Which university for law?
I recently applied to QML, LSE, Cambridge, Birmingham and Sheffield.
My current application status is QML AAA, Birmingham AAB (if I firm), Sheffield ABB, LSE pending and Cambridge rejected
I thought that Cambridge was the perfect university for me so rejection has hit hard and now I’m looking seriously at what university I should choose. I’m mainly considering law at LSE (I know I haven’t got an offer yet but I’m just considering just incase I do) and then law and criminology at Sheffield and Birmingham.
My predicted is A*A*A* so I should hopefully meet all my offers but I’m just not sure what’s the best university for me to pick. I want to be a criminal barrister so I want a university that will give me the best pathway there. LSE has a really good name and ofc a really good legal feild but I’ve heard very mixed opinions. I’ve heard many people say they didn’t like the culture and environment of LSE which makes me really unsure. I like the appeal of Birmingham and Sheffield more as they are campus universities which I prefer. If anyone could give any insight into their experiences and their advice I would be so appreciative!
My current application status is QML AAA, Birmingham AAB (if I firm), Sheffield ABB, LSE pending and Cambridge rejected
I thought that Cambridge was the perfect university for me so rejection has hit hard and now I’m looking seriously at what university I should choose. I’m mainly considering law at LSE (I know I haven’t got an offer yet but I’m just considering just incase I do) and then law and criminology at Sheffield and Birmingham.
My predicted is A*A*A* so I should hopefully meet all my offers but I’m just not sure what’s the best university for me to pick. I want to be a criminal barrister so I want a university that will give me the best pathway there. LSE has a really good name and ofc a really good legal feild but I’ve heard very mixed opinions. I’ve heard many people say they didn’t like the culture and environment of LSE which makes me really unsure. I like the appeal of Birmingham and Sheffield more as they are campus universities which I prefer. If anyone could give any insight into their experiences and their advice I would be so appreciative!
Reply 1
14
Choosing a University is a hugely personal, subjective decision. There will be factors which are critical to you, which are less important to others, and vice versa. This is as much about choosing a city that you prefer, as the university or faculty itself. If you are happy where you are studying, you are more likely to do well: that will have more of an influencing factor than, say, the quality of an individual lecturer.
Ignore those who may jump on this thread and point to small differences in the league tables.
Make a list of all the factors that are important to you e.g., nightlife, cost of living, access to societies, proximity to the things you like doing etc. Assess each of your choices against those. Don't ignore your gut feeling/instinct based on your perceptions when you visited each Uni. Take with a pinch of salt the advice of others (particularly those who don't live and study in any of the places you're considering).
At the risk of being facetious, this is a bit like if you had said "I'm thinking of going on holiday to France, Spain or Italy. Which is best?". Without knowing what you love doing, or what you want out of your holiday, other people's views are naturally skewed by what they enjoy, not you.
Ignore those who may jump on this thread and point to small differences in the league tables.
Make a list of all the factors that are important to you e.g., nightlife, cost of living, access to societies, proximity to the things you like doing etc. Assess each of your choices against those. Don't ignore your gut feeling/instinct based on your perceptions when you visited each Uni. Take with a pinch of salt the advice of others (particularly those who don't live and study in any of the places you're considering).
At the risk of being facetious, this is a bit like if you had said "I'm thinking of going on holiday to France, Spain or Italy. Which is best?". Without knowing what you love doing, or what you want out of your holiday, other people's views are naturally skewed by what they enjoy, not you.
Reply 2
Original post
by sophiew555I recently applied to QML, LSE, Cambridge, Birmingham and Sheffield.
My current application status is QML AAA, Birmingham AAB (if I firm), Sheffield ABB, LSE pending and Cambridge rejected
I thought that Cambridge was the perfect university for me so rejection has hit hard and now I’m looking seriously at what university I should choose. I’m mainly considering law at LSE (I know I haven’t got an offer yet but I’m just considering just incase I do) and then law and criminology at Sheffield and Birmingham.
My predicted is A*A*A* so I should hopefully meet all my offers but I’m just not sure what’s the best university for me to pick. I want to be a criminal barrister so I want a university that will give me the best pathway there. LSE has a really good name and ofc a really good legal feild but I’ve heard very mixed opinions. I’ve heard many people say they didn’t like the culture and environment of LSE which makes me really unsure. I like the appeal of Birmingham and Sheffield more as they are campus universities which I prefer. If anyone could give any insight into their experiences and their advice I would be so appreciative!
My current application status is QML AAA, Birmingham AAB (if I firm), Sheffield ABB, LSE pending and Cambridge rejected
I thought that Cambridge was the perfect university for me so rejection has hit hard and now I’m looking seriously at what university I should choose. I’m mainly considering law at LSE (I know I haven’t got an offer yet but I’m just considering just incase I do) and then law and criminology at Sheffield and Birmingham.
