Which uni is best for law with DDD BTEC?

4

I'm deciding between Exeter, Royal Holloway, Reading, Northumbria and Essex for law. I've got a D*D*D prediction in BTEC Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services. I'm taking GCSE Maths. Some unis need GCSE Maths, some don't. Which would you pick and why? Also I am doing higher for maths which is apparently easier to pass but am not too sure about it and I don’t want to go to Essex but they don’t require maths and exeter is too far cause I live in London and I like royal Holloway cause I like there law degree with international relations and Northumbria has a good intergrated masters of law but apparently reading has a good one aswell so am abit confused on what to choose as a firm and the second option

Reply 1

McGinger

20

Original post

by Fae-fei

I'm deciding between Exeter, Royal Holloway, Reading, Northumbria and Essex for law. I've got a D*D*D prediction in BTEC Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services. I'm taking GCSE Maths. Some unis need GCSE Maths, some don't. Which would you pick and why? Also I am doing higher for maths which is apparently easier to pass but am not too sure about it and I don’t want to go to Essex but they don’t require maths and exeter is too far cause I live in London and I like royal Holloway cause I like there law degree with international relations and Northumbria has a good intergrated masters of law but apparently reading has a good one aswell so am abit confused on what to choose as a firm and the second option

Do you actually have offers from all of these Unis?

Reply 2

Royal Holloway, University of London

Official Rep

13

Original post

by Fae-fei

I'm deciding between Exeter, Royal Holloway, Reading, Northumbria and Essex for law. I've got a D*D*D prediction in BTEC Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services. I'm taking GCSE Maths. Some unis need GCSE Maths, some don't. Which would you pick and why? Also I am doing higher for maths which is apparently easier to pass but am not too sure about it and I don’t want to go to Essex but they don’t require maths and exeter is too far cause I live in London and I like royal Holloway cause I like there law degree with international relations and Northumbria has a good intergrated masters of law but apparently reading has a good one aswell so am abit confused on what to choose as a firm and the second option

Hi @Fae-fei,

Thanks for your message, it sounds like you’ve got some good options lined up 😊

If you’re interested in studying Law with International Relations at Royal Holloway, it could potentially be a great fit, especially if you’re based in London and want to stay closer to home. The course here combines legal studies with global politics, which can open up a lot of interesting career paths. It’s also great to hear that you’re taking Maths at GCSE level. Even if some universities don’t require it, having it can give you more flexibility later on.

When choosing your firm and insurance, we'd recommend thinking about where you’d feel happiest studying day to day for example, factoring both the location, course content and campus environment. This can all make a big difference in deciding. It might be worth speaking to a current Law student here to find out more.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any further questions.

Best wishes,
Royal Holloway, University of London Official Rep

Reply 3

UniofLawStudent4

Official Rep

5

Original post

by Fae-fei

I'm deciding between Exeter, Royal Holloway, Reading, Northumbria and Essex for law. I've got a D*D*D prediction in BTEC Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services. I'm taking GCSE Maths. Some unis need GCSE Maths, some don't. Which would you pick and why? Also I am doing higher for maths which is apparently easier to pass but am not too sure about it and I don’t want to go to Essex but they don’t require maths and exeter is too far cause I live in London and I like royal Holloway cause I like there law degree with international relations and Northumbria has a good intergrated masters of law but apparently reading has a good one aswell so am abit confused on what to choose as a firm and the second option

Hi, thanks for sharing your situation.

It’s actually a really sensible set of questions, and you’re not wrong to feel torn.With a DDD in a BTEC Extended Diploma, you’re in a strong position academically, so this decision is much more about fit than whether you’re good enough. The GCSE Maths requirement can feel stressful, but in reality it is mostly an administrative filter. Law itself is not maths based.

Taking Higher Maths is a smart move because it gives you a better chance of passing and keeps more options open, even if you only achieve a grade 4.From what you’ve said, it makes sense to be honest with yourself early. If you already know you don’t want to go to Essex, I would rule it out completely. Motivation and happiness matter far more than meeting a requirement on paper. The same applies to Exeter. It is a great university, but if distance from London feels like too much, that is a valid reason not to make it your firm choice.

Looking at the other options, Royal Holloway stands out because you genuinely like the Law with International Relations degree. Enjoying the course content makes a huge difference to how well you do, and it is also a respected university that keeps you close to London. Reading is a strong option too, particularly if you want a more traditional law degree with good outcomes while staying relatively local. Northumbria has an excellent reputation for law, especially because of its integrated master’s and focus on employability, but it does come down to whether you are comfortable moving further away.

If I had to pick based on what you’ve told me, I would say that Royal Holloway is definitely an option of mine because it aligns with your interests, and Reading would be a good insurance option if you want to stay in the vicinity of London, and Northumbria would be a good alternative if the integrated master’s program is really what you want. From a University of Law perspective, what matters most in the long run is not just where you study, but how well you do, how confident you become, and how engaged you are with your degree.

Strong results and skills development will matter far more when you move on to postgraduate legal training.

Kind regards,

Faith Pomell

ULaw Ambassador and MA Law Conversion Student

Reply 4

UniofReading

Official Rep

15

Original post

by Fae-fei

I'm deciding between Exeter, Royal Holloway, Reading, Northumbria and Essex for law. I've got a D*D*D prediction in BTEC Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services. I'm taking GCSE Maths. Some unis need GCSE Maths, some don't. Which would you pick and why? Also I am doing higher for maths which is apparently easier to pass but am not too sure about it and I don’t want to go to Essex but they don’t require maths and exeter is too far cause I live in London and I like royal Holloway cause I like there law degree with international relations and Northumbria has a good intergrated masters of law but apparently reading has a good one aswell so am abit confused on what to choose as a firm and the second option

Good afternoon,

The School of Law at the University of Reading offers a variety of courses for students to pick from.For example LLB Law - 2026/27.

Choosing a university depends on what you want from your university experience. Every student wants something slightly different, such as lecture style or exam vs no exams. I always recommend deciding what you want from your university and writing a list of your goals. You can compare the two universities to your own criteria; this means the university will be the best fit for you.

The Whatuni website is good for Find A Course, as it offers a comprehensive list with reviews. Similarly, the UCAS website has tips on comparing undergraduate courses and universities, which is a great way to narrow down your options.

It is a very personal decision to choose a course, so I recommend reaching out to our ambassadors and reviewing the course reviews and modules. This should help you come to an informed decision.

There is an ambassador scheme at the University of Reading where prospective students can message current students; more information is available here. They will be able to provide you with an insider's perspective on the degree and answer any questions you may have about the course.

The University of Reading considers every application on its own merit, ensuring every student's application is considered; this is the contextual offers scheme. However, this does not mean that every student receives an offer from the university.

All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology