Grades for Russel Group Law
I wish to study Law at University, a reputable one at that. However I am extremely fearful of underperforming at A Level. I take Sociology, D&T Product Design, And Physics. I am currently in Year 12, working at E/D in physics and A/B in my other subjects. My target for physics is a B, but even then I fear I may only just get a C. I guess what I’m asking is what routes should I take to achieve my wishes? I’ve looked at foundation years at the Likes of Sheffield, Exeter and Durham. But I don’t quite understand what grades I need for these foundation years, but I’m also not fully familiar with how they work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Reply 1
To be eligible for foundation courses you must have been in care for a period in your life, been on free school meals or come from a widening access region. Each uni will have more details of their foundation programmes. Its fundamentally to help students who may have struggled with their studies because of their personal circumstances.
Its better to cut your losses and drop physics to take another subject in year 13 e.g Religous studies. If you are averaging a D/E in physics presently then your predicted grade will not jump up to a B - to get into law at a RG uni you would need AAB minimum.
Its better to cut your losses and drop physics to take another subject in year 13 e.g Religous studies. If you are averaging a D/E in physics presently then your predicted grade will not jump up to a B - to get into law at a RG uni you would need AAB minimum.
(edited 10 months ago)
Original post
by XitslitteI wish to study Law at University, a reputable one at that. However I am extremely fearful of underperforming at A Level. I take Sociology, D&T Product Design, And Physics. I am currently in Year 12, working at E/D in physics and A/B in my other subjects. My target for physics is a B, but even then I fear I may only just get a C. I guess what I’m asking is what routes should I take to achieve my wishes? I’ve looked at foundation years at the Likes of Sheffield, Exeter and Durham. But I don’t quite understand what grades I need for these foundation years, but I’m also not fully familiar with how they work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
I think the reply above may have confused a foundation year with a contextual offer, and even that's poorly explained.
The best way to understand what the requirements are for a particular course is to check the web site of the university concerned.
I see no evidence that Exeter offer Law with a Foundation Year (see their list of Law courses on this page), so we can cross Exeter off your list.
Sheffield offers Law with a Foundation Year, but only for mature students. Are you a mature student?
If you check the Entry Requirements sections of Sheffield's Law with Foundation Year LLB page (here) you'll note that it takes you to a page (here) which lists the eligibility requirements as follows:
"To be eligible to apply, you should:
• have been out of formal full-time Level 3 education (usually A Levels or Access courses) for more than two years
• have potential to succeed on your chosen course, evidenced by a combination of work, life and prior educational experience
• have an understanding and commitment to the subject-area of your chosen course
• be prepared for the demands that undergraduate degree level study will place upon you
• be 21 or over (see below for advice for younger applicants)
If you match all of these criteria, please check our entry requirements."
Durham's Law with Foundation page (here) explains that "The Foundation Programme is designed for students from under-represented groups in higher education, who have the potential to achieve the standard for admission to Durham, but who, because of educational disadvantage or disruption, do not have the level of attainment or access to qualifications required for entry to a Durham University course."
Are you such a student? If you think that you might be, then see this page for further details of their eligibility criteria.
Reply 3
2
Original post
by DataVeniaI think the reply above may have confused a foundation year with a contextual offer, and even that's poorly explained.
The best way to understand what the requirements are for a particular course is to check the web site of the university concerned.
I see no evidence that Exeter offer Law with a Foundation Year (see their list of Law courses on this page), so we can cross Exeter off your list.
Sheffield offers Law with a Foundation Year, but only for mature students. Are you a mature student?
If you check the Entry Requirements sections of Sheffield's Law with Foundation Year LLB page (here) you'll note that it takes you to a page (here) which lists the eligibility requirements as follows:
"To be eligible to apply, you should:
• have been out of formal full-time Level 3 education (usually A Levels or Access courses) for more than two years
• have potential to succeed on your chosen course, evidenced by a combination of work, life and prior educational experience
• have an understanding and commitment to the subject-area of your chosen course
• be prepared for the demands that undergraduate degree level study will place upon you
• be 21 or over (see below for advice for younger applicants)
If you match all of these criteria, please check our entry requirements."
Durham's Law with Foundation page (here) explains that "The Foundation Programme is designed for students from under-represented groups in higher education, who have the potential to achieve the standard for admission to Durham, but who, because of educational disadvantage or disruption, do not have the level of attainment or access to qualifications required for entry to a Durham University course."
Are you such a student? If you think that you might be, then see this page for further details of their eligibility criteria.
The best way to understand what the requirements are for a particular course is to check the web site of the university concerned.
I see no evidence that Exeter offer Law with a Foundation Year (see their list of Law courses on this page), so we can cross Exeter off your list.
Sheffield offers Law with a Foundation Year, but only for mature students. Are you a mature student?
