Is the standard of applicant for the LLB Law very high?

[mountainboo]

I have applied to Southampton, Southampton Solent and Portsmouth Universities as a mature student and don't hold the same qualifications as an 18 year old school leaver. Basically I have 2 GCSE's, Level 2 Adult Literacy and Numeracy, half an Access to Higher Education (merits for both modules) and an A-Level in English. However, I have a great deal of work experience (which I have included in my personal statement). Do you think I stand a chance with any of them? TIA

[saxy_jag]

I'll confess I don't know whether these are 'new' or 'old' universities, but you may stand a better chance with the new ones as they seem to take a higher proportion of mature students. I got into De Montfort with little more than an OU course under my belt. In fact, we used to joke that you could get in there with 25yds breast stroke. That was for H
history, though. Their law school is considered one of the best in the country so their requirements could well be higher.

[mountainboo]

Thanks Saxy. The suspense is hard to tolerate but I'll just have to hope that I get at least one offer soon.

[mike11111]

i don't want to deter you, but academic law requires a strict mindset. Not only the basic principles of whichever aspect of law you may happen to be studying, but also the ability to memorise and recite the relevant legal authority for any statement you may make in your written submissions. If you make a statement like, "The law is so-and-so, without quoting chapter and verse, you will score zero. Also bear in mind that if you are considering a career as a professional lawyer, opportunities are very limited, no matter how good you may be in the classroom. I speak from bitter experience, having sailed through the LLB part-time and the Diploma in Legal Practice. Please do not be put off; the law is fascinating, but be prepared to be disappointed.

[mountainboo]

Thanks Mike, I have also been given similar warnings by my Brother in Law. However, having obtained a first (as I assume you did to) and waiting for decisions from Oxbridge, he is aiming much much higher than I am. I would be happy to work as a Solicitor within a small office somewhere. Or, failing that, perhaps I could teach? I am prepared for the heavy workload and have a great deal of determination (although I know that may not be enough). Do you work in the industry now?

[mountainboo]

I think you helped me out once before Mike. I forgot to mention that I have enrolled onto the LLB Law with the Open University but I still have misgivings about doing it with them. Clearly if I get rejected from all three universities I will have no choice but to study with the OU.

[hc4361]

Is your work experienced relevant to law?

[saxy_jag]

Suffice to say that my niece, who lives in Kent, did her course at Nottingham (not Trent) and now 'solicits' for an MP, presumably in a sort of legal/advisory role rather than representation.

I'm also friendly with one or two of our council's legal services department. They're all qualified solicitors although again, not working in general practice. Most of their time is spent gathering and presenting information on behalf of the council in cases ranging from personal injury claims to child abuse cases. They were advertising for a team manager the other week at something like £60k pa.

Basically what I'm saying is that there is more out there than the traditional 'firm of solicitors' route.

[mike11111]

My point has always been that getting a Training Contract (formerly articles) is the hardest part, irrespective of academic results. Without that you cannot qualify. If I had known then what I know now I would have opted for the BVC rather than the LPC. Even if I had failed to gain a pupillage I would have still been called to the bar and entitled to call myself barrister-at-law, though obviously unable to practise.