Whether to retake or stay in university third year.
I am currently in my third year of university studying law. Finishing second year of university I just touched the grade of a low 2:1, however I am risk of graduating with a 2:2. recently it has been hitting about my level results which where I got a grade D in my politics I have been thinking about either taking an intermission of needing to retaking my levels as I have been recently looking at applying for internships and vacation scheme however I feel like my grade will put me down and law is very competitive. Also, recently I have been thinking of changing my course, as I am unsure what to go into or do after. At the beginning of when I got into university even though I still got a D in politics I was thinking of retaking however saw it as a sign I got into university even with such bad grade. Overall could someone give me some advice, as I am unsure what to do. Either i retake my level and take an intermission throughout this year, or finish off the course at the risk of getting a 2:2, or change course to something else.
Reply 1
20
Honest advice - just finish your Law degree. You cannot 'change course' for your 3rd year, and retaking your A levels at this stage is pointless - even if your Uni allowed a year-out which the majority wouldn't, internships are insanely competitive, and most grads don't do them anyway. Finish your degree and work as hard as you can - a 2.2 is perfectly okay for many grad jobs and postgrad courses.
Reply 2
Original post
by chole yasmineI am currently in my third year of university studying law. Finishing second year of university I just touched the grade of a low 2:1, however I am risk of graduating with a 2:2. recently it has been hitting about my level results which where I got a grade D in my politics I have been thinking about either taking an intermission of needing to retaking my levels as I have been recently looking at applying for internships and vacation scheme however I feel like my grade will put me down and law is very competitive. Also, recently I have been thinking of changing my course, as I am unsure what to go into or do after. At the beginning of when I got into university even though I still got a D in politics I was thinking of retaking however saw it as a sign I got into university even with such bad grade. Overall could someone give me some advice, as I am unsure what to do. Either i retake my level and take an intermission throughout this year, or finish off the course at the risk of getting a 2:2, or change course to something else.
You’re not alone in feeling this way - law is competitive and grades can feel overwhelming. But a 2:2 doesn’t close every door, and completing your degree still gives you a strong foundation.
Retaking A‑levels at this stage won’t add much value; instead, focus on improving your current results and gaining practical experience through internships, volunteering, or legal clinics. If you’re unsure about law long‑term, remember that you can always pivot after graduation (postgraduate in a different course) because law skills can transfer into many careers. The most important thing is to finish strong, keep building experience, and not let grades alone define your future. Most employers will care about your degree classification not A-Level grades. You can always resit your A-Level Politics after completing your degree. Good luck!
Reply 3
Hi there,
It sounds like you are still doing great - you finished your 2nd year with a 2:1 - so if you just keep on doing what you are doing! You've had some great advice already - and I think trying to re-sit your A Level in your final year, you would just be pushing yourself and taking time away from your final year.
What course were you thinking of transferring to? Could you consider studying that at postgraduate level?
And you don't have to continue into law when you graduate - but a law degree is a great stepping stone for a variety of careers.
Hope that helps and good luck with everything 🙂
It sounds like you are still doing great - you finished your 2nd year with a 2:1 - so if you just keep on doing what you are doing! You've had some great advice already - and I think trying to re-sit your A Level in your final year, you would just be pushing yourself and taking time away from your final year.
What course were you thinking of transferring to? Could you consider studying that at postgraduate level?
And you don't have to continue into law when you graduate - but a law degree is a great stepping stone for a variety of careers.
Hope that helps and good luck with everything 🙂
Reply 4
Hi there,
As a few others above have said, I think the best option would be for you to finish your Law course!
I don't think that re-sitting your A-levels would be very useful at all, especially if you almost have a degree anyway - most employers don't care about A-level grades if you're applying with a degree.
As well, changing your degree wouldn't be a great option financially. If you're using student finance for your tuition, they only usually allow funding for your 3 year course plus an extra year - so 4 years. As you've had 3 years of funding, for you to change to a new degree programme you would have to self-fund the final 2 years of that new programme which isn't great.
I think you should keep doing what you're doing! Most universities have an academic achievement/success team that you could go and speak to. If you're struggling with things like essays and coursework, they can help you improve your writing skills as well as many other things, which might help to boost your grades! Even if you finish with a 2:2 at the end, many universities will accept that grade for entry onto a postgraduate course, if that's what you want to do. With a law degree, you'd be able to go into many different courses and pathways for postgraduate - you don't have to stick with law, so I'd have a look and see what else interests you and go from there!
I hope this helps, good luck
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
As a few others above have said, I think the best option would be for you to finish your Law course!
I don't think that re-sitting your A-levels would be very useful at all, especially if you almost have a degree anyway - most employers don't care about A-level grades if you're applying with a degree.
As well, changing your degree wouldn't be a great option financially. If you're using student finance for your tuition, they only usually allow funding for your 3 year course plus an extra year - so 4 years. As you've had 3 years of funding, for you to change to a new degree programme you would have to self-fund the final 2 years of that new programme which isn't great.
I think you should keep doing what you're doing! Most universities have an academic achievement/success team that you could go and speak to. If you're struggling with things like essays and coursework, they can help you improve your writing skills as well as many other things, which might help to boost your grades! Even if you finish with a 2:2 at the end, many universities will accept that grade for entry onto a postgraduate course, if that's what you want to do. With a law degree, you'd be able to go into many different courses and pathways for postgraduate - you don't have to stick with law, so I'd have a look and see what else interests you and go from there!
I hope this helps, good luck
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
Original post
by chole yasmineI am currently in my third year of university studying law. Finishing second year of university I just touched the grade of a low 2:1, however I am risk of graduating with a 2:2. recently it has been hitting about my level results which where I got a grade D in my politics I have been thinking about either taking an intermission of needing to retaking my levels as I have been recently looking at applying for internships and vacation scheme however I feel like my grade will put me down and law is very competitive. Also, recently I have been thinking of changing my course, as I am unsure what to go into or do after. At the beginning of when I got into university even though I still got a D in politics I was thinking of retaking however saw it as a sign I got into university even with such bad grade. Overall could someone give me some advice, as I am unsure what to do. Either i retake my level and take an intermission throughout this year, or finish off the course at the risk of getting a 2:2, or change course to something else.
Realistically I think the roles that care about your A-levels are also going to care if you resat them.
Therefore I agree with the previous advice that there's really nothing to be gained from retaking your A-levels, much less trying to interrupt your studies for a year to retake them.
Also I don't see how taking the year out to retake your A-levels changes the situation for whether you will get a 2:2 or not. Those seem to be independent issues.
Reply 6
Happy talk doesn't help. A 2.2 is a significant impediment to entry to the legal profession.
OP, work hard and try for a 2.1.
If you get a 2.2, it's probably best to look for a career outside the legal profession.
As already pointed out abive retaking A levels would be pointless.
OP, work hard and try for a 2.1.
If you get a 2.2, it's probably best to look for a career outside the legal profession.
As already pointed out abive retaking A levels would be pointless.
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