If you check the Entry Requirements sections of Sheffield's Law with Foundation Year LLB page (here) you'll note that it takes you to a page (here) which lists the eligibility requirements as follows:
"To be eligible to apply, you should:
• have been out of formal full-time Level 3 education (usually A Levels or Access courses) for more than two years
• have potential to succeed on your chosen course, evidenced by a combination of work, life and prior educational experience
• have an understanding and commitment to the subject-area of your chosen course
• be prepared for the demands that undergraduate degree level study will place upon you
• be 21 or over (see below for advice for younger applicants)
If you match all of these criteria, please check our entry requirements."
Durham's Law with Foundation page (here) explains that "The Foundation Programme is designed for students from under-represented groups in higher education, who have the potential to achieve the standard for admission to Durham, but who, because of educational disadvantage or disruption, do not have the level of attainment or access to qualifications required for entry to a Durham University course."
Are you such a student? If you think that you might be, then see this page for further details of their eligibility criteria.
Yes sorry I believe I mistook Exeter for elsewhere. I believe I do meet Sheffield Foundation Years Criteria.
I am also thinking of going to a safe University, aiming for a firsts and applying to a RG University to do my second year or at leats retake 1st year there and finish course at said RG. For a Law course, is this achievable? I understand this far from my initial question and maybe you don’t know which is fine, I’m just weighing up options.
Reply 4
Original post
by XitslitteYes sorry I believe I mistook Exeter for elsewhere. I believe I do meet Sheffield Foundation Years Criteria.
I am also thinking of going to a safe University, aiming for a firsts and applying to a RG University to do my second year or at leats retake 1st year there and finish course at said RG. For a Law course, is this achievable? I understand this far from my initial question and maybe you don’t know which is fine, I’m just weighing up options.
I am also thinking of going to a safe University, aiming for a firsts and applying to a RG University to do my second year or at leats retake 1st year there and finish course at said RG. For a Law course, is this achievable? I understand this far from my initial question and maybe you don’t know which is fine, I’m just weighing up options.
perhaps look into doing another less competitive subject then a GDL
Reply 5
2
I wasn’t going to do a GDL, I intended to study law but transfer from Law Course at a non RG, to a RG, same course different Uni, so I will still be doing a Law Undergrad Degree, I’m not doing course conversion. Sorry for confusion
Reply 6
20
Original post
by mike23mikeTo be eligible for foundation courses you must have been in care for a period in your life, been on free school meals or come from a widening access region. Each uni will have more details of their foundation programmes. Its fundamentally to help students who may have struggled with their studies because of their personal circumstances.
Its better to cut your losses and drop physics to take another subject in year 13 e.g Religous studies. If you are averaging a D/E in physics presently then your predicted grade will not jump up to a B - to get into law at a RG uni you would need AAB minimum.
Its better to cut your losses and drop physics to take another subject in year 13 e.g Religous studies. If you are averaging a D/E in physics presently then your predicted grade will not jump up to a B - to get into law at a RG uni you would need AAB minimum.
To be eligible for foundation courses you must have been in care for a period in your life, been on free school meals or come from a widening access region.
This s total nonsense. Law Foundation years have nothing to do with widening participation criteria, they are for those with lower grade expectations.
Reply 7
2
Original post
by McGingerTo be eligible for foundation courses you must have been in care for a period in your life, been on free school meals or come from a widening access region.
This s total nonsense. Law Foundation years have nothing to do with widening participation criteria, they are for those with lower grade expectations.
This s total nonsense. Law Foundation years have nothing to do with widening participation criteria, they are for those with lower grade expectations.
So if I apply for it, I just need to have my good grades and that low grade. It is just based on poor performance?
Original post
by XitslitteYes sorry I believe I mistook Exeter for elsewhere. I believe I do meet Sheffield Foundation Years Criteria.
I am also thinking of going to a safe University, aiming for a firsts and applying to a RG University to do my second year or at leats retake 1st year there and finish course at said RG. For a Law course, is this achievable? I understand this far from my initial question and maybe you don’t know which is fine, I’m just weighing up options.
I am also thinking of going to a safe University, aiming for a firsts and applying to a RG University to do my second year or at leats retake 1st year there and finish course at said RG. For a Law course, is this achievable? I understand this far from my initial question and maybe you don’t know which is fine, I’m just weighing up options.
Unfortunately, your "going to a safe University, aiming for a firsts and applying to a RG University to do my second year" plan is unlikely to work. This is because most universities which accept transfers mandate that you still meet their own entry requirements. So you can't use a really good year one at a different uni to supplement your A level grades.
For example, see this answer to another student's question to University of Sheffield:
"To be eligible for a transfer, we would normally expect you to have:
• Met our course's A-level requirements (or equivalent)
• Studied at your current institution material comparable with the Level 1 content at Sheffield, so that you are sufficiently prepared for Level 2
• Achieved at your current institution marks which suggest you are likely to successfully complete the Sheffield degree course. We would request a reference from your current institution.
• Demonstrated a sound reason for wanting to transfer. For example, if you are struggling at your current institution, we would need to staisfy ourselves that the situation is likely to be different at Sheffield. If there are medical issues, we may consult with the University Health Service."
