Work you socks off, get a First, and do more at Uni than just study. You'll be fine.

Thanks, I hope everything goes well :frown: . But do you think it’s worth doing a Postgrad for Law, if Law Firm applications are now ‘uni blind’?
Original post by S_27!
Thanks, I hope everything goes well :frown: . But do you think it’s worth doing a Postgrad for Law, if Law Firm applications are now ‘uni blind’?

If you already have a Law degree, then postgrad is for specialisms within Law -
Postgraduate taught | University of Bristol Law School | University of Bristol

If you have a good non-Law degree, there are conversion courses, but these are condensed and hard-work - MA Law | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol OR you can qualify as a Solicitor with SQE - Home | SQE | Solicitors Regulation Authority (sra.org.uk)
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 6
Original post by McGinger
If you already have a Law degree, then postgrad is for specialisms within Law -
Postgraduate taught | University of Bristol Law School | University of Bristol
If you have a good non-Law degree, there are conversion courses, but these are condensed and hard-work - MA Law | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol OR you can qualify as a Solicitor with SQE - Home | SQE | Solicitors Regulation Authority (sra.org.uk)

Thank you!!
Hi S_27!,

I am very sorry to hear that you wasn't happy with your A-Levels and that you haven't been able to join us in September. I have had a look at some of the other responses, but I wanted to give you some official guidance. Firstly, Law is a subject that we offer for second year entry at our Cornwall campus - Law with Business LLB (Cornwall)

However, our website states that to be accepted for entry into the second year of a programme we will normally expect that you:

achieve a 2.1 within the first year of your current programme

have studied or are studying modules that match the core components of the first year modules on the programme you are applying for (check the ‘Course content’ section of the programme webpage)

have achieved level three qualifications (A levels, IB or equivalent) equivalent to those of current first year applicants


Whilst of course, there is emphasis on your A-Level's, even during second year entry, I think if you wanted to, definitely try! I would suggest trying your best to embrace your time at Kent, build those friendships and relationships with your lecturers, put yourself out there and you might truly love it and maybe even prefer it to us! Obviously work hard, push yourself, and see if the modules you do study will line up with ours and then try next year to see if it is possible to join us. I wouldn't let your A-Level's dishearten you, nor let it stop you trying for a second time, especially as number one it says we "normally expect" and number two nothing in life is guaranteed, number three your contextual circumstances!

Best wishes,
Sophie, University of Exeter Student Ambassador.
Reply 8
Original post by ExeterStudentRep
Hi S_27!,
I am very sorry to hear that you wasn't happy with your A-Levels and that you haven't been able to join us in September. I have had a look at some of the other responses, but I wanted to give you some official guidance. Firstly, Law is a subject that we offer for second year entry at our Cornwall campus - Law with Business LLB (Cornwall)
However, our website states that to be accepted for entry into the second year of a programme we will normally expect that you:

achieve a 2.1 within the first year of your current programme

have studied or are studying modules that match the core components of the first year modules on the programme you are applying for (check the ‘Course content’ section of the programme webpage)

have achieved level three qualifications (A levels, IB or equivalent) equivalent to those of current first year applicants


Whilst of course, there is emphasis on your A-Level's, even during second year entry, I think if you wanted to, definitely try! I would suggest trying your best to embrace your time at Kent, build those friendships and relationships with your lecturers, put yourself out there and you might truly love it and maybe even prefer it to us! Obviously work hard, push yourself, and see if the modules you do study will line up with ours and then try next year to see if it is possible to join us. I wouldn't let your A-Level's dishearten you, nor let it stop you trying for a second time, especially as number one it says we "normally expect" and number two nothing in life is guaranteed, number three your contextual circumstances!
Best wishes,
Sophie, University of Exeter Student Ambassador.

Thank you!!

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