what do I do from now to become a commercial lawyer

I’m currently figuring out my future education path and could use some advice from people who’ve been through similar routes — especially anyone who’s gone into Law or Humanities at university.
I’m from the U.K., and I’m 16 currently and I have a few different paths I’m considering I got grade 4s at GCSE but i am resitting to achieve higher in november but I am really worried about what to do. Right now im studying btec business level 3 which is equivalent to three a levels so please hear me out and which one do you suggest i do because I know a btec won’t let me into as many good universities
1. Option 1: Complete my BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and add two A levels (Politics + Sociology) while self-studying or through a centre. My goal would be to apply for the LLB Law at the University of Birmingham or possibly London unis like KCL or UCL.
2. Option 2: Do only Year 1 of my BTEC (Foundation Diploma) and then switch to sixth form in September 2026 to take three A levels (History, Sociology, and Economics) — the more traditional route for top unis like Oxford, Cambridge, or LSE.
3. Option 3: Stick with my BTEC and apply directly for an LLB at UOB, then aim to do my postgraduate (LLM) at a London uni like KCL or even Oxbridge.
4. Option 4: Study History for undergrad, then do a Law conversion course (PGDL) after — possibly at a top uni like Cambridge or LSE.
I know these are all quite different, but I want to make a smart long-term choice.
My dream is to work in law eventually (maybe even at a Magic Circle firm), but I’m also open to studying History because I love it.
If anyone’s taken a similar route (BTEC + A levels / switching from BTEC to A levels / postgraduate law study), I’d love to hear your experiences or advice!
What do you think would be the best or most realistic route for someone like me?
Thanks in advance 🙏

I’m currently figuring out my future education path and could use some advice from people who’ve been through similar routes — especially anyone who’s gone into Law or Humanities at university.
I’m from the U.K., and I’m 16 currently and I have a few different paths I’m considering I got grade 4s at GCSE but i am resitting to achieve higher in november but I am really worried about what to do. Right now im studying btec business level 3 which is equivalent to three a levels so please hear me out and which one do you suggest i do because I know a btec won’t let me into as many good universities
1. Option 1: Complete my BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and add two A levels (Politics + Sociology) while self-studying or through a centre. My goal would be to apply for the LLB Law at the University of Birmingham or possibly London unis like KCL or UCL.
2. Option 2: Do only Year 1 of my BTEC (Foundation Diploma) and then switch to sixth form in September 2026 to take three A levels (History, Sociology, and Economics) — the more traditional route for top unis like Oxford, Cambridge, or LSE.
3. Option 3: Stick with my BTEC and apply directly for an LLB at UOB, then aim to do my postgraduate (LLM) at a London uni like KCL or even Oxbridge.
4. Option 4: Study History for undergrad, then do a Law conversion course (PGDL) after — possibly at a top uni like Cambridge or LSE.
I know these are all quite different, but I want to make a smart long-term choice.
My dream is to work in law eventually (maybe even at a Magic Circle firm), but I’m also open to studying History because I love it.
If anyone’s taken a similar route (BTEC + A levels / switching from BTEC to A levels / postgraduate law study), I’d love to hear your experiences or advice!
What do you think would be the best or most realistic route for someone like me?
Thanks in advance 🙏

Hello,
It’s great that you’re thinking carefully about your next steps so early on. I’m currently doing the SQE after completing the law conversion course (PGDL). I studied History at Oxford for my undergraduate degree, secured a training contract, and then moved into law, so I’ve come to it from a non-law background.
Broadly speaking, each of your routes could work. I would recommend choosing the one where you’ll perform best academically. Some top universities and quite a few law firms tend to prefer A-levels, so if your goal is those institutions, moving towards full A-levels could keep the most doors open. That said, many strong universities are perfectly happy with BTECs if you achieve high grades, and a lot of law firms (including Magic Circle) will look at your grades contextually and accept BTEC students who have excelled at undergraduate level.
If you genuinely enjoy History, studying it first and then converting to law is also a very respected path. It’s what I did, and many trainees at major firms took the same route. What matters most for a legal career is achieving strong results, showing commitment, and developing the analytical and communication skills law firms value.
I hope this is helpful!
Layla

Hi! Just to let you know KCL and some London unis don’t accept resits at all. I think that UOB sounds great and then you wouldn’t have to worry about the pressure of it being super super competitive and potentially being disadvantaged by resists with some more prestigious unis.
Best of luck!

I didn’t mean resit for a levels! sorry for the confusion im resitting english and math gcse even though I passed to achieve higher grades incase i want to switch to sixth form next year

Ah okay!! I’m not 100% sure on the policies surrounding gcse resits for more competitive courses. It’s definitely worth emailing the unis to check!