Durham say something similar here:
"Some of our departments will consider a transfer into year two of study, with the following conditions:
• You meet the standard A level entry criteria;
• You should be on track to achieve a 2:1 on your current programme;
• The modules you are studying in your current programme should be comparable with those you would have studied in Durham;
• You will need to evidence that you are leaving your current university in ‘good standing’;
• The programme should be open for application at UCAS, applications should be submitted by the 29/01/2025 equal consideration deadline."
Note that not all universities accept transfers for all courses anyway. For example, Durham say on the same page as above:
" The following departments will NOT consider a transfer into year two:
• Business School
• Combined Honours in Social Science;
• Computer Science;
• Engineering;
• English;
• Government and International Affairs;
• Law;
• Music;
• Philosophy."
So if you want to pursue this approach, you'll need to do thorough research to establish that your target universities accept transfers for Law and that they will accept your A level grades.
Reply 9
I have to be blunt and suggest that you modify your aspirations. At your current level of academic performance you are unlikely to obtain a place to study law at a competitive university. Elaborate plans such as to going to university X in the hope of switching to university Y are unlikely to succeed.
It may be that you can improve your grades in the next year or so. But perhaps you are one of those people for whom academic success does not come at age eighteen or thereabouts. You might be better taking a path other than university initially, and returning to study in your twenties.
Why do you discount the idea of studying a subject other than law as an undergraduate, and thereafter studying for a PGDL?
Why do you wish to study law? Are you interested in becoming a lawyer? If so, what is it about being a lawyer which interests you?
It may be that you can improve your grades in the next year or so. But perhaps you are one of those people for whom academic success does not come at age eighteen or thereabouts. You might be better taking a path other than university initially, and returning to study in your twenties.
Why do you discount the idea of studying a subject other than law as an undergraduate, and thereafter studying for a PGDL?
Why do you wish to study law? Are you interested in becoming a lawyer? If so, what is it about being a lawyer which interests you?
Reply 10
Original post
by XitslitteI wish to study Law at University, a reputable one at that. However I am extremely fearful of underperforming at A Level. I take Sociology, D&T Product Design, And Physics. I am currently in Year 12, working at E/D in physics and A/B in my other subjects. My target for physics is a B, but even then I fear I may only just get a C. I guess what I’m asking is what routes should I take to achieve my wishes? I’ve looked at foundation years at the Likes of Sheffield, Exeter and Durham. But I don’t quite understand what grades I need for these foundation years, but I’m also not fully familiar with how they work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Do you have the option of retaking Y12 with different subjects? It seems like it’s just physics bringing you down — do you really enjoy the subject or have any reason why you really want to study it?
I’m asking because with a foundation year, you’re losing a year anyway. You might as well use that year to sit A levels in subjects you’ve got a better aptitude for and can get higher grades in. Even if you get into a foundation year at a uni you want, your A level results will still have an impact on your life for some internship applications and I’ve seen chambers that ask for A level grades for mini-pupillage applications (but I’m a Y13, so please don’t put much weight on my experiences).
Lastly, if you really do want to keep physics, the Y12 summer is lots of time to turn things around. It is possible to go from a D to an A in physics and I have seen that happen for 2 people. Regardless of what you decide to do, best of luck 🍀
Reply 11
2
Original post
by nwarDo you have the option of retaking Y12 with different subjects? It seems like it’s just physics bringing you down — do you really enjoy the subject or have any reason why you really want to study it?
I’m asking because with a foundation year, you’re losing a year anyway. You might as well use that year to sit A levels in subjects you’ve got a better aptitude for and can get higher grades in. Even if you get into a foundation year at a uni you want, your A level results will still have an impact on your life for some internship applications and I’ve seen chambers that ask for A level grades for mini-pupillage applications (but I’m a Y13, so please don’t put much weight on my experiences).
Lastly, if you really do want to keep physics, the Y12 summer is lots of time to turn things around. It is possible to go from a D to an A in physics and I have seen that happen for 2 people. Regardless of what you decide to do, best of luck 🍀
I’m asking because with a foundation year, you’re losing a year anyway. You might as well use that year to sit A levels in subjects you’ve got a better aptitude for and can get higher grades in. Even if you get into a foundation year at a uni you want, your A level results will still have an impact on your life for some internship applications and I’ve seen chambers that ask for A level grades for mini-pupillage applications (but I’m a Y13, so please don’t put much weight on my experiences).
Lastly, if you really do want to keep physics, the Y12 summer is lots of time to turn things around. It is possible to go from a D to an A in physics and I have seen that happen for 2 people. Regardless of what you decide to do, best of luck 🍀
I do enjoy the subject, I think I just got lost in my failures and started drifting from the subject but I do like it, I had different ideas of what I wanted to be when i picked my subjects so yeah. I am trying to get to C on Past Papers Even before I go back to school this holidays!
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