Reality check – academics

In the first of a series of six short daily blog posts, we seek to inject a note of reality into your search for a legal career. Forewarned is forearmed, they say…

Nothing but the best will do in this competitive market. You need to be getting excellent grades from your first year of university onwards – arguably, your A-level grades are just as important when it comes to applying for training contracts and pupillages, as anything less than As and Bs may be what prevents you from getting past the first application hurdle. Most recruiters we speak to say that excellent academics are a given, so make sure you tick this very first box by studying hard – even an Oxbridge first doesn’t guarantee a job on its own.

Some students make the mistake of taking on too much at university, to the detriment of their studies. Have fun and pursue extracurricular interests, but remember that law is a weighty subject which needs plenty of your time and attention, so think twice before committing to play for two sports teams, sing in the chapel choir and learn the bassoon for your friend’s woodwind quartet at the same time. Also, don't be tempted by the various legal master's courses available just to boost less-than-perfect grades – these courses are often quite niche, and don't necessarily improve your candidacy to recruiters. If you really want a legal career, focus on ensuring a good academic performance from A level through to the LPC/BPTC.

Tomorrow, competition…