Thank you so much for replying may I ask what a levels you did?? I’m confident i want to do history as an a level but rather not so much on the others

I’m currently figuring out my future education path and could use some advice from people who’ve been through similar routes — especially anyone who’s gone into Law or Humanities at university.
I’m from the U.K., and I’m 16 currently and I have a few different paths I’m considering I got grade 4s at GCSE but i am resitting to achieve higher in november but I am really worried about what to do. Right now im studying btec business level 3 which is equivalent to three a levels so please hear me out and which one do you suggest i do because I know a btec won’t let me into as many good universities
1. Option 1: Complete my BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and add two A levels (Politics + Sociology) while self-studying or through a centre. My goal would be to apply for the LLB Law at the University of Birmingham or possibly London unis like KCL or UCL.
2. Option 2: Do only Year 1 of my BTEC (Foundation Diploma) and then switch to sixth form in September 2026 to take three A levels (History, Sociology, and Economics) — the more traditional route for top unis like Oxford, Cambridge, or LSE.
3. Option 3: Stick with my BTEC and apply directly for an LLB at UOB, then aim to do my postgraduate (LLM) at a London uni like KCL or even Oxbridge.
4. Option 4: Study History for undergrad, then do a Law conversion course (PGDL) after — possibly at a top uni like Cambridge or LSE.
I know these are all quite different, but I want to make a smart long-term choice.
My dream is to work in law eventually (maybe even at a Magic Circle firm), but I’m also open to studying History because I love it.
If anyone’s taken a similar route (BTEC + A levels / switching from BTEC to A levels / postgraduate law study), I’d love to hear your experiences or advice!
What do you think would be the best or most realistic route for someone like me?
Thanks in advance 🙏

Hi there,
It is great that you're thinking about your path early on and you do have a lot of options available as you have set out above so don't stress. I think this decision would be dependent on what you really want to do and enjoy studying. I was really interested in Law however, I loved the political side. I ended up doing BA Law and International Relations. In my case I still want to qualify as a lawyer which is why I will go through the GDL route. I will say that this route is recommended if you really think you will enjoy that degree choice otherwise you do have other options.
At SOAS you can apply for LLB Law with BTEC's however, you would need to complete the LNAT. This may be a good option for you as this uni is in London too and you wouldn't have to spend an extra year doing your A-level subjects. SOAS is unique for Law as we offer modules that aren't offered elsewhere like Islamic Law and Legal Systems of Asia and Africa. We also offer placements in our Law Clinics which is helpful for students to gain the experience needed to progress. Many of our graduates have progressed to work in firms like Clifford Chance and Linklaters (part of the Magic Circle) as well as internationally.
What would be great is to visit the different Universities on open day or book a campus tour. During open days many universities also do taster sessions which would be a great way of experiencing how the degree would be. Alternatively, you can also chat with our students and ask them about any queries.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Sarah

Sarah - whilst I am sure you mean well, please be aware that you are required by the likes of the ASA and CMA to disclose that you are paid by SOAS to post on this site and, essentially, advertise the services of that university.
https://www.asa.org.uk/static/uploaded/3af39c72-76e1-4a59-b2b47e81a034cd1d.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-media-endorsements-guidance-for-content-creators/social-media-endorsements-being-transparent-with-your-followers

Hi there,
I have noticed you have commented on numerous threads regarding this matter, responding to other universities' student representatives. Yes, we are paid, as this is a part-time job, but we are speaking about our experiences whilst we are active students here. We are only here to provide support and extra information and to help prospects make an informed choice. Even if this were an unpaid role, I would still be more than happy to assist incoming students or people considering SOAS as a choice. I'm sure other student reps would feel the same way.
Your query had already been addressed by a TSR staff member a month ago here: TSR Staff Response
Yet you relentlessly persist in hounding down student reps. As outlined in the link above, the official rep badge is a clear label. Currently, student reps are not, by any TSR guidelines, required to disclose for every post that this is an advertisement. In many cases, we answer general enquiries, and we are not necessarily promoting our university in every TSR post or thread. We are not social media influencers and don't place adverts in the traditional sense of what that constitutes.
If you have any further grievances regarding this issue, please do contact TSR directly, as we do not create the regulations as to how these posts are created.
Kind regards,
SOAS Student Rep
BA Global Liberal Arts

The law is the law. Never mind TSR guidelines. Your shills have to disclose that they are shills. Don't like the rules? Lobby your MP.

Our role is already disclosed via the Official Rep tag next to our usernames.

Doesn't say you get paid though, does it? You've been righteously called out by chalks, and instead of putting your hands up, you're doubling down. Maybe if SOAS put more effort into academic quality it wouldn't have to spend money on advertising. You see UCL, LSE, Oxford, Cambridge advertising? Nope.

Hi there,
I have noticed you have commented on numerous threads regarding this matter, responding to other universities' student representatives. Yes, we are paid, as this is a part-time job, but we are speaking about our experiences whilst we are active students here. We are only here to provide support and extra information and to help prospects make an informed choice. Even if this were an unpaid role, I would still be more than happy to assist incoming students or people considering SOAS as a choice. I'm sure other student reps would feel the same way.
Your query had already been addressed by a TSR staff member a month ago here: TSR Staff Response
Yet you relentlessly persist in hounding down student reps. As outlined in the link above, the official rep badge is a clear label. Currently, student reps are not, by any TSR guidelines, required to disclose for every post that this is an advertisement. In many cases, we answer general enquiries, and we are not necessarily promoting our university in every TSR post or thread. We are not social media influencers and don't place adverts in the traditional sense of what that constitutes.
If you have any further grievances regarding this issue, please do contact TSR directly, as we do not create the regulations as to how these posts are created.
Kind regards,
SOAS Student Rep
BA Global Liberal Arts