If your motivation to change comes from the desire to earn eye-watering sums (£180k+NQ) you’ll be disappointed to find out that you have no chance in making that kinda money.

Your past academics do not define you, but as others have suggested, ensure you have reflected on what caused your degree result. The PGDL and SQE are academic undertakings, and knowing what you are signing up for is key. Also, remember that you don’t have to aim for MC or SC and can have a successful career as a lawyer at a range of firms.

Following from my discussions with careers advisors and in support to the question and answer from my personal perspective, the effect of a 2:2 is to the discretion of the firm. My argument being a masters is a higher level, thus, places the grade of my degree as irrelevant. this is not the case from these discussions.

The academic background is similarly subjected by the firms as to your prior working background however, given firms hire on the premise of the required academics, that’s is a focus at first. The decision is with the firm primarily and firms such as Shoosmiths and BCLP make a strong emphasis to prior experience and do not have (according to Legal Cheek) minimum requirements as to grading.

In all honesty, I don’t think any large regional (or even niche boutique small regional) will accept anyone with less than a 2.1. Even a third or a 2.2 would be a struggle. Realistically, you’re looking at high street firms but even then, it’s going to be competitive.

Know what first degree it was, what the reason for the 4th was, any mitigating circa and what good experience OP has – these might change it more favourably… but it’s still going to be a slog.

AO.

Are you collecting downvotes? What’s your record?

1. Career changer – means you have experience of another career – which might (depends on what you did) make you attractive to certain practices.

2. Your degree wasn’t in law – so it’s not a case that you did poorly in law.

3. You have experience of pseudo legal advice work. Again shows you have some idea of what you are getting into.

Things you need to overcome:

1. Academic grades. Firms use academics as filters. Your degree is evidence you can hack it academically. As well as top grades at A level, most law firms require a first or 2.1 at the least. Some firms who aren’t as bothered will consider a 2.2. But your grade is an ordinary, which is below a 3rd. You won’t get passed page 1 of most application forms on websites – unless you have some sort of mitigating extenuating reason. think about how you would answer the question, why should we take you over someone with a 2.1 or 1st?

2. Although no longer a requirement for the SQE, the GDL tends to require you to have a 2.2 in your first degree – otherwise you won’t qualify for this course – and without it, you’ll find it exceedingly difficult to pass the SQE. That’s before you even get to applying for firms.

3. There might be other non-SQE routes in – paralegalling, Legal Exec etc..

4. Law is a tough nut to crack even with good grades and academics and many will have at least a few months work experience too so your competitors will be a tough crowd.

Not saying you won’t be able to make it – persistence counts for a lot – but the odds are stacked against.. certainly for a large number of firms (the best biggest and most sought after).

All the best tho.

Twat.

A lawyer is not a next-step advisory role, even for a very good advisor.

Everyone wants the feel of a Lambo accelerator under their foot my friend, and some make rash decisions looking for it.

Your academics are a serious but not necessarily insurmountable problem. I won’t list the academic requirements of individual firms for you because you can discover that for yourself, but I would aim at less competitive firms and try to work your way up in the long run. Working at one of the big national firms with a healthy employment practice is a plausible best-case scenario for now. The confidence and people skills you have hopefully gleaned should help separate you from the rest of the pack and facilitate a move elsewhere a year or two after qualifying. Academics matter less as you progress through your career.

Probably ought to read it a bit more carefully mate – it clearly states that the questioner has an ‘Ordinary Degree’, i.e. he or she doesn’t have a graded honours degree with a classification of 2:2, 2:1 or whatever. The question is can he or she get a legal job with that academic background.

How strong are your pre-university academics, is there a good reason for the disappointing degree result, and what is the legal component of your post-university work? Do you have other legal work experience? Are there any law firms you are working alongside in your current role who might look at you favourably based on the work you have done with them?

You might be tempted to get some legal education – a masters, say – but that feels like a high risk / low reward approach.

I expect you would find it easier to go a “para” legal route – not necessarily working as a paralegal, but in a role with more of a legal slant, perhaps where you are already working as an employment adviser. At law firms, you’ll be up against people at or after university with actual or expected good results, and people leaving school starting as legal apprentices. So if you want to go that way, you’ll need to rely on your experience and skills to get an interview, and then persuade at interview.

Good luck.