My predicted is A*A*A* so I should hopefully meet all my offers but I’m just not sure what’s the best university for me to pick. I want to be a criminal barrister so I want a university that will give me the best pathway there. LSE has a really good name and ofc a really good legal feild but I’ve heard very mixed opinions. I’ve heard many people say they didn’t like the culture and environment of LSE which makes me really unsure. I like the appeal of Birmingham and Sheffield more as they are campus universities which I prefer. If anyone could give any insight into their experiences and their advice I would be so appreciative!
Reply 3
Has anyone heard anything for LSE Law?
Reply 4
9
Original post
by XxPhantomHas anyone heard anything for LSE Law?
Not yet I feel like they are taking forever
Reply 5
Original post
by sophiew555Not yet I feel like they are taking forever
Reply 6
9
Original post
by thegeek888mid March to mid April is when the majority of offers go out. 🙂
That’s so annoying
I applied in October so the wait has dragged 😂Reply 7
Original post
by thegeek888mid March to mid April is when the majority of offers go out. 🙂
Is that the same for UCL too if you know?
Reply 8
Original post
by sophiew555I recently applied to QML, LSE, Cambridge, Birmingham and Sheffield.
My current application status is QML AAA, Birmingham AAB (if I firm), Sheffield ABB, LSE pending and Cambridge rejected
I thought that Cambridge was the perfect university for me so rejection has hit hard and now I’m looking seriously at what university I should choose. I’m mainly considering law at LSE (I know I haven’t got an offer yet but I’m just considering just incase I do) and then law and criminology at Sheffield and Birmingham.
My predicted is A*A*A* so I should hopefully meet all my offers but I’m just not sure what’s the best university for me to pick. I want to be a criminal barrister so I want a university that will give me the best pathway there. LSE has a really good name and ofc a really good legal feild but I’ve heard very mixed opinions. I’ve heard many people say they didn’t like the culture and environment of LSE which makes me really unsure. I like the appeal of Birmingham and Sheffield more as they are campus universities which I prefer. If anyone could give any insight into their experiences and their advice I would be so appreciative!
My current application status is QML AAA, Birmingham AAB (if I firm), Sheffield ABB, LSE pending and Cambridge rejected
I thought that Cambridge was the perfect university for me so rejection has hit hard and now I’m looking seriously at what university I should choose. I’m mainly considering law at LSE (I know I haven’t got an offer yet but I’m just considering just incase I do) and then law and criminology at Sheffield and Birmingham.
My predicted is A*A*A* so I should hopefully meet all my offers but I’m just not sure what’s the best university for me to pick. I want to be a criminal barrister so I want a university that will give me the best pathway there. LSE has a really good name and ofc a really good legal feild but I’ve heard very mixed opinions. I’ve heard many people say they didn’t like the culture and environment of LSE which makes me really unsure. I like the appeal of Birmingham and Sheffield more as they are campus universities which I prefer. If anyone could give any insight into their experiences and their advice I would be so appreciative!
In and of itself, the university that you choose does not give you a better or worse 'pathway' to being a barrister. It is increasingly standard, and at this point positively recommended by the Bar Council, for sets to anonymise university names on pupillage application forms. So the name of the university itself makes no difference at all to your application. Equally, whilst some will point towards quality of teaching, 'links' that particular universities have or specific opportunities they provide, in practice any perceptible difference in quality between the universities that you're considering in that regard isn't anything that you're not going to be able to make up with your own initiative. Activities like debating and mooting are available everywhere. London, Birmingham and Sheffield all have ample access to magistrates and crown courts for you to observe in your own time or take advantage of marshalling. They all have chambers that you can target for mini pupillages.
There just realistically isn't going to be anything to separate those universities for the purposes of your aiming for pupillage. The factors that are more important are those that chalks listed. University life can be tough to adjust to and navigate, as can the reality of reading law. You're not just going to want to be able to achieve your academic potential, but be able to take advantage of extra curriculars and pursue personal interests as well. The most important factor in all of that is that you're happy and are properly taking care of yourself, including getting plenty of time to develop friendships and just have fun.
For all of that you need a university and city that is suited to you. Honestly Sheffield, Birmingham and London are so different as cities that you can probably get most of the way to making your choice by figuring out the actual city that you're best suited to. I went to Sheffield (admittedly quite a long time ago now) and had a great time. I haven't really kept up with how the university itself has developed, but Sheffield is a great student city for a host of reasons. I was also rejected from Cambridge as it happens, though in hindsight I'm not sure how good a fit that would have been for me as a university. I do know London would never have been a good fit for me. I don't mind going on trips there or even doing trials there, but I could never live there. But these are all my preferences. You will have your own. Research these cities and universities, including not just going to open days but actually going and visiting the cities themselves, and choose somewhere where you will be happy, healthy and motivated to study. That makes far more of a difference than league tables or any advantage that these universities might tell they can give you in your hunt for pupillage.
Reply 9
Original post
by XxPhantomIs that the same for UCL too if you know?
Reply 10
Original post
by sophiew555That’s so annoying I applied in October so the wait has dragged 😂
I applied in October so the wait has dragged 😂Reply 11
9
Original post
by thegeek888You can search previous years threads and they had offers mostly during mid March to mid April but some even had offers in early May.
How can they give offers in may when their offer day is in April. That seems really unfair
Reply 12
Original post
by sophiew555How can they give offers in may when their offer day is in April. That seems really unfair
But I don't think they will make offers in May anymore but they have done in the past a few times.
Reply 13
Original post
by sophiew555I recently applied to QML, LSE, Cambridge, Birmingham and Sheffield.
My current application status is QML AAA, Birmingham AAB (if I firm), Sheffield ABB, LSE pending and Cambridge rejected
I thought that Cambridge was the perfect university for me so rejection has hit hard and now I’m looking seriously at what university I should choose. I’m mainly considering law at LSE (I know I haven’t got an offer yet but I’m just considering just incase I do) and then law and criminology at Sheffield and Birmingham.
My predicted is A*A*A* so I should hopefully meet all my offers but I’m just not sure what’s the best university for me to pick. I want to be a criminal barrister so I want a university that will give me the best pathway there. LSE has a really good name and ofc a really good legal feild but I’ve heard very mixed opinions. I’ve heard many people say they didn’t like the culture and environment of LSE which makes me really unsure. I like the appeal of Birmingham and Sheffield more as they are campus universities which I prefer. If anyone could give any insight into their experiences and their advice I would be so appreciative!
My current application status is QML AAA, Birmingham AAB (if I firm), Sheffield ABB, LSE pending and Cambridge rejected
I thought that Cambridge was the perfect university for me so rejection has hit hard and now I’m looking seriously at what university I should choose. I’m mainly considering law at LSE (I know I haven’t got an offer yet but I’m just considering just incase I do) and then law and criminology at Sheffield and Birmingham.
My predicted is A*A*A* so I should hopefully meet all my offers but I’m just not sure what’s the best university for me to pick. I want to be a criminal barrister so I want a university that will give me the best pathway there. LSE has a really good name and ofc a really good legal feild but I’ve heard very mixed opinions. I’ve heard many people say they didn’t like the culture and environment of LSE which makes me really unsure. I like the appeal of Birmingham and Sheffield more as they are campus universities which I prefer. If anyone could give any insight into their experiences and their advice I would be so appreciative!
Hey! Firstly, I’m really sorry about Cambridge; that must have been tough, but your predicted grades and offers are amazing, and you’ve got some great options.
I don’t study law myself (I’m a final-year biomedical student at Sheffield), so I can’t comment on the course or barrister pathway, but there are law students you can speak to HERE. What I can say is why I chose Sheffield and what it’s actually been like to live and study here.
You mentioned liking campus unis, that was a big thing for me too. Sheffield feels really student-centred and walkable, so you’re not constantly trekking across a huge city just to get to lectures or see friends. I lived in Endcliffe/Ranmoor in my first year, and I loved it! It felt very social without being overwhelming, and it was easy to meet people just by being in the same spaces, especially since there is a shop, restaurant, bar, study space, and pond (with ducks) all within the student village. That said, city accommodation is slightly closer to the university and has its own individual perks, so there are endless options, even studio apartments if that suits you better.
Social life has various options, you’ve got nights out if that’s your thing, but also more chilled opportunities, like societies, cafés, pub quizzes, and honestly, some of my favourite memories are just random walks or trips out to the Peak District when we needed a break from work. Having nature that close is underrated during stressful periods.
I’d highly recommend attending an offer-holder day if you can. It wasn't until I actually visited, got a feel for the atmosphere, and spoke to real students that I knew for sure Sheffield was right for me. You’ll also have the opportunity to chat with law students and staff directly.
At the end of the day, especially with your grades, you have some great options. It helped me think about where I could actually see myself living and studying for 3 years.
Good luck, and please feel free to ask if you have any Sheffield/student life questions 😊
Useful Links:
Accommodation
Student Union
Offer Holder Day Information
Mia
BSc Biomedical Science
University of Sheffield
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 14
Lnat scores have been released
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